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Office of Procurement Services
GOODS AND SERVICES
COMPETITION IMPRACTICABLE FORM
This form is to be used when a department believes an acquisition is considered Competition Impracticable and the acquisition
dollar amount is above $10,000. The Chief Procurement Officer can approve purchases up to $100,000. Board of Supervisors
approval is required if the acquisition is over $100,000. This form must be submitted for approval to: Office of Procurement
Services | 160 S$ 4th Ave | Phoenix, AZ 85003. Fax number: 602.506.6766. The signed form must be retained in the purchasing
file. Unless approved by the Board of Supervisors in a formal agenda item or the Chief Procurement Officer in a formal Contract
a Cl form is valid from July 1 thru June 30th of each Fiscal Year.
DEPARTMENT NAME j sistant County Manager 950 DEPARTMENT RX#
PROPOSED CONTRACT VENDOR NEED IDENTIFIED Date:
Company: Robin Schaeffer Consulting, LLC REQUESTED DELIVERY
Address: 7438 E. Knowles Avenue Date:
City, State: Mesa, AZ QUOTED PRICE:
Zip/Postal Code: |85209
Phone: 480-296-8904 Accounting String:
Fax:
Contact Name: {Robin Schaeffer
DESCRIPTION OF GOODS OR SERVICES REQUIRED:
The estimated cost of this Procurement is: < $100k v |> $100k
Is this a Technology Procurement? [ ]¥es WY |No
‘The umber of vacant registered nurse positions in Maricopa County grew by 40%: from Apri 2020 to Apel 2021, Nurse vacancy rates directly impact patient care and safely, Maricopa Counly graduates over 1,000 New Graduate Nurses (NGHs) per year, However, lack of hands-on
cinical experiences can lead to the NGN lacking the knowedge. confidence, and shls to be consdered practice ready. AS @resuN ofthe COVID-19 pandemic and safely protocols used in healthcare settings which often prohib ted non-essenval Ivdviduas from being present, Arizona
‘employers now fepat an even larger ecucation-practice gap, fecognizng a groaing deficit in practxe readiness,
Employers are cesponsibe for onbosrding neniy hired NGN, often utitzing nursing preceptors lo oversee the orientation phase of a nealy hired nurse, Best practice models for onboarding NGNS include Nurse Residency or Transition to Practice programs, hoxever these madels are not
standardized, and rot availabe ata organizations, Chatenges to these programs inchide: cost of program, available nurses to precept the NGN, stalfing challenges, and strategies to bildga the education-practice gap. Both nursing schools and heath care employers agree Unat
hands-on clinical eyperience, lackding those provided by nursing preceplors, yiekis the highest probabty of producing a practice-ready nurse,
Maricopa County wishes to hte 9 consultant to create and implement a pot nursing worklorce practice readiness program for senior nursing students. Th’s modal would enhance the partnership between educalion and practice using nursing facuty and specialty Valned practice-based
‘urse preceptor. These preceptors would work one on one with sence nursing students duving ther last 6 weeks prior to graduation,
COMPETITION IMPRACTICABLE CATEGORY (Check applicable box, attach documentation or provide explanation below.)
Maricopa County Procurement Code MC1-351 states: “Competition Impracticable” means an acquisition where, competitionis
impractical because of standardization, warranty, or other factors as approved by the Board of Supervisors.
NOTE: The following are unlikely to be sufficient Competition Impracticable justifications:
* Personal or department preference for a product or vendor
* Department perception that the vendor is the best qualified (this should be determined through a competitive process)
* Lack of department planning resulting in limited time to conduct a competitive procurement
* Special incentive or deal offered (can be assessed in open and competitive solicitation)
‘Department convenience
Software license renewals, additions, or upgrades available
from only one source
Brand compatibility available from only one source (no other
distributors)
[_]erant specified (supporting documents attached)
[_ [Mailing lists, subscriptions or media advertising CI
|Warranty voided if service provided by other contract vendor lOther proprietary situation
Pl
[V]Jother (Provide written explanation below)
THISIS ACOMPETITION IMPRACTICABLE PROCUREMENT BECAUSE (attach additional page ifneeded):
Maricopa County is facing a critical nursing crisis in our community that requires a quick, comprehensive, and
practical solution to fill an ongoing service gap within our healthcare services. As a result a determination has been
made that services provided by this consultant are uniquely positioned to make an immediate impact on the nursing
shortage affecting the County. Although their may be other providers with similar services they do not have the
familiarity with the County and an understanding of technical services and processes that are required for
Correctional Health or Public Health. It is imperative the County on board this consultant that brings an
understanding of critical needs of the County including the deep community connections and experience in both
practice and academics that can provide services that will impact health services. Those connections are critical with
regard to developing and implementing a successful pilot project in providing services for affected County programs.
SEARCH
Asearch was conducted consisting of: (check all that apply) RESULTS
im Market research C] Public notice given, list [V]no alternatives were identified
[_] other vendors contacted Other fre alternatives were deemed acceptable
because (explain below):
Describe the search from above in detail:
A market search on the internet and a search with local firms did not identify any firms that could hit the ground running or with the extensive
experience the County is seeking. In order to quickly and successfully create and implement this pilot program, the County needs a vendor with
extensive local nursing experience to include hospital and other healthcare settings, nurse education, and nurse leadership. The vendor must have
strong, established relationships with chief nursing officers in the local hospital systems as well as leadership in local nursing schools.
Robin Schaeffer has over 40 years of local nursing experience. Through her role as the executive director of the AZ Nurse Association (2010-2020)
she is well-known and respected in both the practicing nursing community as well as the academic community. Recently, Robin organized a AZ
Nurses Rapid Response Team through which she facilitated weekly meetings to address nurse-related issues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her work eventually led to the adoption of a national model for nurse outreach and support. Prior to the pandemic, Robin worked extensively with
the AZ Action Coaltion to remove scope of practice barriers for advanced practice RNs and increased partnerships to support associate degree
nurses in earning their BSN.
Robin Schaeffer Consulting, LLC also includes a small but uniquely qualified staff to support this initiatve. Collectively, they bring expertise in nurse
education and hospital-based nursing.
PRICE
MC1-352-B states: The Using Agency requesting a Competition Impracticable Procurement shall provide written evidence
to support a Competition Impracticable determination containing an explanation of why the proposed procurement
process is advantageous to the County; and the scope, duration, and estimated total dollar value of the procurement.
Price has been fairly and reasonably established by: Cl Comparison to public sector contract pricing
[comparison to previous comparable purchases C1 viscount off published catalog pricing
from a different vendor oO Market survey
oO Independent estimate
Other, explain:
Describe methodology and results (attach any written supporting data, e.g., survey or market analysis):
This request for a competition impracticable is a reasonable request to implement a pilot
program for the County. The service provided by this consultant are unique with little to no
learning curve for applying the needs and service gaps the County currently faces. Although,
similar or like firms may have some of the needs the County is seeking, they do not have the in
depth knowledge for this type of program. This pilot program will provide the County with a
clearer understanding of the deliverables and define service requirements under any potential
future procurement after the pilot program has ended.
CERTIFICATIONS
| certify:
1) | recognize that the Maricopa County Procurement Code requires the use of competitive solicitations unless
exempted by law. | have reviewed the information and materials relevant to this procurement of goods and services,
and am requesting approval of an exception to the competitive process for the reasons described;
2) the price to be paid to the proposed vendor is fair, reasonable, and provides the best value to Maricopa County; and
3) this request for an exception to the competitive solicitation process is not the result of inadequate advance planning
or for purposes of securing the services of a preferred vendor.
Department Head or Department Head De te Signature (Required)
| ts Aun Bol | ofp /z02|
Printed Name Sighature Date
Office of Procurement Services
The CPO can approve procurements up to $100,000. If this request is over $100,000 it must be submitted as
an agenda item to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.
K] Recommended to BOS for approval. . 7
Kevin Tyne, Director OPS Vow | he October 19, 2021
Printed Name Signature Date
Office of Enterprise Technology (if this procurement is classified as a technology procurement it must be
forwarded to OET for coordination and/or approval. If this procurement request is not approved by OET, the form will
be returned to the requestor.)
Approved. Recommended purchase is in line with Maricopa County's strategic technology plan or currently installed
Clequipment or service, and is considered to be a competition impracticable procurement.
[]not Approved. Reasoning:
Printed Name Signature Date
Email Save
New Nurse Graduate Practice Readiness Pilot Program
Project Objectives:
e Increase the practice readiness of the New Graduate Nurse (NGN) through a partnership with schools
of nursing and employers.
e Increase nurse retention.
¢ Build a pool of NGN ready to hire upon graduation.
« Protect patient safety.
Background:
Healthcare organizations in Arizona are reporting high nurse vacancy rates. Nurse vacancy rates can
directly impact patient safety. In April 2021 there were 5,685 RN job vacancies in Maricopa County, a 40%
increase in the vacancy rate compared to April, 2020. Vacancies can be attributed to a convergence of
aging and retiring nurses working in hospitals and the community, aging and retiring nursing faculty, an
aging population requiring a higher level of nursing care, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maricopa County graduates over 1,000 New Graduate Nurses (NGNs) per year however, nurse leaders
continue to report significant NGN job turnover, with NGNs often leaving their first job or the profession
permanently within the first 2 years of graduation. Some reported reasons include emotional exhaustion,
understaffing, burnout, and moral distress.
Employers are responsible for onboarding newly hired NGN, often utilizing nursing preceptors to oversee
the orientation phase of a newly hired nurse. Best practice models for onboarding NGNs include Nurse
Residency or Transition to Practice programs, however these models are not standardized, and not
available at all organizations. Challenges to these programs include cost of program, available nurses to
precept the NGN, staffing challenges, and strategies to bridge the education-practice gap.
The education-practice gap is a well-documented challenge facing the nursing workforce. Even before the
COVID-19 pandemic, nursing schools in Arizona and across the nation were challenged to find clinical
placements for nursing students. COVID-19 has amplified clinical placement challenges.
Lack of hands-on clinical experiences can lead to the NGN lacking the knowledge, confidence, and skills to
be considered practice ready. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Arizona employers now report an
even larger education-practice gap, recognizing a growing deficit in practice readiness. This has forced
many employers to extend the onboarding timeframe of NGNs to assure patient safety. The average cost
of onboarding each NGN prior to COVID-19 was approximately the cost of their annual salary (2020
median salary was $75,330 per year: source, Bureau of Labor Statistics). Extending the onboarding
timeframe negatively impacts the financial bottom line of the health care institution.
Nursing schools and employers are currently exploring new ways to educate NGNs to address this growing
gap. Both nursing schools and health care employers agree that hands-on clinical experience, including
those provided by nursing preceptors, yields the highest probability of producing a practice-ready nurse.
Scope of Work
Vendor will assist Maricopa County with increasing the practice readiness of NGNs by creating and
implementing a nursing workforce practice readiness program for senior nursing students. This model
would enhance the partnership between education and practice using nursing faculty and specially trained
practice-based nurse preceptors. These preceptors would work one on one with senior nursing students
during their last 6 weeks prior to graduation. Model will include covering costs associated with preceptors,
nursing faculty, and incentives/grants for nursing students.
Maricopa County will begin with a pilot program over a 1-year period. The pilot program will include:
e 50 senior nursing students from 2 to 3 schools of nursing
¢ 5 employers of RNs to include 4 hospital settings and 1 community setting
o Correctional Health Services will be one of the selected employers
If successful, vendor will develop a program to include additional schools of nursing, students, and
employers.
Budget
Phase Vendor Expense Program Expense (paid Total
by County to program
participants)
Project Management 228,000 - 228,000
Preceptor Training Program: 25,000 - 25,000
Development and Delivery
Preceptor Program Oversight, Liaison, | 75,000 - 75,000
Troubleshooter
Continuing Education credits for - 5,000 5,000
Preceptor course
Preceptor stipend - 125,000 125,000
Employer reimbursement for nursing | - 135,000 135,000
student oversight
Nursing school reimbursement for - 20,000 20,000
student capstone experience
oversight
Nursing student incentive/grant - 25,000 25,000
Total 328,000 310,000 638,000