COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

May 21, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 18, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen D. Borland, Director, Human Services Agency

Glen H. Brooks, Jr., Director, Central Region

SUBJECT:

Resolution waiving the Request For Proposal Process (RFP) and amending the Agreement with California Check Cashing Stores, Inc.

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution:

1.

Waiving the RFP Process;

2.

Authorizing the execution of a Tenth Amendment to the Agreement with California Check Cashing Stores, Inc. This Amendment makes a correction to the maximum amount of the Agreement and extends the term to March 1, 2003. This Amendment is for the issuance of Food Stamps in San Mateo County.

Background

The Human Services Agency, under State regulation, is responsible for administering the federally mandated Food Stamp program in San Mateo County. This regulation actively involves the issuance, control, and accountability of Food Stamp coupons. In 1991 the County contracted to provide these services, and The Board of Supervisors has approved multiple Amendments to the Agreement.

This Tenth Amendment extends the term until March 1, 2003, and corrects a clerical error in the Ninth Amendment. The Ninth Amendment increased the "per transaction fee" from $1.26 to $2.23, but neglected to include a corresponding increase to the maximum payment by $225,418 for a total contract obligation of $622,148.

Discussion

Federal welfare reform, as enacted in 1996, mandates that all States convert to Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) issuance for the Food Stamp program and San Mateo County is scheduled to convert by February 2003. As a result, check cashing services are being phased out. Approval of this Amendment is being requested until the conversion to EBT is complete.

Human Services Agency is asking the Board to waive the RFP Process because there are few vendors that provide check cashing services and EBT is scheduled to be in effect in less than one year.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to form.

Vision Alignment

The Agreement with California Check Cashing Store, Inc. keeps the commitment of: Creating opportunities for every household to participate in our prosperity and goal number 17: All households experience real gains in income. The Agreement with California Check Cashing Stores, Inc. contributes to this commitment and goal by providing Food Stamp Coupon issuance services to our customers.

Fiscal Impact

This Amendment corrects the maximum amount of the contract to $622,148 and extends the term to March 1, 2003. There is no funding being added to the Agreement. The funding for this Amendment has been included in FY01/02 Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this Amendment.