REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: MINDY CASTO, Interim Chief of Police Office of the Chief BY: ROBERT BECKWITH, Acting Deputy Police Chief Support Division SUBJECT ..Title Approve a three-year Consultant Agreement with option for one two-year extension for professional forensic toxicology testing services with Central Valley Toxicology (CVT), Inc. for cost not to exceed $150,000 annually or $450,000 over three years or $750,000 over five years. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council approve a three-year Consultant Agreement with option for one two-year extension with Central Valley Toxicology in an amount not to exceed $150,000 annually or $450,000 over three years or $750,000 over five years (RFQ #12500157). The agreement would be to perform forensic toxicology services from a qualified State of California licensed medical professional, doctor or biologist and prepare the required reports for each of the toxicology results received from the submitting agency. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On July 19, 2024, the City released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ #12500157) requesting proposals to perform forensic toxicology services from a qualified State of California licensed medical professional, doctor or biologist to provide professional services and prepare the required reports for each of the toxicology results received from the Fresno Police Department. The RFQ resulted in four proposals being received by the required August 2, 2024 deadline. The three proposals were received from the below: * Central Valley Toxicology (CVT), Inc. located in Clovis, CA * Adventist Health Toxicology, located in Tulare, CA * Ascertain Forensics - Redwood Toxicology, located in Santa Rosa, CA * NMS Labs, located in Horsham, PA The funding for this Agreement will be covered by the General Fund as funds have been budgeted in the FY 2025 budget. BACKGROUND Fresno Police Department investigations criminal police investigations that requires forensic toxicology testing services for law enforcement purposes which include the identification and quantitative analysis of drugs and alcohol from blood, urine, and evidence specimens. At times, forensic examinations are needed to collect evidence from victims and suspects to determine essential facts and to provide evidentiary support for the allegations. FPD working with the Purchasing Division prepared specifications with a Request for Qualifications for a new three-year contract for forensic toxicology testing services. The request for qualifications was published July 19, 2024, and specifications were distributed to three proposers. The proposal allowed proposers to bid on any or all of the eleven (11) required name/type of drug categories after being authorized by the Fresno Police Department (FPD). A Selection Committee (Committee) consisting of a Lieutenant from the Fresno Police Department Traffic Unit, a Sergeant from the Fresno Police Department Traffic Unit, and the Fiscal Affairs Manager also from the Fresno Police Department reviewed the proposals received. CVT bid on all the drug screenings provided; whereas Adventist Health bid on all but one, Ascertain Forensics - Redwood Toxicology and NMS Labs bid on all but three. In accordance with the specifications, the proposals were evaluated for the following criteria: cost, ability to meet stated services requirements, past performance, experience, and conformance to the terms and conditions of the RFQ. All four proposers (CVT, Adventist Health, Ascertain Forensics - Redwood Toxicology, and NMS Labs) have the ability to provide testing services Monday - Friday, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. They all have qualified personnel to complete forensic toxicology services and only CVT is located within 15 miles of Fresno. In addition, all four provide daily blood analysis courier services; however, CVT provides the ability to limit the exposure of chain of custody issues due to the courier being an employee of the laboratory versus the other two using outside courier services. Based upon review of the proposals and assessment of the City's needs for forensic toxicology testing services, the Committee recommends, in the best interest of the City, as well as the testing services for law enforcement purposes, to award one agreement. Accordingly, staff requests approval of Central Valley Toxicology (CVT), Inc. to provide services at the rates set forth in the proposals, as needed. The Fresno Police Department (FPD) and Central Valley Toxicology (CVT) have partnered in forensic toxicology testing cases from 1995-1996. CVT is the Forensic Alcohol and Drug Testing for law enforcement and is currently the vendor used by other local law enforcement agencies within the Central Valley. Since 1986, Central Valley Toxicology (CVT) has been the trusted choice for Forensic Alcohol and Drug Testing among coroners and medical examiners, law enforcement agencies, criminal and civil litigation attorneys, universities, hospitals, diverse sectors of private industry, and other forensic toxicology laboratories. CVT follows the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory Guidelines set forth by the Society of Forensic Toxicologists and follows the State of California guidelines of Forensic Alcohol Laboratory. In addition, CVT currently has a contract with the County of Fresno which includes both the Fresno County Sheriff's and District Attorney's Offices. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING This is not a "project" for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was applied due to timeline needed for analysis of drugs and alcohol from blood, urine, and evidence specimens; and the selected vendor is within 15 miles of the City of Fresno. FISCAL IMPACT There will be an annual impact to the general fund of approximately $150,000. These funds have been budgeted in the FY 2025 general fund budget. Attachments: Central Valley Toxicology, Inc. Consultant Agreement RFQ #12500157