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APPROVE MOTION TO EXECUTE A TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT, WITH THREE (3) ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR OPTIONS TO EXTEND WITH FORENSIC ANALYTICAL CRIME LAB FOR FIREARMS EXAMINER SERVICES FOR A TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $99,890
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a two-year Standard Agreement with three (3) one-year options to extend between the City of Stockton (City) and Forensic Analytical Crime Lab for Firearms Examiner services in an amount not to exceed $99,890;
2. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process; and
3. Authorize and directed the City Manager to make any and all expenditures and appropriations on behalf of the City as appropriate and necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The Stockton Police Department (SPD) is seeking Council approval for a Forensic Consultant Firearms Examiner to streamline the test-firing process to reduce the time needed for confirmation of National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) leads and court write-ups. The SPD applied for the 2022 Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative Grant (CGIC). On November 15, 2022, by Resolution 2022-11-15-1209, SPD was awarded the CGIC Grant in the amount of $700,000 to address firearms-related crime and forensics through the establishment of Crime Gun Intelligence Centers. The approved budget includes $195,890 for consultant services for a Firearms Examiner.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City previously contracted with a Firearms Examiner for forensic services from June 2013 to December 2021 through federal Justice Assistant Grant (JAG) funding. The cost of services was originally funded through the JAG program Firearms Reduction Consortium (FRC). The intent of the FRC was to combine resources county-wide to reduce firearms violence.
One of the recommendations from the FRC was to establish a Firearms Examination Unit to process the significant number of bullets and casings found at crime scenes. Every attempt to hire a full-time qualified candidate has been unsuccessful due to applicants failing to meet the City’s minimum qualification requirements. Qualified examiners work on a contract basis due to the higher market rate compensation.
With the newly awarded CGIC Grant funds, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on September 21, 2023, requesting proposals for a two-year agreement with the City for Firearms Examiner services, which was also advertised in The Record, and posted on the City’s Bid Flash website. A six-month contract was executed on October 1, 2023, with Forensic Analytical Crime Lab to meet the CGIC Grant goals and objectives while the formal solicitation was in progress.
Present Situation
No proposals were received during the City’s RFP process. Staff recommends awarding the current contractor, Forensic Analytical Crime Lab, with the two-year agreement and three additional one-year options to extend in accordance with the City’s approved General Procurement Policy 17.05.010, Section G-6, and Stockton Municipal Code Section (SMC), 3.68.070, supporting the exceptions to competitive bidding requirements.
The current six-month contract with Forensic Analytical Crime Lab will expire on March 31, 2024.
Findings
Pursuant to SMC section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings which support and justify exceptions to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. A Forensic Consultant Firearms Examiner is necessary to streamline the test-firing process to expedite confirmation of NIBIN leads, court write-ups, and prosecution of gun crimes.
2. Use of the RFP process is appropriate for this contract for Firearms Examiner services because it relies on the evaluation of professional qualifications and performance as the basis for selection of a vendor. Use of this criteria helps ensure the selection of a vendor that will provide the highest quality professional service, which is in the public interest.
3. No proposals were received by the noticed due date. Therefore, the City has negotiated to award the current contractor, Forensic Analytical Crime Lab, with the two-year agreement in accordance with the City’s approved General Procurement Policy 17.05.010, Section G-6, which authorizes executing an agreement to a supplier that was not involved in the formal solicitation process.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The total proposed cost (Attachment A) is $99,890 for the two-year agreement. There will be no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of the proposed motion. Adequate expenditures and corresponding grant revenue to sustain and reimburse the cost have been appropriated in the Police Special Grants Fund.
Attachment A - Forensic Analytical Crime Lab Standard Agreement