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Approve a District Attorney Forensic Bureau new three-year contract for continued phlebotomy services with American Forensic Nurses Inc. for up to $100,000 per year for the period of April 15, 2017 through April 14, 2020; and Authorize the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent amendments that remain within budgeted appropriations
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The District Attorney recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a District Attorney Forensic Bureau new three-year contract for continued phlebotomy services with American Forensic Nurses Inc. for up to $100,000 per year for the period of April 15, 2017 through April 14, 2020;
2. Authorize the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent amendments that remain within budgeted appropriations.
SUMMARY:
The District Attorney’s Forensic Bureau requires services from a licensed vendor to perform approximately fifteen hundred (1500) blood draws per year for the forensic determination of blood alcohol content over the course of the contract period. This requirement is in accordance with Vehicle Code Section 23158(f) as well as Sections 1219 and 1219.1 of Title 17 of the California Administrative Code. This service is for law enforcement agencies through Solano County requesting blood alcohol content for the purposes of determining impairment to drive a motor vehicle.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total cost for this contract is up to $100,000 per year. The District Attorney will request and pay for the phlebotomy services under the contract on behalf of local law enforcement agencies and then directly bill the requesting agency to reimburse the County. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) does not reimburse the County per California Government Code Section 29602, resulting in a General Fund impact. While the total General Fund impact in the contract period will be dependent on the service level requested by the CHP, the department notes in FY2015/16, the total impact related to CHP phlebotomy services was approximately $32,000. The expense for this contract has been included in the department’s FY2017/18 Requested Budget.
DISCUSSION:
In October 2016, the District Attorney’s Forensic Bureau conducted a formal and open Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to all interested and qualified providers of phlebotomy services. The notice was mailed to local and known providers of these services, all of which are registered with the County to provide phlebotomy services. As a result of this procurement, four interested parties submitted a response to the RFQ. Based on staff's review and rating of the proposals on December 29, 2016, American Forensic Nurses Inc. was recommended. The contract term will be for three years with a possible extension for two additional one-year periods. American Forensic Nurses Inc. will provide professional phlebotomy services for forensic determination of blood alcohol and drug content to the District Attorney’s Forensic Bureau. When contacted by the Solano County District Attorney/Sheriff Office (or other law enforcement agency), a phlebotomist will be dispatched on demand (day/night) to any location within Solano County. The total award for the first year of the contract is a maximum of $100,000 for services.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve this contract, or direct staff to consider other options and return with new recommendations. However, this alternative is not recommended as there is an ongoing critical need for phlebotomy services for local law enforcement agencies.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has approved the contract as to form. The County Administrator's Office has been consulted and concurs with the recommendation.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION