Clark County considers 2 out-of-state companies for drug testing contract

The selection standards for choosing a company to provide drug testing services to the Clark County Department of Family Services was tossed out Tuesday by county commissioners after the flawed process raised concerns.

The move comes after a local company vying to provide services withdrew from contention.

Family Services officials were given the green light to start negotiating with two out-of-state companies, one of which was the company initially recommended to provide the drug testing services. The services are estimated to cost about $549,090 annually. Officials have until October to make the selection.

“This was an issue that raised a lot of concerns,” Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly said after thanking the parties involved.

Drug testing services are critical for Family Services and help determine whether a child is able to reunify with its family, said Kristi Jourdan, Family Services spokeswoman. About 6,500 clients are tested every year.

Earlier this year, concerns were raised over the recommended company, San-Diego-based Phamatech Inc., being out of state, how the previous local provider, Synergy, was evaluated and the selection process overall.

Weekly also questioned whether Phamatech had a connection with a county employee.

Synergy’s contract ended in March and was not renewed because of performance issues and cost increases, Family Services officials said previously. The local company will continue to provide services through Oct. 31 while a permanent contract is worked out with Phamatech or i3Screen, based in Denver.

Lisa Ruiz-Lee, director of Family Services, wanted a company with a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration certification to provide better quality services to families and children.

Phamatech holds that certification and i3Screen uses laboratories with that certification. Synergy doesn’t have that certification.

Isaac Farrell, president of Synergy, said he doesn’t have the time and finances to continue to fight. He also wanted to end terms with Family Services in good faith.

“I didn’t want to cause any more friction,” he said. “We are going to concentrate on what we do and do it well.”

Adam Alexander, contract specialist with Phamatech, said they are still interested in working with Family Services. Phamatech would subcontract with a local company, resulting in about 46 percent of their funds staying in Clark County each year. “We are going all the way to the end,” he said.

Contact Yesenia Amaro at yamaro@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.