DATE: November 24, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Pomaville, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreement with the County of Madera
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Make a finding that it is in the best interest of the County to suspend the competitive bidding process consistent with Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances due to the need for laboratory testing services; and
2. Approve retroactive Agreement with the County of Madera for public health laboratory testing services, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 ($20,000).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department of Public Health to continue utilizing the County of Madera Public Health Laboratory (Madera County) for laboratory testing services until the Fresno County Public Health Laboratory (Lab) becomes operational. Approval of the recommended actions will also allow the Department to pay for services rendered since July 1, 2020, estimated amount of $6,081. The services were necessary due to the inoperable Lab as a result of a flood. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the Department would be unable to process critical laboratory testing services including tests for tuberculosis, rabies, and sexually transmitted diseases.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION:
The Department’s request to suspend the competitive bidding process is consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34, as the contract is with a Federal, State, or local government agency. Until the Lab becomes operational, the Department needs assistance from Madera County as well as other adjacent counties to fulfill laboratory services.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2020. Since October 2018, when the Lab became inoperable due to a flood in the building, the Department made arrangements with neighboring counties to provide lab services through use of a blanket purchase order. The initial Purchase Order B03-000019475 with Madera County exceeded $9,000 in July of 2020. Due to an oversight by the Department, the recommended agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum compensation ($20,000) will be offset with Health Realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
As a result of a flood in the Lab in October 2018, the Department began using neighboring county public health laboratories as well as private laboratories in order to maintain lab testing for the County.
Since 2018, the Department was paying Madera County through a purchase order. However, due to the Board of Supervisors having the sole authority to approve agreements on behalf of the County with another government entity, the recommended agreement is brought before your Board for continued lab testing. It is anticipated that the Lab will be able to perform testing in early 2021.
The recommended agreement is to be retroactive to July 1, 2020 and would expire June 30, 2021.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Madera County
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa