DATE: August 5, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kirk Haynes, Chief Probation Officer
SUBJECT: Agreement with Ink Doctors
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Under Administrative Policy No. 34 for competitive bids or requests for proposals (AP 34) determine that an exception to the competitive bidding requirement under AP 34 is satisfied and a suspension of competition is warranted due to unusual or extraordinary circumstances as Ink Doctors, a Medical Corporation, is the only vendor who provides mobile tattoo removal service in Fresno County, and that the best interests of the County would be served by entering into an agreement with Ink Doctors, as Ink Doctors has demonstrated they can meet the scope of services outlined in the County’s request; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Ink Doctors, a Medical Corporation, for mobile tattoo removal service for adults supervised by the Probation Department, effective August 5, 2025, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, not to exceed $500,000.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions, as all costs for this agreement are fully offset with Public Safety Realignment Act (AB 109) revenue. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Probation Department to move forward with the implementation of a tattoo removal program. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the Probation Department will not be able to utilize Ink Doctors, a Medical Corporation (Ink Doctors) to assist Probation participants with tattoo removal, hindering their chances of employment and reintegration into the community.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
It is requested that the County find under Administrative Policy No. 34, that an exception to the competitive bidding requirement is satisfied, and a suspension of competition is warranted due to unusual or extraordinary circumstances, as Ink Doctors is the only mobile tattoo removal vendor who works with the justice involved population in Fresno County. Probation staff research indicates that Ink Doctors is unique in this regard; other tattoo removal services in the county have established locations, require direct contact from individuals seeking services, and do not offer direct participant tracking or coordination with the Probation Department. The General Services Department - Purchasing concurs with the Department’s assessment that this satisfies the exception to the competitive bidding process required by AP 34.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Funding for the recommended agreement is fully offset with Public Safety Realignment Act (AB 109) revenue. The maximum compensation for the full five-year term of the recommended agreement is $500,000. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget for Probation’s Org 3430 and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
At the December 9, 2024, Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) meeting, the Resources Development Subcommittee proposed reallocating funds from a parenting program that was discontinued on June 30, 2024 due to the duplication of services and low referral rates. The subcommittee introduced the idea of a tattoo removal program to address reintegration into the community and employment barriers faced by supervised individuals with visible tattoos on their face, neck, hands, and forearms.
On March 10, 2025, the Subcommittee introduced Ink Doctors to the CCP Board and requested approval to proceed with procuring services from this vendor, who specializes in mobile tattoo removal services specifically for justice involved individuals within secured correctional settings. Ink Doctors operates under physician oversight and employs specialized nursing staff to ensure the safety of these services. They also provide pre-service information and aftercare instructions, maintain medical records, and supply event statistics to the Probation Department. Given these specialized services and unique attributes, the CCP board approved the Subcommittee’s recommendation to procure Ink Doctors as the vendor.
Research conducted by the Probation Department indicated that Ink Doctors is the only mobile tattoo removal vendor who specializes in justice involved individuals within secured correctional settings in Fresno County. While there are other tattoo removal services available, those vendors have established locations, require individuals seeking services to initiate direct contact, and do not offer participant tracking or coordination with the Probation Department. As a result, a request for suspension of competition was submitted to the Purchasing Department and approved on April 28, 2025.
Under the recommended agreement, Ink Doctors will provide comprehensive mobile tattoo removal services. These services include initial consultation and assessments for each participant, customized laser tattoo removal treatments using FDA-approved equipment, and medical care that may encompass dressing changes, medications, and numbing agents. Ink Doctors will provide up to eight tattoo removal service events to the Department which shall each serve approximately forty participants. They will also offer post-treatment to address potential complications. Furthermore, Ink Doctors will track and report attendance, supply usage, staffing levels, in addition to submitting quarterly and annual outcome summaries. The agreement requires adherence to clinical quality assurance protocols for the tattoo removal program, employment of licensed and qualified healthcare professionals in accordance with California state regulations and maintenance of HIPPA-compliant documentation and client confidentiality.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request Form
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Ink Doctors
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai