Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of a contract for forensic science instruments and accessories with Fisher Scientific Company, LLC d/b/a Fisher Scientific, for a total contract amount not to exceed $158,493.
[Note: This procurement was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the goods required for this procurement, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established].
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Client Department(s)
Forensic Science Department.
Fiscal Note
Funding for the total contract amount is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget of the Forensic Science Department.
Purchasing Language:
Multiple contractors within this cooperative purchasing program were reviewed for these goods. The Forensic Science Department has determined this contractor best meets the needs of the department to provide the goods required at the best value for the City.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department - Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500.
Additional Backup Information:
The contract is for the purchase of two Applied Biosystem 7500s and three VeritiPro real-time polymerase chain reaction instruments and their accessories for the Forensic Science Department. The VeritiPro is required to amplify deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracts and the Applied Biosystems 7500 is used to determine the concentration of DNA. The instruments are critical to these steps of the DNA analysis workflow. The requested equipment will replace existing instruments that will be phased out from use.
The OMNIA Partners is a cooperative purchasing association recognized under Texas procurement statutes. Cooperative associations, themselves or using a lead government, competitively solicit and award contracts that are eligible for use by other qualified state and local governments. Due to their substantial volumes, larger than any one government could achieve independently, cooperative contracts routinely include superior terms, conditions, and pricing. Use of cooperative contracts also results in lower administrative costs and time savings.
This is a new contract. A delay in contract approval could impact Forensic Science’s ability to determine the concentration of DNA in samples, negatively impacting service delivery of vital DNA evidence.