Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings pursuant to El Dorado County Ordinance Chapter 3.13, Contracting Out, that the as-needed weatherization services provided by the contractors listed below require specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign competitively procured Agreement for Services 9400 with Jim Jonas, Inc. doing business as (dba) Jonas Heating and Cooling, in the amount of $450,000 and for the term of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign competitively procured Agreement for Services 9403 with Conforti Plumbing, Inc., in the amount of $450,000 and for the term of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028;
4) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign competitively procured Agreement for Services 9404 with Edward’s Appliance dba Edward’s A-1 Appliance, in the amount of $450,000 and for the term of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028;
5) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign competitively procured Agreement for Services 9408 with Ski Air Incorporated, in the amount of $450,000 and for the term of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028;
6) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreements 9400, 9403, 9404, and 9408, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amounts or terms of the Agreements; and
7) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreements 9400, 9403, 9404, and 9408.
FUNDING: 100% federal funds through Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that assists income-eligible households by reducing their costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs. HHSA administers local LIHEAP services through the Weatherization Program, which provides home weatherization services to low-income residents of El Dorado County and Alpine County. These energy efficiency measures maximize residential cost savings and energy conservation, improving health, safety, and financial outcomes for eligible households.
The Weatherization Program maintains a pool of local, licensed contractors to perform weatherization-related projects on an as-needed basis, ensuring timely and cost-effective coverage for the counties’ service areas. Weatherization services include heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) repair or replacement (and minor electrical work associated with the repair/replacement); water heater repair and replacement; appliance repair and replacement; window repair; and fireplace repair or replacement. The Weatherization Program is supported by an annually allocated LIHEAP funding Agreement between the County of El Dorado and the California Department of Community Services and Development (CDCSD), with a total of $2,197,841 allocated for Fiscal Year 2025-26. As new projects arise, the Weatherization Program solicits quotes from contractors, awarding each job to the lowest responsible bidder within the maximum allowable charge under the LIHEAP funding Agreement. The current agreements for residential weatherization services are set to expire on June 30, 2025, necessitating new agreements to ensure continued support for low-income households through the LIHEAP program.
On September 11, 2024, on behalf of HHSA, the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) Procurement and Contracts Division released Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 24-0101 to solicit qualified respondents to provide residential weatherization services in El Dorado County and Alpine County. A total of four responses were received (from Jonas Heating and Cooling, Ski Air Incorporated, Conforti Plumbing, Inc. and Edward’s A-1 Appliance), which were evaluated by a panel of three evaluators. As a result of the evaluative process, all four of the Respondents were found qualified for award of this RFQ and selected by HHSA to contract for these services.
HHSA is recommending the Board approve this agenda item as these agreements are essential to maintaining uninterrupted weatherization services provided by licensed contractors. The program supports low-income households facing high energy costs, prioritizing vulnerable residents, including older adults, individuals with disabilities, and families with children. Without these contracted services, these households would face significant hardships and negative impacts.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, low-income residents of El Dorado County and Alpine County who meet the Weatherization Program eligibility requirements would not receive cost-effective weatherization services. This would result in the possible underspending of State contract funds. County staff lack the required licenses to perform the specialized repairs and improvements required by the Weatherization program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 06/28/2022, 22-0949, HHSA Jim Jonas, Inc. Agreement 6536
2) 06/28/2022, 22-0967, HHSA Conforti Plumbing Agreement 6637
3) 12/06/2022, 22-1776, HHSA - Ski Air HVAC Weatherization Services, 6534
4) 01/24/2023, 22-2217, HHSA - Edwards A-1 Appliance Wx Services, 6943
5) 01/07/2025, 24-1991, HHSA Amendment II to Agreement for Services 6534
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Human Resources, Risk Management, CAO Procurement and Contracts Division.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
These Agreements for Services are renewals of prior year agreements and continue to be funded with Federal LIHEAP funding. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget request, and will be included in future budgets for the term of the agreements.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one original Agreement for Services for agreements 9400, 9403, 9404, and 9408.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency