· Supply & delivery of forensic items, consumables & reagents to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory: Q19/1/9/1/5TD (10) has been published on Friday 2010-07-02 and the closing date is 2010-08-03. Interested vendors must please contact Ms Jacobeth Majola at 012 8417459 and make arrangements to collect the bid specification documents
This bid consists of all sorts of DNA consumables, reagents, kits, containers etc. Furthermore it calls for bids on:
· DNA analysis of non-intimate reference samples for submission to the SAPS to load onto the National DNA Database of South Africa (NDDSA)
· Competency Testing for taking non-intimate DNA samples (training of official to take non-intimate samples)
· Archiving & retrieval service for forensic files and documents
Private laboratories and medical training facilities are encouraged to participate in this process.
I have been following this discussion about SAPS needing help from private labs to assist with DNA extractions. Today, I got so disappointed to find out that the notice to tender was out on the 2nd of July 2010 and I was still in the process of trying to formulate a company so I can also stand a chance to bid. Do you think I could stand a chance or its only the people that already have established companies that need apply? How many labs is SAPS looking to outsource in this regard? Thanks
Service providers are advised to submit their questions and concerns to the office of SAPS SCM (Ms Jacobeth Majola) where the bid documents were collected.
What does this mean for the DNA Project?
A dynamic common to most countries that implement forensic DNA databases is the necessary development of a private sector market. This is a natural result of the passage of database legislation. Few country laboratory infrastructures were designed with forensic DNA databasing in mind. And the passage of legislation results in an immediate and large volume of offender testing that needs to be accomplished in order for the database to be effective. Also, offender sample testing is conducive to automation and doesn’t require the same level of “bench” expertise that law enforcement crime scene specialists should be doing. Ultimately, private sector automation is a more cost effective way to approach such testing. The development of a private sector market contributes to cost efficiencies. In the United States, when databasing first began, offender samples were being analyzed at approximately $80 per sample. Because of competition, samples are now analyzed at less than $30 per offender sample.
The DNAP has engaged widely with private forensic labs throughout South Africa who are willing to assist the state labs with their throughput capacity. We welcome this move by the state forensic labs to explore future private-public partnerships in order to facilitate the backlog and implementation plan proposed by the police to the portfolio committee to ensure the ultimate success of the legislation.