Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD
Secondary Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Luis Arturo Sanchez, M.D.
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Award
Project ID (if applicable): 250149
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): STACS DNA Inc. dba InVita Healthcare Technologies
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of an award on the basis of best proposal meeting requirements and that the County Judge execute an agreement with STACS DNA Inc. dba InVita Healthcare Technologies for Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for the Institute of Forensic Sciences for the period of March 19, 2026 - March 18, 2027 with four (4) one-year renewal options (250149), Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible.
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Background and Discussion:
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) is seeking to update and streamline the process of maintaining, collecting, integrating, and storing forensic genetic (DNA) case data, including forensic examination results, final reports, supporting documentation, and statistical data. The current workflow employs an array of independent software tools and applications to complete testing and generate final testing reports.
An effective solution is an intuitive, all-in-one software package that is amenable to the current HCIFS Forensic Genetics Laboratory workflow processes. The proposed solution must also be compatible with the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) used by the general HCIFS Crime Laboratory to the extent that evidence chain of custody can begin in one system and be continued in another during forensic genetic testing.
Expected Impact:
Internal HCIFS users are primarily impacted by the case management systems. External HCIFS stakeholders include 80 different submitting law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, private attorneys, hospitals, funeral homes, families, media, researchers, and the public. These external stakeholders routinely rely on information provided by HCIFS.
Alternative Options:
HCIFS will continue to use its current system and associated business processes that require paper-based filing.
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
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: N/A
Address (if applicable): Multiple
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 3/19/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Cristina Juarez, Manager, Institute of Forensic Sciences; Jeremy Woodard, Senior Sourcing Manager, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter