DATE: December 10, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Lisa A. Smittcamp, District Attorney
SUBJECT: Agreement with Department of Justice for Alcohol Analysis
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Make a finding that it is in the best interest of the County to suspend the competitive bid process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances as the California Department of Justice is a State agency and provides alcohol analysis services at a reduced rate; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Agreement with the California Department of Justice for alcohol analysis services, effective January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2029, total not to exceed $1,200,000.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with these actions. When the California Highway Patrol (CHP) makes an arrest for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), testing is performed by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The County is required to pay for CHP testing if the arrest takes place in an unincorporated area of Fresno County. The DOJ provides alcohol analysis services to law enforcement at a reduced rate, and testimony is provided free of charge. The DOJ has provided these services to the County in a cost-effective manner since 1979. For these reasons, the District Attorney's Office is requesting a waiver of the competitive bidding process and recommending a ten-year agreement with a maximum of $120,000 annually.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the agreement is not executed, the District Attorney's Office will not have access to alcohol analysis services at a reduced rate.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
The request to suspend the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34, results from the fact that the DOJ is a State agency that provides alcohol analysis services to law enforcement agencies at a reduced rate and provides testimony free of charge. The Internal Servi...
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