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DATE: |
February 28, 2023 |
XX |
SUBJECT
Title
MEDICAL EXAMINER - AUTHORIZE COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION FOR DECEDENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego Department of the Medical Examiner is responsible for investigating and determining the cause and manner of death for all homicides, suicides, accidents, and sudden and/or unexpected deaths according to California Government Code Section 27491 and Health and Safety Code Section 102850. For cases that fall under the jurisdiction of the department, the Medical Examiner contracts for the retrieval and transportation of decedents from the place of death to the Medical Examiner’s facility. The department’s current contract for decedent transportation services is set to expire on June 30, 2023.
Today’s action authorizes the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue a competitive solicitation for decedent transportation services.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
In accordance with Section 401, Article XXIII of the County Administrative Code, authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting to issue a competitive solicitation for decedent transportation services, and upon successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, award contract(s) for a term of one (1) year, with four (4) option years and up to an additional six (6) months, if needed, and to amend the contract(s) as needed to reflect changes to services and funding, subject to the approval of the Chief Medical Examiner.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The County of San Diego Department of the Medical Examiner’s mission is to contribute to safe communities and to justice and equity for the residents of San Diego County by certifying the cause and manner of death for all homicides, suicides, accidents and sudden and/or unexpected deaths in the county. Decedent transportation services is a mission critical service for the Medical Examiner’s mandated function, and the authorization to competitively solicit for these services ensures the continuity of operations for the department. Transportation and examination of decedents under the Medical Examiner’s jurisdiction allows for accurate accounting of the cause and manner of deaths including all people that have died as the result of violence and acute substance use, a significant number of those who die while experiencing homelessness, and those who have died without the care of a physician. Data about the decedents whose deaths we investigate can be used to identify populations (by race/ethnicity, age, sex, or when known, sexual orientation) or communities (by zip code or census tract) at risk for inequity of health or justice services, and guide equitable resource allocation, whether for justice, harm reduction, or overall health and safety.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed action to authorize the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to solicit and award contract(s) for decedent transportation services contributes to the County’s sustainability goal of protecting the health and wellbeing of justice-involved individuals and the broader community. Transporting decedents for postmortem examination allows for accurate accounting for the cause and manner of death across the county, including marginalized populations, people experiencing homelessness, victims of fatal violence, and those who have experienced the acute effects of substance use disorder. Data derived from investigating these deaths help inform critical County forensic services supporting harm reduction and other public health and criminal justice efforts in the region.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for the first one-year term of this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Operational Plan for the Medical Examiner. Funds for subsequent option years will be included in future Operational Plans for the Medical Examiner. If approved, this request will result in annual estimated costs of $2.0 million. The funding source is existing General Purpose Revenue. There will be no change in net General Fund Cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
The County of San Diego Department of the Medical Examiner is responsible for investigating and determining the cause and manner of death for all homicides, suicides, accidents, and sudden and/or unexpected deaths according to California Government Code Section 27491 and Health and Safety Code Section 102850. In 2021, the Medical Examiner had initial jurisdiction over about 38% of all 32,000+ deaths that were registered in the county, or 12,292 cases. Ultimately, 36% of those cases, or 4,405, were further investigated to determine cause and manner of death, and often, to confirm the identity of the decedent. Nearly all 4,405 cases required the retrieval and transportation of the decedent from the place of death to the Medical Examiner’s facility. The department currently contracts for all retrieval and transportation needs.
The department’s current contract with 92 Mike Transport LLC. (#558515) for decedent transportation services, is set to expire on June 30, 2023, with an option to extend for one to six additional months at end of agreement, if needed. Today’s action will authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue a competitive solicitation for decedent transportation services, and upon successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, award contract(s) for a term of one (1) year, with four (4) option years and up to an additional six (6) months, if needed, and to amend the contract(s) as needed to reflect changes to services and funding, subject to the approval of the Chief Medical Examiner.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the Equity and Justice Initiatives in the County of San Diego’s Fiscal Years 2023 - 2028 Strategic Plan and aligns with the Department of the Medical Examiner’s core mission to improve public health and safety of the citizens of San Diego County.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
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