Subject:
Title
Grant application with the U.S. Department of Justice for the Fiscal Year 2026 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Competitive Grants Program on behalf of the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the grant application and supporting documents to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Competitive Grants Program on behalf of the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.
• The Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Competitive Grants Program improves forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services, including services provided by laboratories operated by states and units of local government. Funding is to be used for forensic science laboratories and/or medical examiner coroner offices.
• One-time competitive funds are being sought by the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory to purchase supplies and equipment to improve efficiency and maintain operation of the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.
• The acquisition of these critical items would not be possible without grant funding support.
• The application request is for $500,000.00 in federal funding over 36 months from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029.
• No match is required.
• This competitive grant is not included in the FY27 Adopted Budget. If awarded, an amendment will be requested to recognize the grant revenue and appropriate year-1 expense in FY27.
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve Public Health.
2.2 Enhance Community Safety.
Summary:
The County is seeking funding to enhance the lab’s examination of drug materials and the scope of toxicology testing in postmortem, suspected drug-facilitated sexual assault, and driving-under-the-influence investigations. If awarded, grant funds will be used for instrument purchase and installation, staff training, procurement of reference materials, method development and validation, and implementation of procedures for sample preparation, instrumental analysis, data analysis, quality control, and reporting. The acquisition of these critical items would not be possible without grant funding support.
Background/Explanation:
The Coverdell Grant Competitive Program awards grants to States and units of local government to carry out all or a substantial part of a program intended to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner/coroner services in the state, including those services provided by laboratories operated by the state and those operated by units of local government within the state. The Coverdell Grant Program awards competitive funds to the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory who pass through funding for the Medical Examiner’s.
Fiscal Impact:
The application request is for $500,000.00 in federal funding over 36 months from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. No match is required. This competitive grant is not included in the FY27 Adopted Budget. If awarded, an amendment will be requested to recognize the grant revenue and appropriate year-1 expense in FY27.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this grant application is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(4).
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
U.S. Department of Justice
Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory
Medical Examiner’s Office
Attachments:
Intent to Apply Approval
FY26 Paul Coverdell Competitive Grant Solicitation
DOJ Standard Certifications and Assurances
Required Coverdell Certifications
Project Abstract