Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Department Head/Elected Official: Luis A. Sanchez, M.D., Executive Director & Chief Medical Examiner
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant
Project ID (if applicable): O-BJA-2024-172062
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable):N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable):N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
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 for grant funds in the amount of $1,171,131.00, with no required match, for the FY 2024 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.
Alignment with Goal(s):
X_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
10/10/2023 |
|
FY23 award accepted. |
Location:
Address (if applicable): 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77054
Precinct(s): Countywide
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
FY2024 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program |
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
FY25 - FY26 Grant |
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
Grant |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Grant |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$1,171,131 |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$1,171,131 |
|
Total Funding Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: May 7, 2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): October 1, 2024
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Cristina Juarez, Manager, Business Operations, Institute of Forensic Sciences
Attachments (if applicable):