To: Board of Supervisors
From: Matt Slattengren, Ag Commissioner/Weights & Measures Director
Report Title: Service Agreement with IEH Analytical Laboratories for honey testing.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Agricultural Commissioner, or designee, to execute a service agreement with IEH Analytical Laboratories in an amount not to exceed $20,000 for laboratory testing of honey from Contra Costa County for the period of June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2028.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Costs for the service agreement are budgeted in the Agriculture Department’s General Fund allocation. 100% General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures is responsible for enforcing certain provisions of the California Food and Agricultural Code related to honey production, labeling, and quality standards. Recent enforcement matters have identified the need for specialized laboratory testing to investigate potential violations of these statutes. The selected laboratory has the capability to perform all required analytical testing and maintain a documented chain of custody for samples, ensuring that test results are legally defensible and suitable for administrative or enforcement actions. This agreement has a mutual indemnification provision which provides that each party will defend and indemnify the other for injuries or losses arising out of the performance of the agreement.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
A negative action will prevent the Department from enforcing provisions of the Food and Agricultural code as well as allowing businesses to cause harm to consumers.