REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 10, 2020
FROM
GARY McBRIDE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize Emergency Purchase of Goods or Services for preparation and response to the Novel Coronavirus Declaration of Emergency
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. The Purchasing Agent is authorized to procure goods, services, equipment and personnel to support the emergency response to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), without following any of the competitive processes, which may be required by Policy 11-04.
2. The Purchasing Agent is authorized to temporarily increase CAL-Card limits to procure goods and equipment necessary to support the emergency response to COVID-19 without following competitive process requirements or additional administrative approvals which may be required by County Policy or the Procurement Card Manual maintained by the Purchasing Agent.
3. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to approve fixed asset purchases exceeding $10,000 per unit, to support the emergency response to COVID-19.
4. Authorize the County of San Bernardino Chief Executive Officer to approve Transfers of Salaries and Benefits and Fixed Asset Appropriation, to support the emergency response to COVID-19.
(Presenter: Gary McBride, Chief Executive Officer, 387-5418)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
It is anticipated that there is sufficient budget authority within the 2019-20 Countywide Discretionary Budget (Fund 1161161000) to support the County’s coordinated response to the proclamation of local emergency associated with the World Health Organization’s declared outbreak of COVID-19 and the Governor’s Proclamation of Emergency on March 4, 2020 (Governor’s Proclamation).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The COVID-19 virus originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and began spreading, initially, within China and then to other countries. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak to be a “public health emergency of international concern”.
This was followed on January 31, 2020 by the United States Human Services Secretary declaring a public health emergency. Cases internationally, within the US and within California (as evidenced by the Governor’s Proclamation) continue to rise. To promote a coordinated and efficient response to potential needs that may arise associated with this event, certain County budget and procurement-related policies requiring Board approval are recommended to be waived.
Per Policy 11-04, competitive and non-competitive purchase of services where the annual aggregate cost, per scope of services, per vendor, per agency, department or Board-governed special district does not exceed the amount authorized by Government Code section 25502.5, currently set at $200,000, may be approved by the Purchasing Agent. Any contract that exceeds this amount during a single annual period must be approved by the Board. Also per Policy 11-04, a Board agenda item requesting approval and confirmation of an emergency purchase that exceeds the $200,000 threshold amount shall be submitted to the Board at the next scheduled Board meeting following the emergency. Additionally per Policy 11-04, an emergency purchase of fixed assets necessary for the preservation of life or property that exceed $10,000 per unit, shall be submitted to the Board at the next scheduled Board meeting following the emergency, or following the acquisition. The recommendations will authorize the Purchasing Agent to make emergency purchases of goods, services, or fixed assets in response to COVID-19 to provide for the safety and health of County residents.
Per Policy 05-01, the Board of Supervisors are required to approve transfers of appropriation from the Salaries and Benefits appropriation unit as well as transfers in to Fixed Asset appropriation units to fund fixed assets with a unit value over $10,000. Recommendation No.4 will authorize the County of San Bernardino Chief Executive Officer to approve these budget adjustments to assist in the emergency purchase of goods, services, or fixed assets in response to COVID-19 to provide for the safety and health of County residents.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Michelle Blakemore, County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 6, 2020); Purchasing (Laurie Rozko, Director, 387-2074) on March 6, 2020; Finance (Stephenie Shea, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on March 6, 2020; and Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on March 6, 2020.