DATE: April 9, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreement with Reading and Beyond
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, and that the best interests of the County would be served by entering into an agreement with Reading and Beyond as this is the only provider that meets the requirement to receive CalFresh Employment and Training reallocated funds; and,
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with Reading and Beyond for CalFresh Employment and Training Services, effective March 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024, total not to exceed $397,082.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will allow Reading and Beyond (RAB) to provide CalFresh Employment and Training (CFET) services to recipients of Non-Assistance CalFresh (NACF) benefits residing in Fresno County. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board does not approve the recommended actions, the reallocated funds will be returned to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and CFET services will not be provided to Fresno County residents by RAB.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION CONTRACT:
It is requested that the County find under AP 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 RAB is the only partner that provided CFET services under Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) Pilot and is eligible to receive priority for this funding in Fresno County. RAB administered the SNAP E&T Pilot program from 2015-2018, which entitles them priority in requesting and receiving reallocated funding to continue a CFET program on an annual basis. The Internal Service Department - Purchasing concurs with the Department’s assessment that this satisfies the exception to the competitive bidding process required by AP 34.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreement is retroactive to March 1, 2024 as notice of funding was received in February 2024. The Department determined it was necessary to start services in March as funds are time-limited, and this would allow the maximum number of persons to receive these services. In addition, it allows RAB the time needed to receive appropriate referrals and serve participants in their program, which runs through September due to funding expiration.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum amount of the agreement ($397,082) will be funded with reallocated SNAP E&T funds and a cash match provided by RAB. The CFET program requires a 50% match of ancillary expenditures ($50,000) provided to clients, which will be met by RAB. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget and will be included in the FY 2024-25 budget requests as appropriate.
DISCUSSION:
The Department partnered with RAB to administer the SNAP E&T Pilot from 2014 through 2018. The pilot assisted CalFresh recipients to further their education, enter the workforce, and ultimately reduce their need for public assistance. In 2018, an amendment was made to the Agricultural Act of 2014 to allow 50% of unallocated SNAP E&T funds to be reallocated to partners that participated in the Pilot to continue administering an Employment & Training (E&T) program on an annual basis. On February 23, 2024, RAB was awarded $347,082 of unallocated SNAP E&T funding to operate a CFET program for Federal Fiscal Year 2024, with funds expiring on September 30, 2024.
RAB administers a CFET program that includes case management in conjunction with three program components. These components are Supervised Job-Search (SJS), Education, and Job Retention. SJS assists with job-search techniques, interview skills, and appropriate workplace behavior. Education offers participants an opportunity to earn their GED as well as short-term certification and vocational training in a field related to their overall career goals. Job Retention helps participants who become employed with job-related needs such as transportation assistance, clothing assistance, and job-related tools necessary to complete their work.
If approved, the recommended agreement will be effective retroactive to March 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024. The agreement may be terminated without cause by either party upon providing 30-day advance written notice.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Suspension of Competition Request
On file with Clerk - Agreement with RAB
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander