Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of epidemiology 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) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment II to Agreement for Services 5165 with Public Knowledge, LLC, which updates standard contract articles, and extends the term by one year, for a new term from November 12, 2020, through June 30, 2024, with no change to the maximum obligation;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 5165, 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 Director of Public Health to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 5165.
FUNDING: 100% Federal Funds - Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Enhancing Detection Funding (ELC68).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On August 11, 2020, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released a notice to counties regarding the award of COVID-19 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Enhancing Detection Funding. On September 29, 2020, the Board approved acceptance of an ELC grant award to Public Health in the amount of $2,289,931 (File ID #20-1140).
ELC Funding can be used to support the following activities:
1) Enhance laboratory, surveillance and other workforce capacity for local health department staffing needs to implement actions across all strategies identified by this source of funding;
2) Improve Public Health surveillance and reporting of Electronic Health Data by enhanced disease monitoring activities to identify disparities and track progress in reducing disparities over time;
3) Use laboratory data to enhance investigation, response, and prevention by supporting Contact Tracing; and more.
To execute the corresponding work plan for this funding, the expertise of an epidemiologist or statistician is required, surpassing the capabilities of the County’s Public Health Division staff. Consequently, Agreement 5165 was approved by the Purchasing Agent on December 14, 2020, designating Public Knowledge, LLC as the entity qualified to perform the specialized services required.
On June 16, 2022, the CDPH notified counties of an extension to the ELC funding term, originally scheduled from January 15, 2021, to July 31, 2023. The term was extended further to July 31, 2024, and the Board approved this extension on May 5, 2023 (File ID #22-2142).
The purpose of this Board Item is to present Amendment II to Agreement 5165, which extends the term date from June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2024. These actions are necessary for the County to fulfill its obligations under the current ELC Enhancing Detection Program funding.
ALTERNATIVES: Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would be unable to fulfill its obligations under the required work plan submitted for the funding of the ELC Funding Agreement.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 09/29/20, 20-1140, HHSA - ELC Enhancing Detection Funding
2) 03/16/21, 21-0366, CAO and HHSA CARES ACT
3) 11/09/21, 21-1416, HHSA Public Knowledge 5165 A1
4) 05/05/23, 22-2142, HHSA ELC68 Extension
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget 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 Amendment II of Agreement for Services 5165.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency