REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 20, 2026
FROM
REBECCA SUAREZ, Director, Department of Risk Management
SUBJECT
Title
Request for Additional Funds for Contracts for Risk Control Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve an allocation increase, in the amount of $500,000, from $1,026,000 to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,526,000, for the continued provision of risk control services, to manage and mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations in support of the County’s self-insured Risk Control Program, with no change to scope of work or contract term of April 17, 2022 through April 16, 2027, for the following contracts:
1. Alta Environmental, DBA NV5, Inc., Contract No. 22-159
2. Group Delta Consultants, Inc., Contract No. 22-160
3. Pacific EH&S Services, Inc., Contract No. 22-161
4. Pelletier & Associates, Inc. dba P3 Ergonomics, Contract No. 22-162
5. Safety Center Incorporated, Contract No. 22-163
6. TRC Solutions, Inc. (TRC), Contract No. 22-164
(Presenter: Rebecca Suarez, Director, 386-8723)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The recommended increase of $500,000 for risk control services will be paid from various Department of Risk Management (DRM) self-insurance funds. Adequate appropriation is included in the DRM 2026-27 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DRM administers the County’s self-insured Risk Control Program to assist departments in maintaining compliance with applicable State and Federal occupational safety, environmental, and health regulations. Through proactive risk identification, regulatory compliance, employee safety training, and specialized technical services, the program helps reduce workplace injuries, liability exposure, regulatory penalties, and overall cost of claims.
The County owns and operates more than 3,000 facilities across approximately 20,000 square miles. Due to the size and diversity of County operations, DRM utilizes specialized consultants to supplement in-house staff in providing environmental, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, and ergonomic services. These consultants provide the technical expertise and capacity needed to address complex regulatory requirements, respond to emerging workplace hazards, and support County departments in maintaining safe and compliant operations.
On March 1, 2022 (Item No. 54), as the result of a competitive procurement (RFP No. RMG121-RMADM-4248), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved fee-for-service contracts with the six companies listed in the Recommendation for the provision of inspection, review and analysis of County facilities, operations, and equipment to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations, environmental and occupational health regulations, and compliance with the Standard Practice Insurance and Indemnity Policy, for an aggregate amount not to exceed
$670,000 for the period of April 17, 2022 through April 16, 2027.
Services provided under these contracts include employee safety training (e.g., asbestos, crane/heavy equipment, fall protection, flagging, forklift, hazmat, ladder, lifting, respirator, scaffold and shoring), ergonomic evaluations, industrial hygiene assessments, mold investigations, lead studies, radiation dosimetry, electrical safety inspections, asbestos consulting and other specialized compliance services. These services enable DRM to respond efficiently to department requests while supporting the County’s self-insured Risk Control Program.
On June 18, 2025 (Item No. 84), the Board approved an allocation increase, in the amount of $356,000, from $670,000 to an aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $1,026,000, for the continued provision of risk control services to manage and mitigate risks and ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations in support of the County’s self-insured Risk Control program, with no change to the contract terms from April 17, 2022 through April 16, 2027.
Based on current expenditure trends and projected service needs throughout the remainder of the contract term, the existing spending authority is expected to be fully utilized before the contract end date. Utilization of the risk control services contracts has exceeded projections due in large part to unforeseen incidents, including several recent fire-related events, such as the July 1, 2025, fire at 364 North Mountain View Avenue, and environmental events, such as a damaged potable water storage tank at a Department of Public Works facility in Apple Valley. Incidents such as these can require extensive specialized testing, air and water quality monitoring, and follow-up assessments. Depending on the nature and complexity of an incident, multiple rounds of testing and monitoring may be necessary throughout the investigation and remediation process to evaluate conditions, confirm the effectiveness of corrective actions, and support the safe re-occupancy or continued use of County facilities. These unanticipated and more complex service needs have increased contract utilization. DRM recommends approval of the additional $500,000 in spending authority to ensure these critical services remain available through April 16, 2027.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (G. Ross Trindle III, Chief Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 8, 2026; Purchasing (Jessica Barajas, Supervising Buyer, 387-2065) on September 4, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Scott Bruckner, Administrative Analyst, 387-4020) on September 17, 2026.