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File #: 22-4584    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Financial Authorization Status: Passed
File created: 7/25/2022 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 8/2/2022 Final action: 8/2/2022
Title: Request for approval of a personal services exemption from the competitive bid requirements and that the County Judge execute an agreement with Forensic Pathology Labs, PLLC in the amount of $132,000 for medical examiner services for the Institute of Forensic Sciences for the period of August 2, 2022 - August 1, 2023.
Attachments: 1. 22-4584 Personal Services Exemption Forensic Pathology Labs, PLLC

Department: Purchasing

Department Head/Elected Official: DeWight Dopslauf

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Financial Authorization

 

Project ID (if applicable): N/A

Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Sciences Forensic Pathology Labs, PLLC

 

MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A

MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A

Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal:  N/A - Personal Services Agreement

 

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):

title

Request for approval of a personal services exemption from the competitive bid requirements and that the County Judge execute an agreement with Forensic Pathology Labs, PLLC in the amount of $132,000 for medical examiner services for the Institute of Forensic Sciences for the period of August 2, 2022 - August 1, 2023.

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. Alex John (through Forensic Pathology Labs, PLLC) to provide medical examiner services.  Dr. John is an experienced forensic pathologist and has provided consultation to HCIFS in the past.  Dr. John is already aware of the Department’s needs, standard operating procedures, and accreditation requirements.  There is no expectation that Dr. John would perform any autopsies that might require future courtroom testimony.

 

Expected Impact:

Dr. John will assist with caseload reduction by performing 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.

 

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): N/A

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

 

 

 

 

Location: 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, Texas 77054

Address (if applicable):

Precinct(s): Choose an item.

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

Service Name

 

 

SFY 22

FY 23

Next 3 FYs

Incremental Expenditures (do NOT write values in thousands or millions)

Labor Expenditures

$

$

$

Non-Labor Expenditures

$11,000

$121,000

$

Total Incremental Expenditures

$

$

$

Funding Sources (do NOT write values in thousands or millions)

Existing Budget

1000 - General Fund

$11,000

$121,000

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

Total Current Budget

$

$

$

Additional Budget Requested

Choose an item.

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

Total Additional Budget Requested

$

$

$

Total Funding Sources

$11,000

$121,000

$

Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs)

Current Position Count for Service

-

-

-

Additional Positions Requested

-

-

-

Total Personnel

-

-

-

 

Anticipated Court Date: August 2, 2022

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date):

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item

Contact(s) name, title, department: Julie Prine, JD, MFS, Chief of Staff / Senior Director, Operations Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences; Taliyah Maynus, Buyer, Purchasing

Attachments (if applicable): Letter, Personal Services Agreement