HomeMy WebLinkAboutSuspension of Competition Acquisition - Serological Research.pdf �COV
-�� Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request
1. Fully describe the product(s) and/or service(s) being requested.
SERI is a full function DNA testing company. They perform a wide variety of DNA and serological testing for use in
the Justice system. This includes DNA search capabilities along with genomic, mitochondrial,and Y-STR DNA
testing. This company is used for DNA testing associated with criminal cases for the Fresno County Sheriffs
Office. They are used for grant and overflow casework within the Sheriffs Office Forensic Laboratory.
2. Identify the selected vendor and contact person; include the address, phone number and e-mail address for each.
Ledia McVeigh
Serological Research
3053 research Drive
Richmond, CA 94806
1-510-223-7374
LediaM@serological.com
3. What is the total cost of the acquisition? If an agreement, state the total cost of the initial term and the amounts for
potential renewal terms.
The maximum annual amount is $200,000. For the initial three-year term of the agreement, the cost is $600,000.
The cost of each of the two optional one-year extensions is$200,000 per year. The total cost for the potential
five year term including extensions is $1,000,000
4. Identify the unique qualities and/or capabilities of the service(s) and/or product(s) that qualify this as a Suspension of
Competition acquisition.
This is a service that is being provided, no equipment that is being purchased. They are compatible with our DNA
systems as they use the same DNA platform as the Sheriffs Office DNA lab;we have inspected their facility and
completed Quality Assurance audits and have found them acceptable to handle Sheriffs Office casework. SERI
has all of the FBI and accreditation systems in place that are essential for a DNA lab to provide casework
analysis for the FSO laboratory. This is required for any vendor that we use. We have a long track record with
SERI as they are the leading private lab in the state for DNA analysis.
5. Identify from Administrative Policy#34 what circumstances constitute a Suspension of Competition.
❑ In an emergency when goods or services are immediately necessary for the preservation of the public health,welfare,or safety,or for the
protection of County property.
❑When the contract is with a federal,state,or local governmental agency.
❑When the department head,with the concurrence of the Purchasing Agent,finds that the cost of preparing and administering a competitive
bidding process in a particular case will equal or exceed the estimated contract amount or$2,500 whichever is more.
❑When a contract provides only for payment of per diem and travel expenses and there is to be no payment for services rendered.
❑When obtaining the services of expert witnesses for litigation or special counsel to assist the County.
®When in unusual or extraordinary circumstances,the Board of Supervisors or the Purchasing Agent/Purchasing Manager determines that
the best interests of the County would be served by not securing competitive bids or issuing a request for proposal.
6. Explain why the unique qualities and/or capabilities described above are essential to your department.
This company mainly handles our out-sourced DNA casework that is associated with the Federal DNA grants
accepted and approved by the Board of Supervisors(BOS) for the last several years (2019, 2020) and currently
awaiting the award for 2021. The grants that have been approved by the BOS and the grant committee state that this
company will be used in association with the DNA testing within these grants. They are a fully accredited Laboratory
which is required by the grant and by our accreditation standard. It is also vital that we have a facility in California, as
occasionally we must hand deliver evidence to them for testing and they are located in Richmond, CA which is a
short drive from Fresno. We are currently using their services and have had a relationship with them for many years
that has been very suscessful. SERI has always strived to provide us the best service often at no extra cost. The
FBI is requiring us to move to a new DNA system called Globalfilier by Jan 2017, SERI is using the required systems
required by the FBI and our accreditation guidlines. Specifically, they are the oldest vendor in Califonia that provides
this service and they are one of the labs that were approved by the NIJ grant committee to perform DNA casework
associated with Sheriffs Office cases.
7. Provide a comprehensive explanation of the research done to verify that the recommended vendor is the only vendor
with the unique qualities and/or capabilities stated above. Include a list of all other vendors contacted,what they were
asked, and their responses.
E-PD-048 (Rev 07/2021)
The requirement for our vendor requires that the vendor be able to test a wide variety of DNA samples for autosomal
DNA, Y or male DNA and mitochondrial DNA. DNA chemistry for autosomal DNA must use the Globalfiler DNA
kit, this is a must as this is the system that we currently have validated within the FSO lab and it allows us to
review and use their data to upload DNA profiles into the CODIS system, which is required for our approved DNA
grant. Labs that were researched were:
Forensic Analytical Crime Lab
3777 Depot Road, Suite#403
Hayward, CA 94545
Phone: (510) 266-8100
Serological Research Institute
3053 Research Drive
Richmond, CA 94806-5206
(510) 223-7374
These are the only two private fee for service accredited labs that are within short driving distance (under 4 hours) of
the Sheriffs Forensic Laboratory. SERI is the only one of the two labs that performs mitochondrial DNA analysis
and uses the Globalfiler DNA kit that is required to perform DNA analysis for the Sheriff's Forensic laboratory.
This makes SERI the best and only choice to analyze these DNA cases.
Forensic Services
michael.koop 10/19/2021 9:34:48 AM Coordinator _
Requested By: Title
I approve this request to suspend competition for the service(s) and/or product(s) identified herein.
thomas.trester 10/19/2021 11:17:15 AM
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Department Head Signature
gcornuelle 10/20/2021 11.13:22 AM
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Purchasing Manager Signature
E-PD-048 (Rev 07/2021)