Primary Department: District Attorney
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Sean Teare, District Attorney
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Award
Project ID (if applicable): DFI_DA_GY27
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Texas Office of the Governor/Criminal Justice Division
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Grantor does not allow indirect cost capture
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the District Attorney for approval to accept from the Texas Office of the Governor/Criminal Justice Division grant funds in the amount of $430,000, with no required match, for the FY27 District Attorney Testing of Forensic Evidence Grant Program.
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Background and Discussion:
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office (HCDAO) seeks continued funding under the Testing of Forensic Evidence Grant Program to renew and maintain licenses for our critical digital forensic software platforms. These tools are essential to the lawful extraction, processing, analysis, visualization, and presentation of digital evidence obtained from cell phones, computers, and other digital devices routinely submitted in felony investigations. HCDAO was awarded funds for the grant period, September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027.
Expected Impact:
Renewal of these software licenses will ensure the Digital Forensics Division (DFD) can sustain its current level of service to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and more than 160 state and federal partner agencies, while keeping pace with rapidly evolving device technologies and security features.
Alternative Options:
This is a crucial funding source for the Digital Forensi...
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