The Contractor shall follow and maintain a documented quality control policy that is consistent with or exceeds the following minimum standards: • Conformance to national industry standards • Processing time for WGS, SNP, or DNA profile shall not exceed 60 days depending on complexity of sample. This includes processing and preparation of profiles for upload to any DNA website such as GED Match and/or FTDNA • Results must be usable and prepared for upload into the above noted websites for use in investigative genetic genealogy (IGG). These reports and information will be provided to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in a manner that is secure and consistent with security standards befitting legal challenges and dissemination to legal entities. This includes documentation of chain of custody (COC), mail tracking and records of receipt and mailing, as well as documentation of distribution of materials to DPS and the medical examiner’s (ME) office or to third party processors. In addition, a record of the technician or employee processing the samples must be documented in case of court subpoena • Results and corresponding information must be admissible in court, including a documented COC process for each sample • Contractor must have an available expert witness for court testimony should the contractor’s lab or the state be subpoenaed. The contractor must have a policy in place for Page 8 of 45 who will testify in court. Should the contractor ever have be subpoenaed in court, documentation of court case will be provided to DPS if requested. Usual and customary fees for travel, expert witness fees, and Per Diem fees will be negotiated outside of this contract. • Communication to DPS must be clear and timely as part of this contract. DPS expects a response from the contracted agency within two business days. This includes but is not limited to when the sample is received, the likelihood of success with testing before any costs will be incurred, before any dissemination to third party processors or companies and explanation of what is being performed and provided to the third party, notice of unsuccessful attempts, and return of any remaining sample. In addition, recommendations regarding the sample or ability to test the sample for future use will be provided to DPS within two business days of receipt or discovery of inability to process the sample. A main point of contact with the successful bidder will be provided. Any change of this point of contact will be provided within two business days of the change. • Biomaterial must be handled in a manner that allows for reevaluation, including a confrontation clause challenge, and resampling if necessary. Excess material that is not used by the lab will be returned to DPS if it is not utilized for DPS testing purposes. Guidance on preferred sampling areas or likelihood of a sample producing a successful result, will be provided by the successful bidder. • The owner of the results of testing, subsequent data, and any remaining evidence will be the sole property of DPS. Any information retained in addition to DPS by the successful bidder will be noted and record of retention provided to DPS. Any remaining biomaterial will be returned to DPS according to previously specified procedures. • Samples must be stored according to industry standard for different sample types • Preferred but not required: experience working with international industry standards, specifically Canada
