ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: October 21, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Agreements TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Brent Stratton, Chief of Police
DATE: September 14, 2026
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 2025-211
with Kern County Forensics Services (increase compensation $250,000; revised not to exceed $500,000, and extend the term date to November 19, 2027) to continue forensic evidence collection and examination services.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the amendment
BACKGROUND: The Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) relies on professional nursing services to assist in the forensic investigation of reported sexual assaults. These investigations often require evidentiary examinations, including the collection of physical evidence and documentation of injuries, of victims and suspects for purposes of prosecution. Exams of this nature are mandatory for the investigating law enforcement agency within the jurisdiction of the criminal offense.
Kern County Forensics Services LLC (KCFS) has been providing these services on behalf of BPD since November 20, 2019. In this capacity, nurses provide expertise in the collection of evidence and may be called to testify as subject matter experts during suspect prosecution. Nurses are also available 24 hours a day for consultation regarding forensic evidence questions a BPD detective may have. KCFS is the only firm in the Bakersfield area that provides the combination of experience, facilities, and expertise necessary to provide these services.
On November 19, 2025, BPD and KCFS entered into Agreement No. 2025-211 in the amount of $250,000, with a term through November 19, 2026.
The parties now desire to amend Agreement No. 2025-211 to increase compensation by $250,000 for a new not-to-exceed amount of $500,000 and extend the term date to November 19, 2027, to continue forensic evidence collection and examination services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Approximately 90% of the City’s cost per exam will be off set through the reimbursement program administered by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES).
COUNCIL GOAL:
Safety and Resilience
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Signed Agreement
2. Exhibit A