It is the recommendation of Plano Police Department (PPD) to purchase the LEEDS/OLYMPUS LCF3 microscope from Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. through TXSmartBuy Contract 490-M2.
The funding for this purchase is through the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Grant. This grant provides funds to purchase a second comparison microscope for the Police Department’s National Integrated Ballistics Information Network Unit (NIBIN). This unit has one comparison microscope that is utilized on a daily basis to conduct comparisons and affect identifications of bullets and cartridge casings, and was purchased 15 years ago. Additionally, the section now has two examiners. Two microscopes enable multiple cases to be worked simultaneously, resulting in more efficient, timely operations. Finally, if one microscope is out of service for maintenance, the section would have a backup to continue operations.
If funding is not approved, the Police Department’s NIBIN will continue to experience a backlog of casework and difficulty in completing cases in a timely fashion without a second microscope, and would lose the grant funding.
The City is authorized to purchase from the State Contract list pursuant to Chapter 271 Subchapter D of the Texas Local Government Code and by doing so satisfies any State Law requiring local governments to seek competitive bids for items. (TXSmartBuy Contract No. 490-M2 and City of Plano Contract No. 2021-0072-O)