DATE: June 9, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Averhealth for Random Drug Testing Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Avertest LLC, dba Averhealth for drug testing services, effective July 1, 2020, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $2,848,000.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department to continue the provision of random drug testing services to individuals involved in the Department’s Child Welfare Services (CWS) system. Drug testing services are court-ordered and are a valuable tool that contributes to the safety of children and to the sobriety and recovery of parents with substance use issues. Services will be provided primarily in Fresno, at 2113 Merced Street, and additional sites will be located in Selma, Kerman and Coalinga. The maximum cost for the five-year Agreement is $2,848,000 with no increase to Net County Cost. The item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If this item is not approved, the Department’s capacity to meet court-ordered random drug tests for parents will be eliminated and will adversely impact the safety of children involved in CWS.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. If approved, the maximum cost for the five-year Agreement is $2,848,000 and will be offset with Child Welfare Realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations and revenues will be included in the FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget for Department Org 5610 and will be included in subsequent FY budgets.
DISCUSSION:
The majority of parents who come to the attention of Child Welfare Services have issues with drug abuse, which is a significant contributor to child abuse or neglect. Drug testing is a tool used to provide empirical data to social workers, substance abuse specialists, treatment providers and the Juvenile Court regarding a parent’s drug use and progress in treatment. Drug testing assists the Department with determining appropriate therapeutic interventions, assessing the progress of sobriety and recovery and increases child safety. The Department’s current agreement for random drug testing services expires June 30, 2020.
A Request for Proposal (RFP #20-045) was issued February 21, 2020 for a random drug testing program. Approximately 1,000 potential bidders were notified through Public Purchasing. Three responses to the RFP were received which included Averhealth, Cordant Health Solutions, and Phamatech, Inc. A three-panel Review Committee comprised of representatives from the Department of Social Services, Probation, and the Department of Behavioral Health, reviewed the responses and unanimously recommended Averhealth for funding. Their proposal was considered to be the most responsive to the RFP in the delivery of a random program, plan of operation, the availability of multiple testing sites that include downtown Fresno, Selma, Kerman, and Coalinga, and lowest cost.
Averhealth will provide a managed randomized drug testing program for approximately 322 Child Welfare participants per month that consists of an estimated 1,500 tests. Primary services include urine testing for the most common drugs used, alcohol testing and the availability of additional tests as needed by the Department. Test results are made available through an on-line portal designed to provide timely reports and to ensure participant confidentiality. Averhealth software ensures that participants are tested based on a truly randomized process, and participants can be called to test from one to ten times per month any day of the year. Service outcomes include maintenance of a professional and welcoming testing environment, provision of timely testing results, and compliance with high testing reliability.
Upon approval, the recommended Agreement will be effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023 and includes the option to renew for two additional 12-month terms based upon satisfactory performance with written notice by the Department Director or designee and Contractor. Termination without cause requires a 30-day written notice from County, County’s DSS Director or designee or Contractor.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Averhealth
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander