ISO 17025/17020 Quality Control Accreditation of the Forensics Lab, Legal Medicine and Crime Scene Management Units of Costa Rica | INL20CA0002 WHPCOSTARICA FORENSICS 10251

Opportunity Information: Apply for INL20CA0002 WHPCOSTARICA FORENSICS 10251

The grant opportunity titled "ISO 17025/17020 Quality Control Accreditation of the Forensics Lab, Legal Medicine and Crime Scene Management Units of Costa Rica" is a U.S. Department of State project (Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, or INL) focused on improving how Costa Rica's Judicial Police handle physical evidence across the full chain of custody and forensic workflow. The central aim is to strengthen the technical and scientific foundation behind criminal investigations, starting with evidence collection at the crime scene and extending through laboratory analysis and the final expert reports produced by forensic and legal medicine specialists. In practical terms, the project is designed to raise the reliability, consistency, and credibility of forensic services used in the justice system by bringing them in line with internationally recognized quality standards.

A major feature of the opportunity is its emphasis on achieving international accreditation under ISO/IEC 17020 and/or ISO/IEC 17025, depending on the function of each unit. ISO 17025 generally applies to testing and calibration laboratories, which would cover many forensic laboratory activities where analytical methods and technical testing are performed. ISO 17020 typically applies to bodies performing inspection activities, which can be relevant to crime scene investigation and certain evidence-handling or examination functions that are more inspection-based than laboratory-test-based. The grant expects the implementer to help build and document quality control systems, including drafting and institutionalizing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and related quality documentation, so that the relevant units can meet the requirements for accreditation.

The selected implementer is expected to work closely with Costa Rica's Poder Judicial, specifically the Department of Forensic Science, Legal Medicine, and the Crime Scene Investigations unit, along with key institutional leadership and unit chiefs. The work described is hands-on and collaborative: identifying operational gaps and needs, designing and delivering targeted trainings, and supporting organizational change that makes quality assurance routine rather than ad hoc. The project also includes coordination of study tours to partner institutions in the United States and within the region, with the intent of exposing Costa Rican counterparts to accredited models of forensic lab management, quality systems, and evidence-handling practices that can be adapted back home.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity issued as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the U.S. Government expects to remain actively involved during implementation rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The opportunity number is INL20CA0002 (WHPCOSTARICA FORENSICS 10251), and the funding falls under the Law, Justice and Legal Services activity category, CFDA 19.703. The anticipated award ceiling is $520,000, with one award expected. The opportunity was created on October 25, 2019, with an original closing date of December 6, 2019. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement.

Overall, the project is essentially a quality-and-capacity upgrade initiative for Costa Rica's forensic and crime scene functions, aiming to professionalize procedures, standardize documentation, improve staff competencies through structured training, and ultimately position the forensic lab, legal medicine, and crime scene management units to obtain and maintain ISO accreditation. The long-term value is to improve the integrity of evidence, strengthen the credibility of forensic findings in court, and support a more effective and trusted criminal justice process.

• The Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "ISO 17025/17020 Quality Control Accreditation of the Forensics Lab, Legal Medicine and Crime Scene Management Units of Costa Rica" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.703.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 25, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 06, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $520,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for INL20CA0002 WHPCOSTARICA FORENSICS 10251

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