TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file Contract No. 35720, with Unite Us, Inc., of New York, NY, for the building and maintenance of the resource referral network platform, 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 amend Contract No. 35720, with Unite Us, Inc., of New York, NY, for the building and maintenance of the resource and referral network platform, to increase the contract amount by $14,500, for a revised contract amount not to exceed $109,500, and extend the term of the contract to May 19, 2023. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to amend Contract No. 35720 with Unite Us to continue the delivery and maintenance of the digital citywide resource and referral platform to provide support to Long Beach residents who are in need of finding resources, such as food, mental health, rental assistance, etc.
The Long Beach Resource Line, comprised of Health Department employees, is already using the Unite Us system. Resource Line staff 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 since the launch of the network last fall. The platform can only be utilized at this time by supportive services staff within the City and among those network partners. This digital resource portal is far more accurate than resource guides that are printed by local agencies and other City departments.
The requested contract amendment will allow for the expansion of services rendered by Unite Us to create and maintain a public-facing resource directory that can be used by any resident in the greater Long Beach area. This portal will connect Long Beach residents, who desire to search for needed resources on their own, with access to agencies who can provide services in and around Long Beach. With the expanded capacity, residents will be able to find the phone number to the Long Beach Resource Line or have the opportunity to fill out an Assistance Request form that is also linked to the Long Beach Resource Line so that they may receive additional support.
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. This project was originally funded by CARES Act resources and an appropriate expedited cooperative procurement process, Contract No. 35720, was completed to select and award a contract to Unite Us. The initial contract in the amount of $95,000, was awarded within the City Manager’s authority, per LBMC Chapter 2.85.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on July 28, 2021, Business Services Bureau Manager Tara Mortensen on July 23, 2021, and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on August 9, 2021.
EQUITY LENS
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit in this recommendation, as requested by the City Council on April 21, 2020. The services derived from this contract were completed in accordance with procurement procedures. Additionally, the services provided under this contract assist those residents in Long Beach who have been the most disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 August 24, 2021, to ensure there is no interruption to services.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total contract amount will not exceed $109,500. The original contract amount of $95,000 was funded through a CARES Act allocation. The additional amount of $14,500 will be funded by two existing grants - the Best Start Central Long Beach Networking grant of $4,500 and the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Round 2 grant of $10,000, both are currently appropriated in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. This recommendation has minimal staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties for staff currently working on COVID-19 response and is consistent with City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER