County of El Dorado - File #: 22-1558

• File #: 22-1558
• Version: 1
• Type: Agenda Item
• Status: Approved
• File created: 8/23/2022
• In control: Board of Supervisors
• On agenda: 9/27/2022
• Final action: 9/27/2022
• Title: Sheriff's Office recommending the Board: 1) Make findings in accordance with Chapter 3.13, Section 3.13.030(b) County Ordinance, that the work requires specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications, in order to continue contracting out forensic toxicology testing services with National Medical Services, Inc; (NMS) 2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 6850 with NMS for forensic analysis and toxicology services in the amount of $190,000 for the term November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2025; and 3) Authorize the Undersheriff to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 6850, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management. FUNDING: General Fund.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/27/2022	1	Board of Supervisors	Approved	Pass

Title
Sheriff's Office recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with Chapter 3.13, Section 3.13.030(b) County Ordinance, that the work requires specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications, in order to continue contracting out forensic toxicology testing services with National Medical Services, Inc; (NMS)
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 6850 with NMS for forensic analysis and toxicology services in the amount of $190,000 for the term November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2025; and
3) Authorize the Undersheriff to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 6850, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.

FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
NMS provides advanced forensic toxicology, endocrinology and criminalist laboratory services that are paramount to verifying the cause of death in Coroner cases. Currently, El Dorado County does not have the equipment, tools or qualified staff to provide these services. It is more economical and feasible to continue to contract out these services. Human Resources is being contacted through FENIX to confirm that there is not a bargaining unit concern with these services.

There are currently no plans for the Sheriff’s Office to take on laboratory testing in the near future even with the addition of the morgue at the new Public Safety Facility.

NMS has been providing selected forensic analyses and toxicology services for the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, Coroner's Division for many years. There are other vendors that provide forensic toxicology services in the market, but we have found NMS to be efficient, secure and thorough with the services they provide. The pricing we receive in this contract is competitive compared to what other Counties in the State are paying for similar services. Whi...