DATE: December 11, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kari Gilbert, Director, Department of Child Support Services
Delfino Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with DNA Diagnostics Center, Inc. for DNA and Paternity Testing Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with DNA Diagnostic Center, Inc. to provide DNA and paternity testing services to the Department of Child Support Services and the Department of Social Services effective January 1, 2019, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $300,000.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow County departments to utilize DNA Diagnostics Center, Inc. for DNA and paternity testing. The current Agreement is set to expire on December 31, 2018. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Paternity establishment is one of the core services provided by the Department of Child Support Services. Without paternity testing, the Department would be unable to establish and enforce child support orders on cases where parentage is at issue.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The Department of Child Support Services is the primary user of this agreement. The Department of Child Support Services is fully funded by Federal (66%) and State (34%) revenue sources. The Department of Social Services incurs minimal costs through this Agreement. Services are funded with 2011 Realignment (70%) and 1991 Realignment (30%) with no Net County Cost. Sufficient appropriations are included in each department’s FY 2018-19 Adopted Budgets and will be included in each department’s subsequent fiscal year requested budgets.
DISCUSSION:
Paternity establishment is an integral part of the Child Support Program as parentage must be established in order to obtain a court order for child support. In addition, the Department of Social Services maintains a need for a minimal amount of paternity testing to assist in the provision of Child Welfare Services.
A Request for Quotation (RFQ), No. 18-058, was issued on July 10, 2018 and sent out to various vendors for DNA/paternity testing services. The RFQ closed on August 15, 2018 and three quotes were received. The bids were reviewed by both Departments and DNA Diagnostic Center, Inc. was selected based on cost and ability to provide the requested services.
This Agreement shall become effective on January 1, 2019 and shall terminate on December 31, 2021. This Agreement may be renewed for two (2) successive one-year terms, upon the same terms and conditions, provided the County gives DNA Diagnostics Center, Inc. thirty (30) days advanced written notice of renewal before the commencement of each one-year term. The Director of the Department of Child Support Services or his/her designee may provide such notice of renewal on behalf of the County.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #44, December 10, 2013
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - DNA Diagnostic Center Agreement
CAO ANALYST:
Yussel Zalapa