Title
[Contract] Lab Testing Diagnostic Supplies and Services and Radiology Services with Antech Laboratories [Two-Thirds Vote Required]
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FileID
File ID: 2026-00357
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Location
Location: Citywide
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Pass a Motion by two-thirds vote per City Code Section 3.56.230(E) authorizing the City Manager or designee to: 1) suspend competitive bidding, in the best interests of the City, for veterinary laboratory testing and radiology services and supplies; and 2) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a contract for an initial term of 63-months with automatic annual renewals with Antech Laboratories in an amount not-to-exceed $550,000.
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Contact
Contact: Phillip Zimmerman, Animal Care Services Manager, (916) 808-8333, pzimmerman@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Presenter
Presenter: None
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Contract with Antech Laboratories
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: To remain in compliance with California Civil Code requirements, the Shelter must ensure that all sick or injured animals, receive timely and appropriate medical treatment. Veterinary diagnostic testing is a critical component of this care, as it enables veterinarians to determine the appropriate course of treatment based on accurate and timely clinical information.
To meet these standards, the Shelter’s veterinary team requires access to reliable, efficient in-house testing equipment, as well as outsourced laboratory testing services when more advanced diagnostics are needed. Without prompt access to these resources, the Shelter risks delays in treatment, increased disease transmission, and potential legal liability for non-compliance with state law. Access to timely and accurate veterinary diagnostic testing is essential for the Shelter Veterinary Team to provide effective medical care for sick or injured animals. Laboratory testing guides treatment decisions and plays a critical role in identifying contagious diseases.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: The recommendations in this report are consistent with Sacramento City Code Section 3.56. City Code Section 3.56.230(E) authorizes the City Council, upon a two-thirds vote, or City Manager to suspend competitive bidding when it is in the best interests of the City. Section 3.56.090 requires Council approval to authorize the City Manager to bind the City by contract for purchases that are $250,000 or more.
The City’s Animal Shelter is classified as a depositary for living animals and is therefore subject to the requirements outlined in California Civil Code § 1834. This statute mandates that: “A depositary of living animals shall provide the animals with necessary and prompt veterinary care, nutrition, and shelter, and treat them kindly. Any depositary that fails to perform these duties may be liable for civil damages as provided by law.”
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: None.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: None.
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Sustainability
Sustainability: Not applicable.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: The City of Sacramento Animal Care Services Division evaluated options for diagnostic laboratory services to ensure cost efficiency, quality, and technological advancement. As the 6-year contract with its current provider neared the end of its term, veterinary staff reviewed service packages that included laboratory testing, radiology review, and equipment maintenance. Three vendors were considered, but only two had local laboratories with currier services for specimen pickup, one required sample shipping. After reviewing formal proposals, Antech Laboratories was chosen for their reference lab services, in-house diagnostic equipment, and telehealth radiology review under the Antech Access Program Agreement.
The Division’s decision to transition to Antech was based on several key considerations. Financially, Antech offers a 50% discount on most reference laboratory services, compared to the current vendor’s 45% discount. While both agreements require similar annual commitments, the deeper discounts for many of our most used tests and broader coverage under Antech’s plan result in greater savings. Refer to the table below for a price comparison of our most frequently ordered tests.
|
Test Type |
Current Vendor |
Antech |
Savings |
% Savings |
|
Urine Culture + MIC |
$106.74 |
$75.00 |
-$31.74 |
29.74% |
|
Aerobic Culture (ID + MIC) |
$106.74 |
$75.00 |
-$31.74 |
29.74% |
|
Ringworm (Dermatophyte) PCR |
$43.06 |
$34.00 |
-$9.06 |
21.04% |
|
Fecal Ova & Parasites (O&P) |
$18.79 |
$15.00 |
-$3.79 |
20.17% |
|
Fecal O&P + Giardia (panel) |
$31.45 |
$18.00 |
-$13.45 |
42.77% |
|
Fecal Dx Profile + Giardia (panel) |
$34.18 |
$18.00 |
-$16.18 |
47.34% |
Antech’s proposal offers significant advantages for the City. Antech offers twice-daily specimen pickups. Samples are processed at their Sacramento laboratory, enabling most test results to be returned within 24 hours. This rapid turnaround time supports quicker treatment decisions and reduces the time animals must remain in quarantine, thereby limiting the spread of infectious diseases within the shelter and expediting their path to adoption.
The agreement with Antech offers advanced analyzers and imaging systems for free, plus $62,753.82 in funding to cover upfront costs, and includes equipment warranties and repair services. These upgrades are a significant improvement over the current vendor's proposal. The Department's radiology equipment is outdated and without warranty, while the dental equipment is irreparable.
Additionally, Antech offers telehealth radiology interpretation at a fixed rate, 24/7 technical support, and continuous training without extra costs. This leads to quicker diagnostics and aligns with the shelter's goal of delivering prompt and compassionate care to animals in need. Lastly, the contract terms are more flexible, demanding 90% lab service exclusivity while allowing automatic renewal with opt-out options, unlike the current vendor’s six-year agreement with penalties.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: There is sufficient funding available in the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Community Development Department Operating Budget and the F.O.C.A.S. (Friends of the City Animal Shelter) Multi-year Operating Project (I13000400) to fund this contract. Purchases in succeeding fiscal years will be subject to funding availability in the project and in the adopted operating budget for the applicable fiscal year.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Antech Labratories is an LBE.
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