Primary Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Luis A. Sanchez, 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): O-BJA-2025-172460
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Bureau of Justice Assistance/Office of Justice Programs
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 Bureau of Justice Assistance/Office of Justice Programs for grant funds in the amount of $903,154, with no required match, for the FY25 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program.
end
Background and Discussion:
The goal of this project is to provide assistance for minimizing backlogs by either implementation of 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 un-started cases; we term un-started cases “backlog.” In other words, the case backlog is the sum of un-started cases and cases-in-progress.
Alternative Options:
There are few, if any, alternative options for this type of program.
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): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Location:
Address (if applicable): 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77054
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
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$903,154.00 |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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Anticipated Court Date: 10/16/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 10/1/2025
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Wendi Welch, Budget Manager
Attachments (if applicable): Notice of Funding Opportunity