Magnetic bead chemistry for the extraction of amplifiable DNA from crime stains

Department of Justice and Equality

The Forensic Science Laboratory of the Department of Justice and Equality, is seeking to develop automated capabilities for the DNA extraction from a wide variety of crime-stain derived substrates including (but not limited to) swabs, minitapes, fabric and cigarette butts with subsequent PCR set-up of human identity PCR reactions. The extraction chemistry must be automatable on the Hamilton Star liquid handling unit. The envisaged process will consist of sample lysis in individual tube format, with purification and PCR set-up to 96 well plate format. The Forensic Science Laboratory is looking to develop a mutually beneficial agreement ensuring consistent supply of DNA extraction chemistry for a 4-year period. The current crime stain sample throughput of the laboratory approximates 10 000 however this is expected to double upon enactment of DNA database legislation. There is no current timeline available for the enactment of DNA database legislation.
Note: to register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the eTenders web site at http://www.etenders.gov.ie/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=367712.
The awarding authority has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via a 'Tender Submission Postbox' facility. Further details of this facility are available at http://www.etenders.gov.ie/PostBox/Postbox_Explain.aspx?ID=367712.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. The postbox closes precisely at the time stated.

Deadline
The time limit for receipt of tenders was 2012-03-02. The procurement was published on 2012-01-18.

Suppliers
The following suppliers are mentioned in award decisions or other procurement documents:

• • Qiagen Ltd

Who?

• • Department of Justice and Equality

What?

• • Post-mortem and mortuary equipment and supplies › Clinical forensics equipment and supplies

Where?

• • Éire/Ireland