Board authorizes negotiations with Integrated Nursing Solutions for jail medical services

Story County staff recommended the board authorize contract negotiations with Integrated Nursing Solutions to provide medical services at the county jail, citing staffing levels and the ease of transition as key factors.

"They provide the largest number of medical coverage for medical provider coverage of 4 hours a week [physician]," Jail Administrator Mah Anderson said. Anderson told the board Integrated Nursing Solutions proposed 12 hours per week of mental-health coverage, a full-time site manager (40 hours per week), and on-staff dental and OB-GYN services that the other respondents did not include.

Anderson said a four-person evaluation panel ranked proposals on cost, staffing hours, experience, expertise, qualifications, and operations plans. Staff noted Integrated Nursing Solutions is the current provider and that continuity would ease transition. Anderson acknowledged Integrated Nursing Solutions was the most expensive bidder but said the cost reflected additional support levels.

Board members asked clarifying questions about staffing definitions, site manager hours, contract length and cost escalation. Staff said the intent is to negotiate a three-year contract with renewal options and that the presented costs were year-one figures with varying annual escalators (CPI or fixed percentages depending on vendor).

A committee member moved to proceed with Integrated Nursing Solutions; a second was recorded and the board indicated approval by voice vote (members responded "I"). No formal roll-call tally was read on the record.

The motion authorized staff to begin contract negotiations; final terms and any vote to award or execute a contract will return to the board for approval.