Title
Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office recommending the Board:
1) Make findings, in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance 3.13.030 (B), that ANDE Rapid DNA system maintenance services are in the public's best interest and the work requires specialty skills, equipment, and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications;
2) Authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I of Agreement 5509 with ANDE Corporation for the ANDE Rapid DNA system and maintenance, adding amended Exhibit A and replacing Article XIX, Conflict of Interest, in its entirety, with no change to term or amount; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute future amendments to Agreement 5509 that do not change the term or amount, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: General Fund (50%) and DNA Identification Special Revenue Fund (50%).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office utilize the ANDE Rapid DNA machine to process DNA samples for a variety of critical public safety functions, including:
- Identifying arrested individuals who are legally required to provide DNA samples.
- Assisting in the identification of deceased individuals.
- Supporting the resolution of unsolved crimes and cold cases involving sexual assaults, homicides, kidnappings, and terrorism.
- Providing rapid identification during mass casualty events or other catastrophic incidents.
The ANDE Rapid DNA machine processes samples of bodily material, typically collected via cheek swabs, from certain arrested individuals in compliance with State and Federal law. The resulting DNA profiles are entered into a secure data repository for search and comparison purposes.
The Rapid DNA Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-50), signed into law on August 18, 2017, authorizes the FBI Director to issue standards and procedures for the use of Rapid DNA instruments and the resulting DNA analyses. Since passage of the law, the FBI has worked with the Scientific Working Group for DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) and other stakeholders to develop:
- Standards for the Operation of Rapid DNA Booking Systems by Law Enforcement Booking Agencies
- A corresponding Audit Document for these standards
- The National Rapid DNA Booking Operational Procedures Manual
These standards and procedures, effective September 1, 2020, provide the framework for the FBI’s approval and operation of Rapid DNA systems in authorized booking agencies. The FBI recognizes that National DNA Index System (NDIS) approval and the proper training of law enforcement personnel are essential to ensuring that Rapid DNA is used in a manner that upholds the quality and integrity of both the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and NDIS.
On March 16, 2021, with Legistar file 21-0317, the Board approved the purchase of an ANDE Rapid DNA machine in the amount of $733,890 over a five-year term. Agreement 5509 covers the ANDE Rapid DNA machine, associated services, ongoing maintenance, and consumables necessary for its operation.
The County has not met the minimum usage thresholds under the current agreement. As a result, while the individual unit cost for consumables will increase under the proposed arrangement, the overall financial burden to the County will decrease because billing will reflect only the actual volume of consumables used rather than a minimum purchase requirement.
Continuation of this agreement ensures that the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office maintain the ability to rapidly process DNA evidence, thereby enhancing investigative capabilities, improving case resolution timelines, and supporting public safety in both routine and extraordinary circumstances—while also reducing overall costs to the County.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could not approve this amendment resulting in the County being obligated to purchase more consumables that will expire before they are used.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
03/16/2021 Legistar file 21-0317
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The costs associated with this agreement are included in the Sheriff's and District Attorney's FY 2025-26 budget and will be requested in future budget years. While the individual unit cost for consumables will increase under the proposed arrangement, the overall financial burden to the County will decrease because billing will reflect only the actual volume of consumables used rather than a minimum purchase requirement which had never been met in prior years.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Please return a fully executed Amendment I to Agreement 5509 to the Sheriff's Office.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Undersheriff Bryan Golmitz