Memorandum
Date: February 2, 2021
To: The Honorable Bruno Sabatier, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Crystal Markytan, Social Services Director
Subject: a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not the in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and b) Approve Contract between County of Lake and Redwood Toxicology Laboratory, Inc., for $28,000 per fiscal year from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023, and authorize the Chair to sign.
Executive Summary: (include fiscal and staffing impact narrative):
Redwood Toxicology Lab provides drug and alcohol testing services as needed by our Child Welfare Services (CWS) division. Testing is court ordered dependent on each family’s circumstances. Tests are used to ensure child safety and participant compliance with required programs. The services provided by Redwood Toxicology Lab are necessary to comply with Court orders. Due to COVID-19, testing significantly decreased during Fiscal Year 2019-2020. However, drug and alcohol testing prior to visitations and during investigations is an essential practice, and CWS has established necessary precautions to resume testing on a more regular basis.
In 2017, Social Services issued a Request for Proposals for drug and alcohol testing services, per the County’s purchasing guidelines. Unfortunately, we received no responses and ultimately renewed the contract with Redwood Toxicology Lab. In early 2020, we contacted another provider directly and requested a quote for costs of services. The pricing was not competitive when compared to Redwood Toxicology Lab and we proceeded to renew the contract again.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: _$28,000_ Amount Budgeted: __$28,000______ Additional Requested: _____ Future Annual Cost: ______
Consistency with Vision 2028 and/or Fiscal Crisis Management Plan (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Infrastructure ☐ Technology Upgrades
☐ Economic Development ☐ Disaster Recovery ☐ County Workforce ☐ Revenue Generation
☐ Community Collaboration ☒ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake ☐ Cost Savings
If request for exemption from competitive bid in accordance with County Code Chapter 2 Sec. 2-38, fill in blanks below:
Which exemption is being requested?
How long has Agreement been in place?
When was purchase last rebid?
Reason for request to waive bid?
Recommended Action:
a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not the in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and b) Approve Contract between County of Lake and Redwood Toxicology Laboratory, Inc., for $28,000 per fiscal year from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023, and authorize the Chair to sign.