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RESOLUTION QUALIFYING VENDORS AND AWARDING CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF HOSPICE SERVICES TO PREAKNESS HEALTH CENTER DURING THE 2026 CALENDAR YEAR, PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5 AND RFQ-26-026
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WHEREAS, the County of Passaic (“County”) is a body politic and corporate pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:18-1 and vested with all rights contained therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:20-1, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic (“Board”) is vested with managing the property, finances, and affairs of the County; and
WHEREAS, Preakness Healthcare Center (“Preakness”) is a New Jersey Department of Health licensed, 406-bed skilled nursing facility that is owned and operated by the Board; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1), the Purchasing Agent issued RFQ-26-026, Hospice Providers for Preakness Healthcare Center (“RFQ-26-026”), seeking qualifications for a provider of hospice services to residents of Preakness, responses to which were unsealed on October 28, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Director of Preakness is recommending that Grace Healthcare Services, LLC and Care Alternatives, Inc. dba Ascend Hospice be qualified under RFQ-26-026; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Director of Preakness is further recommending that Grace Healthcare Services, LLC be awarded a contract under RFQ-26-026 to serve as hospice provider for Preakness during the period of January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, with all fees thereunder to be billed to third party reimbursement, and with the County retaining two (2) one-year options to renew; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4, this contract is being awarded under a fair and open procurement process, which requires that a contract be: publicly advertised in sufficient time to give notice in advance of the contract; awarded under a process that provides for public solicitation of proposals or qualifications; awarded and disclosed under criteria established in writing by the public entity prior to the solicitation of proposals or qualifications; and publicly opened and announced when awarded; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:32-60-1, et seq., Grace Healthcare Services, LLC executed the Non-Involvement in Prohibited Activities in Russia or Belarus Certification, attached hereto and made part of this Resolution, certifying they are not involved in prohibited activities in Russia and Belarus, and the County confirmed Grace Healthcare Services, LLC is not identified on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list created by the Office of Foreign Assets Control; and
WHEREAS, this matter was discussed at the November 12, 2025, Health and Human Services Committee meeting and is being recommended to the Board for approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1), the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic hereby qualifies Grace Healthcare Services, LLC and Care Alternatives, Inc. dba Ascend Hospice under RFQ-26-026, Hospice Providers for Preakness Healthcare Center.
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the award of a contract to Grace Healthcare Services, LLC to serve as hospice provider for Preakness during the period of January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, with all fees thereunder to be billed to third party reimbursement, and with the County retaining two (2) one-year options to renew, all in accordance with RFQ-26-026 and the provider’s response thereto.
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk to the Board shall print, in the official newspaper, a brief notice stating the nature, duration, service, and amount of the contract awarded to Grace Healthcare Services, LLC and maintain a copy of this Resolution on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Clerk to the Board.
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk to the Board, County Counsel, Executive Director of Preakness, and Director of the Board are authorized to take any action necessary to carry out the purpose of this Resolution.
NB November 17, 2025