Agenda

Return

C.104

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Monica Nino, County Administrator
Date:	November 29, 2022

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Request for a One-Time Waiver of the County Policy Requiring Competitive Bidding for Community-Based Services

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 11/29/2022

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Fatima Matal-Sol, (925)348-3279

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: November 29, 2022
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE a waiver of the County policy that requires competitive bidding for community-based services to enable the Health Services Department to expend limited one-time Federal Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG) Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) funding for the period July 1, 2021 – December 31, 2022 recently awarded for alcohol and other drugs services by the December 31, 2022 federal deadline.

FISCAL IMPACT:

100% Federal funds; Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG) Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA).

BACKGROUND:

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) provides funding to counties for Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment services through a contractual mechanism. This contract is supported by State General Fund, Federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) and the federal share of reimbursement claimed for Drug Medi-Cal services.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

In late August 2021, the Health Services Department was notified by the DHCS of the availability of additional one-time only SABG funds Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) & American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

A requirement of award for these funds is that they must be fully expended between December 31, 2022. Health Services Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (AODS) submitted to the State an itemized budget with a proposed list of allowed SABG services including Recovery Housing.

The availability of excess or underspent SABG funds is unusual. The period of time allowed for counties to respond to this unique opportunity was just a few weeks. The subsequent official approval of the State-County contract for the additional funds was also delayed and became effective only at the end of December 2021. That DHCS approached our county corresponds to AODS's good standing with the State and the State's confidence that the County has the needs and capacity to expend the funding within the stipulated short timeframe. The funds cannot be carried over; if funding is not spent within the timeframe, it will be forfeited.

The County has a policy requiring contracts with community-based organizations in excess of $50,000 to be competitively bid. The policy stipulates, however, that the Board of Supervisors may, upon the recommendation of the County Administrator, waive the policy. In accordance with County policy, Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (AODS) distributed a Request for Interest on October 28, 2022 for funds specifically to be utilized for Recovery Residences within the County with a deadline for responses of November 10, 2022 at 12pm PST. The goal was to determine the level of interest in the funding prior to potentially moving to a full Request for Qualifications. As of the deadline, only one interested party responded to the request. Due to the sole response, AODS is requesting to forego additional steps and move forward without the required three responses. Under regular circumstances, AODS would adhere to County competitive bidding policy and processes, and work closely with community-based organizations to establish contractual agreements.

If the waiver is approved, AODS would amend the current contract with Shelter Inc. with the additional funding and requirements. This sole responder is a current Recovery Residence monitoring subcontractor with AODS that is in good standing and able to provide the necessary services with this particular funding, which will expire on December 31, 2022.

Due to the extenuating circumstances just described, the County Administrator recommends a waiver to contract with an organization to provide recovery residence services for individuals diagnosed with SUD and actively participating in intensive outpatient treatment services. Because of the implementation of the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) in Contra Costa County, the Health Services Department has effectively eliminated long waiting lists to enter SUD residential treatment. Likewise, as a result of the DMC-ODS, the County received a waiver to fund recovery residences through SAPT-BG funds. Providing an AOD-free housing environment supports outpatient SUD treatment and long term sobriety. Approval of this recommendation would help the Health Services Department fulfill one of the proposed activities through the SAPT-BG grant award, further the goals of the DMC-ODS waiver of implementing evidence-based practices, support the ongoing treatment of individuals in a safe AOD-free environment, and avoid the forfeiture of supplemental funds to DHCS.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, the Health Services Department will likely forfeit some of the supplemental SABG funding designated for recovery residences due to the short timeframe in which the funds must be expended.