STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
AGENDA DATE: October 23, 2024
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Dallas Police Department
EXECUTIVE: Dominique Artis
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a three-year cooperative purchasing agreement for Tetrahydrocannabinol quantification and controlled substance quantitation analysis for the Dallas Police Department with Armstrong Forensic Laboratory, Inc. through a cooperative purchasing agreement between the City and Tarrant County through the Interlocal Cooperation Act, Chapter 791, Texas Government Code - Not to exceed $4,480,000.00 - Financing: General Fund (subject to annual appropriations)
Body
BACKGROUND
This action does not encumber funds; the purpose of a cooperative purchasing agreement is to establish firm pricing for services, for a specific term, which are ordered on an as needed basis.
This cooperative purchasing agreement will provide for the analysis of controlled substances that require quantitation, such as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products, codeine and hydrocodone. The agreement will allow for a second laboratory to facilitate controlled substance testing to aid in reducing the current backlog of items pending analysis and mitigate future backlogs. The transition to multiple vendors capable of providing controlled substance analysis will ensure more efficient and timely processing of critical evidentiary testing. Law enforcement agencies routinely submit suspected illegal substances to accredited crime laboratories for analysis. The laboratories test the substance and issue a report to assist law enforcement and prosecutors with decision-making in a case.
The cooperative purchasing agreement is authorized by Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code and Subchapter F, Chapter 271, Texas Local Government Code. Section 271.102 of the Texas Local Government Code which authorizes a local government to participate in a Cooperative Purchasing Prog...
Click here for full text