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APPROVE MOTION TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH FORENSIC ANALYTICAL CRIME LAB FOR GRANT AWARD MODIFICATION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $13,094.09.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) §3.68.070 support of an exception to the competitive bidding process; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to approve Standard Agreement Amendment No. 3 with Forensic Analytical Crime Lab (FACL) to provide the Stockton Police Department (SPD) with the additional funding from the Grant Award Modification in an amount not to exceed $13,094.09; and
It is further recommended that the City Manager be authorized and directed 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
SPD seeks to continue the contract with Forensic Analytical Crime Lab by working with the Forensic Consultant, Firearms Examiner. This service will continue to streamline the test-firing process, reducing the time required to obtain confirmation from the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). 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 by establishing Crime Gun Intelligence Centers. Grant funds are also used for bullet casing analysis and court testimony. The initial agreement term maximum not-to-exceed amount was $209,879. With the additional $13,094.09 to extend the term, the maximum not-to-exceed amount will be $222,973.09.
DISCUSSION
Background
SPD 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 these 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. Multiple attempts were made to hire full-time examiners, but 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.
Present Situation
No proposals were received during the City’s RFP process. Staff recommended awarding the current contractor, Forensic Analytical Crime Lab, a two-year agreement with three additional one-year options to extend, in accordance with the City’s approved General Procurement Policy 17.05.010, Section G-6, and the Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) Section 3.68.070, supporting the exceptions to competitive bidding requirements. To continue utilizing the Forensic Analytical Crime Lab, additional funding is needed to continue the process of examination of the numerous bullets and casings found at crime scenes. SPD is asking for the additional $13,094.09 in Amendment 3 from the Grant Award Modification to continue the service with the Forensic Analytical Crime Lab.
Findings
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 funds here is warranted based on the Grant Award Modification. (15PBJA-22-GG-01760-MUMU)
3. The extension of this contract will allow SPD to continue handling the numerous cases of crime scenes and bullet casings without interruption.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The total proposed cost (Attachment A) is $13,094.09. These funds will be provided from the Grant Award Modification (Attachment B).
Attachment A - Standard Agreement Amendment 3
Attachment B - Grant Award Modification:15PBJA-22-GG-01760-MUMU