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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of veterinary services provided by Contractor are in the public's best interest and that there are specialty skills, qualifications, and equipment not expressly identified in County classifications involved in the performance of the work in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030(B);
2) Make findings in accordance with Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4.3 exempting the competitive bidding process, with Purchasing Agent concurrence, because “competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the county”;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 7599 with Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode for the term of January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026, in the amount of $250,000;
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 7599, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
5) Authorize the HHSA Director, or Assistant Director of Human Services, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 7599.
FUNDING: 15% Fees for Services, 9% Licensing/Permit Fees, 7% Public Health Realignment, and 69% General Fund. In some cases, 100% Pet Aid Special Revenue Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to California Penal Code section 597.1, HHSA Animal Services Department (Animal Services) is required to provide routine care and emergency treatment to animals in the County’s care and is the primary investigatory agency responsible for enforcement of animal crimes laws (Code Section 597 and other penal code sections). To ensure availability of emergency veterinary services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and to alleviate transporting injured animals to out of the area locations, Animal Services has multiple contracts for services with licensed California veterinarians.
Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode (Animal Outreach) provides veterinarian services to animals in the care of Animal Services on the West Slope. These services include spaying/neutering of dogs per Food and Agricultural Code section 30503 and the spaying/neutering of cats per Food and Agricultural Code section 31751.3. The spaying and neutering of animals are required by Food and Agricultural Code prior to animal adoption. The services provided by this Contractor serve to lower the number of fertile animals in the community and give the animals in the care of Animal Services a chance of being adopted.
This proposed Agreement 7599 with Animal Outreach is a renewal of Agreement 4735 signed by the Purchasing Agent on March 5, 2020, its Amendment I signed by the Purchasing Agent on June 29, 2020, its Amendment II signed by the Purchasing Agent on January 24, 2023, and its Amendment III approved by the Board on June 27, 2023 (File 23-1119). HHSA recommends approval of this proposed renewal Agreement to ensure the continuation of necessary veterinarian services to animals in the care of Animal Services on the West Slope.
Under the County of El Dorado Board of Supervisors Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4(2), effective October 20, 2022, HHSA recommends, with El Dorado County Chief Administrative Office Procurement and Contracts Division concurrence, that competitive bidding requirements be waived because “Competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the county”, as Animal Outreach is able to perform high volume spay/neuter and therefore provides a minimum of 10 spay/neuter appointment slots per week which allows Animal Services to move dogs and cats up for adoption quickly. This contractor is able to fit in additional animals throughout the week at the last minute. Their veterinarians are also able to perform examinations on short notice. Other veterinarians in our County have limited surgery slots and those slots are dedicated for their clients.”
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide services through other existing contracts with veterinary hospitals which may result in a significant delay of spay or neuter services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
6/27/2023, 23-1119, HHSA C#4735 A3 Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management. The Auditor Controller has notified per B-12 Policy.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget for these services and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one (1) original Agreement for Services 7599.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency