Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Paige McInnis
Secondary Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Luis Arturo Sanchez, M.D.
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Financial Authorization
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Merrill Hines dba Final Advocate Forensics, PLLC
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 0%
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):0%
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a professional services exemption from the competitive bid requirements and a renewal option with Merrill Hines dba Final Advocate Forensics, PLLC in the amount of $370,000 for medical examiner services for the Institute of Forensic Sciences for the period of October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026, Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible.
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Background and Discussion:
Final Advocate provides vital forensic services for the county and carries out death reports, forensic
investigations and other related scientific services.
Expected Impact:
Without these vital forensic services, investigations could be greatly impeded, and post-mortem reports would
be impeded further than they already are due to being short staffed.
Alternative Options:
The alternative is for HCIFS to continue processing cases as soon as possible with current staff leading to staff burnout, further attrition, and longer turnaround times.
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