RFQ - AS-NEEDED FORENSIC AUTOPSY ASSISTANT SERVICES

The County of San Diego is seeking quotes from firms (“Offerors”) interested in providing As-Needed Forensic Autopsy Assistant Services.

The San Diego County Department of Medical Examiner (SDME) requires as-needed forensic autopsy assistant services to assist with postmortem examinations (i.e., full autopsies, partial autopsies, or external examinations) and related Exam Room and morgue operations pursuant to Section 27491 of the Government Code of the State of California.

The Contractor’s personnel shall possess the education, training, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform to SDME standards and shall work under the general supervision and direction of the Forensic Autopsy Room Manager or designee. Services may include preparing autopsy stations and decedents; assisting with autopsies; collecting, labeling, preserving, and transporting specimens and evidence; obtaining fingerprints, photographs, and digital radiography images; assisting with decedent receipt and release; moving and transporting decedents; maintaining required records; and performing sanitation and housekeeping duties in the Exam Room and morgue.

Minimum qualifying education and experience

• Successful completion of an accredited Pathologists Assistant Training Program, OR,
• An associate’s of science degree or higher in Mortuary Science or Human Science (e.g. biology, nursing, medical/surgical assisting, emergency medicine, anatomy, physiology), or related field, and one of the following: A current, valid California Embalmer’s License; OR, One (1) year full-time work experience working with a medical examiner/coroner’s office, assisting with autopsies, which involved frequent direct contact with deceased persons, OR, One (1) year full-time specialized applicable experience which demonstrates possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities above.

Work experience must include developing knowledge of human anatomy, skills in identifying or using surgical instruments and knowledge of aseptic techniques. Additionally, a minimum of six (6) months of autopsy assistance is required, with direct involvement in performing evisceration.

Contractor’s personnel may provide forensic autopsy assistant services on any County workday, including weekends and holidays, between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., local San Diego, CA time, as agreed on by the Forensic Autopsy Room Manager and Contractor’s and/or personnel, and shall be available in case of emergencies such as a sudden increase in caseload due to a natural or other disaster or general emergency.

Contractor’s personnel are subject to an extensive background investigation by the County as a condition of providing services. The County shall be responsible for background investigation costs.

Contractor shall submit a written monthly workload report for all work done during the previous month within the first fifteen days of each month.

Submission method

Offeror must submit a complete original quote in accordance with the format provided in this solicitation to the County of San Diego, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, through **electronic upload to BuyNet** at https://sdbuynet.sandiegocounty.gov/ . Submit electronic quotes as files in .pdf format, except where specified otherwise. All quotes shall be signed with a handwritten signature by an authorized officer or employee of Offeror.

If Offeror is unable to submit via BuyNet for any reason, Offeror may submit its quote via email to the Contracting Officer or provide the Purchasing and Contracting front desk with either electronic files on CD/DVD or a printed quote.

Required forms

• *Offeror’s Cover Page (PC600)*
• *Representations and Certifications form (PC601)*
• *Nondisclosure Indemnification Agreement (PC620)*, if submitting Confidential/Proprietary Information

Evaluation

Evaluations may consider factors such as technical merit, experience, capacity, history of Offeror compliance, availability, price, and more to determine the quote(s) that provide the best value to the County.

Contract term

The County anticipates a contract term of an initial (base) period of one (1) year(s), with four (4) one-year option periods.