REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 11, 2022
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Liberty Healthcare Corporation for Comprehensive Mental Health Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Amendment No. 8 to Contract No. 16-08 with Liberty Healthcare Corporation for the provision of comprehensive mental health and programming services in the County’s detention facilities, increasing the contract amount by $5,712,669 to a new total amount not to exceed $79,447,155, and extending the term by three additional months, for a new total contract period of January 12, 2016 through April 11, 2022.
2. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator or Undersheriff to execute change orders to the contract, as needed, subject to review by County Counsel, as long as the total aggregate amount of such change orders does not exceed the maximum contract amount of $79,447,155 and the change orders do not amend the contract terms.
3. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator or Undersheriff to transmit all change orders to Contract No. 16-08 to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: John Ades, Deputy Chief, 387-3760)
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 additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The additional three-month cost of comprehensive mental health services in the amount of $5,712,669 will be funded within the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s (Department) existing budget allocation. Sufficient appropriation is included in the Department’s 2021-22 budget (4420001000).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Title 15, California Code of Regulations, Article 11 identifies the responsibility of the Department to provide medical, mental health and dental care for correctional patients. Correctional mental health services are defined as actions taken for the mental well-being of the inmate population, including a range of diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up services with the goals of improving clinical outcomes and stabilizing patients to their highest level of wellness so they may successfully integrate into the community upon release.
On January 12, 2016 (Item No. 43), resulting from a competitive process, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Contract No. 16-08 with Liberty Healthcare Corporation (Liberty) in an amount not to exceed $3,047,314 for the period of January 12, 2016 through January 11, 2017, with the option to extend the term for two additional one-year periods for the provision of comprehensive mental health and programming services in the County’s detention facilities. Subsequently, the Board approved seven amendments to Contract No. 16-08 with Liberty as follows:
Amendment No. 1 (August 23, 2016, Item No. 78) increased the level of mental health services by an additional 11.75 full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) positions, from 13 to 24.75; increased the contract amount by $14,161,308; and extended the contract from a one-year term to a three-year term for a new contract period of January 12, 2016 through January 11, 2019, with two one-year options to extend the term.
Amendment No. 2 (March 28, 2017, Item No. 55) increased the number of staff provided by 15 FTEs, from 24.75 to 39.75, and increased the contract amount by $4,682,952, with no change to the contract period.
Amendment No. 3 (December 18, 2018, Item No. 74) increased the total contract by $9,415,761 and extended the term by one year through January 11, 2020.
Amendment No. 4 (August 20, 2019, Item No. 60) increased the number of Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN) positions from 10 to 13, increasing the total staffing levels from 39.75 to 42.75; increased the total contract amount by $10,355,759; and extended the term through January 11, 2021.
Amendment No. 5 (January 7, 2020, Item No. 33) increased the number of staff by 20 FTEs, from 42.75 to 62.75, and increased the total contract amount by $4,506,178, with no change to the contract period.
Amendment No. 6 (June 23, 2020; Item No. 94) increased the number of staff by 40.6 FTEs, from 62.75 to 103.35, increased the total contract amount by $27,464,933, and extended the term through January 11, 2022.
Amendment No. 7 (June 8, 2021, Item No. 82) increased the number of staff by 2.00 FTEs, from 103.35 to 105.35, increased the total contract amount by $100,281, with no change to the contract period.
The Department has contracted with Liberty for the provision of comprehensive mental health and programming services in the County’s detention facilities since 2016 and has increased staffing over time to adequately address the mental health needs of inmates incarcerated in the County’s detention facilities. The Department has experienced delays in the procurement and contract negotiation process due to staffing shortages. To avoid a lapse in service, maintain continuity of care, and provide additional time to complete negotiations for a new contract for comprehensive mental health services, the Department recommends approval of the proposed contract extension. Approval of Recommendation No. 1 will extend the current contract period by an additional three months, from January 12, 2022 through April 11, 2022. Approval of Recommendation No. 2 will allow the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator or Undersheriff to address changes to the number of FTEs, if necessary, to address changes in workload. Any such change orders cannot exceed the maximum contract amount of $79,447,155 nor amend the contract term.
PROCUREMENT
On May 25, 2021, Request for Proposal (RFP) No. SHR121-ADMSR-3949 was approved and released through San Bernardino County’s electronic Procurement Network (ePro) for the provision of comprehensive correctional mental health services; responses were due July 14, 2021. The Department is finalizing contract negotiations which are expected to be completed within the next three months and a new contract will be submitted to the Board for approval at that time.
The Department recommends extending the contract by three additional months through April 11, 2022, to provide continuity of service and address timing constraints associated with contract negotiations. The contract may be terminated by either party upon 120-days written notice.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Richard D. Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on November 29, 2021; Purchasing (Michael Candelaria, Lead Buyer, 387-0321) on November 29, 2021; Finance (Carolina Mendoza, Administrative Analyst, 387-0294) on December 15, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on December 16, 2021.