DATE: March 9, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Hollis Magill, Interim Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT: Agreement with Pinnacle Training Systems, LLC. for COVID-19 Vaccination Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Make a finding that it is in the best interest of the County to suspend the competitive bidding process in an emergency when goods or services are immediately necessary for the preservation of the public health, welfare, or safety, or for the protection of County property, consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34, for urgent and necessary COVID-19 vaccination services for County of Fresno Employees; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive agreement with Pinnacle Training Systems, LLC., to provide urgent and necessary COVID-19 vaccination services to County of Fresno Employees from February 15, 2021 through December 31, 2021, total not to exceed $500,000.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions as Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) monies will be utilized to cover the costs associated with the recommended agreement. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, extended the period during which recipients may incur eligible costs that may be covered using payments from the CRF to December 31, 2021 (Division N, Title X, Section 1001). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgent need for vaccination providers, the County needs to contract for vaccinations for staff throughout the County. Approval of the recommended action will allow Pinnacle Training Systems, LLC. (“Pinnacle”) to provide necessary COVID-19 vaccination services for County staff. Vaccination services are expected to end on December 31, 2021. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should your Board choose not to approve the recommended actions, necessary COVID-19 vaccinations will not be provided to County of Fresno employees.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
The Department’s request to waive the competitive bidding process is consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 and the Proclamation of Local Emergency by the Emergency Services Director on March 15, 2020, and ratified by the Board of Supervisors on March 17, 2020, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Pinnacle provides the expertise and capacity necessary to meet employee vaccination demands. The ISD-Purchasing concurs with the Department’s request to suspend the competitive bidding process.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
Staff is recommending that this Agreement be retroactive to February 15, 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions as the costs associated with this contract are fully offset with funding from the CARES Act CRF. The total estimated cost from February 15, 2021 through December 31, 2021 for COVID-19 vaccination services is $500,000. This estimate assumes that up to a total of 8,500 vaccinations will be provided through December 31, 2021. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are available in the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget for Human Resources’ Org 8925.
DISCUSSION:
COVID-19 vaccinations were made available to County of Fresno residents starting in January 2021. County of Fresno employees will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in accordance with the State of California’s tiered vaccination schedule in the coming months. Vaccinations will help to reduce the continued spread of COVID-19 in the community and in the workplace, particularly among vulnerable populations. Pinnacle has been designated as an approved vendor of COVID-19 vaccination services by the Department of Public Health.
Pinnacle is already performing COVID-19 testing in County Jail facilities, and for County employees and their household members. At the time of the initial agreement for testing, Agreement No. A-20-295, a Suspension of Competition was requested and granted to use Pinnacle under the circumstance that the need for testing was required as a result of an emergency where goods and services were immediately necessary for the preservation of the public health, welfare, or safety. As vaccination administration is a related service offered by the vendor, the department is asking your Board to approve these additional services with Pinnacle through this separate agreement.
The recommended agreement authorizes the County to provide vaccination services to County employees up to the maximum contract amount. This agreement may be terminated by either party without cause upon issuance of a 10-day written notice of termination to the other party. The contract may be extended beyond the initial term, and should the need for these services continue beyond December 31, 2021, options will be evaluated and presented to your Board in the future.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #2, March 17, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request Form
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Pinnacle Training Systems, LLC.
CAO ANALYST:
Yussel Zalapa