HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-06-2008-4eORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 6, 2008
Action Agenda
Item No. ~' " e.
SUBJECT: Agreement with Trans-Verse Inc. for Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Activities
DEPARTMENT: Health PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Agreement Rosemary Summers, 245-2411
PURPOSE: To consider approving an agreement with Trans-Verse, Inc. for public health
.emergency preparedness activities.
BACKGROUND: The Health Department is charged by the North Carolina Division of Public
Health with a number of deliverables in the area of Public Health Emergency Preparedness.
The Health Department staff member responsible for these activities was transferred to. a new
position in the summer of 2007. The Department has been unsuccessful to date in recruiting a
replacement nurse. However, the deliverables remain a requirement of the agreement addenda
with the State of North Carolina and also an accreditation requirement.
While some deliverables have been met, there are a number of outstanding items that require
attention before the end of the fiscal year. These deliverables include a significant revision of
the Orange County Strategic National Stockpile Plan (SNS), appropriate training for the new
plan requirements; and training and respiratory fit-testing of Health Department staff to ensure
that proper protective equipment is utilized during a public health event requiring staff response.
_ _ _ The SNS Plan is an appendix to the Orange County Public Health Emergency Operations Plan
that is reviewed by the State of North Carolina and approved by the Health Director. It is
developed in conjunction with relevant partners such as both school systems, Emergency
Services, law enforcement partners, UNC Hospital, Public Works, and others. When the plan is
fully revised, each partner agency will sign that it has received a copy of the plan and agrees to
its role in the plan.
Staff has identified a consultant with local and state experience that can accomplish these
agreement deliverables for the Health Department.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The NC Division of Public Health provides funding to partially support the
public health emergency preparedness function. The annual allocation of funds for this purpose
for 2007-2008 was $55,213. A portion of these state funds will be utilized to fund this
agreement in the amount of $13,050. The funds available in the Health Department budget
since the position responsible for these duties is currently vacant.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board .approve the agreement
and authorize the Chair to sign.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
ORANGE COUNTY
AND
Trans-verse, Inc.
COUNTY OF ORANGE
This Agreement is made and entered into this 6th day of March, 2008 by and between Orange County, for
and on behalf of the Orange County Health Department, hereinafter referred to as "OCHD" and the named service provider,
Trans-verse, Inc., a North Carolina Business Corporation, hereinafter referred to as the "Provider."
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, OCHD desires to contract with the Provider for professional services, in order to meet NC
DHHS agreement addenda deliverables for Strategic National Stockpile and respiratory fit protection programs and
WHEREAS, The Provider desires to provide those services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the following Mutual promises, covenants
and conditions, OCHD and the Provider agree as follows:
1. The Provider will:
• Revise the current Strategic National Stockpile Plan for Orange County to meet required TAR guidelines
• Conduct multidisciplinary training as indicated to meet the revised plan requirements
• Conduct 2 half-day trainings and fit test appropriate respiratory devices for each member of the OCHD clinical
staff
2. OCHD will:
• Make staff available as needed for training, exercises and planning meetings.
• Grant fiill access to current and previous documents related to all hazards and pandemic planning.
3. The time period that this agreement shall cover begins on March 6, 2008 and ends on June 30, 2008 or upon
submission of revised SNS Plan for Orange County and completion of the SNS training and respiratory fit testing.
4. OCHD shall remunerate the Provider at the amount of $13,050.00. Provider will submit to OCHD an invoice for
services rendered in three payments. OCHD will submit a request for check to the Orange County Financial Services
Department. They shall prepare a check to Provider based on the Finance Department's schedule.
5. It is determined that this activity does not involve protected health information and therefore is not
subject to HIPAA rules and regulations.
6. In connection with Provider's activities as a consultant for the OCHD Preparedness Program, Provider agrees to abide
by all applicable federal, state and local confidentiality and privacy laws, policies and procedures. Provider will not
divulge confidential information to unauthorized persons. Provider understands that if Provider wrongfully discloses
such information that Provider may be liable and subject to litigation for money awards for damages. Provider
understands that if Provider should have any questions regarding OCHD's confidentiality policies and procedures,
Provider will seek clarification from OHCD Health Director.
6. The Provider hereby agrees to furnish services without regard to race, color, creed, sex or national origin. The
Provider hereby agrees to abide by pertinent Rules and Regulations of OCHD, Orange County, and the North
Carolina Division of Health Services in the conduct of services.
7. Independent Contractor. 1''he Provider shall perform all work and services described herein as an independent
contractor and not as an officer, agent, servant or employee of Orange County or the OCHD. Provider shall have
exclusive control of and the exclusive right to control the details of the services and work performed herewith and all
3
persons performing the same and working herein shall not be construed as creating a partnership or joint venture
between Orange Comity or the OCHD and Provider. Provider shall not be considered an officer, agent, servant or
employee of Orange County or OCHD, nor shall Provider be entitled to any benefits available or granted to
employees of Orange County or OCHD.
8: Provider shall obtain, at her sole expense, worker's compensation insurance (to the extent the same is required by
North Carolina law).
9. Provider agrees. to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the County, for all loss, liability, claims or expense
(including reasonable attorney's fees) arising from bodily injury, including death or property damage, to any person or
persons caused in whole or in part by the negligence or misconduct of the Provider, except to the extent same are
caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the County. It is the intent of this section to require Provider to
indemnify the County to the extent permitted under North Carolina law.
10. This Agreement or its renewals may be terminated with 30 days notice without Penalty by either party.
11. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties and shall not be altered, amended or modified, except
by an agreement in writing executed by the duly authorized officials of both parties.
12. The laws of North Carolina shall govern the validity and interpretations of the provisions, terms and conditions of the
Agreement.
In WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto signed this Agreement in their official capacities on the day and year
listed below.
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF
ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
By:
DATE:
Rosemary L. Summers, Health Director
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF PROVIDER
TRANS-VERSE, INC.,
$y:
Title:
Kate Abell
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF
ORANGE COUNTY
By:
DATE:
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ORANGE COUNTY FINANCE DIltECTOR
"This instrument has been preaudited in the manner
required by the Local Government Budget and fiscal
Control Act."
DATE:
Finance Director
DATE: