DATE: February 28, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Pomaville, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Agreement with Samuels Center for Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program Activities
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Sarah Samuels Center for Public Health Research and Evaluation, for evaluation of nutrition education and obesity prevention program services, effective March 1, 2017, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $340,000.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended agreement will allow the Department of Public Health to continue required evaluation of Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention (NEOP) program activities through the Sarah Samuels Center for Public Health Research and Evaluation (Samuels Center). The Samuels Center was selected through a competitive bidding process to provide the evaluation activities. This is the third of four agreements that will come before your Board regarding NEOP related activities; the last agreement is expected in April 2017. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), NEOP grant will fund the recommended agreement, with no Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(s):
There is no viable alternative action. Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the Department would be unable to complete the evaluation activities required by CDPH.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of the recommended agreement in the seven months remaining in Federal FY 2016-17 is $120,000; $340,000 for the term. The NEOP grant, provided by CDPH, will fully fund the recommended agreement. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2016-17 adopted budget, and will be included in future budget requests for the duration of the term.
DISCUSSION:
The County has received NEOP grant funds since 2013 to provide nutrition education to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) eligible (up to 185% Federal Poverty Level) County residents. The goal is to increase consumption of healthy foods and beverages, reduce consumption of less healthy foods and beverages and increase physical activity in six targeted County communities: Kerman, Lowell, Parlier, Reedley, Sanger, and West Fresno.
On September 27, 2016, your Board approved revenue Agreement No. 16-589 with CDPH for NEOP funds to continue NEOP activities throughout the County by supporting staff, supplies and service contracts. Your Board also extended the existing service contracts with Public Health Institute, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS), California Health Collaborative (CHC) and Community Food Bank through December 31, 2016. On December 13, 2016, your Board approved Agreement Nos. 16-697 with CHC and 16-698 with FCSS, effective January 1, 2017 through September 30, 2019, to fulfill other required NEOP activities.
Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 17-031 was issued on November 9, 2016 to solicit prospective bidders to fulfill the NEOP evaluation scope of work. Notices were sent to 12 potential vendors identified by the Department. County Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division also posted notice on the Public Purchase website. The RFP required bidders to demonstrate the level of expertise and experience related to evaluation of public health program activities.
The Department received proposals from two bidders. A three-member bid review committee comprised of staff from the Department and partner organization CHC evaluated each proposal on the quality of proposed services, past performance, demonstrated implementation ability and administrative capacity. Based on these criteria, the committee unanimously recommended entering into an agreement with the Samuels Center. The Samuels Center demonstrated the experience and capability to effectively implement and administer all aspects of the approved scope of work, and offers well-developed evaluation strategies for NEOP grant activities that will fill program outcomes with research-level credibility.
The proposed agreement will fulfill the required NEOP evaluation activities in the target communities. The Samuels Center will conduct a full evaluation of emerging and evidence-based activities and strategies, including:
(1) individual and group-based nutrition education, health promotion, and intervention strategies;
(2) multi-level interventions at complementary organizations and institutions; and,
(3) community and public health approaches to improve nutrition.
The results will inform CDPH, County staff, contractors and community partners of the effectiveness of the strategies of the program activities and provide data to enhance future program strategies.
The recommended agreement may be extended for two optional one-year terms, contingent upon satisfactory performance and available funding. The recommended agreement gives the Department Director, or designee, authority to execute such extensions and to make line item changes to the proposed contractor’s budget that do not exceed 10% of their maximum annual compensation.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #36, December 13, 2016 - Agreement Nos. 16-697 with CHC and 16-698 with FCSS
BAI #41, September 27, 2016 - Agreement No. 16-589 with CDPH
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Sarah Samuels Center for Public Health Research and Evaluation
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia De La Rosa