DNA Analytical and Interpretative Services

Trade Agreement: NONE
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 
Request for Information (RFI)
DNA Analytical and Interpretative Services in support to the
National DNA Missing Persons Program

1.	Purpose  and Nature of the Request for Information (RFI)
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is seeking
Industry feedback regarding DNA analytical and interpretative
services for the purpose of assisting the investigations of
missing persons and unidentified human remains on behalf of The
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The objectives of this RFI are to: 
a)	Determine the interest and capability of suppliers to provide
services described in this RFI;
b)	Provide the industry with the opportunity to assess the
RCMP's requirements and help to develop the the technical
criteria of the project;
c)	Solicit feedback and recommendations on any issues that would
impact a supplier's ability to fulfill the RCMP's requirements;
and
d)	Solicit industry knowledge and scientific expertise with
regard to existing processes and capabilities that would
increase the likelihood of a successful outcome for this project.
This RFI is neither a call for tender nor a Bid Solicitation. 
No agreement or contract will be entered into based on this RFI.
 The issuance of this RFI is not to be considered in any way a
commitment by the Government of Canada, nor as authority to
potential respondents to undertake any work that could be
charged to Canada.  This RFI is not to be considered as a
commitment to issue a subsequent solicitation or award
contract(s) for the work described herein.
2.	Background Information:
In December 2014, Parliament passed amendments to the DNA
Identification Act that will create a new humanitarian
application within the National DNA Data Bank (NDDB), which is
maintained by the RCMP, by expanding the existing infrastructure
to establish three new humanitarian indexes.
The 2014 Federal Budget provided funds to establish a DNA based
Missing Persons Index Program within the RCMP (heretofore
referred to as the National Missing Persons DNA Program).  The
funds identified were to create and maintain program
infrastructure for this new policing tool, including the
verification, comparison and reporting of potential matches.  No
federal funds were allocated to support the collection of
biological samples or the derivation of DNA profiles to populate
the new index.  It will remain the responsibility of the primary
investigative agency, be it police, coroner or medical examiner,
to conduct this work through approved laboratory facilities.  
It is the intent of the RCMP to establish a procurement vehicle
for one or more prequalified supplier laboratories to provide
DNA analysis services for the purpose of populating new national
humanitarian indices, housed within the RCMP's NDDB to support
the investigation of missing persons and unidentified remains. 
The information obtained from this request will support the
development of the specifications and requirements for the
National Missing Persons DNA Program and for future competitive
procurement processes.
Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any
procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.