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Board approves $231,897.60 Agilent maintenance contract for forensic labs
Summary
The county approved a three‑year maintenance and support agreement with Agilent Technologies for $231,897.60 to cover seven GC‑MS systems used in toxicology and drug identification; the Regional Forensic Science Center cited added instruments and vendor price increases as drivers of cost.
Sedgwick County approved a three‑year maintenance and support agreement with Agilent Technologies totaling $231,897.60 to maintain seven gas chromatograph‑mass spectrometer systems used in toxicology and drug identification laboratories. A presenter noted these systems are fundamental to identifying drugs in forensic specimens, including autopsy and driving‑under‑the‑influence testing.
Shelly Stegman, director of the Regional Forensic Science Center, explained the increase: "We throughout the course of the previous 3 year agreement, we did add several instruments ... and in the 3rd year, we did have instruments that went from partial to full year coverage. Additionally, we had traded in some instruments and that were replaced with instruments that had a higher cost for coverage," and she cited vendor price increases in 2023 as a factor. The board asked about single‑source service; staff said Agilent, as the equipment manufacturer, provides required maintenance and alternative providers could void warranty coverage.
The motion to accept the Agilent quote was moved and seconded and carried by roll call. Staff emphasized the maintenance is necessary to preserve instrument functionality for criminal and toxicology testing; no alternatives that would preserve warranty were presented during the meeting record.
