DATE: April 21, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan L. Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Participation Agreement with California Mental Health Services Authority for Psychiatric Inpatient Concurrent Review Program
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 the California Mental Health Services Authority administers the Psychiatric Inpatient Concurrent Review Program; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Participation Agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority for Psychiatric Inpatient Concurrent review, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, total not to exceed $2,349,984.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action which will allow the Department of Behavioral Health to continue participation in the Psychiatric Inpatient Concurrent Review Program. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should the Board not approve of the recommended action the Department would need to rely on internal personnel, which may redirect them from current responsibilities and significantly deplete resources. The Department would also need to develop a process for inpatient hospitalization review and educate the inpatient psychiatric hospitals on how to submit reviews, further straining resources for both the Department and the hospitals.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE 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 CalMHSA administers the Psychiatric Inpatient Concurrent Review Program. Per the Departmen...
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