DATE: September 22, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
Lisa Smittcamp, District Attorney
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreements for Toxicology Testing Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with Axis Forensic Toxicology, Inc. for evidentiary and clinical toxicology laboratory testing for the Sheriff’s Office, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $2,750,000; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with Central Valley Toxicology, Inc. for evidentiary and clinical toxicology laboratory testing and expert testimony services for the District Attorney’s Office, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $450,000.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The recommended agreements will allow the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office to perform laboratory testing services used to determine the existence or non-existence of toxicological substances in the human body. Test results and associated testimony are used as evidence in various legal proceedings. On April 8, 2026, on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, the Purchasing Division of the General Services Department released a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for evidentiary and clinical laboratory toxicology testing and expert testimony services and received three proposals for these services. At this time, the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office recommend that your Board approve the County contracting with two different vendors, one for the Sheriff’s Office and one for the District Attorney, as they have different quotation schedules for services needed and requirements in their scopes of work presented in the RFQ. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If the Board does not approve the recommended actions, the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office will not obtain the toxicology testing and expert testimony services required by both departments.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreements are retroactive due to the length of time required for negotiation, extension for bid questions, and approval of the agreements by the vendors. The signed agreement was received from Axis Forensic Technology, Inc. on September 1, 2026. The signed agreement from Central Valley Toxicology, Inc. was received on September 1, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The actual cost of the first recommended action will be based on the services performed and will not exceed the highest quoted cost of $2,750,000 for the five-year period. The actual cost of the second recommended action will be based on the services performed and will not exceed the highest quoted cost of $450,000 for the five-year period. The Sheriff’s Office annual estimated total will be based on the highest quote for toxicology services of $550,000 for both the Coroner’s Office and the Forensic Lab toxicology services. The District Attorney’s annual estimated total will be based on the highest quoted total for $90,000 for clinical laboratory testing and expert witness testimony. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues for these services have been included in the FY 2026-27 Adopted Budgets for the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Org 3111 and District Attorney Org 2860. Funding for future years will be included in each department’s requested budgets for the duration of the respective agreements.
DISCUSSION:
On September 7, 2021, the Board approved a Master Service Agreement for the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office with Adventist Health Tulare, Central Valley Toxicology, Inc. and Ascertain Forensics at Redwood Toxicology Laboratory for evidentiary and clinical laboratory testing and expert testimony services from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024, with two optional one-year extensions. The laboratory testing services are used to determine the existence or non-existence of toxicological substances in the human body, and will be provided on an as-needed basis. Test results are associated with testimony and used as evidence in various criminal proceedings. The current toxicology services agreement, Agreement No. 21-349, expired on June 30, 2026.
On April 8, 2026, on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, the Purchasing Division of the General Services Department released an RFQ for toxicology testing services that resulted in the two separate recommended agreements before your Board. The Purchasing Division received three quotations for these services. All three vendors met the minimum qualifications for providing services. At this time, the Sheriff’s Office recommends that your Board approve the County contracting with Axis Forensic Technology, Inc. and the District Attorney’s Office recommends that your Board approve the County contracting with Central Valley Toxicology, Inc Both the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office have selected the lowest bidders in Request for Quotation 26-050 for their respective departments. The Purchasing Department sent out the Tentative Award Notices on July 1, 2026, and the appeal periods ended July 13, 2026.
Although both the Fresno County Sheriff and the District Attorney’s Office utilize toxicology services, the needs and requirements of each department are substantially different. Each agency operates with its own distinct scope of work, requirements and pricing structure. The toxicology services requested by each department were independently evaluated and put out to bid based on their specific operational needs.
The Sheriff’s Office has previously been the primary user of the Toxicology Agreement. This year, the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office submitted separate quotation schedules and separate scopes of work in the RFQ resulting in two separate agreements.
Axis Forensic Toxicology, Inc. is not registered with the California Secretary of State, as it is an Indiana company that performs mail in toxicology services out of state and represents and acknowledges that it is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and requirements related to its business activities.
FSO acknowledges and accepts any risk of entering into this agreement based on the Contractor’s representation.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #31, September 7, 2021
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Axis Forensic Technology, Inc.
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Central Valley Toxicology, Inc.
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck