Cities Index.
KC FORENSICS AGREEMENT - SIGNED.pdf

Bakersfield City Council
November 19, 2025

Document
KC FORENSICS AGREEMENT - SIGNED.pdf
Meeting
November 19, 2025
Body
Bakersfield City Council
Original file
207 KB
Text extracted from the city's file for reading and search. Open the original on pub-bakersfield.escribemeetings.com. That file is the official record.

KC FORENSCIS AGREEMENT Page 1
Updated – November 4, 2025

AGREEMENT NO. ___________________

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR'S AGREEMENT
[Over $100,000]

This INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR’S AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into on _______________________, by and bet ween the CITY OF BAKERSFIELD, a municipal corporation (referred to herein as “CIT Y”), and KERN COUNTY FORENSIC SERVICES LLC, a limited liability company authorized to do business in California (referred to herein as “CONTRACTOR”).

R E C I T A L S

WHEREAS, CONTRACTOR represents that CONTRACTOR is experienced, well qualified and a specialist in the field of forensic evidence collection and examinations; and

WHEREAS, CITY seeks to retain CONTRACTOR’s services for the purpose of assisting in forensics evidence collection and examination of victims and suspects of sexual assault, domestic violence, child physica l and sexual abuse and postmortem investigations.

NOW, THEREFORE, incorporating the foregoing recitals herein, CITY a nd CONTRACTOR mutually agree as follows:

1. SCOPE OF WORK. In exchange for the Compensation (defined below), CONTRACTOR shall perform the following (collectivel y, the “Scope of Work”): upon CITY’s request, CONTRACTOR shall colle ct forensic evidence pursuant to California Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES) state protocols by qualified forensic examiners. All such work shall include the use of mandated CAL OES forms, evidence, collection, di gital photography, and Rapid DNA Sequencing (RADS). Contractor shall p rovide copies of all photographs to CITY and discuss findings with CITY at the conclusion of each examination. CONTRACTOR shall relinquish its c ollected evidence to CITY and shall maintain chain of custody for each e xamination. Upon request by CITY, CONTRACTOR shall make the results of and evidence from any examination to agency and any prosecuting offic e after the date of such examination. CONTRACTOR shall provide competen t expert witness courtroom testimony when compelled by subpoena to do so. The Scope of Work shall include all items and procedures necessary to properly complete the task CONTRACTOR has been hired to perform, whet her specifically included in this Scope of Work or not.

Docusign Envelope ID: 0DEF250A-094E-4F36-B185-5FA19E73A03D

KC FORENSCIS AGREEMENT Page 2
Updated – November 4, 2025

2. COMPENSATION/PAYMENT PROCEDURE. Subject to the conditions of this section, CITY will pay CONTRACTOR as follows for pe rforming the Scope of Work (“Compensation”): based on a per exam rate as outlined in the attached Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein as reference.

CITY will pay CONTRACTOR within thirty (30) days af ter CONTRACTOR submits an itemized invoice for the portions of the Scope of Work completed and that invoice is approved by CITY. The Compensation will be the total amount paid to CONTRACTOR for performi ng the Scope of Work and includes, but is not limited to, all out-o f-pocket costs and taxes.

CITY will pay no other compensation to CONTRACTOR. In no case will CITY compensate CONTRACTOR more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) for performing the Scope of Work.

3. TERM. Unless terminated sooner, as set forth herein, thi s Agreement shall terminate one year from the date of execution.

4. TERMINATION. Either party may terminate this Agreement after gi ving the other party written notice, as provided herein, ten (10) days before the termination is effective.

5. ACCOUNTING RECORDS. CONTRACTOR shall maintain accurate accounting records and other written documentation pertaining to all costs incurred in performance of this Agreement. Su ch records and documentation shall be kept at CONTRACTOR's office during the term of this Agreement, and for a period of three (3) years from the date of the final payment hereunder, and made available to CITY repre sentatives upon request at any time during regular business hours.

6. ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any rights, interests, d uties, liabilities, obligations or responsibilities arisin g out of, concerning or related in any way to this Agreement (including, but not li mited to, accounts, actions, causes of action, claims, damages, demands , liabilities, losses, obligations, or reckonings of any kind or nature wh atsoever, for compensatory or exemplary and punitive damages, or declaratory, equitable or injunctive relief, whether based on co ntract, equity, tort or other theories of recovery provided for by the comm on or statutory law) may be assigned or transferred by any party. Any su ch assignment is prohibited, and shall be unenforceable and otherwise null and void without the need for further action by the non-assigning party or parties.

7. BINDING EFFECT. The rights and obligations of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties to the Agreement and their Docusign Envelope ID: 0DEF250A-094E-4F36-B185-5FA19E73A03D

KC FORENSCIS AGREEMENT Page 3
Updated – November 4, 2025

heirs, administrators, executors, personal represen tatives, successors and assigns.

8. COMPLIANCE WITH ALL LAWS. CONTRACTOR shall, at CONTRACTOR’s sole cost, comply with all of the requirements of munici pal, state, and federal authorities now in force, or which may hereafter be in force, pertaining to this Agreement, and shall faithfully observe in all activities relating to or growing out of this Agreement all municipal ordinan ces and state and federal statutes, rules or regulations, and permitt ing requirements now in force or which may hereafter be in force including, without limitation, obtaining a City of Bakersfield business tax certificate (Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 5.02) where required.

9. CORPORATE AUTHORITY. Each individual signing this Agreement on behalf of entities represents and warrants that they are, respectively, duly authorized to sign on behalf of the entities and to bind the entities fully to each and all of the obligations set forth in this Agreement.

10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be considered as an original and be effective as such.

11. DIRECTION. CONTRACTOR retains the right to control or direct the manner in which the services described herein are performed.

12. EQUIPMENT. CONTRACTOR will supply all equipment, tools, mater ials and supplies necessary to perform the services under this Agreement.

13. EXECUTION. This Agreement is effective upon the date first wr itten above and is the product of negotiation and all parties are equally responsible for authorship of this Agreement. Section 1654 of the California Civil Code shall not apply to the interpretation of this Agreement.

14. EXHIBITS. In the event of a conflict between the terms, cond itions or specifications set forth in this Agreement and thos e in exhibits attached hereto, the terms, conditions, or specifications se t forth in this Agreement shall prevail. All exhibits to which reference is m ade in this Agreement are deemed incorporated in this Agreement, whether or n ot actually attached.

15. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party shall execute and deliver such papers, documents, and instruments, and perform such acts a s are necessary or appropriate, to implement the terms of this Agreeme nt and the intent of the parties to this Agreement.

Docusign Envelope ID: 0DEF250A-094E-4F36-B185-5FA19E73A03D

KC FORENSCIS AGREEMENT Page 4
Updated – November 4, 2025

16. GOVERNING LAW. The laws of the State of California will govern the validity of this Agreement and its interpretation and perfor mance. Any litigation arising in any way from this Agreement shall be bro ught in Kern County, California.

17. INCLUDED DOCUMENTS. Any bid documents, including, without limitation, special provisions and standard specifications and any Request for Proposals, Request for Qualifications and responses thereto relating to this Agreement are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

18. INDEMNITY. CONTRACTOR shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CITY and CITY’s officers, agents and employees against a ny and all liability, claims, actions, causes of action or demands whatsoever against them, or any of them, before administrative or judicial trib unals of any kind whatsoever, arising out of, connected with, or caused by CONTRACTOR or CONTRACTOR’s employees, agents, independent contractors, companies, or subcontractors in the performance of, or in any way arising from, the terms and provisions of this Agreement whether or n ot caused in part by a party indemnified hereunder, except for CITY’s sole active negligence or willful misconduct.

19. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. This Agreement calls for CONTRACTOR’s performance of the Scope of Work as an independent contractor.

CONTRACTOR is not an agent or employee of CITY for any purpose and is not entitled to any of the benefits provided by CIT Y to its employees. This Agreement shall not be construed as forming a partn ership or any other association with CONTRACTOR other than that of an i ndependent contractor.

20. INSURANCE.

20.1 Types and Limits of Insurance. In addition to any other insurance or security required under this Agreement, CONTRACTOR must procure and maintain, for the duration of this Agreement, the types and limits of insurance below ("Basic Insurance Requirements").

20.1.1 Automobile liability insurance, providing coverage for owned, non-owned, and hired autos on an occurrence
basis for bodily injury, including death, of one or more persons, property damage, and personal injury, with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence.

20.1.2 Commercial general liability insurance, unless otherwise Docusign Envelope ID: 0DEF250A-094E-4F36-B185-5FA19E73A03D

KC FORENSCIS AGREEMENT Page 5
Updated – November 4, 2025

approved by CITY’s Risk Manager, providing coverage on an occurrence basis for bodily injury, including de ath, of one or more persons, property damage, and personal
injury, with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence.

The policy must:

20.1.2.1 Provide contractual liability coverage for the terms of this Agreement;

20.1.2.2 Provide products and completed operations
coverage;

20.1.2.3 Provide premises, operations, and mobile
equipment coverage; and

20.1.2.4 Contain an additional insured endorsement in
favor of CITY and its mayor, council, officers,
agents, employees, and designated volunteers.

20.1.3 Workers' compensation insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. In accordance with the
provisions of Labor Code Section 3700, every contractor will be required to secure the payment of compensation t o his employees. Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1861,
CONTRACTOR must submit to CITY the following
certification before beginning any work on the
Improvements:

I am aware of the provisions of Section 3700 of the
Labor Code which require every employer to be
insured against liability for worker’s compensation or to undertake self-insurance in accordance with the
provisions of that code, and I will comply with suc h
provisions before commencing the performance of
the work of this contract.

By executing this Agreement, CONTRACTOR is submitting the certification required above.

The policy must contain a waiver of subrogation in favor of CITY and its mayor, council, officers, agents, employees, and designated volunteers.

20.2 General Provisions Applying to All Insurance Types.

Docusign Envelope ID: 0DEF250A-094E-4F36-B185-5FA19E73A03D

KC FORENSCIS AGREEMENT Page 6
Updated – November 4, 2025

20.2.1 All policies required of CONTRACTOR must be written on a first-dollar coverage basis, or contain a deductibl e
provision. Subject to CITY’s advance approval,
CONTRACTOR may utilize a self-insured retention in any or all of the policies provided, but the policy or pol icies may not contain language, whether added by endorsement or
contained in the policy conditions, that prohibits
satisfaction of any self-insured provision or requi rement by anyone other than the named insured or by any means
including other insurance or which is intended to defeat the intent or protection of an additional insured.

20.2.2 All policies required of CONTRACTOR must be primary insurance as to CITY and its mayor, council, officers, agents, employees, or designated volunteers and any insurance or self-insurance maintained by CITY and its mayor, co uncil, officers, agents, employees, and designated volunte ers must be excess of CONTRACTOR’s insurance and must n ot
contribute with it.

20.2.3 The insurance required above, except for workers’ compensation insurance, must be placed with insurers with a Best’s rating as approved by CITY’s Risk Manager, but in no event less than A-:VII. Any deductibles, self-in sured retentions, or insurance in lesser amounts, or lack of certain types of insurance otherwise required by this Agreement, or insurance rated below Best’s A-:VII, must be declar ed prior to execution of this Agreement and approved by CITY in writing.

20.2.4 The insurance required in this section must be main tained until the Scope of Work is satisfactorily completed as evidenced by CITY’s written acceptance. All policie s must provide that there will be continuing liability the reon, notwithstanding any recovery on any policy.

20.2.5 Full compensation for all premiums which CONTRACTOR is required to pay to satisfy the Basic Insurance Requirements shall be considered as included in the prices paid for the performance of the Scope of Work, and no additional
allowance will be made therefor or for additional premiums which may be required by extensions of the policies of insurance.

Docusign Envelope ID: 0DEF250A-094E-4F36-B185-5FA19E73A03D

KC FORENSCIS AGREEMENT Page 7
Updated – November 4, 2025

20.2.6 It is further understood and agreed by CONTRACTOR t hat its liability to CITY will not in any way be limited to or affected by the amount of insurance obtained and carried by
CONTRACTOR in connection with this Agreement.

20.2.7 Unless otherwise approved by CITY, if any part of the Scope of Work is subcontracted, the Basic Insurance Requirements must be provided by, or on behalf of, all subcontra ctors even if CITY has approved lesser insurance requirements for CONTRACTOR, and all subcontractors must agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this section.

21. INTERPRETATION. Whenever the context so requires, the masculine ge nder includes the feminine and neuter, and the singular number includes the plural.

22. KEY PERSONNEL. At request of CITY, CONTRACTOR shall name all key personnel to be assigned to the work set forth herein. CITY reserves the right to approve key personnel, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Once the key personnel are approved CONTR ACTOR shall not change such personnel without the approval of CITY.

23. LICENSES. CONTRACTOR shall, at its sole cost and expense, ke ep in effect or obtain at all times during the term of this Agreement any licenses, permits and approvals which are legally required for CONTRA CTOR to practice its profession and perform the Scope of Work. If CONTRA CTOR is a corporation, at least one (1) officer or key employee shall hold the required licenses or professional degrees. If CONTRACTOR is a partnership, at least one (1) partner shall hold the required licensees or professional degrees.

24. MERGER AND MODIFICATION. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all ot her oral or written representations. This Agreement may be modified onl y in a writing approved by the City Council and signed by all the parties.

25. NO WAIVER OF DEFAULT. The failure of any party to enforce against another party any provision of this Agreement shall not con stitute a waiver of that party's right to enforce such a provision at a late r time and shall not serve to vary the terms of this Agreement.

26. NON-INTEREST. No CITY officer or employee shall hold any interes t in this Agreement (California Government Code section 1090).

27. NOTICES. All notices relative to this Agreement shall be given in writing and Docusign Envelope ID: 0DEF250A-094E-4F36-B185-5FA19E73A03D

KC FORENSCIS AGREEMENT Page 8
Updated – November 4, 2025

shall be personally served or sent by certified or registered mail and be effective upon actual personal service or depositin g in the United States mail. The parties shall be addressed as follows, or at any other address designated by notice:

CITY: CITY OF BAKERSFIELD

CITY HALL
1600 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, California 93301

CONTRACTOR: KERN COUNTY FORENSIC SERVICES
1335 Greely Road
Bakersfield, CA 93314

28. RESOURCE ALLOCATION. All CITY obligations under the terms of this Agreement are subject to the appropriation and allocation of resources by the City Council.

29. SB 854 COMPLIANCE. To the extent Labor Code Section 1771.1 applies to this Agreement, a contractor or subcontractor shall not be qualified to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, be subject to the requirements of Section 4104 of the Public Contract Code, or engage in the performance of any contract for public work, as defined in this chapte r, unless currently registered and qualified to perform public work pur suant to Labor Code Section 1725.5. It is not a violation of Labor Code Section 1771.1 for an unregistered contractor to submit a bid that is authorized by Section 7029.1 of the Business and Professions Code or by Section 10164 or 20103.5 of the Public Contract Code, provided the contractor is re gistered to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5 at the time the contract is awarded. The prime contractor is required to pos t job site notices in compliance with California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 16451. This project is subject to compliance monitoring and enf orcement by the California Department of Industrial Relations.

30. STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE. The Scope of Work shall be performed in conformity with all legal requirements and industry standards observed by a specialist of CONTRACTOR’s profession in California.

31. STARTING WORK. CONTRACTOR shall not begin work until authorized t o do so in writing by CITY. No work will be authorized before the date first written above.

32. TAX NUMBERS .

Docusign Envelope ID: 0DEF250A-094E-4F36-B185-5FA19E73A03D

KC FORENSCIS AGREEMENT Page 9
Updated – November 4, 2025

CONTRACTOR’s Federal Tax ID Number 84-2812701
CONTRACTOR is a corporation? Yes x No
(Please check one.)

33. THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS. In the case of public works contracts, CITY will t imely notify CONTRACTOR of third-party claims relating to this Agreement. CITY shall be allowed to recover from CONTRACTOR, and CO NTRACTOR shall pay on demand, all costs of notification.

34. TITLE TO DOCUMENTS. All documents, plans, and drawings, maps, photographs, and other papers, or copies thereof pr epared by CONTRACTOR pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, shall, upon preparation, become CITY property.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

CITY OF BAKERSFIELD KERN COUNTY FORENSIC SERVICES L LC.

By:____________________________ By:_______________ __________________

KAREN GOH
Mayor Print Name: ________________________

Title:___________________________

APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:

BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT

By:____________________________

GREG TERRY
Chief of Police

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney

By:____________________________

ASHLEY ZAMBRANO
Deputy City Attorney II

Docusign Envelope ID: 0DEF250A-094E-4F36-B185-5FA19E73A03D Partner/Owner KCFS, LLC
Sarah Cooper, MSN, RN

KC FORENSCIS AGREEMENT Page 10
Updated – November 4, 2025

COUNTERSIGNED:

By:____________________________

RANDY MCKEEGAN
Finance Director

Attachments: Exhibit A

Docusign Envelope ID: 0DEF250A-094E-4F36-B185-5FA19E73A03D

← All documents from this meeting