County of Santa Cruz Builds DNA Lab to Accelerate Justice

Challenge: County of Santa Cruz Seeks to Process Evidence Faster

The word “justice” calls to mind a bevy of abstractions. Laws written and applied consistently and equitably. Enforcement agencies committed to wielding their power judiciously. Transparent and ethical operations. But ensuring justice on the ground level is far from abstract. It requires concrete, practical resources like cruisers, office supplies and uniforms. Among the physical, concrete necessities of justice are reliable, functional facilities.   

For years, Santa Cruz County (CA) faced crucial delays in processing DNA evidence by outside labs, delaying justice for victims of crimes and their families. In 2023, using public safety funding from the state, the County of Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office invested $2.8 million for construction and lab equipment, with additional funding allocated for long-term staffing. The goal was to speed up justice by building a state-of-the-art DNA lab to process evidence within the Sheriff’s Office, a project that would be led by the County General Services Department (GSD).

“In Santa Cruz County, our objectives are access and equity,” said Lauren Zephro, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Director.  “This lab allows us to give our community that access and that equity. Whether it’s a Silicon Valley executive or a migrant field worker, if their cases demand, we have to be able to pivot and give them exactly what they need. That speaks to the county’s values.”

Eager to reduce processing time and responsible for meeting funding deadlines, GSD leaders needed a way to deliver this critical project in short order.

“It was really exciting to see the Gordian staff help us through that process and also deliver it in a very short timeframe.”

Kristine Conley | Construction Project Manager | County of Santa Cruz General Services Department

Solution: Gordian’s Job Order Contracting (JOC) Delivers Efficiency and Transparency

Acting on the recommendation of Angeles Contractor, Inc. (ACI), a local construction firm with whom they have a long relationship, county leaders opted to complete this critical project with Gordian’s Job Order Contracting (JOC). This decision demonstrated exceptional trust, as the County of Santa Cruz GSD had never used JOC before.

“In order to reduce our procurement timeline, the county made a strategic decision to use the JOC program for the DNA lab,” explained Santa Cruz GSD Construction Project Manager Kristine Conley. “It was really exciting to see the Gordian staff help us through that process and also deliver it in a very short timeframe.”

Beyond the recommendation of a trusted partner, there were plenty of reasons Gordian JOC was a good fit for the DNA lab project.

An indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) construction delivery method that enables many projects to be completed with one contract, Job Order Contracting speeds time to construction by as much as 25%, according to a report by NIGP and Gordian.

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Furthermore, JOC programs are founded on a procurement-specific Unit Price Book consisting of preset, local construction costs which enable project owners to see exactly how much work will cost, and Gordian JOC projects are managed on powerful project management platforms where every estimate, change and milestone is recorded. This combination of verified prices and project transparency was ideal for the County of Santa Cruz because it helped them maximize their budget and demonstrate proper stewardship of state funding.

Result: Speedier Results, A Safer Community

Work on this cutting-edge, 1,700-square-foot laboratory began in August of 2023. It ended approximately one year later, within Fiscal Year 2024, a requirement of the state grant. A large, empty room in the Sheriff’s Forensics Lab building was transformed into a state-of-the-art laboratory with several accessory rooms to support advanced DNA processing, supporting law enforcement’s mission and helping crime victims obtain justice.

The scope of work included installation of new electrical and plumbing systems, as well as tailored heating and ventilation solutions. Specialized workstations and custom cabinetry were added to match the design and functionality of the existing laboratory spaces. Angeles and its subcontractors worked diligently to accommodate lab staff requirements while navigating existing building constraints.

The county’s collaboration with Gordian and Angeles proved instrumental in overcoming unforeseen challenges, including equipment-related and site condition change orders. This partnership enabled expedited reviews and contract modifications that kept the project on track. As a result, work was completed on time and within budget.

While the lab construction is complete, the County of Santa Cruz awaits a yearlong certification process before it is fully operational. Once the lab is officially certified and operating at full capacity, it will be the only DNA processing facility of its kind on California’s Central Coast, setting the benchmark for other counties across the state. The $1.85 million facility will empower law enforcement to process evidence in days, drastically reducing turnaround time and ensuring criminals are taken off the street, creating a safer Santa Cruz County and providing resolution for victims faster than ever before. That’s what this project was all about: justice delivered without delay.

Job Order Contracting is just one solution Gordian offers to local government entities. See how we can help you improve decision-making and process efficiency throughout the building lifecycle.

Additionally, the anticipated reduction in backlog and expedited case closures are expected to generate savings within the criminal justice system, lowering court costs and reducing expenses associated with investigations.

Between the incredible community impact and the use of best practices, the Santa Cruz DNA lab project was awarded the 2024 Award of Excellence in Job Order Contracting, the highest honor a Gordian JOC project can achieve.

While this was the county’s first JOC project, it is far from its last.

“I’ve had a great experience with JOC. Over the last year, most of my larger tenant improvement projects have gone directly through JOC,” project manager Conley said.

Since implementing JOC with Gordian in 2023, Santa Cruz County has utilized contractors to complete a variety of projects, including plumbing, HVAC, roof replacements, parking lot and retaining wall repairs, space remodeling and demolition work.

Between its community impact and demonstration of best practices, the Santa Cruz DNA lab construction project won Gordian’s 2024 Award of Excellence in Job Order Contracting. Check out this page to learn about the awards and submit a project.