TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary amendments, with Laboratory Corporation of America, of Burlington, NC, for patient specimen collection services and laboratory data management, in the amount of $60,000, with a 25 percent contingency in the amount of $15,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $75,000, for a period of one year, effective December 1, 2020 through November 30, 2021. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) to provide comprehensive clinical laboratory services, including routine testing and specialty services. These services are anticipated to be utilized in the following programs: HIV Care Coordination Clinic, Tuberculosis Clinic, Family Planning/Sexual Health Clinic, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Clinic and others as appropriate.
The Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) is currently utilizing LabCorp for these services and has implemented technology to allow for seamless submission of orders and distribution of test results. LabCorp provides additional value-added services to the Health Department including supplies at no-cost, and a full-time phlebotomist for specimen collection, assistance with billing information, and completion of required forms. State and County grant-funded programs mandate lab testing.
To ensure continuity of these critical services while a competitive procurement process is completed, authorization is requested for LabCorp to provide clinical laboratory services in the interim. Authorizing a contract amount of $60,000, with a 25 percent contingency in the amount of $15,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $75,000 until November 30, 2021 will allow the Health Department adequate time to complete the procurement process. Clinical laboratory services are critical to the services provided by the Health Department and necessary to continue to meet the City’s obligations under State and County grant-funded programs that mandate lab testing. Response to the local emergency and the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the issuance of a Request for Proposals.
City Charter Section 1801 requires that contracts for City purchases be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder after a competitive bid process but allows for awards without a competitive bid process when authorized by a Resolution adopted by the City Council.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on April 9, 2021, Business Services Bureau Manager Tara Mortensen on March 30, 2021, and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on April 7, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt a Resolution and award a contract concurrently is requested on May 4, 2021, to ensure the contract is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total amount of the contract will not exceed $75,000 for the period of December 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Sufficient funds are appropriated in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services 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.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER