Primary Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Pramod Gumpeni, M.D., Executive Director & Chief Medical Examiner
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Award
Project ID (if applicable): 15PBJA-25-GG-02000-DNAX
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Department of Justice
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
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): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Institute of Forensic Sciences for approval to accept from the US Department of Justice grant funds in the amount of $903,154, with no required match, for the FY2025 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): 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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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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10/16/2025 |
306 |
Approval to Apply for Grant |
Location:
Address (if applicable): 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77054
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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FY2025 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
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$903,154 |
$903,154 |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 5/14/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 5/14/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Choose an item.
Contact(s) name, title, department: Wendi Welch, Budget Manager
Attachments (if applicable): Notice of Funding Opportunity, Grant RCA Budget Template, Grant award package