Title
a. Approve and authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer or his designee to sign Amendment #2 to a Standard Agreement on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office with Dr. Venus Azar to provide coroner services, post-mortem examinations and autopsy reports in an amount not to exceed $825,000; and
b. Authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer or his designee to sign one (1) amendment to the agreement where the amendment does not exceed 10% ($40,000) of the original contract, for a maximum not to exceed amount of $865,000, and the amendment does not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer or his designee to sign Amendment #2 to a Standard Agreement on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office with Dr. Venus Azar to provide coroner services, post-mortem examinations and autopsy reports in an amount not to exceed $825,000; and
b. Authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer or his designee to sign one (1) amendment to the agreement where the amendment does not exceed 10% ($40,000) of the original contract, for a maximum not to exceed amount of $865,000, and the amendment does not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In Monterey County, the Sheriff position is a combined Sheriff/Coroner position and the Sheriff therefore, is responsible for the Coroner job function. The Coroner is charged with investigation and autopsy of any reportable or inexplicable deaths and must determine the cause and manner of the death. The Coroner performs all autopsy and post-mortem examinations, which include external examination, internal dissection and microscopic examination. These findings are then compiled into an autopsy report. A team of detectives and deputies act upon any cases requiring investigation or prosecution.
This contract covers services of the independent contractor who performs the Coroner function. The contract was amended on June 10, 2015 to extend the term for an additional year but requires board approval to increase the amount. The value of the original contract was for $400,000 for Fiscal Year 2014-15 and this amendment seeks to add $425,000 for Fiscal Year 2015-16 for a total not to exceed value of $825,000. The Sheriff’s Office is also requesting the ability to add up to ten percent ($40,000) of the original contract value in Fiscal Year 2015-16 if the volume of autopsies increases. The contract is being continued the same level of reimbursement per autopsy as in the previous two (2) years and all increases in value are directly related to increases in the number of autopsies performed.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The agreement has been approved by County Counsel as to legal form and by the Auditor-Controller as to fiscal terms.
FINANCING:
The cost of the contract was anticipated and included in the Sheriff’s Office, Coroner’s budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16. There will be no increase in General Fund Contribution as a result of this board action.
Prepared by: Nina Ryan, Management Specialist, ext. 3708
Approved by: Stephen Bernal, Sheriff-Coroner, ext. 3851
Attachments:
Amendment #2