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, Inc. 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 October 1, 2020. Four proposals were received by the deadline. 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.
Two proposals were received from local companies and two proposals were from out-of-town companies, one from Mason, Ohio, and one from Cincinnati, Ohio. The committee recommended awarding the contract to a local company. One company in Cincinnati proposed lower costs; however, their costs included only six tablets to conduct testing. Since the City routinely tests in groups of up to 30 candidates, that would involve a larger initial investment. The other proposal from a company with local offices had a higher cost per applicant. The committee recommended awarding the contract to a local company. The selected local firm consists of highly qualified psychologists, offers flexible scheduling, and did not increase proposed prices over the previous year. Two companies who submitted proposals including the selected company have FBE Certification with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Therefore, the Commission seeks to award the contract to the Association for Psychotherapy, Inc.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested in order to establish the contract prior to the expiration of the current contract on December 31, 2020, and to enable the Department of Public Safety to schedule candidates beginning in January 2021.
Contract Compliance Number: 311441549, expires January 15, 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this service was budgeted in the Civil Service Commission’s general fund budget.
Title
To authorize 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; to authorize the expenditure of $5,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency ($5,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, in 2020, the City of Columbus Civil Service Commission accepted proposals from qualified companies for psychological screening services; and,
WHEREAS, the Civil Service Commission awarded 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 it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Association for Psychotherapy, Inc. because the current contract will expire on December 31, 2020, and it is necessary to begin scheduling public safety candidates, 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 $5,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 General Fund in object class 03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. 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.