Memorandum
Date: August 4, 2026
To: The Honorable Brad Rasmussen, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Rachael Dillman Parsons, Social Services Director
Subject: a) Waive the Formal Bidding Process Pursuant to County Ordinance 3137 Section 2-38, subsection 38.2(2), unique nature of the goods or services; and, b) Approve Contract between County of Lake and The Regents of the University of California for training services, in the amount of $339,915.00 from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and authorize the Chair to sign
Executive Summary:
The University of California Davis Campus (UC Davis) provides essential training, including all related materials, for Social Services (DSS) employees. Trainings cover various topics including Civil Rights, Welfare Fraud- Prevention and Detection, Accounting and Fiscal trainings, and even Field Safety Training. Many of these courses are required to comply with State regulations. The trainings not required by State law provide valuable information that would not be readily available or cost effective without the UC Davis contract. Because most trainings are held at DSS, there are no venue costs to provide, and no meal, travel, or lodging reimbursements are necessary for employees attending. Furthermore, DSS and UC Davis adapted to COVID-19 regulations and transitioned trainings into an online platform, which increases flexibility and allows more employees to attend trainings. This contract includes a total of 86 units of training.
According to 28.2(2), the unique nature of goods or services precludes bidding. UC Davis is the only institution in California that offers Continuing and Professional Education courses in Human Services(https://humanservices.ucdavis.edu) which have been developed in coordination with the state and county welfare departments to ensure the courses meet mandates. UC Davis is the sole institution selected by the state to provide post-secondary education to Social Workers under state subsidized Title IV-E Education programs, and the Northern Training Academies which all new CWS and APS Social Workers are required to attend. The daily rate for this contract is $4,250.00, the same as the previous 25-26 agreement with UC Davis. UC Davis is a sole source provider for the services offered. There is no other university, or alternative, in the state of California that provides these courses; many of which are required by state law.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: $339,915.00 Amount Budgeted: $339,915.00 Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☒ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☒ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: a) Waive the Formal Bidding Process Pursuant to County Ordinance 3137 Section 2-38, subsection 38.2(2), unique nature of the goods or services; and, b) Approve Contract between County of Lake and The Regents of the University of California for training services, in the amount of $339,915.00 from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and authorize the Chair to sign.