Primary Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Pramod Gumpeni, M.D., Executive Director & Chief Medical Examiner
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
Project ID (if applicable): FY26_DNABACKLOG
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): U. S. Department of Justice/Bureau of Justice Assistance
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): 5%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Rate is not 0% and is listed above.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Institute of Forensic Sciences for approval to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Justice/Bureau of Justice Assistance for grant funds in an amount not to exceed $1,200,000, with no required match, for the FY26 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) - Formula Grant Program.
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Background and Discussion:
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)-Formula Grants Program. This opportunity will support states and units of local government with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis to process, and/or to increase the capacity to process, more DNA samples for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), thereby helping to reduce the number of forensic DNA and DNA database samples awaiting analysis and/or to prevent a backlog of forensic and database DNA samples
The goal of this project is to assist the Institute of Forensic Science (IFS) in minimizing backlogs by either implementing new systems or directly impacting existing systems through overtime, training, and purchase of supplies, software, and equipment
Expected Impact:
The capacity exists to handle current throughput; however, persistent backlogs are present and can be eliminated with this program. This program is in alignment with HCIFS’s goal to continue backlog reduction initiatives while maintaining industry-accepted professional practices and complying with applicable statutory, regulatory, safety, and accreditation requirements. Note: DOJ defines “backlog” as all cases in the laboratory. In monthly reports to Commissioners, HCIFS separately reports cases in progress and unstarted cases; we term unstarted cases “backlog.” In other words, the case backlog is the sum of unstarted cases and cases-in-progress.
Alternative Options:
There were no alternative options identified.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: B: Reduce criminal legal system exposure that does not advance public safety.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Address (if applicable): 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77054
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 10/15/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 10/1/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Cristina Juarez, Finance Manager
Attachments (if applicable): Notice of Funding Opportunity