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Sheriff - Request for Single Source Procurement of DNA Analysis Supplies from Promega Corporation (Districts: All)
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Overview
The ability of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff’s Office) Regional Crime Laboratory (Crime Lab) to perform deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis is crucial to criminal investigations. The Crime Lab processes DNA casework for the Sheriff’s Office and various agencies within the county. The technology behind DNA analysis is continually advancing and ever changing. To ensure timely and reliable DNA analysis services, the Crime Lab must maintain up-to-date technology and supplies. The Crime Lab currently uses instruments that have been validated to use Promega Corporation's DNA analysis supplies. Introducing another manufacturer would require the Crime Lab to re-validate all its instruments and could jeopardize the Crime Lab's accreditation through the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), which is the largest multi-disciplinary accreditation body in the western hemisphere ensuring conformance with internationally recognized standards. Accreditation provides confidence that evidence is handled appropriately, instruments are properly calibrated, and test and inspection results are reliable for use in criminal proceedings.
Today’s action requests the Board to approve a single source procurement of DNA analysis supplies from Promega Corporation for a period of one year, with four option years, and a six-month extension if needed, subject to the availability of funds, and to amend the contract as required to reflect changes to services and funding allocations, subject to the approval of the Sheriff.
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Recommendation by Sheriff:
In accordance with Board Policy A-87, Competitive Procurement, approve and authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to enter into negotiations with Promega Corporation and subject to successful negotiations and determination of fair and reasonable pricing, award a contract for DNA analysis supplies for a term of one year, with four option years, and a six-month extension if needed, and to amend the contract as needed to reflect changes to operational requirements and funding, subject to the approval of the Sheriff.
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Equity Impact Statement
By investing in the Promega Corporation’s PowerPlex® Fusion 6C System, the County of San Diego strengthens the fairness, accuracy, and equity of its criminal justice processes. Reliable DNA identification is essential not only for holding individuals accountable, but also for protecting the rights of victims, survivors, and those who are wrongfully accused-groups who often come from communities disproportionately affected by inequities in the justice system. Given that this system provides the highest level of scientific rigor, maximum discriminatory power, and compatibility with national and international DNA databases, it helps ensure that every person involved in a case receives impartial, evidence‑based treatment. Its single‑source availability and alignment with the Crime Lab’s validated instruments preserve accreditation and guarantee consistent, high‑quality service to over 30 regional agencies, reducing disparities in forensic quality across jurisdictions. Overall, this purchase reinforces a more just, transparent, and equitable system by supporting accurate findings for both prosecution and defense, thereby promoting accountability and strengthening public trust.
Sustainability Impact Statement
Today’s request to approve a single source contract with Promega Corporation’s PowerPlex® Fusion 6C System supports the County of San Diego’s Sustainability Goal of providing just and equitable access for victims of crimes and those who may have been wrongfully accused of a crime. Considering Regional Crime Lab’s forensic science services support law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in San Diego County, it is necessary to use systems that are reliable and defensible.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operational Plan for the Sheriff’s Office. If approved, this request will result in estimated annual costs of $200,000. The proposed agreement is for a term of one year, with four option years and a six-month extension, if needed, for a total approximate cost of $1,100,000. Subsequent year costs will be included in future year Operational Plans for the Sheriff’s Office. The funding source is General Purpose Revenue. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
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Advisory Board Statement
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Background
Identification of people convicted of crimes is crucial in the criminal justice process to deliver accountability and bring justice and healing to victims, their families, and the wrongfully accused. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff’s Office) Regional Crime Lab (Crime Lab) provides forensic science services to over 30 regional law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. The Crime Lab conducts specialized forensic analyses across multiple disciplines, including the analysis of DNA extracted from biological material. DNA case submissions have steadily increased over the past decade. In 2025 alone, the Crime Lab received approximately 1,115 DNA requests. DNA analysis plays a critical role in the investigation and prosecution of both violent and property crime cases.
The Crime Lab is an active participant in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), the national DNA database maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). DNA profiles eligible for upload to CODIS must be generated using a prescribed set of genetic markers located on a gene or other DNA sequence on a chromosome, known as "loci". Profiles developed from evidentiary samples are compared against millions of DNA profiles from convicted offenders and arrestees nationwide. These comparisons routinely produce investigative leads that are instrumental in resolving criminal cases, with the Crime Lab generating hundreds of CODIS matches each year.
To ensure reliable and defensible DNA results, the Crime Lab requires analytical systems that provide maximum discriminatory power and accountability with national and international DNA databases. The system enables the simultaneous testing and detection of the DNA markers required by the FBI for participation in CODIS and additional markers that enhance the interpretation of complex and mixed DNA samples, improving the ability to distinguish individuals.
The Crime Lab has completed comprehensive validation of this system in accordance with accreditation requirements established by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the FBI's Quality Assurance Standards (QAS). Continued use of a validated system is essential to maintaining the Crime Lab's accreditation status and ensuring the integrity of DNA testing results. As technology and products evolve, Promega’s DNA kits continue to provide additional benefits over the competition and are currently being used as the baseline for all Crime Lab’s DNA equipment in terms of validation and adhering to the Crime Lab’s accreditation requirements.
Single Source Justification
Based on Board Policy A-87(3)(A)(3) for Continuity, competition is precluded because the procurement is for goods and/or services where continuity of providers will allow the County an opportunity to leverage previously initiated work, or benefit from efficiency or critical knowledge, than other sources of the goods and/or services cannot provide or would require substantial re-work to perform. The PowerPlex® Fusion 6C System is designed to support both standard and direct amplification workflows, allowing for increased efficiency and reduced processing time for certain sample types. The Crime Lab has completed comprehensive validation of this system in accordance with accreditation requirements established by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the FBI’s Quality Assurance Standards (QAS). Transitioning to a different manufacturer would require a thorough validation of a new DNA analysis system before it could be suitable for casework. This process is labor-intensive and would require a significant time investment by laboratory personnel due to instrument testing, documentation, and technical review, ultimately, preventing laboratory personnel from processing casework. The result of transitioning to an alternative manufacturer would cause a reduction in casework capacity, delayed forensic DNA analysis, increase turnaround times, and impact the timely processing of criminal investigations and prosecutions. Continuing to use the validated Promega system avoids these operational disruptions while ensuring reliable, legally defensible DNA results and is essential to maintaining the Crime Lab’s accreditation status. Switching to a different DNA kit would involve an extensive re-validation process of both equipment and kits, which would also lead to additional costs to the County.
Today’s action requests the Board to approve a single source procurement of Promega Corporation’s PowerPlex® Fusion 6C System and related DNA analysis supplies, which are exclusively manufactured and distributed by the Promega Corporation for a period of one year, with four option years, and a six-month extension if needed, subject to the availability of funds, and to amend the contract as required to reflect changes to services and funding allocations, subject to the approval of the Sheriff. Based on current and projected caseloads, the estimated annual cost for these DNA supplies are approximately $200,000.
Linkage To The County Of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today’s proposed action supports the Justice Strategic Initiative of the County of San Diego 2026-2031 Strategic Plan and aligns with the objective of ensuring a fair and equitable justice system. It supports and provides services for victims by aiding in the identification and subsequent apprehension of individuals engaging in criminal behavior, resulting in a safer community. Maintaining the Crime Lab’s ability to generate CODIS-approved DNA profiles will provide invaluable information to investigators in the Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies throughout the County, resulting in the prompt identification, apprehension, and prosecution of criminals, thereby ensuring the safety of county residents.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly A. Martinez
Sheriff
Attachment(s)
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