REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 20, 2024
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Donation of N95 respirators from SOCA FARMS LLC
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Ratify donation of N95 respirators, with an estimated value of $48,768, from SOCA FARMS LLC.
(Presenter: Joshua Dugas, Director, 387-9146)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Focus on Recovery and Resiliency Following Major Emergency Responses such as the December 2, 2015 Terrorist Attack (SB Strong) and the Global COVID-19 Pandemic.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The N95 respirators donated by SOCA FARMS LLC have an estimated value of $48,768 and will be used by staff throughout the Department of Public Health (DPH), distributed to the public as necessary, or stored in preparation for a future public health emergency. This donation to DPH does not come with any restriction on its use.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The DPH Preparedness and Response Program works to prepare for emergencies caused by bioterrorism, infectious disease, and other public health threats through the development and exercise of comprehensive public health emergency plans. Under this program, DPH is responsible for storing and securing medication, vaccines, and medical supplies.
N95 respirators are the most common filtering facepiece respirator and filter at least 95% of airborne particles as rated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). N95 respirators provide protection from a variety of respiratory hazards and have been an invaluable resource throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 22, 2024, DPH received and accepted a time sensitive offer of 121,920 N95 respirators, with an estimated value of $48,768, from SOCA FARMS LLC, an industrial botanical firm based in Long Beach, CA. SOCA FARMS LLC offered this gift without restriction or condition due to the supply being beyond the manufacturer-designated shelf life. While unexpired respirators provide optimal protection, the CDC does not require approved respirators to be marked with a shelf-life date. DPH will add this supply of respirators to its strategic stockpile to ensure readiness for any public health need.
County Standard Practice 06-01SP authorizes the County Administrative Officer to accept time sensitive offers on behalf of the County, irrespective of the value of the gift or donation. Such gifts or donations with a value over $10,000 require Board approval in accordance with County Policy Standard Practice 06-01SP. This item is being presented at this time, as this is the first available date following the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 2, 2024; Finance (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4205) on August 1, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on August 1, 2024.