M&C Review


COUNCIL ACTION:  Approved on 6/26/2018 - Resolution No. 4954-06-2018 & Ordinance No. 23279-06-2018

DATE: 6/26/2018 REFERENCE NO.: **C-28744 LOG NAME: 35COVERDELLGRANTFY18
CODE: C TYPE: CONSENT PUBLIC HEARING: NO
SUBJECT:   Ratify Application for and Authorize Acceptance of, if Awarded, the Fiscal Year 2018 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant from the United States Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, in the Amount of $210,900.00, Authorize Execution of a Grant Agreement with the National Institute of Justice and Adopt Related Resolution and Appropriation Ordinance (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS)

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the City Council:

1.  Ratify the application for and authorize the acceptance, if awarded, the Fiscal year 2018 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant from the United Stated Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, in the amount of $210,900.00;

2.  Authorize the execution of a Grant Agreement with the National Institute of Justice;

3.  Adopt the attached resolution for acceptance of grant funds and to make assurances as required by the National Institute of Justice; and

4.  Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Fund in the amount of $210,900.00, subject to receipt of the grant.    

 
DISCUSSION:

The United States Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice's Fiscal Year 2018 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program provides funding for state and local governments to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services and to eliminate backlogs in the analysis of forensic evidence including controlled substances, firearm and tool mark examinations, latent prints, toxicology and trace evidence.  

The Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) is requesting funding under the Fiscal Year 2018 Coverdell grant in the amount of $210,900.00 for equipment and consultant/contracts costs for the Fort Worth Police Department's Crime Lab. Equipment purchases include $132,000.00 for a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector-mass spectrometer (GC-FID-MS ); $14,000.00 for a portable remote firing cart; $7,500.00 for a comparison microscope camera; and $12,300.00 for a fingerprint comparison training course program. Consultants/ Contractor Service purchases includes $17,100.00 to provide a two-day workshop on the topic of Cognitive Bias in forensic science from a leading international expert that will efficiently and effectively educate staff to assist them in more accurately interpreting their work and in reducing the number of backlogged cases, and $28,000.00 for validation services to be performed by an external vendor which will enable the Chemistry Unit personnel to continue to work on their cases and not having to work on validating new instruments which causes a backlog.

No matching funds are required. This grant is not eligible for indirect costs because no City salaries are being requested.

This grant serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS.

This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

 
FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION:

The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations, execution of the grant, and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, of the Grants Operating Federal Fund.  The Police Department is responsible for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City.  The City will be paid on a reimbursement basis.

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FROM
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Submitted for City Manager's Office by:
Jay Chapa (5804)
Originating Department Head:
Joel Fitzgerald (4231)
Additional Information Contact:
Angela Miller (4441)

 
 
ATTACHMENTS
  35COVERDELLGRANTFY18 RESOLUTION.docx
  35COVERDELLGRANTFY18_35_AO_18.docx