RFP - Public Health Officer Services

COUNTY OF DEL NORTE
Department of Health and Human Services
880 Northcrest Drive
Crescent City, CA 95531
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR DEL NORTE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOR A
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER
Notice is Given - County of Del Norte Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will receive
proposals to provide Public Health Officer Services for the County of Del Norte.
Date of RFP Issue - March 26, 2026
Proposals Submission Deadline April 9, 2026
Mail your Proposal to: Attn: Janel Obenchain, Deputy Director
County of Del Norte Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Branch
400 L Street
Crescent City CA 95531
OR (707) 464-0861
Submit your Proposal via Email to: janel.obenchain@co.del-norte.ca.us

I. INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW
The County of Del Norte, through its Department of Health and Human Services,
invites responses to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Public Health Officer
position for July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027. The successful candidate will play a vital
role in protecting and promoting the health and well-being of residents of Del Norte
County. This Request for Proposals (RFP) outlines the requirements and expectations
for the Public Health Officer.
A. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this RFP process, the following definitions apply:
Contractor means the person(s) or entity(ies) who enter into a Contract to provide
health officer services
Contract means the written agreement between the County and any Respondent
selected.
Proposal means the written submission to the County in response to this RFP
Public Health Branch means the Del Norte County Department of Health & Human
Services, Public Health Branch
Request for Proposal (RFP) means this invitation to submit a Proposal for the
Public Health Officer position.
Respondent means any person or entity submitting a Proposal for the Public Health
Officer position.
In the event any defined term is used in this RFP that is not defined in this document, the
defined term shall have the meaning attributed to it in the Contract.
B. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The California Health & Safety Code (Code) requires the Board of Supervisors to take
measures necessary to preserve and protect the public health of the County. To do so, they
must appoint a Health Officer, as required by Title 17 of the Code. To fulfill this role, the
County is seeking a physician of good standing with a license to practice medicine and
surgery in the State of California.
The Health Officer is responsible for overseeing and providing medical expertise to the
County's public health programs, policies, and initiatives. The Health Officer also works
with state and local public health leadership, stakeholders, and community partners to
control and prevent the spread of communicable disease, to prevent chronic disease and
injury, and promote the health of the community.
The Health Officer is also responsible for providing guidance and recommendations on
public health issues and is vested with authority to issue public health orders and declare a
local health emergency when necessary.

C. POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED
The Health Officer is charged with the responsibility to take necessary measures to protect
the public health of Del Norte County. The Health Officer will serve a population of
approximately 28,000 residents of the county, including individuals of different races,
ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Health Officer should be sensitive
to the unique needs and challenges of the different populations in the community and be
committed to promoting health equity.
D. QUALIFICATIONS
To fulfill this role, the County is seeking a physician of good standing with a license to
practice medicine and surgery in the State of California who can commit to being available
on a 24/7 basis and be responsive in a timely fashion. Respondents must identify their
desired planned turn around for responding to non-emergency requests. Respondents may
elect to identify in their proposal to provide continuity of services when they will not be
available, however, the county may ensure coverage is provided by another County's Health
Officer or other legal means when necessary.
E. SCOPE OF WORK
The primary services expected to be provided by a Health Officer include administrative and
non-administrative functions and/or tasks, including, but not limited to:
Title 17 Reportable Disease reporting and response and related tasks such as staff
meetings and state calls.
Public Health emergency/disaster MHOAC response and related tasks such as staff
meetings and state calls.
Title 15 Jail Medical reporting compliance and annual inspection.
Review and approval of Public Health standing orders and protocols.
Be available by phone for consultation related to communicable diseases and meet
with Public Health staff as needed, either in person or virtually.
Be available to consult with the Environmental Health Services staff either in person,
by telephone or electronically.
Address the public, community groups, and the Board of Supervisors regarding
urgent public health issues and concerns if, in the opinion of the Health Officer, it is
deemed necessary.
In general, the position and powers of the Health Officer derive from statute; see
ATTACHMENT D.
F. WORK SCHEDULE
Contractor must have 24/7 availability and commit to a timely response for non-emergency
requests. The work schedule would include approximately 10-15 hours weekly to provide
the services listed in Paragraph E, Scope of Work. The hours worked would also include
24-hour coverage during Public Health emergencies and in-person response, when

necessary, though respondents may elect to identify in their proposal to provide continuity
of services in their absence.
II. CONTRACT INFORMATION
The County will enter into a Contract with the selected Respondent(s). Refer to Appendix
for a draft form of the Contract. The County may, in its sole discretion, agree to modify a
term that is otherwise not subject to negotiation.
The Contract will be for an initial term of twelve (12) months and may contain a provision
for an extension of the initial term for two (2) additional twelve (12) month terms. Exercise
of the option to extend the term of the Contract will be based on continued funding, the
results of an evaluation of the services provided, and the County's subjective satisfaction
with the Contractor's performance.
III. RFP PROCESS, PROPOSAL FORMAT & GENERAL INFORMATION
A. INQUIRIES
Questions to the County shall be submitted via e-mail or telephone to the RFP Contact.
Answers will be sent via email or telephone to the individual who asked the question. The
County will not respond to any questions submitted after the Question Deadline stated on
this RFP.
B. PROPOSAL FORMAT & CONTENT
Each Proposal must include the following:
1. A completed ATTACHMENT A, Statement of Experience.
2. Itemized one-year budget using the required BUDGET FORMAT included in this RFP
as ATTACHMENT C with a budget narrative for all fiscal year budgets and a list of
any expenses expected to be reimbursed in performance of the services identified in this
RFP:
a. A full-year budget for fiscal year 2026/2027.
3. Confirmation of Qualifications: Copy of current medical license.
4. Copies of insurance policies, binders, or certificates evidencing the following insurance
coverage:
a. Comprehensive general liability (including auto and non-owned auto, bodily injury
and property damage): combined single limit; and
b. Workers' Compensation.
5. Describe in narrative form how you or your organization will implement and maintain
Public Health Officer duties which must include the following:
a. Preferred methods of communication and response time for non-emergency
requests.
b. How you would expect to coordinate with public health and county staff to prepare

for, determine, and take prompt and appropriate actions in disasters/emergency
situations.
C. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND PROCEDURE
1. The Contract, if awarded, will be awarded to the Responder or Responders submitting
the Proposal(s) deemed, by the County, in its sole discretion, to be in the best interest
of the County. The County is not required to enter into a Contract with the particular
Responder who submits the least costly Proposal. If only one Responder submits a
Proposal, the County may, at its sole discretion, enter into negotiations with that
Responder or terminate the RFP process.
2. Failure to fully comply with all of the requirements of this RFP and to provide all
requested information may result in the Proposal being rejected and given no
consideration. The determination of compliance with the terms and conditions of this
RFP will be in the County's sole judgment and its judgment will be final and conclusive.
3. Should more than one Responder submit a Proposal, the following evaluation process
will be used to select the Contractor. The factors such as, but not limited to, the
following will be considered in the evaluation process:
Points
Technical Approach/Understanding of Project 15
Originality/Effectiveness of Responder's Approach 25
Responder's Background and Experience in Performing Similar Projects 20
Performance Measures/Program Evaluation 15
Community Partnerships/Collaboration/Community Involvement 15
Budget and Budget Narrative 10
Total Points 100
4. After receiving the Proposals, the County may schedule interviews at its sole discretion
with some or all of the Responders and may establish a ranked list of the Proposals.
5. If an agreement to enter into a Contract cannot be reached with the Responder receiving
the highest ranking, then the negotiations with that Responder will be terminated. Once
negotiations with a particular Responder are terminated, the County will not reopen
negotiations with that Responder.
6. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this RFP, the County reserves the right to
award the Contract to the Responder(s) whose Proposal is determined by the County, in
its sole discretion, to be in the best interest of the County.
7. If a Responder is selected and a Contract is negotiated with that Responder, the County
shall issue a written Notice of Intent to Award a Contract to each Responder that
submitted a Proposal.

D. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
Responses may be submitted either on paper or electronically. Responses received via fax
will not be considered.
All responses must be signed, dated, and received by the County of Del Norte Department
of Health and Human Services either physically or electronically by the RFP Closing date
and time. Late submittals will not be considered.
All submittals, inquiries, and correspondence related to this Request for Proposals shall be
directed to:
Janel Obenchain, Deputy Director
County of Del Norte Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Branch
400 L Street
Crescent City, CA 95531
707-464-0861
janel.obenchain@co.del-norte.ca.us
E. USE AND DISCLOSURE OF PROPOSALS
1. The County reserves the right to retain all proposals that are submitted and to use any
ideas in a Proposal regardless of whether a proposal results in a Contract. All Proposals
become the exclusive and sole property of the County. The County will not reimburse
Proposal preparation or submission expenses or costs, all of which are the Proposer's
sole responsibility.
2. Initiation of this RFP does not commit the County to finalize a Contract with any
Responder or to be bound by any Proposal. The County shall not be liable for any costs
related to the preparation and submission of a Proposal, costs related to the negotiation
process, and/or costs otherwise incurred by any Responder related to this RFP process.
All such costs shall be borne by the Responder(s).
3. Notwithstanding any other provisions, the County reserves the right, in its sole
discretion to:
a. Accept or reject any or all Proposals, or any part(s) thereof;
b. Reject any Proposal for failure to submit the Proposal in conformity with the
requirements, or the terms and conditions, of this RFP;
c. Negotiate with a Responder or Responders; or
d. Solicit new proposals on the same Project or on a modified project which may
include portions of the original proposed Project as in the best interest of the County;
or
e. Terminate, in part or its entirety, the RFP process.
4. Any Responder submitting a Proposal understands and agrees that submission of

his/her/its Proposal shall constitute acknowledgment and acceptance of, and intent to
comply with, all the requirements, and terms and conditions of this RFP.
5. The County shall not be liable for, and by submitting a Proposal the Responder agrees
not to make any claims for, or have any right to, damages because of any
misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the requirements, or terms and conditions, of
this RFP, or because of any misinformation or lack of information.

PROPOSAL SUMMARY AND CERTIFICATIONS
VENDOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE:
Company Name
Representative Name Title
Phone Fax
Email Address
CONTACT INFORMATION (IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE):
Contact Person Title
Phone Fax
Email Address

ATTACHMENT A
STATEMENT OF EXPERIENCE
SECTION A
Business Name Phone
Address City and State Zip
BUSINESS STATUS:
Non-Profit Corporation General Partnership Limited Partnership
Corporation Sole Proprietorship Other:
SECTION B
Number of years in business under present business name?
Have you ever used another Business Name?
Number of years in business under prior business name?
Number of years' experience providing equivalent or related services?
SECTION C
CONTRACTS COMPLETED DURING THE LAST 5 YEARS:
Year Services Contract Amount Location Contracting Agency
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

SECTION D
Have you, or your agency, failed or refused to complete a contract? Yes No
If yes, explain:
SECTION E
Provide a description of experience in the services to be provided, and the experience of principle
individuals who will be performing services:
SECTION F
List any major equipment to be used for the direct provision of services:
SECTION G
If the nature of the services requires business or professional licenses, are such licenses held by you
and/or your agency? Yes No
SECTION H
Do you and/or your agency agree to provide additional information as required by the County to make
an informed determination of qualifications? Yes No
SECTION I
Do you and/or your agency agree to permit the County, State, and Federal governments to audit
financial and other records pertinent to the services provided? Yes No
By signing this Statement of Experience, you are certifying that all information provided on this form
and contained within your proposal are true. You acknowledge that if the proposal contains any false
statements, the County may declare any contract or agreement made as a result of the proposal to be void.
Signature Date
Printed Name and Title