Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Chester J. Kunnappilly, MD, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with Execushield, Inc. to Provide Security Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Execushield, Inc. to exercise the option to extend 22 months through October 10, 2026, and increase the amount of the agreement by $16,200,000, to an amount not to exceed $38,200,000.
body
BACKGROUND:
In March 2021, San Mateo County Procurement completed a Request for Proposals for security services, and it was decided that departments within the County would execute individual agreements to address their needs. Out of the 10 proposals received and evaluated, Execushield, Inc. (Execushield) was selected as the best qualified firm to provide these services. On October 5, 2021, this Board approved an agreement for security services, for the term of October 11, 2021 through October 10, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $22,000,000. On November 3, 2024, the parties entered into an amendment to extend the term of the agreement through January 31, 2025, with no changes to the fiscal obligation.
DISCUSSION:
San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) has a continued need for Execushield’s presence to deter threats, acts of violence against County visitors, patients, and employees, and work in cooperation with first responders by reporting suspicious or risk-prone situations to appropriate law enforcement agencies. SMMC is requesting to exercise its option to extend two additional years to continue this service at SMMC and San Mateo County Health (SMCH) locations.
In order to meet the needs of the Medical Center, additional security staff have been brought on board to manage three important areas of security for SMMC. The first area was the addition of a 24/7-armed officer stationed at our Emergency Department, in response to a significant and credible threat to the campus. The addition of a more skilled, armed security officer in the Emergency Department has facilitated the Medical Center’s response to difficult situations involving the threat of or actual violence. The second area involves the screening process put in place at all SMMC entrances. During screening, personal belongings are visually searched and a wand is used to detect dense, metallic objects. In any given month, over 300 items are discovered and retained while a visitor or patient receives services and given back to them as they depart the Medical Center. Those items found include handguns, knives, brass knuckles, butane lighters, box cutters, pocketknives, cans of mace spray, and similar items that could be used as weapons. High risk items are managed by Security in collaboration with local police departments and may not be returned to the owner. A third area added to the services provided by Execushield is greeters, a group of security officers that provide welcoming presence at the front desk, wayfinding support through the building, and support and back up to the lobby-based officers conducting security screening. Further, an increase in administrative support, training of security staff in crisis prevention skills, and a bill rate increase of approximately 16% increased the security service cost up to the levels expected for years four and five of this amendment.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution and amendment as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The County’s Contract Compliance Committee has approved a waiver request for a five-year term for this agreement.
It is anticipated that the security services will be provided 100% of the time to ensure safety and protection of County visitors, patients and employees while doing business at SMCH facilities.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 Estimated |
FY 2025-26 Projected |
|
Percentage of security services to be provided for the safety and protection of County visitors, patients and employees while doing business at SMCH facilities |
100% |
100% |
EQUITY IMPACT:
Execushield continued security services will positively impact equitable health outcomes because security services at SMMC, a public safety net hospital, addresses community need. SMMC’s patients span a wide spectrum of races, ethnicities, gender, and gender-identities. Within the past 18 months the largest cohorts of specialty care patients at SMMC were female (52%), Hispanic or Latino (63%), and primarily Spanish speaking (55%). Execushield joins with SMMC to provide service that recognizes the unique needs of the hospital’s patients and visitors, so that all feel welcome and do not feel “othered”. By deploying current, nationally recognized methods for security enforcement and de-escalation of difficult situations, Execushield’s security team helps SMMC’s mission to promote a healing environment for all.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the amended agreement is October 11, 2021, through October 10, 2026. The amendment increases the amount payable under the agreement by $16,200,000 to an amount not to exceed $38,200,000 for the five-year term. Funds in the amount of $6,075,000 are included in the SMMC FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget. Funds in the amount of $8,100,000 are included in the SMMC FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget. Similar arrangements will be made for future years.
Expenses at SMMC are covered by fees for services or third-party payors whenever possible. The portion of expenses for services provided to the medically indigent or to those covered by programs that do not meet the full costs of care is covered by the County’s General Fund contribution to SMMC and is within the existing annual appropriation.