Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute an Agreement with Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc. dba Amergis Government Staffing, for the purpose of providing supplemental licensed healthcare staffing in Health Department Clinic Services, Public Health, and Behavioral Health clinics, for a term retroactive to May 31, 2025 through July 31, 2027, for a total Agreement amount of $750,000; and
b. Approve the Director of Health Services or designee to approve up to three (3) future Amendments that do not exceed 10% ($75,000) of the Agreement amount, do not significantly alter the scope of services, and do not exceed the maximum amount of $825,000; and
c. Authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to approve Amendments to add Classifications and pay rates, as needed, so long as there are no changes to either the term of the Agreement or the revised not to exceed amount of $825,000.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute an Agreement with Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc. dba Amergis Government Staffing, for the purpose of providing supplemental licensed healthcare staffing in Health Department Clinic Services, Public Health, and Behavioral Health clinics, for a term retroactive to May 31, 2025 through July 31, 2027, for a total Agreement amount of $750,000; and
b. Approve the Director of Health Services or designee to approve up to three (3) future Amendments that do not exceed 10% ($75,000) of the Agreement amount, do not significantly alter the scope of services, and do not exceed the maximum amount of $825,000; and
c. Authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to approve Amendments to add Classifications and pay rates, as needed, so long as there are no changes to either the term of the Agreement or the revised not to exceed amount of $825,000.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Health Department protects the health and safety of Monterey County residents by providing core public health services, outpatient clinic services, mental health services, credible information to enhance health decisions and partners with federal, state, and local organizations to promote good health.
Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc. (previously known as Maxim Healthcare Staffing) operates a supplemental medical staffing agency and has employed licensed health care personnel to supplement the Health Department operational staffing needs in Behavioral Health, Clinic Services, and Public Health Bureaus. The County has used this contractor beginning at the onset of the COVID - 19 pandemic. As such, the County of Monterey Human Resources Department originally issued a notice to the Monterey Registered Nurses Association on September 18, 2020, regarding this Agreement as required by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Association.
The Health Department recommends approval of this Agreement to ensure that licensed health care personnel remain temporarily assigned to the County of Monterey to assist in the areas of Public Health, Clinic Services, and Behavioral Health.
This Agreement is retroactive due to the negotiations and discussions involving the payment of outstanding invoices with the new contractor name of Amergis Healthcare Staffing, instead of the previous/original contractor name of Maxim Healthcare Staffing.
Amergis started submitting invoices under its new name, which initially created payment issues because their documentation showed a different FEIN/TIN than what was on file for Maxim Healthcare Staffing. This made an Assignment and Assumption Agreement inapplicable. Upon further review, it was discovered that Amergis had in fact submitted the required Vendor Data Record on September 2, 2020, showing the same FEIN/TIN. Unfortunately, this update was not entered into Advantage due to an oversight likely related to the disruptions during the early stages of COVID-19.
A one-time Purchase Order has since been approved by the Contracts & Purchasing Officer to pay all outstanding invoices under the new contractor’s name (Amergis). The payments are intended to cover outstanding and past-due invoices owed to Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc. from October 5, 2024 through May 30, 2025.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal(s): 1. Build Community Power and Partners’ Capacity to Increase Equity and Improve Health; 2. Provide Exceptional Person-Centered Care through Accessible, Community-Focused Health Services; and 3. Enhance Employee Wellbeing and Workforce Capacity. It also supports four of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems; 2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community; 3. Inform, educate and empower people about health issues; and 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is financed with grant funds and department revenues. The associated appropriations are included in the Health Department’s Public Health Bureau (001-4000-8124-HEA003), Clinic Services Bureau (001-4000-8592-HEA007), and the Behavioral Health Bureau (023-4000-8410 HEA012) FY 2025-26 Requested Budget. In future FYs, appropriations for this Agreement will be included as part of the Requested Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Marti Lugo, Management Analyst II, 755-4645
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Agreement