SUBJECT
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SHERIFF - REQUEST FOR SINGLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT OF DNA SUPPLIES FROM QIAGEN INCORPORATED AND LIFE TECHNOLOGIES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
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OVERVIEW
The ability for the County of San Diego Sheriff's Regional Crime Laboratory (Crime Lab) to perform deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis is imperative to the accuracy of criminal investigation dispositions, especially those involving homicides and sexual assaults. Most of the equipment procured by the Crime Lab to perform DNA analysis is solely manufactured by Qiagen Incorporated and Life Technologies (a subsidiary of Thermo Fisher Scientific). Consequently, the proprietary consumables used by the Crime Lab's current DNA analysis equipment can only be purchased through these entities. Due to the meticulous process of DNA analysis, supplies that perform to original equipment manufacturer specifications are required. Procuring these supplies will ensure standardization and compatibility with the DNA analysis equipment already owned by the Crime Lab.
Today's actions request the Board to approve a single source procurement based on absolute compatibility of DNA analysis supplies from Qiagen Incorporated and Life Technologies effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 with four one-year option periods through June 30, 2029 and additional six months if needed.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
SHERIFF
1. In accordance with Board Policy A-87, Competitive Procurement, approve and authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into negotiations with Qiagen Incorporated and subject to successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, award contracts for the purchase of DNA analysis supplies effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025; with four one-year option periods through June 30, 2029 and an additional six months if needed. Contracts shall be amended as needed to reflect changes to requirements and funding, subject to the approval of the Sheriff.
2. In accordance with Board Policy A-87, Competitive Procurement, approve and authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into negotiations with Life Technologies and subject to successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, award contracts for the purchase of DNA analysis supplies effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025; with four one-year option periods through June 30, 2029 and an additional six months if needed. Contracts shall be amended as needed to reflect changes to requirements and funding, subject to the approval of the Sheriff.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Identification of people convicted of crimes is crucial in the criminal justice process to deliver accountability and bring justice and healing to victims. The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis provided by the County of San Diego Sheriff's Regional Crime Laboratory (Crime Lab) is critical for over 30 law enforcement and criminal justice agencies to ensure a fair and equitable justice system in both the defense and prosecution of crimes. The quality and accuracy of the Crime Lab's DNA analysis is contingent upon the continued use of the specific supplies from Qiagen Incorporated and Life Technologies. With quality DNA analysis, law enforcement agencies can more efficiently identify individuals involved in crimes as well as exonerate the innocent.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Today's actions to single source deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis supplies support the County of San Diego’s Sustainability Goal of providing just and equitable access for victims of crimes and those who may have wrongfully been accused of a crime. The County of San Diego Sheriff's Regional Crime Laboratory's forensic science services are provided to over 30 law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in San Diego County. Continuing the quality of DNA analysis requires the use of specific consumables and supplies from Qiagen Incorporated and Life Technologies. Use of the requested supplies ensures that there is expedient and accurate DNA analysis, which is a critical component of serving justice and holding the responsible parties accountable for their actions.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Years 2024-26 CAO Recommended Operational Plan for the Sheriff's Department. If approved, this request will result in estimated costs of $525,000 for DNA analysis supplies contracts with Qiagen Incorporated ($200,000) and Life Technologies ($325,000). The funding source for this request is existing General Purpose Revenue. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
The County of San Diego Sheriff’s Regional Crime Laboratory (Crime Lab) provides forensic science services to over 30 law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. The Crime Lab provides specialized analysis of evidence in several different categories, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from biological material. This analysis provides information critical to the investigation and prosecution of both violent crime and property crime cases.
The Crime Lab is accredited by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board. To maintain this accreditation, the Crime Lab uses standardized, validated analytical methods. These methods require the use of specific equipment and supplies, including those provided by Qiagen Incorporated and Life Technologies. The Crime Lab adopted the use of these supplies after extensive research and validation and cannot use any other provider's products without changing the entirety of its analysis methods.
On January 7, 2014 (5), the Board of Supervisors approved a sole source procurement based on absolute compatibility of DNA analysis supplies from Qiagen Incorporated and Life Technologies for a five-year period through December 31, 2018. During the ensuing five years, the demand for DNA analysis services by the Crime Laboratory, the range of analysis services offered, and the cost of consumable supplies have all increased substantially.
Again, on December 11, 2018 (3), the Board of Supervisors approved a sole source procurement based on absolute compatibility of DNA analysis supplies from Qiagen Incorporated and Life Technologies for an additional five-year period through December 31, 2023. A contract modification was executed on October 2, 2023, to exercise a six-month extension with Life Technologies effective January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024. A separate contract modification was executed on November 6, 2023, to exercise a six-month extension with Qiagen Incorporated effective January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024.
The Sheriff's Department requests the approval of a single source procurement based on absolute compatibility of DNA analysis supplies from Qiagen Incorporated and Life Technologies. The total cost for five years is estimated to be $2,625,000 for Qiagen Incorporated ($1,000,000) and Life Technologies ($1,625,000).
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today's proposed actions support the Community and Equity Strategic Initiatives of the County of San Diego's 2024-2029 Strategic Plan by continuing the quality of DNA analysis that is critical in the expedient identification and subsequent apprehension of criminals and providing justice and healing for victims and their families, resulting in a safer community.
Respectfully submitted,
KELLY A. MARTINEZ
Sheriff
ATTACHMENT(S)
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