COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

January 9, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 24, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Brian Zamora, Director, Public Health & Environmental Protection

Mary Welch, Director, Employee and Public Services

SUBJECT:

Extension of Gen-Probe Vendor Agreement

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve a resolution allowing the Purchasing Agent to extend the Vendor Agreement #B404009 dated November 1, 2003 with Gen-Probe, Inc.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensuring basic health and safety for all.

Goals 5 and 7: Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care; maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors

Extension of this vendor agreement contributes to the goals by allowing for the purchase of testing kits and reagents as well as the use of equipment that will provide rapid and accurate results for a variety of communicable diseases. The rapid identification of these diseases is a critical component in minimizing their impact on the safety of the public.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

Percent of supplies received within required timeframe

100%

100%

BACKGROUND:

The County has contracted with Gen-Probe, Inc. for more than 10 years to provide test kits and reagents for the collection of bodily fluids and the detection of various diseases, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, tuberculosis and related tuberculosis-like disorders.

DISCUSSION:

The Public Health Laboratory currently uses the Gen-Probe Aptima Combo 2 system for rapid detection of chlamydia and gonorrhea. The same lab process is used for both urine samples and urethral and cervical samples. Urine-based samples provide improved ease of testing at field and distant sites, as well as providing accurate test results to clinic-based populations. The tuberculosis probes make a rapid determination whether a sputum sample is positive for TB disease or is one of the non-contagious variants which can mimic its appearance. This aids greatly in the rapid and accurate diagnosis of this disease.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) process was waived by your Board in FY 2003-04. We will conduct an RFP process prior to the end of this contract extension to ensure that we continue to receive the most favorable pricing and latest testing technology. In the interim, extending this contract for two years to October 31, 2008, at current prices will ensure continued rapid testing and detection for the above-mentioned diseases of public health importance at the same cost structure. Gen-Probe has also agreed to allow us to use a SB100 Dry Heat Bath/Vortexer during the two years at no cost. This new equipment will enable us to expedite our test results, as well as reduce the current equipment in the lab. This in turn will allow more efficient use of the workspace.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The current agreement with GenProbe, Inc. ends on October 31, 2006. This action will extend the term two years, to October 31, 2008. Supplies purchased under this extension will not exceed $400,000. This increase will bring the total of the contract to $1,000,000. State and federal revenues fully reimburse the cost of these supplies, resulting in no additional Net County Cost.