Title
Outsourcing of DNA Casework to Private Laboratory (Ordinance S-45479)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with Bode Cellmark Forensics to outsource the DNA analysis of sexual assault kits for the Laboratory Services Bureau of the Police Department. The aggregate value will not exceed $1,022,729 over the term of the contract. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Phoenix Police Department (PPD) received grant funds in the amount of $1,022,729 from the National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Assistance to facilitate the analysis of sexual assault kits through case outsourcing. The PPD Laboratory routinely sends cases out to private laboratories in an effort to reduce laboratory analysis backlog. A contract was established with Strand Analytical in June 2016, however, the vendor closed their forensic analysis section in December 2018 and the PPD Laboratory is no longer able to outsource evidence for DNA analyses to them.
Procurement Information
An RFQ process was completed in March 2016 to establish a qualified vendor list for these services. Bode Cellmark Forensics is a current vendor on the list.
Contract Term
The term of this contract will be 18 months.
Financial Impact
Grant funding in the amount of $1,022,729 is available to fund this contract. No City funds are required.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This contract is the result of Council action approving Ordinance S-43381 on the April 5, 2017 Formal Council Meeting.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. and the Police Department.