Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Paige McInnis
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 - Amendment
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Ultraviolet Forensics LLC
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 0%
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request that the County Judge execute an amendment to a professional services exemption agreement with Ultraviolet Forensics LLC in the additional amount of $150,000 for additional medical examiner services for the Institute of Forensic Sciences for the period of October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025, Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible.
end
Background and Discussion:
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) is experiencing an increased case load this calendar
year in addition to an unprecedented attrition of Assistant Medical Examiners. To ensure timely completion of
statutorily required autopsies, HCIFS is contracting with Dr. Hannah Bielamowicz (through Ultraviolet Forensics
LLC) to provide medical examiner services. Dr. Bielamowicz is an experienced forensic pathologist and has
provided consultation to HCIFS in the past. She is already aware of the Department’s needs, standard
operating procedures, and accreditation requirements. There is no expectation that she would perform any
autopsies that might require future courtroom testimony.
The terms of the agreement are being amended to increase the contract amount from $286,000 to $436,000.
Expected Impact:
Dr. Bielamowicz will assist with caseload reduction by performing assigned autopsies. This will assist with turnaround time of case report completion, assisting with meeting accreditation standards, and providing information to decedent families.
Alternative Options:
The alternative is for HCIFS to continue processing cases as soon as possible with current staff leading to staff burnout, further attrition, and longer turnaround times.
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: Choose an item.
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):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
6/6/2023 |
259 |
Agreement approval |
|
09/19/2024 |
285 |
Amendment No. 1 |
|
11/12/2024 |
237 |
Amendment No. 2 |
Location:
Address (if applicable): 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX, 77054
Precinct(s): Countywide
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
|
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
1000 - General Fund |
$ |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
$ |
|
Grants - Proposed Budget (To be filled out by Grants staff only) |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
|
Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 1/23/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Cristina Juarez, Manager, Finance HCIFS-Azadeh Rahmdel, Contract Manager, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter, Amendment