Analysis services

Tender description

HMRC are tendering for forensic science analytical services that will support investigations in all operational areas by providing expert testing/examination and reporting on a variety of exhibits. The requirements are for questioned documents and DNA analysis services. The authority intends to award a single supplier contract for the provision of forensic analysis service. The service consists of 2 elements: 1) HMRC requires a provider to undertake the forensic examination of documents that may include: (a) determining authorship of hand writing; (b) identifying artificial or disguised handwriting; (c) linking documents to printers, copiers or other methods of reproduction including comparison of ink(s); (d) identifying alterations to documents; (e) identifying and interpreting indentations in documents; (f) reconstructing ‘shredded’ documents; (g) highlighting, to the authority, other evidence that could be obtained from the document, which may prove or disprove allegations relating to the case. 2) HMRC officers may recover items that could contain DNA traces of suspects or others that need to be eliminated from an investigation. HMRC requires a provider to: (a) determine the identification of DNA profiles and provide results for evidential or intelligence purposes; (b) provide forensic advice to the authority’s case officers on the identification of material that may be suitable for recovery of DNA and how it shall be collected and preserved; (c) undertake the recovery and examination of DNA traces and for the input of DNA profiles to the UK National DNA Database (NDNAD); (d) compare some traces with the UK NDNAD; the supplier must already have, or be in a position to acquire, access to the UK NDNAD; (e) input DNA profiles, where appropriate to the UK NDNAD; (f) carry out other forensic techniques on an ad-hoc basis that may be required. HMRC requires potential providers to possess BSEN ISO/IEC 17025 certification as required by the forensic regulator, accredited by UKAS or a comparable body.