Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Robert Foucrault, Coroner’s Office
Subject: Toxicology Services Agreement with National Medical Services, Inc. dba NMS Labs
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with National Medical Services, Inc. dba NMS Labs for the provision of toxicology services, for the term of March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2029, with a not-to-exceed amount of $600,000.
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BACKGROUND:
The Coroner’s Office is required by statute to investigate and determine the cause and manner of death in all violent, sudden, or unusual deaths in the County of San Mateo. To help carry-out this statutory duty, the Coroner’s Office contracts with an outside laboratory to perform forensic toxicology services, which is the analysis of biological samples for the presence of toxins, including illicit drugs. The contracted laboratory must meet certain accreditation standards.
DISCUSSION:
On October 3, 2025, the Coroner’s Office released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for forensic toxicology services and, after completing the RPF process, selected National Medical Services, Inc., dba NMS Labs (NMS Labs), which currently provides forensic toxicology services for the Coroner’s Office.
NMS Labs meets required accreditation standards, as it is accredited by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for Toxicology and Seized Drugs, the College of American Pathologists Laboratory Accreditation Program, and College of American Pathologists ISO 15189.
Thus, staff recommends that the Board approve a new agreement with NMS Labs for the provision of forensic toxicology services for a term of March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2029 in an amount not to exceed $600,000.00 (Agreement).
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY2023-24 |
FY2024-25 |
FY2025-26 MIDYEAR |
FY2025-26 PROJECTION |
FY2026-27 PROJECTION |
|
No. of Post Mortem Basic Panels |
97 |
126 |
78 |
125 |
126 |
|
No. of Post Mortem Expanded Panels |
164 |
253 |
113 |
251 |
253 |
|
No. of Other Test Panels |
78 |
122 |
62 |
127 |
127 |
|
Total Toxicology Tests |
339 |
501 |
253 |
503 |
506 |
|
Average Turn Around Time |
14.7 days |
12.75 days |
10 days |
12 days |
11 days |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Approval of the Agreement with NMS Labs will help to allow the Coroner’s Office to investigate and determine the manner and cause of death of all violent, sudden, or unusual deaths in San Mateo County, as required by law.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Agreement with NMS Labs has a maximum fiscal obligation of $600,000 through February 28, 2029, the costs of which are currently accounted for in the Coroner’s FY2025-26 and FY2026-27 budgets and will be included in the FY2027-28 and FY2028-2029 budgets.