To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Master Service Agreement with Babcock Laboratories, Inc. for Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory to Provide Water Testing Services
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the state standard master service agreement between Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory (HCPHL) and Babcock Laboratories, Inc. for HCPHL to provide water testing for Babcock Laboratories, Inc.;
2. Authorize the Director of Public Health, or a designee thereof, to sign the master service agreement; and
3. Authorize the Director of Public Health, or a designee thereof, to sign all future amendments and documents directly related to the master service agreement upon review and approval of County Counsel and Risk Management.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB); Public Health Fund (1175).
DISCUSSION:
The HCPHL provides a variety of testing services ranging from clinical testing to environmental testing. HCPHL often collaborates with state entities, such as the SWRCB, on miscellaneous projects. Currently, Babcock Laboratories, Inc. is working with SWRCB on a project to identify the source of fecal bacteria in several water streams within California. Babcock Laboratories, Inc. and SWRCB have identified the HCPHL as an ideal candidate to perform testing of local water samples to understand sources of contamination in the Humboldt Bay, which is being funded by the SWRCB.
Babcock Laboratories will be responsible for the collection and drop off of samples to the HCPHL. HCPHL will analyze the samples via a process called Microbial Source Tracking (MST) to determine the source of any fecal bacteria present in the water. MST results will depict whether the fecal bacteria originated from humans, dogs, birds, or cows. Identifying the source of the contaminant would allow for informed mitigation strategies.
This state standard master service agreement before your Board today is a renewal of the original agreement for the term Aug. 15, 2021, through June 30, 2022, which was approved by your Board on Aug. 10, 2021, (Item D-20, File 21-953). Approval of this Master Service Agreement would allow the HCPHL to continue providing water testing services, be reimbursed by Babcock Laboratories for testing services provided from Sept. 21, 2022, through June 30, 2025, and to mitigate contamination in local water sources.
This agreement comes to your Board with a retroactive beginning term date as it was received later than anticipated from Babcock Laboratories, Inc.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of this Master Service Agreement with Babcock Laboratories, Inc. will allow HCPHL to be reimbursed for microbial source tracking and total Coliform, E. coli and Entercoccous testing services provided, in Fund 1175, Budget Unit 435 - Laboratory during the period of September 21, 2022 through June 30, 2025. While it is currently unknown how many total samples will be tested by HCPHL in each Fiscal Year (FY) encompassing FY 2022-23 through FY 2024-25, revenue will be collected in accordance with the approved FY 2022-23 County fee schedule based on the type of service as shown in the table below.
|
Service Type |
Unit Price |
Reporting Turnaround Times (TAT) |
|
Microbial Source Tracking (includes human, ruminant, dog, and bird markers) |
$270.00 |
HCPHL standard TAT |
|
Total Coliform, E. coli and Enterococcus (2 tray test) |
$75.00 |
72 hours from receipt of sample |
The Laboratory is funded by Public Health Realignment and Fees for Service, so this revenue will reduce the amount of Realignment required to fund the HCPHL. There are sufficient appropriations in FY 2022-23.
There is no impact to the County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health, and providing community-appropriate levels of service. This action also supports the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) by improving community safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached Master Service Agreement with SWRCB regarding the provision of disease intervention activities. However, this alternative is not recommended as it would prevent DHHS - Public Health from seeking reimbursement for the provision of such services.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. SWRCB Babcock Laboratories Inc. Master Service Agreement
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: D-20
Meeting of: 08/10/21
File No.: 21-953