How to bid on Crime Lab Breath Alcohol LIMS for the Department of Public Safety

What the agency is buying and why it matters

The Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) Crime Lab Division is seeking information on software solutions. They want to improve their breath alcohol lab's record-keeping and reporting capabilities. Specifically, they are looking for a system that can enhance their existing Computer Online Breath Archive (COBRA) Lab Information Management System (LIMS) by CMI, Inc.

This is a Request for Information (RFI), which means the agency is conducting market research. They are not currently looking to award a contract, but rather to understand available solutions. There is no cost involved in responding to this RFI. Vendors should care because this is an opportunity to inform the agency about your capabilities for future potential procurements.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This RFI was published on July 10, 2026. The deadline for submitting your response is August 31, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET. At the deadline, the agency will stop accepting submissions. Since this is market research, there is no contract award immediately following the deadline.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for technology firms that specialize in laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or similar record-keeping and reporting software. Companies with experience in solutions for forensic labs, particularly those dealing with breath alcohol analysis, would be a good fit. The agency specifically mentioned the need for advanced reporting and record management functionality, and seamless integration with existing databases.

How to respond

To access the full details and learn how to respond, you need to view the original solicitation. This can be found on the Texas Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD). The posting is public, and you do not need an account to view the documents.

Once you have reviewed the posting and its document list, submit your response as directed in the solicitation before the August 31, 2026, 6:00 PM ET deadline. The point of contact for this RFI is Lori Melcher, who can be reached at [email protected].

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

When responding to an RFI, focus on clearly demonstrating your solution's capabilities in relation to the agency's stated needs. Highlight how your software can introduce advanced reporting and record management, centralize and optimize internal workflows, and integrate seamlessly with existing databases. Provide specific examples or case studies if appropriate, without inventing facts about this particular bid.

Even though this is not a contract opportunity, a well-prepared response can position your company favorably for future solicitations. Ensure your submission is professional, addresses all questions or requests for information in the RFI document, and is submitted on time through the specified channels.