COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Employee and Public Services Department

 

DATE:

October 6, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 21, 2003

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director, Health Services

Mary Welch, Director, Employee and Public Services

SUBJECT:

Waiver of Bidding Requirement - Vendor Agreement for

Public Health Venereal and Other Disease Testing

 

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the County to waive formal bid requirements and enter into a three year vendor agreement with Gen-Probe Incorporated (attached hereto) to supply testing kits and reagents at agreed upon set prices, in a total amount not to exceed $600,000 during the three year period of the vendor agreement.

 

Background

The County has contracted with Gen-Probe Incorporated for at least the past eight years to provide test kits and reagents for the collection of bodily fluids and the determination of symptoms indicating certain communicable diseases. The need for this commodity has increased over time and the annual dollar amount expended now requires Board action for approval of this vendor agreement.

 

Discussion
The testing needs of Public Health have exceeded the Purchasing Agent's authority to waive the competitive bidding process. County Ordinance Code, section 2.92.050 authorizes the Board of Supervisors to waive competitive bidding in any situation it determines that the best interests of the County would be served without the necessity of competitive bidding.

The Public Health laboratory has committed to optimizing its methodology for testing infectious diseases, and the products offered by Gen-Probe Incorporated provide the use of amplification procedures for chlamydia and gonorrhea testing of cervical swabs, urethal swabs and urine specimens. While one other vendor provides a similar product approved by the FDA, it is considered less reliable since it is less sensitive (80.5% vs. 94.7% for the Gen-Probe product) and less specific (98.4% vs. 99.9% for the Gen-Probe product). In addition to being more accurate, continued use of Gen-Probe products will provide efficiency and continuity, since the technology and procedures are similar to what is being used now. These circumstances necessitate waiving the County's equal benefits requirement in the best interests of the County.

 

Visioning alignment

The recommendation is consistent with the shared commitment to "ensure basic health and safety for all" and goals number 5 - Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care, number 7 - maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors, and number 8 - Help vulnerable people - the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others - achieve a better quality of life.

 

Fiscal Impact
The total amount of the Vendor agreement is $600,000, which is paid for through the collection of fees. There will be no impact on the General Fund.