RFQ - CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS (CRMS), REFERENCE MATERIALS (RMS) AND ANALYTICAL STANDARDS

County of San Diego Date Issued: May 1, 2026
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION
(this RFQ is a request for information, not an order)
RFQ Number: 13068 CONTRACTING OFFICER:
As-Needed Certified Reference
Materials (CRMs), Reference
RFQ TITLE: Guibel Icke, Procurement Specialist
Materials (RMs), and Analytical
Standards
QUOTATIONS
May 22, 2026 5:00 PM Phone: (858) 723-1560
DUE:
QUESTIONS DUE: May 8, 2026 5:00 PM Email: Guibela.icke@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 AS-
NEEDED CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS (CRMs), REFERENCE MATERIALS (RMs), AND ANALYTICAL
STANDARDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS & CONDITIONS CONTAINED WITHIN. THE COUNTY
ANTICIPATES AWARDING ONE (1) CONTRACT PER LOT WITH AN INITIAL TERM THROUGH DECEMBER 31,
2026, PLUS TWO (2) ONE-YEAR OPTIONS:
* LOT 1: CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS (CRMs) FOR CALIBRATOR SOLUTIONS
* LOT 2: CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR CONTROL SOLUTIONS
* LOT 3: REFERENCE MATERIALS (RMs) AND ANALYTICAL STANDARDS FOR QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS
SEE THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY'S REQUIREMENTS.
THIS REQUEST FOR QUOTATION INCLUDES AN RFQ SUBMISSION CHECKLIST TO BE COMPLETED BY
OFFERORS.
IF PROPOSING MULTIPLE LOTS, OFFEROR MUST INDICATE THE LOT NUMBER ON THE PC-600 FORM WITHIN
THE SOLICITATION NUMBER FIELD AND SUBMIT A SEPARATE QUOTE FOR EACH LOT. PLEASE INCLUDE
THE LOT NUMBER AND TITLE IN THE NAMING CONVENTION FOR EACH QUOTE UPLOADED TO BUYNET.

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13068 - AS-NEEDED CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS (CRMs),
REFERENCE MATERIALS (RMs), AND ANALYTICAL STANDARDS
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 RFQ Questionnaire.

Page 6
Submit a completed Pricing Schedule per Lot.

Attached separately in BuyNet.
/
/
/
Page 2 of 8

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13068 - AS-NEEDED CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS (CRMs),
REFERENCE MATERIALS (RMs), AND ANALYTICAL STANDARDS
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. If Offeror is unable to submit via BuyNet for any reason, Offeror may submit by email or mail to the listed
Contracting Officer, or by personal delivery to the Purchasing and Contracting front desk. Please use these methods only if
unable to submit through BuyNet. If mailed or delivered, the above RFQ No. should be included on the front of the envelope.
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
Page 3 of 8

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13068 - AS-NEEDED CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS (CRMs),
REFERENCE MATERIALS (RMs), AND ANALYTICAL STANDARDS
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.
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).
Page 4 of 8

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13068 - AS-NEEDED CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS (CRMs),
REFERENCE MATERIALS (RMs), AND ANALYTICAL STANDARDS
Under certain circumstances you may be eligible for reduced or waived nonresident withholding. If you have already
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 8

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13068 - AS-NEEDED CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS (CRMs),
REFERENCE MATERIALS (RMs), AND ANALYTICAL STANDARDS
RFQ QUESTIONNAIRE
General Requirements
1.1. Are you a Reference Material Producers accredited to ISO 17034:2016 by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) MRA signatory?
YES NO

1.1.1. If yes, please provide a Certificate of Accreditation including scope, showing ISO 17034 accreditation and
confirmation of Reference Material Producer status.
1.2. Does your supply documentation establish metrological traceability to the International System of Units (SI) (where
applicable) and does it include homogeneity and stability information in accordance with ISO/IEC
17034?
YES NO

Specific Requirements for Lot 1: Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for Calibrator Solutions
1.3. Please confirm that each Certified Reference Material Certificate meets the requirements listed in Specifications Section
3.4.
YES NO

Specific Requirements for Lot 2: Certified Reference Materials for Control Solutions
1.4. Please confirm that each Certified Reference Material Certificate meets the requirements listed in Specifications Section
4.4.
YES NO

Specific Requirements for Lot 3: Reference Materials (RMs) and Analytical Standards for Qualitative Analysis
1.5. Can you provide a Certificate of Analysis or product information sheet that meets the requirements listed in Specifications
Section 5.1.3.1?
YES NO

1.5.1. If you are unable to provide all the required information outlined in Specifications Section 5.1.3.1, are you able to
perform and document internal verification to demonstrate suitability prior to use?
YES NO

1.6. Are the Standards and Reference Materials suitable for their intended purpose in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017?
YES NO

Page 6 of 8

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13068 - AS-NEEDED CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS (CRMs),
REFERENCE MATERIALS (RMs), AND ANALYTICAL STANDARDS
SPECIFICATIONS
1. Scope of Work
The San Diego County Department of the Medical Examiner (SDME) requires the purchase of as-needed Certified Reference
Materials (CRMs), Reference Materials (RMs), and Analytical Standards to support method development, validation, and daily
operations.
1.1. Lot 1: Certified Reference Materials for Calibrator Solutions
1.2. Lot 2: Certified Reference Materials for Control Solutions
1.3. Lot 3: Reference Materials and Analytical Standards for Qualitative Analysis
2. General Requirements
Reference materials are critical components of the laboratory's measurement system and are used to support method development,
validation, calibration, and routine analytical testing. In accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, reference materials shall be suitable
for the intended purpose and provide appropriate metrological traceability. For quality and compliance purposes, reference materials
are classified into different categories or groups based on levels of characterization and certification.
2.1. Reference Material Producers shall be accredited to ISO 17034:2016 by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) MRA signatory.
2.2. Reference Material Producer's scope of accreditation shall include the specific reference materials
supplied. Both ISO 17034 and Reference Material Producer status shall be stated on the Certificate of Accreditation.
2.3. The Reference Material Producer shall supply documentation which includes information necessary to establish metrological
traceability to the International System of Units (SI), where applicable. The Reference Material Producer shall, under the
requirements of ISO/IEC 17034, include homogeneity and stability on the product information sheet or certificate, as specified.
3. Specific Requirements Lot 1: Certified Reference Materials for Calibrator Solutions
3.1. Certificate of Accreditation including scope, prior to commencing work.
3.2. Certified Reference Material (CRM) is reference material characterized by a metrologically valid procedure for one or more
specified properties, accompanied by a reference material certificate that provides the value of the specified property, its
associated uncertainty, and a statement of metrological traceability.
3.3. The CRMs needed for method development, validation, and daily operations shall be suitable to establish measurement
traceability in accordance with the requirements of International Organization of Standards (ISO) 17025:2017. Where
available, CRMs shall be obtained from reference material producers accredited to International Organization of Standards
ISO/IEC 17034:2016 by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation
(ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). The producer's ISO 17034 scope of accreditation shall include the specific
CRM supplied.
3.4. In accordance with ISO/IEC 17034, the CRM certificate shall include as applicable:
3.4.1. Assigned certified values
3.4.2. Associated measurement uncertainty
3.4.3. Statement of metrological traceability
3.4.4. Homogeneity information
3.4.5. Stability information and expiration
3.4.6. Storage and handling instructions
3.4.7. Date of Issue
3.4.8. Identification of the authorizing entity
3.4.9. Statement of conformity with ISO 17034
4. Specific Requirements Lot 2: Certified Reference Materials for Control Solutions
4.1. Certificate of Accreditation including scope, prior to commencing work.
4.2. Certified Reference Material (CRM) is reference material characterized by a metrologically valid procedure for one or more
specified properties, accompanied by a reference material certificate that provides the value of the specified property, its
associated uncertainty, and a statement of metrological traceability.
4.3. The CRMs needed for method development, validation, and daily operations shall be suitable to establish measurement
traceability in accordance with the requirements of International Organization of Standards (ISO) 17025:2017. Where
available, CRMs shall be obtained from reference material producers accredited to International Organization of Standards
ISO/IEC 17034:2016 by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation
(ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). The producer's ISO 17034 scope of accreditation shall include the specific
CRM supplied.
4.4. In accordance with ISO/IEC 17034, the CRM certificate shall include as applicable:
Page 7 of 8

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) 13068 - AS-NEEDED CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS (CRMs),
REFERENCE MATERIALS (RMs), AND ANALYTICAL STANDARDS
4.4.1. Assigned certified values
4.4.2. Associated measurement uncertainty
4.4.3. Statement of metrological traceability
4.4.4. Homogeneity information
4.4.5. Stability information and expiration
4.4.6. Storage and handling instructions
4.4.7. Date of Issue
4.4.8. Identification of the authorizing entity
4.4.9. Statement of conformity with ISO 17034
5. Specific Requirements Lot 3: Reference Materials and Analytical Standards for Qualitative Analysis
5.1. A Reference Material is a homogeneous and stable material with specified property values, used in measurement processes.
This list encompasses those standards for which the following apply.
5.1.1. There is no CRM otherwise available.
5.1.2. Solid standards
5.1.3. Reference Materials
5.1.3.1. Reference materials, including analytical standards and working standards that are not certified (non-CRMs)
are used to support routine analytical testing and shall be verified by the laboratory to demonstrate suitability
for their intended purpose in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Analytical Standards. The reference
material provider shall supply documentation (e.g., Certificate of Analysis or product information sheet)
sufficient to demonstrate fitness for purpose, including where applicable:
5.1.3.1.1. Name and address of the provider.
5.1.3.1.2. Unique identification of the material (e.g., lot or batch number).
5.1.3.1.3. Description of the material.
5.1.3.1.4. Intended use, where relevant.
5.1.3.1.5. Assigned property values, where available.
5.1.3.1.6. Statement of traceability, where applicable.
5.1.3.1.7. Uncertainty, tolerance, or acceptance criteria, where available.
5.1.3.1.8. Stability information or expiration date.
5.1.3.1.9. Storage and handling instructions.
5.1.3.1.10. Date of issue and version of documentation.
5.1.3.1.11. Where such information is limited, the laboratory shall perform and document internal verification
to demonstrate suitability prior to use.
6. Delivery and Invoice Requirements
6.1. Delivery address:
6.1.1. County of San Diego
Department of the Medical Examiner
5570 Overland Ave., STE 101
San Diego, CA 92123
6.2. Delivery hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM San Diego Time, excluding County Holidays.
6.3. There shall be no restocking fee or other charges for returns of damaged or incorrect items.
6.4. Items ordered shall be delivered within 15 calendar days, once order has been placed.
6.5. An electronic invoice shall be provided for the entire order once all is shipped and delivered to the attention of the Contracting
Officer Representative (COR) at the e-mail address below:
6.5.1. County of San Diego
Department of the Medical Examiner
MX.AP@sdcounty.ca.gov
Page 8 of 8