Explanation
Need: This ordinance is to authorize the Executive Director of the Civil Service Commission to enter into a contract with the Association for Psychotherapy for psychological screening of public safety recruits for upcoming classes at the Police Academy and the Fire Academy.
Bid Information: The City of Columbus Civil Service Commission published a Request for Proposals (RFP) for these services and accepted proposals through May 19, 2011. Four proposals were submitted, and an evaluation committee reviewed these proposals in accordance with the criteria set forth in the RFP which included quality and feasibility of proposals, cost, competence, ability, past performance and timeliness of reporting results. Although two of the proposals proposed lower initial costs, these firms are located in Minnesota and Georgia and their proposals relied heavily on City personnel to administer the psychological tests. Because at least one additional employee would be needed along with increased costs for hardware and software for testing and video interviews, adopting either proposal would cause the City to incur higher costs, along with being more difficult to schedule candidates with psychologists travelling from another state. One additional local company was ranked fourth due to proposing the highest costs. The selected firm is local, consists of highly qualified psychologists, and offers flexible scheduling. This company will handle all test administration and conduct in-person interviews at no extra cost. Therefore, the Commission seeks to award the contract to the Association for Psychotherapy.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested in order to establish the contract prior to the expiration of the current contract on July 29, 2011, and to enable both the Divisions of Police and Fire to schedule candidates in preparation for upcoming Police and Fire Academy classes.
Contract Compliance Number: 311441549, expires 9/15/2011.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this service was budgeted in the Civil Service Commission's general fund budget.
Title
To authorize and direct the Executive Director of the Civil Service Commission to enter into a contract with the Association for Psychotherapy, Inc. for the psychological screening of public safety recruits, and to authorize the expenditure of $55,650.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency ($55,650.00).
Body
WHEREAS, in 2011, the City of Columbus Civil Service Commission accepted proposals from qualified companies for psychological services; and
WHEREAS, the Civil Service Commission recommends awarding the new contract to the Association for Psychotherapy, Inc.; and
WHEREAS an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Civil Service Commission, in that the current contract will expire on July 29, 2011, and it is immediately necessary to begin scheduling public safety candidates in preparation for upcoming Police and Fire Academy classes, thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, safety and welfare; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
SECTION 1. That the Executive Director of the Civil Service Commission be and is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with Association for Psychotherapy, Inc. for the purpose of administering psychological screenings to public safety recruits for the Department of Public Safety's entry-level sworn positions.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $55,650.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same is hereby authorized as follows:
DIV FUND OBJ LEV (1) OBJ LEV (3) OCA NO
27-01 010 03 3336 270108
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.