Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Division of Police was awarded funding through the FY2012 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program from the National Institute of Justice. The award was accepted and funds were appropriated through Ordinance 1836-2012, which passed on September 11, 2012. This federally supported program seeks to improve the infrastructure and analysis capacity of existing state and local crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis so that they can process DNA samples efficiently and cost effectively. This specific grant has been awarded for DNA analysis, overtime for current analysts to work on casework, equipment, and funds for training current and new DNA analysts in the latest technologies in this ever-evolving field. The official city program contact authorized to act in connections with this $248,307.00 grant is Crime Lab Manager, Jami St. Clair.
Through this grant award, the Crime Lab requested to purchase an AB 3500 Genetic Analyzer and the necessary software so it can meet project goals under the grant and continue to be in compliance with guidelines defined within the solicitation. The genetic analyzer is an instrument used to generate DNA profiles from evidence samples collected from crime scenes. The DNA analysis performed with this instrument is vital to criminal investigations and prosecutions.
BID INFORMATION: The AB 3500 Genetic Analyzer and necessary software were not bid out because Life Technologies is the only vendor that can provide the required items. Per the solicitation guidelines, Life Technologies is the only vendor of capillary electrophoretic genetic analyzers that have been validated for forensic DNA testing as well as the Genemapper IDX software required for the instrument’s operations. Furthermore, the analysis software package and maintenance contracts are tied to the analysis equipment. There are no other vendors who can provide the items or services to support this platform. In addition, the Grantor, The Na...
Click here for full text