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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030(F) that contracting out for Patients’ Rights Advocate services is necessary to protect against a conflict of interest or to ensure independent and unbiased findings where there is a need for an outside perspective;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign competitively procured Agreement for Services 10337 with The SmithWaters Group, with an amount not to exceed $386,715 for the initial term, effective upon final execution, covering the period beginning the first of the month following final execution through June 30, 2029, with the option to extend the Agreement for one additional year through June 30, 2030, adding an additional $145,860.75 for the extended term if that option is exercised, for a total maximum obligation of $532,575.75;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 10337, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 10337.
FUNDING: 75% Behavioral Health Services Act, 25% Realignment.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On November 10, 2025, on behalf of HHSA, the Chief Administrative office (CAO) Procurement and Contracts Division released Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2025-0155 to solicit qualified Respondents to provide PRA services at the County-owned Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) located in Placerville. Three responses were received and evaluated. As a result of the evaluative process, The SmithWaters Group was deemed qualified for award of this RFQ and selected by HHSA to contract for these services.
The California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) sections 5325, 5370.2, 5521, and 5520-5550 establish the County’s mandate to safegu...
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