Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Cole, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Measure K: Agreement with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a waiver of the Request for Proposals process and approving execution of an agreement with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley to provide food assistance to residents of San Mateo County, for the term of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, for a total obligation amount not to exceed $300,000.
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BACKGROUND:
For the last five years, the Board of Supervisors has authorized a yearly allocation of Measure K funds to Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. The funding is utilized to provide food assistance to residents of San Mateo County who are in dire need of food assistance support. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is the single largest non-governmental source of food for low-income households in San Mateo County and is considered a single source provider.
Housing costs in San Mateo County absorb most of a household’s monthly income leaving most households trying to decide whether they should pay their mortgage/rent or provide food on their tables. In addition, the CalFresh Emergency Allotments ended in March 2023, leaving households with minimal monetary support for their food budget. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley works with approved and nonapproved CalFresh households to provide supplemental food assistance that is crucial for many families in the county. Without Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, we would have a greater number of food insecure individuals present in our communities.
DISCUSSION:
The Human Services Agency (HSA) is requesting that the County execute an agreement with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley for the term of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 for a total obligation not to exceed $300,000 to provide food assistance program services to low-income households below 275% of the Federal Poverty Level in San Mateo County.
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley partners with San Mateo’s local community-based organizations to distribute food, connect people with food resources in their neighborhood, and strengthen programs and policies that help build a hunger-free community.
Pursuant to Section 2.83.070(b) of the County Ordinance Code, the Board of Supervisors may waive the requirement of a request for proposals in any situation where the Board of Supervisors determines that the best interest of the County could be served without the necessity of requests for proposals. While smaller food pantries offer services to their local communities, Second Harvest is the only Feeding America Food Bank for San Mateo County that provides food to many of the smaller local pantries, including the Core Service Agencies, and no partner or client is ever charged for food. For these reasons, HSA is recommending the Board waive the request for proposals process.
Per Administrative Memorandum B-1 § IV (C)(1), competitive solicitations may be waived when services are available from a single source.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in the aggregate).
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Attorney as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Performance Measures |
Target |
FY 2023-24 Anticipated |
FY 2024-25 Projected |
|
Amount of food provided to low-income residents (current guideline <275% FPL) |
20 million lbs./annually |
100% |
100% |
|
Sites supported within San Mateo County where low-income residents can get free groceries |
At least 95 sites |
100% |
100% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement is July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, for a total obligation amount of $300,000. Measure K funds $170,465 of the contract. The remainder, $129,535, is funded through Net County Cost.