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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 3326;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign retroactive Agreement 5094 with National Medical Services, Inc., for forensic analysis and toxicology services in the amount of $190,000 for the term November 1, 2020 to October 31, 2022; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 5094, 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. Expenditures for the costs of this contract are or will be included in the Sheriff's Office Annual Budget.
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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 current 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; however, should that change, the County would have the ability to terminate the agreement.
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, Inc. 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.
Finally, on October 30, 2018, the Board approved Agreement #3326 with a term of November 1, 2018 through October 31, 2020 with a not to exceed amount of $190,000.
This request is to approve a new retroactive Agreement #5094 in order to continue receiving advanced forensic toxicology, endocrinology and criminalists laboratory services with a two-year term beginning on November 1, 2020, for $190,000. The retroactive nature of this contract is related to contract negotiations and getting the two parties to agree on term of the new agreement. Outstanding invoices for services rendered go back to November 2020.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
November 15, 2016 16-0981
October 24, 2017 16-0981
October 30, 2018 18-1630
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
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 two (2) fully executed original of Agreement to the department.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Leveraging resources to support the Sheriff’s Office increases public safety.
CONTACT
Undersheriff Bryan Golmitz