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Date: |
November 17, 2026 |
01 |
Title
Sheriff - Request to Ratify Grant Application, Accept Funds from the National Integrated Ballistic Information Modernization Program, Adopt a Resolution, Establish Appropriations, Waive Board Policy B-29, and Approve Single Source Procurement from LeadsOnline (Districts: All)
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Overview
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff’s Office) Regional Crime Laboratory (Crime Laboratory) requests approval for funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) National Integrated Ballistic Information (NIBIN) Modernization Program, a Department of Justice initiative that supports state, local, and tribal agencies in advancing public safety efforts. Grant funding will allow the Crime Laboratory to procure equipment and pay for five years of service and maintenance for the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) BrassTrax H4 ballistic imaging system. The IBIS BrassTrax H4 is a forensic imaging system used to acquire and analyze high-resolution images of cartridge cases recovered from crime scenes. The system enables forensic personnel to compare ballistic evidence and identify potential links between firearm-related crimes, supporting criminal investigations and enhancing public safety.
The current IBIS BrassTrax H3 system has reached the end of its serviceable life and replacing it with the updated H4 platform is necessary to maintain the Crime Laboratory’s operational readiness and participation in NIBIN. This upgrade aligns with federal program objectives by modernizing equipment at an established NIBIN site and ensuring continued access to reliable, state-of-the-art ballistic imaging technology.
Today’s requests seek to ratify the grant application submitted for the BJA NIBIN grant and authorize the Sheriff to accept grant funding in the amount of $300,000 for the period of October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031. This is also a request to authorize the Sheriff and/or designee to execute any necessary actions and to sign all required or related grant documents in subsequent years, provided there are no material changes to the grant terms and funding levels. A waiver of Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts, which requires prior approval of applications, is requested because the application was not submitted to the Board of Supervisors (Board) at least 15 days prior to submission due to the timing of the grant solicitation and application deadline. Additionally, today’s action includes a request that the Board adopt a resolution, establish appropriations of $56,507 in the Sheriff’s Office, and authorize the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to conduct the single source procurement of specialized equipment required for Crime Laboratory operations due to manufacturer-specific capabilities.
Body
Recommendation by Sheriff:
1) Ratify submission of an application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
National Integrated Ballistic Information (NIBIN) Modernization Program, submitted to BJA on July 29, 2026, and authorize the Sheriff to accept grant funds awarded under this program.
2) Authorize the Sheriff to accept $300,000 in grant funds from the BJA NIBIN Modernization Program for the period of October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031.
3) Authorize the Sheriff and/or designee to apply for and accept BJA NIBIN Modernization Program funding in subsequent years if there are no material changes to the funding terms and funding levels.
4) Authorize the Sheriff and/or designee, in this and subsequent years, to review and execute all required grant documents, including any annual extensions, amendments and/or revisions that do not materially impact or alter the services or funding level.
5) Adopt a resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO RELATING TO THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE NATIONAL INTEGRATED BALLISTIC INFORMATION MODERNIZATION PROGRAM.
6) Establish appropriations of $56,507 in the Sheriff’s Office, Capital Asset Equipment, based on unanticipated revenue from the BJA NIBIN Modernization Program for the purchase of a complete IBIS BrassTrax H4 ballistic imaging system. (4 VOTES)
7) Waive Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery, which requires prior approval of grant applications.
8) In accordance with Board Policy A-87, Competitive Procurement, approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting, or designee, to enter into negotiations with LeadsOnline, and subject to successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, award a contract to purchase an Integrated Ballistic Identification System BrassTrax H4 ballistic imaging system for an initial term of up to one year, with up to four option years, and a six-month extension; and to amend the contract as necessary to reflect changes in service needs or funding requirements, subject to the approval of the Sheriff.
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Equity Impact Statement
The proposed modernization of the Sheriff’s Office Regional Crime Laboratory’s ballistic imaging system supports equitable public safety outcomes for all communities in San Diego County by strengthening the accuracy, speed, and reliability of ballistic evidence analysis. This upgrade improves the County’s ability to produce timely crime gun intelligence, which benefits communities that have been disproportionately affected by firearm violence and historically experienced unequal access to advanced forensic resources. Continued participation in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network ensures that the County of San Diego remains aligned with national standards that emphasize fairness, transparency, and equal access to investigative tools across jurisdictions.
Sustainability Impact Statement
Today’s actions support the County of San Diego’s Sustainability Goal of providing just and equitable access. The improved investigative capacity helps ensure that the identification of individuals involved in gun-related crimes is consistent across all districts and does not favor or disadvantage any group. It would support a more efficient and equitable justice system that contributes to community safety while promoting equal distribution of investigative benefits.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this request are not included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Operational Plan for the San Diego Sheriff’s Office. If approved, this request will result in estimated costs and revenue of $56,507 in FY 2026-27, and costs and revenue of $243,493 to be included in future Operational Plans, for the purchase of the Integrated Ballistic Identification System BrassTrax H4 system, to include all necessary hardware, software, software upgrades, installation, on-site training, technical support, and maintenance services. Acceptance of the National Integrated Ballistic Information (NIBIN) Modernization Program funding will result in a multi-year grant for the period of October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031, totaling $300,000 over the grant term. The funding source is the Bureau of Justice Assistance NIBIN Modernization Program.
A waiver of Board Policy B-29: Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery is being requested because the grant covers all direct costs associated with the project; therefore, a waiver is requested solely based on the application not being submitted to the Board of Supervisors at least 15 days prior to submission. The Sheriff’s Office will assume responsibility for equipment maintenance expenses after the five-year term, which are estimated to be $65,506.37 per year with an estimated annual 3% increase for approximately thirty to fifty years after the grant period and will be funded by existing General Purpose Revenue. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
N/A
Advisory Board Statement
N/A
Background
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff’s Office) Regional Crime Laboratory (Crime Laboratory) operates as an established site within the National Integrated Ballistic Information (NIBIN) Modernization Program, the nationwide program that supports the timely analysis of ballistic evidence and the generation of actionable crime gun intelligence. The Crime Laboratory’s current Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) BrassTrax H3 system, acquired in 2016, has reached the end of its serviceable life and requires replacement to maintain the reliability and effectiveness of the County of San Diego’s (County) NIBIN operations. The new IBIS BrassTrax H4 ballistic imaging system allows Crime Laboratory personnel to capture and analyze images of fired cartridge cases for entry into NIBIN, assisting investigators in connecting related shooting incidents and advance firearm-related criminal investigations.
Per Board Policy A-87(3)(A)(1), Unique Capability, this procurement is for goods and/or services where only one product or provider can reasonably or adequately meet the County’s needs, or where the provider has unique knowledge, skill, or ability. Upgrading to the IBIS BrassTrax H4 platform will provide significant technological advancements that enhance both analytical performance and operational efficiency with key improvements including LED lighting that enables immediate imaging response, increased data transfer speeds, a high-capacity processor capable of producing rapid, high resolution 3D imaging, full 3D headstamp capture, and reduced operator intervention. These enhancements strengthen the quality of microscopic mark capture essential for ballistic comparisons, support greater throughput, and improve overall system reliability. The H4 ballistic imaging system is fully backwards compatible with existing data, ensuring continuity and long-term accessibility of casework completed under the H3 system.
The Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory seeks funding through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) NIBIN Modernization Program, a Department of Justice initiative supporting state, local, and tribal agencies in advancing public safety projects. Through this federal funding, the Crime Laboratory will directly procure the IBIS BrassTrax H4 platform with five years of service and maintenance for the upgraded system. This investment will modernize the Crime Laboratory’s ballistic imaging capabilities, strengthen its ability to generate timely, high-quality crime gun intelligence, and directly contribute to firearm violence reduction efforts throughout San Diego County.
Single Source Justification
Based on Board Policy A-87(3)(A)(1), Unique Capability, this procurement is for goods and/or services where only one product or provider can reasonably or adequately meet the County’s needs, or where the provider has unique knowledge, skill, or ability. The Sheriff’s Office requests approval for a single source procurement with LeadsOnline to acquire the IBIS BrassTrax H4 ballistic imaging system. LeadsOnline is a law enforcement technology company that provides access to nationwide transaction data, analytical tools, and proactive monitoring capabilities that assist investigators in identifying crime patterns, developing investigative leads, and connecting related criminal activity across jurisdictions. This procurement is essential to maintaining the unique and critical capabilities of the Crime Laboratory. The IBIS BrassTrax system is the nationally recognized, NIBIN-compatible standard for automated ballistic comparison, offering unique 3D imaging and correlation capabilities essential for generating timely investigative leads. BrassTrax H4 is engineered specifically for the proprietary IBIS/NIBIN ecosystem, its core functions, such as high-resolution cartridge case imaging, fixed zoom optical architecture, high speed data transfer, and efficient evidence loading, cannot be replicated or substituted by other vendors. Because IBIS/NIBIN will only accept and process ballistic evidence generated by approved, compatible equipment, any alternative device would fail to meet the interoperability, accuracy, and certification requirements necessary for national level correlation and entry. As a result, no other vendor’s product can serve as a functional substitute for BrassTrax H4. Procuring this equipment from LeadsOnline is therefore the only option that ensures full interoperability with existing ballistic identification infrastructure and maintains compliance with national network and forensic standards.
Today’s requests seek to ratify the grant application submitted for the BJA NIBIN Modernization Program; adopt a resolution, authorize the Sheriff to accept grant funding in the amount of $300,000 for the period of October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031, and establish appropriations. This is also a request to authorize the Sheriff and/or designee to execute any necessary actions and to sign all required or related grant documents in subsequent years, provided there are no material changes to the grant terms or funding levels. A waiver of Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts, which requires prior approval of applications, is requested because the application was not submitted to the Board of Supervisors at least 15 days prior to submission. Additionally, today’s request would authorize the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to conduct the single source procurement of specialized equipment required for Crime Laboratory operations due to manufacturer specific capabilities.
Linkage To The County Of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today’s proposed actions support the Justice and Community Strategic Initiatives of the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan by enhancing services provided to victims through facilitating the identification and subsequent apprehension of individuals involved in criminal activity, thereby contributing to a safer community.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly A. Martinez
Sheriff
Attachment
Attachment: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO RELATING TO THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE NATIONAL INTEGRATED BALLISTIC INFORMATION MODERNAZATION PROGRAM