The 'Real' World of Forensic Science Testing

Assuring Quality in the ‘CSI’ World—It’s Not ‘Sole Source’ Anymore: What Every Public Procurement Professional Should Know

by Patricia C. Wojtowicz
Manager of Accreditations, Forensic Quality Services, International
Largo, Florida
www.forquality.org

The general public’s awareness of  the world of forensic science testing has been heightened in recent years by the “CSI” television programs.  These programs paint an exciting picture of dimly lit laboratories with flashing lights, ‘hip’ scientists, and interesting cases solved—all within the space of an hour.  What the programs don’t show—because, frankly, it wouldn’t make for very interesting television—are all of the activities that happen on a daily basis to ensure that the test results produced by crime laboratories are accurate and trustworthy.  Don’t expect to see “CSI: Quality Assurance” showing up on the fall television schedule.

For everyone involved with real-world forensic science—forensic laboratory staff, law enforcement officials, courts, victims, and suspects—the issue of quality assurance in forensic testing is serious business.  In today’s world, forensic testing agencies are under increasing scrutiny with regard to their competence to conduct analyses and report the results.  It is not enough for an agency to self-proclaim that it is competent and that the results of its testing should be accepted without question.   Recognition of competence generally requires an independent evaluation of an agency’s quality management system and testing.  Accreditation provides this independent, formal, external recognition.

Formal public crime laboratory accreditation in the United States began in 1982, when the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) conducted the first inspections of  public crime laboratories using a set of standards developed by an ASCLD/LAB committee.  The ASCLD/LAB program was the “sole source” provider of U.S. crime laboratory accreditations in the United States until 1999, when the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) established an accreditation program for forensic testing based upon internationally-recognized standards for quality in testing laboratories—ISO 17025.  NFSTC subsequently established a new not-for-profit corporation – Forensic Quality Services (FQS) -- to operate its accreditations.

In 2004-2005 FQS’s ISO 17025 accreditation program was evaluated by the National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NACLA) for conformance with international standards of performance (ISO 17011) for accrediting bodies.  Recognition of conformance was granted in 2005.

ASCLD/LAB began to operate a second forensic laboratory accreditation program in 2004, one based upon assessment against the ISO 17025 standards.  ASCLD/LAB’s entry into ISO 17025 accreditation thus resulted in a directly competitive market for crime lab accreditation that did not previously exist.  (The original ASCLD/LAB accreditation program—now called the “Legacy” program—still exists, but is scheduled to be phased out starting in 2009.)  From 1999 through early 2004 public crime laboratories that wanted ISO 17025 accreditation could legitimately “sole source” that accreditation through FQS, and those that wanted a non-ISO 17025 accreditation could “sole source” with ASCLD/LAB.

The current reality for public crime laboratories is that there are now multiple providers for forensic ISO 17025 accreditation services.  Under these circumstances, best practices in public procurement would seem to require that a fair, competitive bidding process be used to determine the “best value” provider of accreditation for a public crime laboratory.

Because of past business relationships with one accrediting body or another,  this newly competitive environment is not always acknowledged by the laboratories.  The “experts”—the staff of the forensic laboratories—that state and local procurement officials rely upon to provide them with accurate information when public money is about to be spent for services such as accreditation (1) may not be fully aware that two providers exist or (2) may be unconsciously biased because of a historical involvement with the operation of one program and wrongly advise procurement officers to “sole source” services .

Public procurement professionals need to be aware that problems are most apt to arise in the following situations:

•  Crime laboratories that seek ISO 17025 accreditation—either as an initial
   accreditation or as a change from existing ASCLD/LAB-Legacy
   Accreditation—might try to specify ASCLD/LAB or FQS as their
   “sole source” provider for ISO 17025 accreditation without benefit of a
   competitive bidding process to determine “best value”; and
•  Invitations for Bid or Requests for Proposal to “outsource” forensic testing
   (most often for DNA testing) might require the successful bidder to be
   ASCLD/LAB accredited or NFSTC certified, but do not include FQS
   accreditation.  This is “carryover” language from several years ago that is
   now obsolete.

Procurement offices should be prepared to do the following to promote fair and equitable procurement practices and minimize restraint of trade issues:

•  Question all requests for “sole source” accreditation of forensic testing
•  ASCLD/LAB-Legacy accreditations are still “sole source”, but
   ASCLD/LAB-International ISO 17025 accreditations are not
•  When requests for bids for accreditation are solicited, the solicitation
   should require the respondents to account for all accreditation costs
   throughout the accreditation period. This is the only way to obtain an
   equitable comparison of accreditation costs.  Requesting a bid only
   for the on-site audit fees will not tell the whole story because FQS
   and ASCLD/LAB finance their programs in different ways.
•  FQS accreditation programs are funded by fees charged for specific
   accreditation services, such as on-site assessments.  There are no
   additional annual fees.
•  ASCLD/LAB programs derive a great deal of their funding through a
   system of “shares”, which are annual fees charged to their accredited
   laboratories.  This allows their on-site assessment fees to be relatively
   low.  As well, ASCLD/LAB uses volunteer auditors from accredited
   laboratories.  The costs borne by a laboratory as a result of donating
   staff time and services to the accrediting body are often not accounted
   for in bids.
•  Use contemporary language when writing accreditation requirements
   into solicitations for outsourced forensic testing.  National Institutes
   of Justice (NIJ) announcements state that laboratories receiving NIJ
   grant funds must be accredited by  “ . . . a non-profit professional
   association of persons actively involved in forensic science that is
   nationally recognized within the forensic science community”.
   This definition conforms to language in the federal “Justice for All Act of 2004”
   and effectively recognizes laboratories accredited by either FQS or
   ASCLD/LAB.

It is a fact that real life crime lab quality assurance issues don’t have the “pizzazz” of CSI plots.  But QA is a critical part of the criminal justice system, and procurement professionals can have a significant role in ensuring that “best value” is obtained in their particular corner of the ’CSI’ world.

Editor's note:  Accreditation is a clear indicator of competency and a requirement in many professions for conducting business.  For more information about accreditation for public procurement agencies, visit NIGP Accreditations.

NIGP Members: Win A FREE Trip to Forum

Participate in NIGP’s Member-Get-A-Member Campaign and be eligible to win a FREE trip to the 2007 Forum in Hartford, CT—including registration, airfare and hotel accommodations!

The Member-Get-A-Member Campaign runs from March 1st through June 30th.  

Introduce your colleagues to an association devoted exclusively to public procurement and share the valuable benefits you receive as a national member. Recruit an agency member between these dates and you will receive one entry for each new agency membership that joins. The winner will be notified by July 6th.

It’s Easy to Participate

A special Member-Get-A-Member application will be mailed to all members in March. Simply forward the application to a colleague with your name as the referring member and receive credit for their membership when they join.  You can also visit NIGP’s Member-Get-A-Member to view campaign guidelines, a toolkit that includes recruitment suggestions, and an email invitation template to personalize.

It’s a WIN-WIN campaign. Take advantage of this opportunity to increase your network of association professionals, help a colleague invest in their professional growth, and develop the future procurement leaders who can help transform our profession.

Recommend an agency today and start packing!

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Lights, Camera, Action: Call for Chapter Award Entries

The 2007 NIGP Chapter Awards Program is the perfect opportunity for you to pay homage to your chapter.

•  Did your chapter participate in philanthropic activities over the past year?
•  Does your chapter offer education classes/seminars that contribute to the
   professional growth of its members?
•  Has your chapter provided networking opportunities for you and your
   colleagues?
•  Do you think your chapter is making a difference and setting an example for
   procurement professionals?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions,  then send in your chapter’s nomination for the 2007 Chapter of the Year award.

The NIGP Chapter Awards Program was developed to recognize the outstanding work of chapters and their members.  Don’t miss this opportunity to nominate your chapter, a colleague or yourself.

Entries must be postmarked by Friday, April 20.

The Chapter Awards Program is divided into two categories, Individual contributions and Chapter contributions and includes the following nationally recognized awards:

•  NIGP Chapter of the Year Award - Large Chapter Category
   (151+ members)
•  NIGP Chapter of the Year Award - Mid-Size Chapter Category
   (61-150 members)
•  NIGP Chapter of the Year Award - Small Chapter Category
   (Less than 60 members)
•  NIGP Professional Buyer of the Year Award
•  NIGP Professional Purchasing Manager of the Year Award

Please submit the Award Entry Form and supporting documentation via e-mail to chapters@nigp.org or on CD to NIGP, 151 Spring Street, Herndon, VA 20170 - Attention: Chapter Awards Program.

Need assistance or have questions about completing the Chapter, Buyer or Manager of the Year Award entry?  We've created a Webinar just for you.

FREE Chapter Awards Webinar
Thursday, March 8th
1PM - 2PM (EST)
Deadline:  Wednesday, February 28

This Webinar is designed to inform and answer any questions you may have about the Chapter Awards program; submission criteria, supporting documentation and the on-line entry forms.  If you would like to attend, please email chapters@nigp.org by February 28, with your name, chapter name, and email address. To contact Chapter Development and Support staff, please call 800-FOR-NIGP x232.   [ return to top ]

FREE Webinar from Periscope: NIGP Code - Demonstrating Agency Value

Periscope Holdings, Inc., an NIGP partner and custodian of its NIGP Code software, is offering free, regularly scheduled informational Webinars about the NIGP Code.

Every Wednesday
10AM (CST) 

Created specifically for public sector procurement, the NIGP Code is a standardized commodity-based system used by over 1,400 public entities including state agencies, cities, counties, universities and school districts, utility districts, and airports.

Is your agency initiating or upgrading its vendor registration, purchase classification, inventory, or spend analysis practices?  Register today for this free Webinar and discover how the NIGP Code can add value to your agency and demonstrate that value to the government body it supports. (Periscope can also custom schedule Webinars if this timeframe does not work for you).

Webinar participants receive a temporary ID and password to the NIGP Living Code website to evaluate the Code firsthand. And remember, NIGP member agencies receive a 10 percent discount on the Code. Call 800-757-6064 or e-mail info@nigp.com to register for our next Webinar.

For more information about the Code, visit www.nigp.com.

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NIGP Instructor Spotlight: Tony Ellis, CPPO

The Experience of Teaching

By Tony Ellis, CPPO
Div. Director of Prison Industries
South Carolina Department of Corrections

I became an instructor for NIGP because it allows me to give back something to a profession that has been good to me. I have been fortunate enough to achieve many personal goals and rewards. In teaching, I have the opportunity to share knowledge and experiences with students while encouraging them to achieve the very best for themselves. If my effort creates a spark in someone’s life to improve their professionalism and wisdom, then everyone benefits.

The greatest classroom experience comes each time I step before a class and come away with the feeling that I made a difference in the lives of my students. It is so rewarding to see people I taught use their knowledge and training and achieve success. Some students I have taught over the years are now successful instructors in their own right. I feel good knowing that maybe I had some little part in helping them along the way. I try to keep in mind that one is remembered by what they leave behind for others than what they accumulated during a lifetime.

If you have a heart for service to others, then teaching is a special way to achieve that goal. 

To register for courses Tony will be teaching, visit NIGP Seminar Schedule.

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Reminder: FAU Offers On-Line Courses for NIGP Members

Through a partnership agreement with NIGP,  FAU (Florida Atlantic University) will offer five on-line graduate and undergraduate courses in public procurement at reduced pricing for NIGP members. Non-member and international students are also welcome to participate in these classes.

FAU is a comprehensive, accredited, research university. All courses taken by students will be reflected on FAU transcripts and are transferable to academic degree programs for those who wish to pursue their education further. Students completing all five classes will receive a certificate reflecting their academic achievement in this focused course of study.

Course Schedule:  Below is the calendar for graduate and undergraduate courses.  Each on-line course is 10 weeks. 

GRADUATE COURSES

Schedule	Course
Spring 2007
March 19 - May 25, 2007	PAD 6855 Intro. to Public Sector Procurement
Summer 2007
May 28 -  August 3, 2007	PAD 6857 Public Sector Procurement Law and Ethics
Fall 2007
August 6 - October 12, 2007	PAD 6858 Public Sector Contract Formulation
October 15 - December 21, 2007	PAD 6859 Public Sector Contract Administration
Spring 2008
Jan. 7 - March 14, 2008	PAD 6856 Public Procurement and Project Management

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

Schedule	Course
Fall 2007
August 6 - October 12, 2007	PAD 4852 Intro. to Public Sector Procurement
October 15 - December 21, 2007	PAD 4880 Administrative Process & Ethics of Public Sector Procurement
Spring 2008
January 7- March 14, 2008	PAD 4853 Public Sector Contract Planning and Analysis
March 17- May 23, 2008	PAD 4854 Public Sector Contract Management
Summer 2008
May 26 - August 1, 2008	PAD 4881 Public Sector Project Management

Special NIGP Member Tuition:

NIGP members taking on-line courses will pay reduced tuition as follows:

Course Level	NIGP Member Tuition	Standard Out-of-State for FAU Students	Net Savings per Course
Graduate Course	$1,100.00	$2,740.00	$1,640.11
Undergraduate Course	$   850.00	$1,639.08	$   789.08

•  Graduate Courses: Each course earns three semester credit hours
   The course will be cancelled if fewer than 10 students enroll; and
•  Undergraduate Courses: Each course earns three credit hours
   The course will be cancelled if fewer than 15 students enroll.

Undergraduate courses are for students without a bachelor degree; and graduate courses are for students holding a bachelor degree or higher.

Registration Information:

For course registration information please contact Marian Williams by e-mail at mwilliam@fau.edu or by phone at 954-762-5140 Monday - Friday from 9AM - 5PM.  
 
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U.S. Communities Welcomes Three New Advisory Board Members

The Board of Directors of the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliances has appointed three new members to serve a three-year term on its Advisory Board:

Charles E. Linderman 
Director of Business Affairs 
Great Valley School District, PA

Mr. Linderman serves on the board as the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) public agency representative .  He has worked with the Great Valley School District since 1981and has an extensive background in public education administration. Mr. Linderman's many accolades include the Gary Reeser Award in 2005 as the Outstanding Business Official of the Year; Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from ASBO for the past 17 years; Committee Chair for the Boy Scouts of America; frequent contributor to ASBO and PASBO publications; and featured speaker at both state and national conferences.

Kenneth F. Desowitz 
Director of Supply Services 
City of Los Angeles, CA

Mr. Desowitz began his career with the City of Los Angeles in 1994 and represents city governments on the Advisory Board.  As the Director of Supply Management, he manages five warehousing groups that include 63 warehouses with 75,000 line items and their associated distribution and salvage functions.  Mr. Desowitz is also responsible for six procurement groups that administer over 700 citywide requirements contracts and process over 3,000 purchase orders annually. 

Kay Elmore 
Director of Procurement Services 
City of Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, NC

Ms. Elmore joined the City of Charlotte/Mecklenburg in 1999 and represents city and county governments on the Advisory Board.  As Director of Procurement Services, she is responsible for overseeing, directing and managing the City's Procurement Services Division and provides strategic and tactical leadership to division initiatives.

U.S. Communities is the largest local government cooperative purchasing program in the United States. It is sponsored by the Association of School Business Officials International, the National Institute of International Purchasing, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, and the United States Conference of Mayors, as well as 70 state associations of local governments. It provides strategic sourcing for all local and state agencies, as well as non-profit organizations.  Lead public agencies of U.S. Communities solicit contracts on behalf of all public agencies and award these contracts to suppliers for use by any public or non-profit agency in the United States and Canada that are able to use cooperative purchasing.

U.S. Communities presently offers 14 contracts through 19 suppliers for such commodity areas as Office and School Supplies, Office and School Furniture, Technology Products and Solutions, Carpet and Flooring, Office Machines, Parks and Playground, P.E. Supplies, Homeland Security Solutions, Maintenance, Repair and Operation Supplies, Roofing Supplies and Services, and Auto Parts and Accessories.

The Advisory Board is composed of 20 public purchasing professionals from across the United States that represent cities, counties, schools, colleges and other local and state public agencies. [ return to top ]

Welcome New Members - January 2007

Agency Members

Atlantic City Board of Education
Gloria Bibb   
Atlantic City, NJ

BC Hydro and Power Authority
Nancy Yan    
Van Couver, BC
Canada

Calgary Public Library
Sharon Ferguson   
Calgary, AB
Canada

CEFD – City of Houston
John (Mitch) Miszkowski  
Houston,  TX

Clayton County Public Schools
Lonita Collie, C.P.M.  
Jonesboro, GA

Community Academy of Philadelphia
Traci Ray-Duren    
Philadelphia, PA

Denton County
Beth Fleming, C.P.M., A.P.P.  
Denton, TX

El Dorado Irrigation District
Karen Theriault, Esq., C.P.M.  
Placerville, CA

Franklin County Children Services
Linda Austin    
Columbus, OH

Housing Authority of Savannah
Robert Faircloth    
Savannah, GA

Houston County Board of Education
Gary Copa    
Perry, GA

Kennesaw State University
Mary Monsour    
Kennesaw, GA

Louisiana Delta Community College
Sherry Canady, CPPB  
Monroe, LA

Madison County Board of Education 
Chuck Baker   
Huntsville, AL

Mount Royal College
Michael Magnien, C.P.M., CPP  
Calgary, AB
Canada

Nassau Regional Off Track Betting Corp (OTB)
William Funk, CPPB  
Hempstead, NY

National Joint Powers Alliance
Mike Hajek    
Staples, MN

Orange County Public Schools - Magic Way
Joycelyn Henson    
Orlando, FL

Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff's Office
John Sens   
New Orleans, LA

Pierce County - Washington
Kenneth Matthews    
Tacoma, WA

Portsmouth Public Schools
Nita Mensia-Joseph    
Portsmouth, VA

The British Embassy
Brian Drury, CPPB  
Washington, DC

University of Houston System
Alan Phillips, CPPB, CTPM  
Houston, TX

University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Sharrie Mayden, C.P.M.  
Las Vegas, NV


Associate Agency Member

AHRC
Gerald DiMuro    
Brookville,  NY


New Retired Members

William Brown, CPPB
Hickory, NC

Individual Members

Rachel Brown  
Washington, DC

Connie Carleton   
Ocala, FL

Patricia Carrel
Pleasant Prairie, WI

Denice Cottingham
Conyers,  GA

Cynthia Crawford
San Francisco, CA

Ellen Daley
Chicago, IL

Sylvia Edwards
Washington,  DC

Arlene Goff   
Roseville, CA

Sandy Hayes  
Leesburg, VA

Shirley Hogue  
Las Vegas, NV

Patrick Kelley  
Tukwila, WA

Mary Kirschmer
Centennial,  CO

Yesenia Mendez
Miami, FL

Cheryl Peart   
Port Huron, MI

Layton Perry   
Little Rock, AR


Student Members

Erin Agobert   
Rock Island, IL

Miguel Juan-Gaspar   
Stuart, FL

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UPPCC Certifications - January 2007

Congratulations to the following individuals for successfully completing the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) certification requirements!

New CPPOs   

 




California
Jon Bischetsrieder, CPPO, C.P.M.
Purchasing Agent
City of Santa Clarita

John Coggins, CPPO, C.P.M.
Purchasing & Materials Manager
Orange County Fire Authority

Boyd Donavon, CPPO, C.P.M.
Assistant Purchasing Agent
County of Ventura

Michael Gersch, CPPO, C.P.M.
Purchasing and Contracts Manager
City of Pico Rivera

Dawn Haddon, CPPO, C.P.M.
Purchasing Manager
City of Rancho Cucamonga

Paul Herman, CPPO, C.P.M.
Purchasing Manager
City of Burbank

Maryland
Janet Regester, CPPO, CPPB
Associate Director
Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

Nevada
Dan Marran, CPPO, C.P.M.
Purchasing Manager
City of Sparks

Oregon
Christine Moody, CPPO, CPPB
Purchasing Manager
City of Portland

Texas
Bonnie Floyd, CPPO, CPPB, M.B.A.
Asst Purchasing Agent
Travis County

Charles Jones, CPPO, CPPB
Purchasing & Materials Administrator III
Texas Department of Transportation

New CPPBs 

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