TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 35693 with Vital Medical Services, LLC, of Glendale, CA, for providing jail inmate physician and relief nursing services at the Long Beach City Jail, to increase the annual contract amount by $134,396, for a revised total annual contract amount not to exceed $834,396. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to amend Contract No. 35693 with Vital Medical Services, to continue providing jail inmate physician and relief nursing services at the Long Beach City Jail. The amendment will increase the annual contract amount by $134,396.
On October 6, 2020, the City Council awarded a contract to Vital Medical Services, as part of its adoption of Request for Proposals (RFP) PD19-100 for providing jail inmate physician and relief nursing services at the Long Beach City Jail for a period of two years, with the option to renew for three additional one-year periods.
This amendment will approve cost of living salary increases to the medical staff assigned to the Long Beach Police Department contract in alignment with the Nurse Wage Data for Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Glendale areas from the State of California Employment Development Department. From 2019 through the first quarter of 2023, in the reported Los Angeles Metropolitan region, nurse wages have increased 26 percent. Surging nurse wage rates are driven by considerable staffing shortages and an increased cost of living since 2019. Further, nurse wages have had an annual rate increase between 5-7 percent each year since 2019. Vital Medical Services contract rates have been increased in order to remain competitive in the field and ensure that critical medical services are continuously available within the Long Beach City Jail.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on August 10, 2023, Purchasing Agent Michelle Wilson on August 14, 2023, and by Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on August 21, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to amend Contract No. 35693 is requested on September 5, 2023 to ensure there is no interruption to services.
FISCAL IMPACT
The requested action increases the annual contract authority with Vital Medical Services by $134,396 for a total annual amount not to exceed $834,396. Sufficient appropriation is currently budgeted in the General Fund Group in the Police Department. 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,
WALLY HEBEISH
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER