Title
FY 2020 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Grant Program (Ordinance S-46888)
Description
Request retroactive authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to allow the Police Department to apply for, accept and enter into an agreement with the Bureau of Justice Assistance for the FY 2020 DNA Capacity Enhancement for the Backlog Reduction grant program in an amount not to exceed $576,673. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and for the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Police Department's Laboratory Services Bureau has applied for and has been awarded funds through this grant program for several years. The grant funding will be used to process, record, screen, and analyze forensic DNA and/or DNA database samples. The grant objective is to increase the capacity of public forensic DNA and DNA database laboratories to process more samples, thereby reducing the backlog. All DNA profiles will be entered into the Combined DNA Index System, and ultimately will be loaded into the National DNA Index System. If awarded, grant funding will be utilized for forensic science salaries, overtime, related fringe benefits, equipment, travel/training, consultants for outsourcing DNA testing and other costs to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic DNA analysis. The grant application was due on Aug. 7, 2020. If authorization is denied, the grant application will be rescinded.
Contract Term
The term of the contract is from Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2022.
Financial Impact
The total funding request is $576,673. No matching funds are required.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. and the Police Department.