Agenda

Return

C. 98

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Date:	August 7, 2018

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Purchase Order - Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc.

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 08/07/2018

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

ABSENT:

Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor

Contact:	Liz Arbuckle, (925) 335-1529
cc:	Liz Arbuckle Heike Anderson Paul Reyes

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: August 7, 2018
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute a purchase order with Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc., on behalf of the Sheriff-Coroner, in an amount of $344,000 for the purchase of a Shimadzu Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) Instrument and Nitrogen Generator.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Zero Net County Cost. Funded through California Office of Traffic Safety Grant FY 2018.

BACKGROUND:

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff-Forensic Services Division (FSD) will use monies from the Office of Traffic Safety Grant FY2018 to purchase a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) instrument and nitrogen generator.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The FSD is an accredited crime laboratory providing forensic services to more than 20 law enforcement agencies in the County. The LC-MS/MS instrument will enable the laboratory to provide more meaningful information on driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) and drug facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) cases without the need for outside testing. Currently, the toxicology unit does not have up to date sensitive equipment to keep pace with current and future legislation and drug trends.

On January 1, 2014, changes to driving under the influence laws (California Vehicle Code (VC) Sections 23152 and 23153) went into effect. With the prevalence of drivers driving under the influence on California roads and highways rising, these changes were implemented in efforts for law enforcement to identify and ultimately increase the prosecution of drug impaired driving cases. VC section 23153(e) makes it unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any drug to drive a motor vehicle; this not only includes illegal narcotics and stimulants, but also even legal prescriptions, herbs, and over-the-counter drugs.

In November 2016, California passed Proposition 64 (Adult Use of Marijuana Act) that allows adults age 21 and over to possess, transport, purchase, consume and share up to one ounce of marijuana and eight grams of marijuana concentrates. It is anticipated there will be an influx of marijuana analysis requests for “DUID” cases.

Recently there has been increased forensic and public safety interest in newer or “emerging drugs” inclusive of “bath salts”, synthetic cannabinoids and fentanyl analogs; a LC-MS/MS would enable the crime laboratory to increase the variety of drugs that can be tested. This information will provide a comprehensive report to police agencies and the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution purposes.

The vendor Shimadzu was chosen because it is the only vendor that is 'Buy America Act' compliant, which is a requirement of the funding being provided by NHTSA (National Highway and Safety Association) through OTS (Office of Traffic Safety). Shimadzu provides the required customer support, training, and method development assistance for their instruments. The vendor provides annual and 'as needed' maintenance and support for the on-going proper function and performance of the instrument.

The crime laboratory serving Contra Costa County has an obligation to provide the best and most comprehensive results in forensic casework. Obtaining a LC-MS/MS will enable the laboratory to provide appropriate, accurate and reliable results for use in the criminal justice system as well as keep pace with current and future legislation and drug trends.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: