Legislation Details

File #: 26-5132    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Grant Status: Passed
File created: 7/23/2026 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 8/6/2026 Final action: 8/6/2026
Title: Request by the Institute of Forensic Sciences for approval to submit an application to the US Department of Justice for grant funds not to exceed $300,000, with no required match, for the FY 2026 National Integrated Ballistic Information (NIBIN) Modernization Program.
Attachments: 1. IFS_DOJ_Application.pdf

Primary Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences

Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Pramod Gumpeni, Interim 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):

Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable):

 

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 US Department of Justice for grant funds not to exceed $300,000, with no required match, for the FY 2026 National Integrated Ballistic Information (NIBIN) Modernization Program.

end

 

Background and Discussion:

 

This grant program is a collaboration between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to provide state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies with funding to acquire modern ballistic imaging equipment and implement crime gun intelligence best practices. This program will modernize NIBIN technology at 194 existing sites currently utilizing outdated technology. Grant funds will cover the cost of new NIBIN-compatible equipment and maintenance costs for five years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected Impact:

Replacement of obsolete equipment. 

 

Alternative Options:

Fund the equipment with General Fund dollars or withdraw from providing service.

 

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):

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

 

 

 

 

Location:

Address (if applicable): 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77030

Precinct(s): Countywide

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

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Annual Fiscal Cost

 

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Existing Budget

 

 

 

 

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Total Existing Budget

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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

Grant

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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only)

 

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No. of Grant Years

Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item.

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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item.

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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total)

$300,000

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$300,000

 

Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s)

 

Current Position Count for Service

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Additional Positions Request

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Total Personnel

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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only)

CAO Reviewer Name and Title

 

CAO Review Completion Date

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Anticipated Court Date: 8/6/2026

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 10/1/2026

 

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item

 

Contact(s) name, title, department: Wendi Baker, Director - Budget and Finance, HCIFS

 

Attachments (if applicable): NOFO approved by CAO