Department: Purchasing
Department Head/Elected Official: DeWight Dopslauf
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Amendment
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Purple Neuron, LLC
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 that the County Judge execute an amendment to an agreement with Purple Neuron, LLC in the additional amount of $13,200 for federal funding under the American Rescue Plan Act 2021 (ARPA) for medical examiner services for the Institute of Forensic Sciences for the period of February 21, 2023 - February 20, 2024, in connection with a personal services exemption, Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Personal Services Agreement.
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. Melissa Blessing (through Purple Neuron LLC) to provide medical examiner services. Dr. Blessing 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 agreement is being amended to add an additional $13,200 in ARPA funds to the contract amount.
Expected Impact:
Dr. Blessing 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.
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):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
04/21/2023 |
351 |
Approve personal service agreement with Purple Neuron, L.L.C. for medical examiner services |
Location:
Address (if applicable): 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, Texas 77054
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
|
|
|
FY 23 |
FY 24 |
Next 3 FYs |
|
Incremental Expenditures (do NOT write values in thousands or millions) |
|
Labor Expenditures |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Non-Labor Expenditures |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Incremental Expenditures |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Funding Sources (do NOT write values in thousands or millions) |
|
Existing Budget |
|
2651 - American Rescue Plan 2021 |
$61,600 |
$ |
$ |
|
1000 - General Fund |
$83,600 |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Current Budget |
$145,200 |
$ |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Requested |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Requested |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$145,200 |
$ |
$ |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Requested |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 05/16/2023
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; Melissa McCord, Sr. Contracts Administrator, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable):
First Amendment to the Agreement between Harris County and Purple Neuron, LLC