To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: NicheVision Forensics LLC - STRmix Limited
☒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 $60,000, and ACCEPT a Software License Agreement with STRmix Limited, to provide maintenance and updates for the STRmix application, for the period January 1, 2024 through July 31, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in up to $60,000 in service expenditures and will be funded 100% by the General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
NicheVision Forensics LLC provides expert systems, including mixture interpretation forensic tools such as STRmix, that can resolve previously unresolvable mixed DNA profiles. These tools provide a fully continuous approach for DNA profile analysis and improve the mixture interpretation capabilities within the Biology/DNA Unit.
NicheVision's STRmix allows existing data processing operations and current workflow. The Office of the Sheriff’s Forensic Services laboratory is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB). As an accredited laboratory, the Office of the Sheriff 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 its biological models, mathematics and performance have been widely vetted and published.
STRMix limited does not sell directly to customers; therefore, it will be purchased through NicheVision, a third-party reseller.
The department is seeking approval of this retroactive contract due to unintentional oversight caused by the substantial number of new contracts the Office of the Sheriff is currently handling.
The Software License Agreement include limitations of liability and indemnification from the County to STRmix Limited.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve, the Office of the Sheriff Forensic Services laboratory will be unable to perform DNA interpretation and would result in suspension of DNA casework.