Spokane County staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 30 about an abbreviated request‑for‑proposals process to replace the county's detention medical provider after NavCare/Everhealth gave notice of contract termination. The county team recommended Medeco as the preferred provider and asked the board to approve advancing to contract negotiations and to include a resolution on the Oct. 7 consent agenda.

Presenters said they conducted an expedited procurement, solicited proposals from four vendors, scored proposals across evenly weighted criteria (service offering and staffing model, competency/experience, interview engagement, transition plan and best value) and recommended Medeco as the top scorer. A staff presenter summarized, "Ultimately, our recommendation to the board is that we move forward with Medeco as a preferred medical service provider." The team said Medeco has Washington experience (examples cited: Nisqually and King County facilities), East Coast history and a single physician owner who oversees operations; staff noted no judgments or settlements in the company’s 28‑year history as presented by the vendor.

Staff outlined next steps: bring a resolution to the Oct. 7 consent agenda to authorize contract negotiations and begin a transition plan. Presenters said negotiations might take about 60 days; the preferred start date discussed was Feb. 1 with a 3‑to‑4‑year contract term and annual renewals. Ken (project lead) said, "what we would hope for is probably a 3 to 4 year contract with annual renewals that would kick off February 1," and staff said they would try to secure an extension from NavCare/Everhealth to lengthen the transition window if needed. The team emphasized the importance of a robust transition plan (they preferred closer to a 60‑day transition rather than 30 days) and said they will return to the board for final contract approval after negotiations.

Commissioners asked about competency scoring and mental‑health medication prescribing workflows; staff said site providers will continue to handle medication prescribing, while on‑site mental‑health practitioners will conduct assessments and coordinate care. No formal contract vote occurred at the briefing; staff requested direction to move forward with negotiations and to return with a finalized contract for board approval.