Legislation Details

File #: 26-2687   
Type: Consent Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 9/28/2026 In control: City Council
On agenda: 10/22/2026 Final action:
Title: Authorize a contract for a comparison microscope, used to compare markings on bullets, cartridge cases, and toolmarks, for Austin Forensic Science with Thomas Scientific LLC d/b/a Thomas Scientific, in an amount not to exceed $109,733. Funding: $101,202 is available from the State of Texas, Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant, Crime Lab Enhancement Project. $8,531 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Forensic Science.
Attachments: 1. Recommendation for Action
Date Action ByActionAction DetailsMeeting Details
No records to display.
Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for a comparison microscope, used to compare markings on bullets, cartridge cases, and toolmarks, for Austin Forensic Science with Thomas Scientific LLC d/b/a Thomas Scientific, in an amount not to exceed $109,733. Funding: $101,202 is available from the State of Texas, Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant, Crime Lab Enhancement Project. $8,531 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Forensic Science.

Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.

Client Department(s)
Austin Forensic Science.

Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $101,202 is available from the State of Texas, Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant, Crime Lab Enhancement Project. Funding in the amount of $8,531 is available in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget of Austin Forensic Science.

Procurement Language:
Multiple cooperative purchase programs were reviewed for these goods. Austin Financial Services and Austin Forensic Science have determined this contractor best meets the needs of the department to provide the goods required for the City.

MBE/WBE:
Cooperative Agreement contracts are exempt from the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program); therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.

For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500.

Additional Backup Information:
The contract is for the purchase of a comparison microscope for the Austin Forensic Science Firearm and Toolmark Section. This specialized instrument is used to compare microscopic markings on bullets, cartridge cases, and toolmarks to determine whether they originated from the same source. The unit is currently equipped with inst...

Click here for full text