TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file Purchase Order No. 22120778 with SLS Health Services, LLC, of Galveston, TX, to provide medical staff supplemental support for operation of the COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites for the Department of Health and Human Services, in the amount of $709,938, 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 to award a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary amendments, with SLS Health Services, LLC, of Galveston, TX, for providing medical surge staff to the City of Long Beach to supplement the operation of the COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, in a total amount not to exceed $1,250,000, through April 30, 2022. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On March 10, 2020, the City Council recognized that an emergency existed and unanimously passed a Resolution ratifying the City Manager’s Proclamation of Local Emergency and the Public Health Officer’s Declaration of Local Health Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to LBMC Chapters 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.
The City of Long Beach (City) was receiving medical surge staff to supplement the operation of the COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites through a contract with the State of California (State) and SLS through August of 31, 2021, at which time this option was no longer afforded to the City. In order to continue these critical public health services at a time when vendor demand was extreme and capacity limited, SLS committed to provide these services directly to the City through the terms and conditions established in the purchase order No. 22120778 issued in accordance with the City’s established emergency purchasing authority.
As the winter surge progressed and demand spiked, the continuation of services became even more critical and the forecasting of demand for medical surge staff to supplement the operation of the COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites became more difficult. The contract amount necessary has increased beyond the City Manager’s authority and authorization from the City Council is required. This is anticipated to be the final amount required to be contracted by the City as the State has now made the original option available and the City has transitioned back to the State’s contracted services.
SLS provided contracted nurses and medical assistants that support the operations at the City’s COVID-19 sites by administering tests, drawing vaccine, administering vaccines and boosters, and providing other medical support services to the public.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on March 28, 2022, Purchasing Agent Michelle Wilson on March 14, 2022, and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on March 16, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 12, 2022, to ensure SLS Health can be paid for services rendered through January 31, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT
The requested action authorizes a contract amount not to exceed $1,250,000 through April 2022. Currently, $500,000 is covered through the Immunization Program Grant Funding Round 4 from the State and will be appropriated in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department during the next citywide COVID-19 funding update. The additional $750,000 is eligible for cost recovery under the FEMA Public Assistance (PA) program. No match or in-kind service mandate is required. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER