REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 13, 2026
FROM
ANDREW GOLDFRACH, ARMC Chief Executive Officer, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
SUBJECT
Title
Purchase Order with the California Department of Public Health for Newborn Screening Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to the California Department of Public Health for Newborn Screening Services, in the not-to-exceed amount of $2,500,000, for the five-year period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031.
(Presenter: Andrew Goldfrach, ARMC Chief Executive Officer, 580-6150)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The cost of $2,500,000 is funded by State Medi-Cal, Federal Medicare, private insurances, and other departmental revenue. Newborn screening is mandated by the State of California and the cost to perform these services is charged according to the fee schedule set by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Funding sources may change in the future pending any legislative activity related to the repeal and/or replacement of the Affordable Care Act. Adequate appropriation and revenue will be included in the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) 2026-27 recommended budget and future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The recommended Purchase Order with CDPH will allow ARMC to remain in compliance with the State of California mandate for infant screening. ARMC is required to collect blood samples and submit them to CDPH’s Genetic Disease Branch for screening in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 124977.
Since 1996, CDPH has mandated California hospitals conduct prenatal and newborn screenings for many treatable genetic or congenital disorders. The newborn screening program provides early diagnosis of genetic disorders with the goal of facilitating care for prenatal and newborn babies and improving their quality of life.
On May 23, 2023 (Item No. 11), the Board of Supervisors authorized the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to the CDPH for Newborn Screening Services, in the not-to-exceed amount of $2,500,000, for the three-year period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026.
ARMC is requesting approval of a new five-year Purchase Order in the same not-to-exceed amount of $2,500,000. Although the prior approval covered three years, actual screening costs have remained stable and below earlier projections. As a result, the existing funding level is sufficient to support a full five-year term without an increase, while providing continuity and ensuring compliance with State screening mandates.
ARMC recommends approval of the Purchase Order as it provides for the safety, health and social service needs of County residents by helping to ensure early detection of treatable genetic or congenital disorders, which can lead to early treatment and improved outcomes for newborns.
PROCUREMENT
The Purchasing Department supports the non-competitive procurement as CDPH mandates the service, and hospitals are required to procure the service from CDPH.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Charles Phan, Supervising Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on December 2, 2025; Purchasing (Veronica Pedace, Buyer III, 387-2198) on December 3, 2025; ARMC Finance (Chen Wu, Finance and Budget Officer, 580-3165) on December 5, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Jenny Yang, Administrative Analyst, 387-4884) on December 17, 2025.