The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) this week announced intentions to negotiate a sole source contract with Life Technologies Corporation in support of FBI DNA examinations on counter-terrorism forensic evidence.
The process of examination includes the extraction, quantization, amplification, and STR typing of DNA. To accomplish this task the FBI requires an AmpFLSTR Yfiler PCR amplification kit, AmpFLSTR Identifiler Plus PCR amplification kit, and a Quantifiler Duo DNA quantification kit. These products have previously been tested and validated by the FBI.
“For proper forensic identification specific reagents must be used during quantification and amplification. The sole manufacturer of these proprietary kits is Life Technologies,” states the announcement.
Source: FBO.gov
Editor’s note: While the small-scale acquisition of laboratory equipment and reagents is commonplace, we periodically cover these activities for insight into the research, acquisition and mission priorities of biodefense-relevant organizations.
