DATE: February 22, 2022
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Robert W. Bash, Director, Internal Services/Chief Information Officer
David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Agreement with Valley Center for the Blind
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Make a finding that it is in the best interest of the County to suspend the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances as Valley Center for the Blind is the most cost-effective service provider for county operator phone administration/management and COVID-19 contact tracing; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with VCB to provide county operator phone administration/management and COVID-19 contact tracing, effective February 22, 2022, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $811,000.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. This agreement will continue the County operator services currently provided by Valley Center for the Blind (VCB). The services are funded with charges to user departments and through the federal funds provided under the County’s Enhancing Lab Capacity Infections Disease Enhancing Detection/Expansion grants. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board does not approve the recommended actions, the departments will lose access to VCB as a resource for interfacing with the disabled community. Additionally, the Internal Services Department - Information Technology Services Division (ISD-IT) will need to provide additional staffing to answer the County’s operator line.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION:
The ISD - IT and Department of Public Health’s request to suspend the competitive bidding process is consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 as VCB is the only local vendor able to provide direct interface and translation services for the disabled community. All other capable vendors are outside of the County, with the nearest being located in the Bay Area. VCB has established relationships within the community that are invaluable for providing these services. The ISD - Purchasing Division concurs with the Departments’ request to suspend the competitive bidding process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The estimated maximum compensation in FY 2021-22 is $50,000; $811,000 for the term. Costs associated with the recommended agreement will be funded with charges to user departments and through the federal funds provided under the County’s Enhancing Lab Capacity Incections Disease Enhancing Detection/Expansion grants. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the ISD - IT Org 8905 and Department of Public Health Org 5620 FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget and will be included in future budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
On September 1, 2020, your Board ratified Agreement No. 20-316 with the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC) for the COVID-19 Equity Project. This project supported a variety of community-based organizations through Fresno Building Healthy Communities, including VCB.
On December 15, 2020, your Board ratified an Agreement No. 20-430 with Exceptional Parents Unlimited, Inc. for the COVID-19 Equity Project, which included phone operator services provided through VCB as a sub-contractor.
On August 10, 2021, your Board approved the First Amendment to the Agreement with Fresno EOC for the COVID-19 Equity Project - Base, that was previously executed by the County Administrative Officer acting as the Emergency Services Director, effective August 19, 2020 through December 30, 2020. The amendment included the addition of more funds and the option to extend through December 31, 2021.
With the expiration of these agreements, the ISD - IT and Department of Public Health would like to continue the use of the operator services through VCB. They are uniquely qualified to provide services to the Department of Public Health with the COVID Disability Equity Line. As the operation of the line is broadly similar to the requirements ISD - IT has for the operation of the County’s operator line, ISD -IT would like to continue utilizing VCB to supplement the existing staff’s operation of the line.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #8, August 10, 2021
BAI #70, December 15, 2020
BAI #5.1, September 1, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Valley Center for the Blind
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa