Title
Probation Department recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code Section 3.13.030(B) that adult and juvenile sex offender counseling services requires specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications;
2) Make findings in accordance with Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.6.G.6 that Agreement 10412 is exempt from competitive bidding because the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers cannot provide;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 10412 with Fostering Connections, in the amount of $175,000, to commence upon execution, and end three years thereafter; and
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 10412, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement.
FUNDING: AB109 (Public Safety Realignment) (85%), Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant (SB 823) (15%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Penal Code 1203.067 states persons placed on formal probation on or after July 1, 2012, shall successfully complete a sex offender management program. The Probation Department (Probation) has been contracting with Fostering Connections (Vendor) since October 18, 2023, for the provision of sex offender counseling to certain clients of Probation. Services provided include individual, group, or family sessions; file review; polygraph exams; court testifying; psychological testing; and administrative functions. Probation desires to continue to contract with Vendor for needed sex offender counseling services and proposes to enter a new contract with Vendor in the amount of $175,000 for a three-year term beginning upon full execution.
County Procurement Policy describes exemptions to the competitive bidding process. Agreement 10412 falls under Section 3.6.G.6 “the procurement is for goods where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the goods cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge.” County Procurement and Contracts has affirmed that services with Fostering Connections should be exempted from competitive bidding.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve this Agreement. Probation would have to find another provider for sex offender counseling, which could disrupt the progress and continuity of care for clients currently receiving services from this vendor or services may be discontinued for clients in violation of Penal Code 1203.067.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Procurement and Contracts
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to Net County Cost associated with this Agreement. Funding is included in Probation’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget and will be requested in subsequent years’ budgets.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain the signature of the Chair on two originals of Agreement 10412.
2) Return one fully executed document to Probation for final processing and distribution to Vendor.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Kaci Smith, Chief Probation Officer