TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file the second amendment to Contract No. 35720, with Unite USA, Inc. (Unite Us), of New York, NY, for the delivery and maintenance of the Resource Referral Network platform, to increase the contract by $13,626 for a total contract amount not to exceed $123,126, made pursuant to Chapters 2.69 and 2.85 of the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) and in response to the proclaimed emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary for the third amendment to Contract No. 35720, with Unite US, of New York, NY, for the delivery and maintenance of the Resource Referral Network platform, to increase the contract by $72,153 for a total contract amount not to exceed $195,279. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to receive and file the second amendment to Contract No. 35720 with Unite US and to execute a third amendment Contract No. 35720 to continue the delivery and maintenance of the digital citywide Resource and Referral Network platform.
The Long Beach Resource Line, known as Unite Us, was originally funded as a part of the City of Long Beach (City) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act programs, with funding from other similar grants, to provide support to any resident of Long Beach who is in need of finding social service resources such as food, mental health, housing, and rental assistance. The requested amendment will now provide funding through the Long Beach Recovery Act (LBRA) for the Long Beach Resource Line, staffed by Health Department employees, who use the Unite Us system to make referrals on behalf of residents to connect them to the most appropriate social service program in the community.
The Long Beach network of providers who use the platform has grown to over 20 providers since the network's launch in Fall of 2020. The platform can only be utilized at this time by the supportive services staff within the City and among those network partners. This platform connects Long Beach residents seeking needed resources on their own with access to agencies who can provide health-related resources and referrals in and around Long Beach during yet another surge in COVID-19 cases.
On March 10, 2020, the City Council recognized that an emergency existed and unanimously passed a Resolution ratifying the City Manager's Proclamation of a Local Emergency and the Public Health Officer's Declaration of Local Health Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to LBMC Chapter 2.69 and 2.85, the City Manager has the authority to approve purchases of up to $1,000,000 for goods or services related to a proclaimed emergency. On July 14, 2020, the City Council designated the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to be considered as part of the proclaimed emergency with respect to requests for procurement and contracting and this project was originally funded by CARES Act resources.
At its meeting on August 24, 2021, City Council authorized the first amendment to increase Contract No. 35720 to $109,500, to update the scope work, and to extend the term of the contract to May 19, 2023.
On December 10, 2021, pursuant to emergency purchasing authority referenced above, and contained in Chapters 2.69 and 2.85 of the LBMC, the City Manager executed a second amendment to Contract No. 35720 to increase the contract by $13,626 for a total not to exceed amount of $123,126.
Long Beach Recovery Act
On March 16, 2021, the City Council adopted the Long Beach Recovery Act (LBRA), becoming one of the first major cities to approve COVID-19 recovery programs made possible through the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and other Federal and State funding sources. As part of the LBRA, under the Healthy and Safe Community Category, approximately $112.6 million was allocated to address the highest needs of community members most adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Creating a healthy and safe city for all Long Beach communities is the second pillar of the Recovery Plan, and the recommended programs and services in this section focus on addressing the underlying social determinants of health and prioritizing the needs of those who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Lauren E. Misajon on January 6, 2022, Business Services Bureau Manager Tara Mortensen on January 3, 2022, Budget Management Officer Greg Sorensen on January 10, 2022, and by Special Projects Officer Dee Okam on January 13, 2022.
EQUITY LENS
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit in this recommendation, as requested by the City Council on April 21, 2020. The Long Beach Resource Line provides access, in multiple languages, to resources for all residents, and greatly reduces the barriers of low-income residents who may not have any other means of connecting to services.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to amend Contract No. 35720 is requested on February 1, 2022, to ensure there is no interruption to services.
FISCAL IMPACT
The requested action increases the contract authority with Unite Us, by $72,153 for a total contract amount not exceed $195,279. The increase of $72,153 will be funded through the Long Beach Resource Line program of the Recovery Act. Sufficient funding for the contract is currently budgeted in the General Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. For administrative efficiency and reporting and auditing purposes, these are technically General Fund funds. This amendment will have minimal staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with City Council priorities. The local job impact associated with this action is undetermined at this time.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER