COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Coroner’s Office

 

DATE:

October 1, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 26, 2004

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Robert J. Foucrault, Coroner

SUBJECT:

Resolution Authorizing the waiver of the Request for Proposal Process and the Execution of an Agreement with Thomas W. Rogers, M.D. to provide Pathology Services to San Mateo County Coroner (Forensic Pathology)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to authorize the waiver of the Request for Proposal Process (RFP) and to execute an agreement with Thomas W. Rogers, M.D.

 

BACKGROUND:

The Coroner’s Office is mandated to determine the cause of death in cases where the cause is not readily apparent, such as homicides, traumatic deaths and unattended deaths. The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office contracts with pathologists licensed in Forensic Medicine or Forensic Pathologists, in order to provide the highest level of service in determining the cause of death for the citizens of San Mateo County.

 

DISCUSSION:

The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office has contracted with Thomas W. Rogers, M.D. though Western Laboratories Medical Group since May, 2003 to perform autopsies and clinical inspections on those individuals who have died in the county under circumstances where the cause is not clear. He brings with him a high level of service, professionalism and experience having performed thousands of autopsies over the course of his career. Dr. Rogers thoroughly reviews all available information regarding the individual and the circumstances of the death during the course of an autopsy. He explores all possible causes and orders additional testing when necessary. Dr. Rogers reviews and explains his findings to the family members of the decedent when they have additional questions.

The Coroner’s Office is requesting a waiver of the RFP process and approval of this contract due to the limited number of qualified and available professionals to perform these services and the high quality of work consistently demonstrated by Dr. Rogers. Dr. Rogers is professional and provides reliable and timely service delivery. In preparing for negotiations with Dr. Rogers, the Coroner’s Office compared the cost and services performed by Dr. Rogers to those of doctors providing similar services for the San Mateo Medical Center to determine a suitable rate. The final recommended agreement reflects the findings of that comparison. We would like to continue our relationship with Dr. Rogers for a term of five years.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

The agreement with Dr. Rogers maintains the commitment to Public Safety through goal number 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors. This agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing the highest level of forensic investigation into the cause of death of residents and visitors to this county, as well as ensuring the availability for continuous coverage for the pathologist positions.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the agreement is from November 1, 2004 through October 31, 2009 and totals $831,504.00. There is an increase of $98,369 over the life of the contract compared to the previous five-year contract. For FY 2004-05 the increased cost of the contract will be $4,028, this amount will be covered by savings in Services and Supplies, resulting in no additional net county cost.