DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Wellness Physician
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes a contract with David A. Marks, MD, PA, beginning July 17, 2019 through July 17, 2022 in an annual amount of $36,000.00 with two additional annual renewals at an annual amount of $38,400.00, to provide services as a wellness physician, providing medical oversight of the San Antonio Fire Department’s Health and Wellness Program for a total contract value of $184,800.00. Funding for this contract is available through the FY 2019 General Fund Budget with funding for subsequent years subject to City Council future appropriations.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) recognizes that the health, safety, and wellness of its firefighters are of the utmost importance to the organization and its mission. The SAFD Wellness Program was established in 2010 to monitor the health and wellness of uniformed employees throughout their careers. The program is intended to provide early detection of serious medical conditions and encourage better health, thereby allowing employees to do their job more safely and effectively. The program was modeled after the International Association of Fire Fighters/International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFF/IAFC) Wellness-Fitness Initiative and in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1582.
The SAFD Wellness program is a medical surveillance program which considers the special circumstances associated with the firefighting profession. Through medical evaluation, it will be determined whether or not an employee has any medical issues that could affect their ability to perform their assigned duties. When a medical condition is discovered that could impair the employee’s ability to safely and successfully complete his/her assigned duties, the employee is required to seek treatment for that condition from his/her personal physician.
The previous SAFD Wellness Physician vacated the position in the summer of 2018, and the department has been utilizing a short term professional services contract to provide the required medical oversight. The City issued a Request for Qualifications for “Wellness Physician” on March 22, 2019, and only one proposal was received.
The evaluation committee consisted of representatives from the San Antonio Fire Department and the University of Texas Health - San Antonio, which met on May 9, 2019 to evaluate the responsive proposal received. The proposal was evaluated based on the respondent’s qualifications, experience, service quality, previous performance, proposed plan and compensation schedule. Additional categories of consideration included references. After committee review and discussion, David A. Marks, MD, PA was recommended for award by the evaluation committee based on committee consensus.
The Wellness Physician will enter into a collaborative agreement with SAFD Nurse Practitioners/Physicians Assistants, Athletic Trainer(s) and Medical Technician/Licensed Vocational Nurse(s); ensure that medical staff is qualified and competent to collect and interpret laboratory and radiology studies; conduct and interpret spirometry, hearing, and vision testing; conduct treadmill electrocardiogram and physical examination in accordance with the SAFD Wellness Program Policy.
This contract is an exception to the Local Preference Program.
This contract is an exception to the Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance will provide a wellness physician to administer medical oversight of the San Antonio Fire Department’s Health and Wellness Program.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the Fire Department’s Wellness Center will be unable to conduct job-related medical physicals. Processing individual procurements will affect the cost of services due to non-contract pricing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds in the amount of $36,000.00 for the first year of the contract are included in the FY 2019 General Fund Fire Budget. Funding for the second and third year of the contract through July 17, 2022 in an annual amount of $36,000.00 and the two additional annual renewals at an annual amount of $38,400.00 are subject to City Council appropriations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the contract with David A. Marks, MD, PA, beginning July 17, 2019 through July 17, 2022 in an annual amount of $36,000.00 with two additional annual renewals at an annual amount of $38,400.00, to provide services as a wellness physician for the San Antonio Fire Department for a total contract value of $184,800.00.
This contract is procured by means of Request for Qualifications and Discretionary Contract Disclosure Forms are attached.