County details timeline for Santa Rita Jail medical services RFP; community urges worker protections and fuller review

Kimberly Gassaway, Alameda County’s director of the General Services Agency, told the Joint Health and Public Protection Committee on April 23 that staff are finalizing specifications for the Santa Rita Jail comprehensive medical services RFP and expect roughly 12 months from posting to award if no appeals delay the process. “Once we receive the full spec development and scope from the sheriff’s department…we estimate a 12‑month procurement process given the complexity of this particular level of service,” Gassaway said.

Gassaway said spec development is about 85–89% complete and County Counsel is reviewing the document concurrently. The planned procurement steps include a mandatory bidders conference, facility security clearances for vendor visits, a period for written questions and addenda, written proposal reviews, vendor interviews and a selection committee that signs conflict‑of‑interest disclosures. After notice of award, staff will enter contract negotiations and then bring a recommendation to the Board for approval. Gassaway cautioned that a protest and any subsequent appeals — including to the auditor’s office — could extend the timeline beyond the current estimate.

The committee heard repeated requests from supervisors and community speakers for additional transparency and protections. Supervisor Miley raised the option of a Board review of the draft RFP before posting, noting it is legally possible though “not typical” because early public drafting can create concerns that an RFP would be tailored toward a particular contractor. Kathy Lee of the County Counsel’s office said supervisors may hold a public discussion about needs the RFP should reflect, though counsel recommends avoiding drafting that would steer an award to a particular bidder.

Multiple public commenters urged stronger contractor qualifications and worker protections. “No one in this room wants a medical provider that’s filed for bankruptcy, had contract violations or lawsuits,” a community member said, urging the county to consider operating services in‑house if capacity exists. Representatives from the National Union of Healthcare Workers asked the RFP to include worker retention and transition provisions — for example, retaining existing employees for a 180‑day transition period — respect for collective bargaining agreements and clearer whistleblower protections.

John Lindsay Poland of the American Friends Service Committee requested clarity about the selection panel: which subject‑matter profiles will serve, whether people with lived experience will be included, and whether the RFP will contain provisions that would exclude bidders with quantified histories of poor outcomes. Gassaway said the sheriff’s department and procurement staff will recommend subject‑matter experts for the selection committee and that the county is discussing how to include lived experience while maintaining confidential reviews to avoid undue pressure on panelists.

Staff and the sheriff’s office agreed to review the proposed bidder schedule and outreach strategy to ensure viable applicants — especially consortiums or academic partners — have adequate time to prepare proposals. Gassaway also noted the county’s debarment policy and reference checks as tools to address past performance, but said she did not believe likely vendors were on any debarment list.

The presentation included an operational detail relevant to contract planning: the current contract for Santa Rita’s medical services runs through Sept. 30, 2027, and staff said they are assessing transition language and possible short extensions to ensure continuity if a new contractor takes time to implement operations.

The committee did not take formal action; staff said they will continue working with the sheriff’s office, County Counsel and community stakeholders to refine timelines and RFP language and return with updates.