For more than a decade the Fort Worth Police Department Crime Laboratory has engaged the services of the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office to conduct professional forensic analysis to aid the lab in efficiently managing its caseload. The current Interlocal Agreement (Agreement) (City Secretary Contract No. 44614) was initially authorized in April 2013, with a one-year initial term in an amount of $50,000.00 (M&C C-26186). The Agreement includes options to renew for subsequent years of service. In November 2013, the City Council authorized the first amendment to the agreement to increase the annual contract amount to $150,000.00 to reflect additional costs associated with working through a backlog of cases requiring forensic analysis and meeting an increasing need for forensic laboratory services on gunshot residue and toxicology. In 2015, the City Council authorized amending the agreement again to increase the annual contract amount to $350,000.00 to address costs associated with continuing to work through the backlog and to reflect an increase in volume of work going to the County after the City's former private forensic laboratory vendor relocated out of state. Staff recommends continuing the agreement with the County. Approval of this M&C would authorize renewal of the agreement, as amended, for the current fiscal year, with an annual contract amount of $350,000.00 and would also authorize renewal of the agreement in future years, provided that funds have been appropriated for that purpose in the then-current budget. Although this renewal contemplates Tarrant County performing all forensic laboratory services, due to the increasing number of cases requiring forensic laboratory services and increases in processing times, staff may determine that entering into contracts with other qualified vendors to supplement services performed by Tarrant County is necessary. If such other contracts are necessary and require approval from the City Council, staff will bring forward a separate M&C; if such other contracts are necessary and do not require approval from the City Council, staff will seek administrative approval. ADMINISTRATIVE INCREASE - An administrative increase or change order for this agreement may be made by the City Manager in accordance with the City Code and does not require specific City Council approval as long as sufficient funds have been appropriated. RENEWAL OPTIONS - This Agreement may be renewed annually at the City's option. This action does not require specific City Council approval provided that City Council has appropriated sufficient funds to satisfy the City's obligations during the renewal terms. This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: Tarrant County. |