Title
Police DNA Equipment and Supplies
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of DNA equipment, software upgrades, and supplies by the sole source exemption,
B. Approve a contract with Life Technologies Corporation for the purchase of DNA equipment, software upgrades, and supplies for the term of three years, and
C. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract for up to two, one-year terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Kerr Putney, Police
Matthew Mathis, Police
Sheree Enfinger, Police
Sole Source Exemption
§ G.S. 143-129(e)(6) provides that formal bidding requirements do not apply when:
- Performance or price competition are not available;
- A needed product is available from only one source or supply; or
- Standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration.
§ Sole sourcing is necessary because Life Technologies Corporation is the only vendor capable of supplying DNA testing kits, consumables, and software that are compatible with the DNA testing equipment currently used by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) crime lab.
§ The City Council must approve purchases made under the sole source exception.
Explanation
§ Analyzing DNA samples is a routine service of the CMPD crime lab.
§ The software and supplies provided by Life Technologies Corporation have been validated through an extensive testing process required for the crime lab’s accreditation and for coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s national DNA database.
§ Annual expenditures are estimated to be $300,000.
Charlotte Business INClusion
This is a sole source contract and is exempt (Part A: Appendix 1.27 of the Charlotte Business INClusion Policy).
Fiscal Note
Funding: Police Operating Budget