RFQ - RAPID IMMUNOSSAY BASED BIOLOGICAL DETECTION STRIPS AND ASSOCIATED TEST KITS

County of San Diego Date Issued: June 22, 2026
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION
RFQ Number: 13129 CONTRACTING OFFICER:
Rapid Immunoassay Based Biological
RFQ TITLE: Detection Strips and Associated Test Fernando Aparicio, Procurement Contracting Specialist
Kits
QUOTATIONS
July 7, 2026 ;5:00 PM Phone: (619) 541-5596
DUE:
QUESTIONS DUE: June 26, 2026 ;5:00 PM Email: fernando.aparicio@sdcounty.ca.gov
AWARD: Will be based on:
SUBMITTING YOUR QUOTATION:
EACH ITEM EACH LOT
Submit your response, including completed forms via BuyNet.
TOTAL (ALL ITEMS)
DESCRIPTION
THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO IS SEEKING QUOTES FROM QUALIFIED FIRMS (OFFERORS) TO PROVIDE RAPID
IMMUNOSSAY BASED BIOLOGICAL DETECTION STRIPS AND ASSOCIATED TEST KITS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE TERMS & CONDITIONS CONTAINED WITHIN.
SEE THE STATEMENT OF WORK FOR A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY'S REQUIREMENTS.
THIS REQUEST FOR QUOTATION INCLUDES AN RFQ SUBMISSION CHECKLIST TO BE COMPLETED BY
OFFERORS.
SUBMITTALS WILL BE EVALUATED BASED UPON PRICE, OFFEROR'S PROGRAM/TECHNICAL APPROACH,
AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE COUNTY'S DRAFT AGREEMENT.
THE REQUIRED FEDERAL AND FEMA FUNDING REQUIREMENTS/PROVISIONS INCLUDED IN THIS RFQ WILL
BE INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT.
Page 1 of 17

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13129 - RAPID IMMUNOSSAY BASED BIOLOGICAL DETECTION
STRIPS AND ASSOCIATED TEST KITS
SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
Submit a completed and signed Offeror's Cover Page (PC600) form

* https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/purchasing/docs/PC600_dpc_Offerors_Cover_Page.pdf
Submit a completed and signed Representations and Certifications form (PC601)

* https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/purchasing/docs/PC601_dpc_Reps_and_Certs.pdf
Submit a completed and signed Small-Local Business Self-Certification Form (PC610)

* All Offerors are encouraged to complete this form to support County data collection.
* https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/purchasing/docs/PC610_dpc_Small_Local_Self_Cert.pdf
Submit a completed and signed Nondisclosure Indemnification Agreement (PC620) (if applicable).

* Required if submitting Confidential/Proprietary Information (see information in Terms and Conditions below)
* https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/purchasing/docs/PC620_dpc_Nondisclosure_Indemnity.pdf
Submit a completed Pricing Schedule.

* (Pages 10-11),
Submit and complete the RFQ QUESTIONNAIRE.

/
/
/
Page 2 of 17

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13129 - RAPID IMMUNOSSAY BASED BIOLOGICAL DETECTION
STRIPS AND ASSOCIATED TEST KITS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF REQUEST FOR QUOTATION
RESPONSES: Your response is due through electronic upload to BuyNet on the specified close date and time, local San
Diego time.
It is the Offeror's responsibility to submit based on the most current RFQ, addenda thereto, responses to Questions, any
other information posted on BuyNet, and any diligence material made available by the County. Offerors are advised to
regularly check BuyNet for information. The County has no obligation to contact Offerors directly with any such RFQ-
related information.
* In order to see all information related to this RFQ, to submit Questions, and to receive notifications of updates,
Offerors must select "Participate in RFx" for this solicitation in BuyNet.
Forms required to be submitted with Offeror's Quotation are included in this RFQ or posted on the County's web site at
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/purchasing/purchasing-forms.html. Posted forms may be updated from time
to time. Unless otherwise specified, Offerors may submit the version of a form in place as of the date of RFQ issuance or
any later version.
This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not offers.
QUESTIONS: Please submit questions and requests for clarification related to definition or interpretation of this RFQ in
writing to the contracting officer before the Questions Due date/time listed in this RFQ. Those received after this date may
not be answered at the discretion of the County.
PRICING: The County may award a contract on the basis of initial quotations. Your price(s) should be the lowest possible
for the RFQ requirements. Omit Sales and Use Taxes unless otherwise specified.
The Estimated Quantities in the Pricing Schedule are provided solely for evaluation of quotations. They represent
approximate anticipated use based on historical consumption. If the County's actual requirements do not result in orders in
the quantities described as "estimated" in the Schedule, that fact shall not constitute the basis for price adjustment.
EVALUATION AND AWARD. Quotations are subject to acceptance at any time within 90 days after submission due
date/time, unless otherwise stipulated by the County. This RFQ is an informal negotiated procurement process. Lowest price
may not always be the sole criteria for award of an RFQ. The County reserves the right to waive a variation in specification
if, in the opinion of the County, such variation does not materially change the item or its performance within parameters
acceptable to the County. The County reserves the right to reject any or all quotations and to accept or reject any item(s)
thereon, or waive any informality in the quotation. The County reserves the right to perform a pre-award survey of the
offeror to determine capability to perform, including but not limited to facilities, financial responsibility, materials/supplies,
and past performance. The determination of the County as to an Offeror's prospective ability to perform the contract shall
be conclusive.
SAMPLES: Samples, at Offeror's expense, may be required for evaluation by the County. Delivery of sample must be
scheduled with contracting officer and provided within required timeline. The County shall have the right to review sample
and to determine if such sample is acceptable. The County's decision to award is contingent upon its acceptance of the
products provided in the sample. During the term of the award, the County must approve any substitutions from the initial
sample in writing in advance of substitution. In no event shall the supplier be permitted to increase prices on the basis of
substituted item(s).
Sample, if not destroyed by tests, will, upon request, be returned at Offeror's expense. Offeror must advise contracting
officer at time of sending sample that they must be returned, provide return address and Federal Express account number.
BRAND NAME OR EQUAL: If items called for in this Request for Quotation have been identified in the schedule by a
"brand name or equal" description, such identification is intended to be descriptive, but not restrictive, and is to indicate the
quality and characteristics of products (including products of brand name manufacturer s other than the one described by
the brand name) to be considered for award if such products are determined by the County to meet fully the salient
characteristic requirements listed in the request.
Page 3 of 17

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13129 - RAPID IMMUNOSSAY BASED BIOLOGICAL DETECTION
STRIPS AND ASSOCIATED TEST KITS
Unless the offeror clearly indicates in the quotation that an "or equal" product is being offered, quotation shall be considered
as offering the brand name product specified.
If the offeror proposes to furnish an "equal" product, the brand name, if any, of the product to be furnished shall be inserted
in the space provided in the request for quotation, or such product shall be clearly identified in the quotation. The evaluation
of the quotation and the determination as to equality of the product offered shall be the responsibility of the County and will
be based upon the information furnished by the offeror, or identified in the quotation as well as other information reasonably
available to the purchasing activity. Caution to offerors: the purchasing activity is not responsible for locating or securing
any information which is not identified in the quotation and reasonably available to the purchasing activity. Accordingly,
to insure that sufficient information is available, the offeror must furnish, as part of the quotation, all descriptive material
(such as cuts, illustrations, drawings, or other information) necessary for the purchasing activity to (i) determine whether
the product offered meets the salient characteristic requirements of the request for quotation, and (ii) establish exactly what
the offeror proposes to furnish and what the County is binding itself to purchase by making an award. The information
furnished may include specific references to information previously furnished or to information otherwise available to the
purchasing activity.
If the offeror proposes to modify a product so as to make it conform to the requirements of the Request for Quotation, he
shall (i) include in the quotation a clear description of such modifications and (ii) clearly mark any description to show the
proposed modifications.
DUTY TO INQUIRE: Should the Offeror find discrepancies in or omissions from the RFQ, plans, specifications or other
documents, or should the Offeror be in doubt as to their meaning, the Offeror must at once notify the Buyer, in writing. If
the point in question is not clearly and fully set forth, a written addendum will be issued and emailed to Offerors.
CONFIDENTIAL/PROPRIETARY INFORMATION: If confidential/proprietary is contained within the submission:
1) It must be submitted in a separate file or document marked as EXHIBIT-CONFIDENTIAL/PROPRIETARY;
2) Responses to solicitation requirements that include the confidential/proprietary information, shall refer to the
response contained within the EXHIBIT-CONFIDENTIAL/PROPRIETARY (for example: If submittal
requirement #1 requires staff Social Security Numbers, the response to requirement #1 shall reflect "see response
#1 contained within Exhibit-Confidential/Proprietary"); and
3) It must include a signed Nondisclosure Indemnification Agreement (PC620).
NOTE: As a Public Agency, the County of San Diego must adhere to the California Public Records Act, therefore pricing
cannot be considered confidential/proprietary.
TERMS OF RESULTING CONTRACTS: Any purchase order(s) issued as a result of an RFQ will contain the County's
standard Purchase Order (PO) terms and conditions and any additional terms and conditions referenced in this RFQ. The
County's PO Terms and Conditions are available at:
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/purchasing/docs/dpc_terms_and_conditions.pdf
Payment terms are NET 30, unless terms more favorable to the County are included in Offerors quotation. Note: qualified
Small-Local Businesses may be eligible for more advantageous payment terms including NET15, in accordance with Board
Policy B-53 Small-Local Business Policy (SLBP).
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING: The County's obligation for payment of any contract beyond the current fiscal year end
is contingent upon the availability of funding from which payment can be made. No legal liability on the part of the County
shall arise for payment beyond June 30 of the calendar year unless funds are made available for such performance.
CALIFORNIA REVENUE AND TAXATION CODE SECTION 18662: In compliance with California Revenue and
Taxation code section 18662, if you are a non resident of California (out-of-state invoices) who receives California source
income, the County will pay California Use Tax directly to the State of California per permit no. SR FH 25-632384. Fifteen
(15) business days prior to the first payment, new suppliers or suppliers with expired forms or forms with incorrect
information, must submit new forms to the County (forms are available from the Franchise Tax Board website listed below).
Under certain circumstances you may be eligible for reduced or waived nonresident withholding. If you have already
Page 4 of 17

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13129 - RAPID IMMUNOSSAY BASED BIOLOGICAL DETECTION
STRIPS AND ASSOCIATED TEST KITS
received a waiver or a reduced withholding response from the State of California and the response is still valid, submit the
response to the County in lieu of the forms. Failure to submit the required forms will result in withholding of payments.
Refer to the Franchise Tax Board websites (listed below) for tax forms and information on nonresident withholding,
including waivers or reductions. The County will not give you any tax advice. It is recommended you speak with your tax
adviser and/or the State of California for guidance.
Franchise Tax Board Websites:
https://www.ftb.ca.gov
https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/search/
/
/
/
Page 5 of 17

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13129 - RAPID IMMUNOSSAY BASED BIOLOGICAL DETECTION
STRIPS AND ASSOCIATED TEST KITS
RFQ QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Confirm (YES/NO) proposed test strips are compatible with County's Defender XT Bio Detection Strip Reader,
manufactured by Alexeter Technologies, LLC.
YES NO

If some strips are compatible and some are not, please list which strips are not compatible.
2. Confirm (YES/NO) proposed multi-agent test strips are RAID-8 or equivalent.
YES NO

3. What is delivery time from receipt of Purchase Order? (days/months)
4. What is the shelf-life of the test strips? (days/months/years)
5 Test strips must include the necessary supplies for collection and analysis of selected bio-agent such
as: swabs, buffer, premoistened swabs, vials. Do your test strips come with these necessary supplies?
YES NO

6. What is the detection time? (seconds/minutes)
7. Confirm (YES/NO). Offeror's adherence to the Statement of Work sections 1 - 9.
YES NO

If no provide an explanation.
8. Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment certification: Confirm (YES/NO). Offeror certifies that it and its subcontractors
will not and have not used federal appropriated funds to pay any person or organization for influencing or
attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, officer or employee of
Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with obtaining any federal contract, grant or
any other award covered by 31 U.S.C. 1352. List as a disclosure any lobbying with non-federal funds that takes
place in connection with obtaining any federal award by Offeror or Offeror's subcontractors.
YES NO

9. Confirm (YES/NO) that offeror understands that prices are firm fixed and cannot be increased at any time.
YES NO

10. Confirm (YES/NO) that offeror understands the Estimated Quantities in the Pricing Schedule are provided
solely for evaluation of quotations. They represent approximate anticipated use. If the County's actual
requirements do not result in orders in the quantities described as "estimated" in the Pricing Schedule, that fact
shall not constitute the basis for price adjustment.
YES NO

Page 6 of 17

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13129 - RAPID IMMUNOSSAY BASED BIOLOGICAL DETECTION
STRIPS AND ASSOCIATED TEST KITS
STATEMENT OF WORK
1. Scope of Work
1.1. The County of San Diego (County), Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ), Hazardous
Incident Response Team (HIRT), has a requirement for rapid immunoassay-based biological detection strips and
associated test kits for the detection of widely recognized biological terrorism agents. The County seeks both
individual agent-specific assays compatible with existing Alexeter Technologies equipment and multi-agent
rapid screening strips (e.g., RAID-8 or equivalent) for field screening during emergency response operations.
1.2. These immunoassay-based detection strips are not for routine use and are intended to be used during emergency
response, mitigation, and sampling activities for suspected biological terrorism incidents. The products must be
capable of rapid field detection to support timely decision-making and responder safety.
2. Background Information
2.1. Biological Agents (BAs) are living organisms, or materials derived from them, that can be weaponized to cause
disease or death in humans, animals, and plants. The main classes of BAs that could be used in a terrorist attack
are naturally occurring viruses and bacteria that can be readily obtained from soil, water, and clinical and
research laboratories, and which can be easily and inexpensively produced. Toxins, poisonous substances
produced within living cells or organisms, can also be weaponized and are also categorized as BAs. BAs can
reproduce and spread quickly in target populations in very low concentrations compared to chemical agents. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies potential BAs by how easily they can be disseminated and
their associated mortality rates. The three high-priority categories for BAs are:
Category A: Easily disseminated or transmitted from person-to-person, with high mortality rates.
Category B: Moderately easy to disseminate, with moderate morbidity and low mortality rates.
Category C: Emerging pathogens that can be engineered for mass dissemination in the future due to
availability, ease of production/dissemination, and potential for high morbidity and mortality rates.
2.2. Rapid biological detection strips provide an initial screening capability for biological agents using immunoassay-
based technology. These strips are designed for field use and allow responders to obtain results within
approximately fifteen (15) minutes through visual observation. The County requires test strips that are
compatible with existing Alexeter Technologies equipment and capable of detecting multiple biological threats
during emergency response operations. The County utilizes both individual agent-specific assays compatible
with Alexeter Technologies readers and multi-agent rapid screening strips capable of simultaneously screening
for multiple biological agents through visual interpretation.
3. Definitions
3.1. HIRT: Hazardous Incident Response Team
3.2. BAs: Biological Agents; living organisms, or materials derived from them, that can be weaponized to cause
disease or death in humans, animals, and plants
3.3. Immunoassay-based: Using the principles of Immunology and antibodies to and measure the presence or
concentration of substances in a sample
4. Performance Requirements
4.1. Immunoassay-based biological detection strips and associated test kits shall meet the following minimum
performance and specification requirements:
4.1.1. General Requirements
- Detection strips shall operate using immunoassay-based technology.
- Detection strips shall be capable of rapid field detection, with results available within fifteen (15) minutes.
- Results shall be determinable through visual observation.
- Products shall be suitable for emergency response use and field deployment.
4.1.2. Individual Agent-Specific Assays
- Individual detection strips shall be compatible with existing Alexeter Technologies equipment currently used
by the County.
- Detection strips shall be capable of detecting a minimum of eight (8) widely recognized biological threat
agents.
- Detection strips shall be agent-specific for the biological agents including but not limited to:
Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
o
Ricin (Ricinus communis)
o
Page 7 of 17

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13129 - RAPID IMMUNOSSAY BASED BIOLOGICAL DETECTION
STRIPS AND ASSOCIATED TEST KITS
STATEMENT OF WORK
Botulinum Toxin (Clostridium botulinum)
o
Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB)
o
Plague (Yersinia pestis)
o
Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
o
Brucella (Brucellosis)
o
Orthopoxvirus
o
4.1.3. Multi-Agent Assays
- Multi-agent test strips (e.g., RAID-8 or equivalent) shall be capable of detecting a minimum of eight (8)
biological threat agents simultaneously.
- Multi-agent strips shall provide visual results without requiring an electronic reader.
- These strips are intended for rapid preliminary field screening prior to confirmatory testing using individual
agent-specific assays.
- Each test system shall include individual handheld assays and the necessary materials to collect an initial
sample and perform appropriate dilution during testing procedures to minimize antigen oversaturation and
reduce the potential for false negative results.
4.2. Each test kit shall include the necessary supplies for collection and analysis of selected biological agents,
including but not limited to:
- Swabs
- Buffer
- Premoistened swabs
- Vials
4.3. All detection strips and test kits shall have a minimum shelf life greater than twelve (12) months from the date of
delivery.
4.4. Products shall be suitable for emergency response use and field deployment.
5. Product Conditions
5.1. The product must meet the Performance Requirements.
5.2. The product shall be packaged by the Manufacturer and shipped by the Contractor (or Manufacturer) to arrive at
the County facility in brand new condition. The products shall not be refurbished or used.
5.3. The Contractor shall guarantee the product will be free from Manufacturer defects.
6. Warranty and Guarantee
6.1. Guarantee:
6.1.1. If the received product(s) is or are found to either be damaged, defective, faulty, unreliable, or incompatible
with Current County Equipment as listed in 5.1 above, within the first 90 days of receiving the product(s),
the Contractor shall exchange the product(s) for Preferred Product Specifications or Equivalents as listed in
Exhibit A at no additional cost to the County within 15 business days.
6.2. Warranty:
6.2.1. If there is a Manufacturer's warranty, the Contractor shall list the Manufacturer's warranty in the submittal
questionnaire.
7. Delivery & Returns
7.1. All orders shall be shipped to:
7.1.1. Department of Environmental Health and Quality
Hazardous Materials Division Attn: HIRT
5570 Overland Ave., Suite 102
San Diego, CA 92123
7.1.2. Receiving Hours: 8:00am - 3:30pm PST Monday-Friday excluding County observed holidays.
7.1.3. All packages shall include a packing slip of what has been delivered and what items may still be
outstanding.
7.1.4. Upon delivery, the Contractor shall include documentation from the manufacturer to indicate to the
County that the products meet our minimum performance requirements regarding shelf-life. If this is not
included, at the discretion of the County, the item may be subject to an exchange at no cost to the County
for an equivalent product that meets the needs of Exhibit A along with new documentation showing that
the exchanged product meets our minimum performance requirements regarding shelf-life.
Page 8 of 17

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13129 - RAPID IMMUNOSSAY BASED BIOLOGICAL DETECTION
STRIPS AND ASSOCIATED TEST KITS
STATEMENT OF WORK
7.1.4.1. The County will determine if this exchange is acceptable, if not, 7.1. will repeat until the exchanged
product is acceptable.
7.1.5. If items are missing from the delivery the County is to contact the Contractor and the Contractor will ship
and handle the missing items at no cost to the County.
8. Invoicing
8.1. Mail invoices to:
8.1.1. Department of Environmental Health and Quality
Attention: Fiscal
PO Box 129261
San Diego, CA 92112-9261
8.1.2. Or e-mail to: DEHQAP@sdcounty.ca.gov
8.2. All invoices must be itemized based on Exhibit C and should be easily recognizable.
8.3. The Contractor shall not include additional charges that are not specified within Exhibit C.
8.4. Requests for correction can be made by the County if discrepancies are noticed. The invoice will be returned and
the County may attach the relevant sections of the original contracted agreement. The Contractor shall
acknowledge receipt of the invoice in question within 2 business days. The Contractor is to re-submit a corrected
invoice within 5 business days.
9. Sustainability Requirements
9.1. The Contractor shall support the County in its sustainability goals. To support this commitment, the Contractor
must make a good effort to:
9.1.1. Prioritize environmentally sustainable materials and processes.
9.1.2. Minimize waste and energy consumption throughout the production process and ensure that all packaging
materials are recyclable.
Page 9 of 17

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13129 - RAPID IMMUNOSSAY BASED BIOLOGICAL DETECTION
STRIPS AND ASSOCIATED TEST KITS
PRICING SCHEDULE
ITEM TEST
UNIT OF ESTIMATED
NO. STRIPDESCRIPTION/IT MEASURE QUANTITY UNIT PRICE EXTENDED PRICE
EM
Common Name:
Anthrax
Box of 25
1 2 $ $
Scientific Name: Test Strips
Bacillus anthracis
Common Name: Ricin;
Ricin Toxin
Box of 25
2 2 $ $
Scientific Name: Test Strips
Ricinus communis
Common Name: Bot
Tox; Botulinum Toxin
3 Scientific Name: Box of 25 2 $ $
Test Strips
Clostridium botulinum
Common Name: SEB
Scientific Name:
Box of 25
4 2 $ $
Staphylococcal Test Strips
aureaus
Common Name:
Plague
Box of 25
5 2 $ $
Scientific Name: Test Strips
Yersinia pestis
Common Name:
Tularemia; Rabbit
Box of 25
fever
6 2 $ $
Test Strips
Scientific Name:
Francisella tularensis
Common Name:
Brucella
Box of 25
7 2 $ $
Scientific Name: Test Strips
Brucellosis
Common Name:
Orthopox
Box of 25
8 2 $ $
Scientific Name: Test Strips
Orthopoxvirus
Common Name:
Q Fever
Box of 25
9 2 $ $
Scientific Name: Test Strips
Coxiella burnetii
Common Name:
Glanders
Box of 25
10 2 $ $
Scientific Name: Test Strips
Burkholderia mallei
Multi-Agent Screening
Strips
Box of 10
11 2 $ $
Minimum 8 Threat Test Pkgs
Agents Simultaneously
12 Shipping $
Page 10 of 17