To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: NicheVision Forensics LLC
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute on behalf of the Sheriff-Coroner, a purchase order with NicheVision Forensics LLC, in an amount not to exceed $10,805, and ACCEPT a Software License Agreement with FaSTR DNA Software, to provide maintenance and updates for the FaSTR DNA analysis application, for the period December 5, 2025 through December 4, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in up to $10,805 in contractual service expenditures over a 1-year period and will be funded 100% by the General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
NicheVision provides expert systems, including the FaSTR software that allows the visualization of DNA profiles. The FaSTR software provides tools that streamline and expedite the process of analyzing raw DNA data. The FaSTR software will allow for greater accuracy in the DNA profile which will improve efficiency within the Biology and DNA Unit.
NicheVision's FaSTR software will work in conjunction with software already implemented within the Biology and DNA unit for DNA interpretation. The crime laboratory is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB). As an accredited laboratory, the Crime Lab is required to meet the accreditation criteria, as it applies to the technical work performed. NicheVision products have been extensively validated, both nationally and internationally, and research associated with biological models, mathematics and performance have been widely vetted and published.
The Terms and Conditions include a limitation of liability and indemnification from the County to NicheVision Forensics LLC.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve, the Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory will be unable to efficiently perform DNA data analysis and would result in suspension of DNA casework.