To: Board of Supervisors
From: Equity Committee
Report Title: Request for Proposals for African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study
☐Recommendation of the County Administrator ☒ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Co-Directors of the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice to release a Request for Proposals to solicit the services of a firm/consultant to conduct a feasibility study for a county African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub, as recommended by the Equity Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The contract cost to conduct a feasibility study for the creation of an African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub would increase from $80,000 to $180,000. The original $80,000 of Measure X funds was allocated by the Board of Supervisors, and the additional $100,000 would come from the FY 23-24 budget of the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (one-time funds).
BACKGROUND:
At the October 17, 2023 Board of Supervisors meeting, 13 Steering Committee members were appointed to advise and guide the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study. At the November 13, 2023 Equity Committee meeting, staff to the Committee were directed to convene the Steering Committee and prepare a draft request for qualifications to solicit the services of a firm/consultant to conduct a feasibility study for the creation of an African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub to present to the Board of Supervisors.
On December 12, 2023, the Steering Committee for the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study met for the first time to provide feedback on the Draft Request for Qualifications (RFQ). At that meeting, steering committee requested additional time to review and provide written feedback on the draft RFQ. Several members provided written feedback, which was incorporated into a subsequent draft. On January 4, 2024, the RFQ Review Ad Hoc Committee met to review the updated draft, and provided additional feedback. On January 8th, the Steering Committee for the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study met for a final review of the draft RFQ. At that meeting, additional edits were made and the committee voted to move forward a final draft to the Equity Committee.
At the January 22, 2024 Equity Committee meeting, Supervisors Glover and Gioia reviewed the Request of Qualifications, provided additional feedback and approved the final draft. The Equity Committee then directed staff to forward the final Request for Qualifications for Board of Supervisors approval. The RFQ was approved by the Board of Supervisors and subsequently posted on BidSync.
By the March 4, 2024 deadline, one response to the RFQ was received. In collaboration with the Steering Committee for the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study, the ORESJ Co- Directors recommended a re-issue of the request as a Request for Proposals and an increase to the contract cost to $180,000. The additional $100,000 would come from the FY 23-24 ORESJ budget, in one-time funds. On March 18, 2024, the Equity Committee approved the request and the Steering Committee for the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study worked to draft and finalize a Request for Proposals.
At the April 15, 2024 Equity Committee meeting, Supervisors Glover and Gioia approved the Request for Proposals and directed staff to forward to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
A negative action will cause a delay in acquiring a contractor to conduct the feasibility study for an African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub.