Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Binder, Sheriff
Subject: Agreement with Life Technologies Corporation
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing and directing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an agreement with Life Technologies Corporation, to provide preventative maintenance and emergency repair services for DNA analysis instrumentation for a term of three (3) years from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2029, in an amount not to exceed $310,049.64.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory provides forensic services to support law enforcement agencies throughout San Mateo County and plays a critical role in the investigation and adjudication of criminal cases. The Forensic Laboratory’s Forensic Biology/DNA Unit performs forensic DNA analysis of evidence associated with criminal investigations, including the examination of biological evidence and the generation of DNA profiles for investigative and identification purposes.
The DNA analysis process relies upon specialized laboratory instrumentation that must be maintained, calibrated, serviced, and repaired in accordance with manufacturer specifications, laboratory policies and procedures, and applicable forensic science accreditation requirements. Preventative maintenance is necessary to maintain the reliability, performance, and operational readiness of the laboratory’s DNA instrumentation, identify potential equipment problems before they result in instrument failure, and minimize interruptions to forensic casework. Emergency repair services are necessary when critical DNA instrumentation experiences an unexpected failure or malfunction, as prolonged equipment downtime may delay the analysis of forensic evidence, increase case turnaround times, contribute to case backlogs, and adversely affect the Laboratory’s ability to provide timely forensic se...
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