Board debates sole‑source pilots for employment programs; staff defends temporary approach

County staff presented two sole‑source pilot contracts intended to place reentry, CalWORKs and other disadvantaged populations into paid jobs while a new procurement approach is developed.

A county official explained the pilots — a smaller pilot with Roots Medical Center (item 6) and a larger one with Inner City Advisors (item 10) — are designed to test partnerships with employers and client populations while the county finalizes a more flexible RFP process planned for September or October. The staffer said past procurement efforts returned poor outcomes for employment contracts and that the pilots would generate operational lessons before a competitive solicitation.

Supervisors pressed staff on why the contracts were sole‑sourced and whether the named providers exclude veterans or other groups; staff said veterans and other target populations would be included and introduced Jose, the executive director of Inner City Advisors, to describe the organization’s employer portfolio and five target populations (formerly incarcerated, aged‑out foster youth, immigrants/English learners, low‑education adults, and veterans). Jose said ICA operates Bay Area‑wide with most employer relationships in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

At the consent vote that bundled many items, one supervisor recorded abstentions on items 6 and 10, citing a policy concern about sole sourcing even while not opposing the concept of immediate job placement. County staff reiterated the pilots are temporary and that both providers would be eligible to compete in the formal RFP once it is released.

No contract awards were finalized during the meeting beyond inclusion of the items on the consent motion; the board recorded the abstentions and approved the remainder of the consent bundle.