HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0144) M&C 20-0728City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 09/22/20 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 20-0728
LOG NAME: 35DNA OUTSOURCING
SUBJECT
(ALL) Authorize the Execution of an Amendment to City Secretary Contract No. 50326 with DNA Labs International and City Secretary Contract
No. 50556 with Bode Cellmark Forensics, Inc., for DNA Outsourcing Up to $293,920.00 and Authorize Four Annual Renewal Options for the Police
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize an amendment to City Secretary Contract No. 50326 with DNA Labs International and City
Secretary Contract No. 50556 with Bode Cellmark Forensics, Inc. for DNA outsourcing up to $293,920.00 and authorize four annual renewal
options for the Police.
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department utilizes vendor laboratories to supplement the work performed by the Fort Worth Police Department Crime Lab. Currently,
the Crime Lab has contracts with two laboratories, DNA Labs International and Bode Cellmark Forensics, Inc. Both vendors are accredited to
ISO-17025 standards, adhere to the FBI's Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories, and employ personnel which are
licensed by the Texas Forensic Science Commission.
The vendor laboratories perform biological evidence examinations and DNA testing services on Fort Worth Police Department cases which are
outsourced by the Crime Lab. Examples of services offered include serological analysis, male screening of sexual assault kits, short tandem
repeat (STR) testing, and Y chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) testing. Outsourcing is beneficial to the City of Fort Worth because it helps
decrease the existing backlog of cases which require DNA processing, including violent offenses such as sexual assaults and homicides. Much of
Crime Lab's DNA outsourcing is made possible through funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance Capacity Enhancement and Backlog
Reduction grants which have been awarded to the Crime Lab each year since 2013.
The DNA outsourcing serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that funds are available in the current operating budget, as previously appropriated, in the Grants Operating
Federal Fund to support the approval of the above recommendation and execution of the amendment. Prior to any expenditure being incurred, the
Police Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds.
Submitted for City Manager's Office bT. Jay Chapa 5804
Originating Business Unit Head: Ed Kraus 4231
Additional Information Contact: Ed Kraus 4231