Title
Sheriff's Office recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with Chapter 3.13, Section 3.13.030 County Ordinance, that it is more economical and feasible to continue contracting out forensic toxicology testing services with National Medical Services, Inc. as previously contracted in Agreement 214-S1710;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 3326 with National Medical Services, Inc., for forensic analysis and toxicology services in the amount of $190,000 for the term November 1, 2018 to October 31, 2020; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 3326, 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.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
National Medical Services, Inc., 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 have confirmed that there is not a bargaining unit concern with these services.
There are no plans for the Sheriff’s Office to take on laboratory testing in the near future. Even after the Sheriff's Office moves into the new Public Safety Facility and opens the Morgue Building, we will still need to have these services provided by an outside vendor.
National Medical Services Inc. 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 National Medical Services 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.
On November 15, 2016, the Board approved entering into Agreement #214-S1710 with National Medical Services Inc., with a term of November 1, 2016 through October 31, 2017 with a not to exceed amount of $95,000.
On October 24, 2017, Amendment I to Agreement #214-S1710 with National Medical Services Inc. was brought to the Board to increase the not to exceed amount to $190,000 and extend the term for an additional year from November 1, 2017 through October 31, 2018.
This request is to approve a new Agreement #3326 in order to continue receiving advanced forensic toxicology, endocrinology and criminialists labortory services with a two-year term beginning on November 1, 2018, for $190,000.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No Change to Net County Cost. This expense is budgeted in the Sheriff’s annual operating budget, and will continue to be budgeted in following years.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Please return one fully executed original of Agreement to the department.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Undersheriff Randy Peshon