Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Executive Director of the Civil Service Commission, on behalf of the Department of Public Safety, to enter into contract with ForPsych Corporation dba ForPsych: A Forensic Psychology Practice, for Psychological Screening Services for entry-level police officer and firefighter candidates in an amount up to $300,000.00
The contract will provide for services for a psychologist or consultant (the Psychologist) who will be responsible for the administration of the psychological instrument, identification and interpretation of flag scales or profiles, and administration of a psychological interview for police officer and firefighter candidates as they complete the medical component of the selection process. The Commission anticipates that up to 450 candidates could be scheduled for psychological screening during 2025. Depending on the number and size of academy classes funded, a larger number of candidates could be scheduled in 2026 and after. The contract will be for a period from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 with an option for two, one-year renewal periods, for up to a total of three years.
The Civil Service Commission advertised and solicited request for proposals in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to competitive bidding (RFQ028653). Forty-one (41) vendors were solicited (23 MAJ, 4 EBE, 4 EBE/MBE, 1 EBE/WBE, 2 MBE/WBE, 7 not registered in Vendor Services. Three (3 majority) proposals were received on September 25, 2024.
The following bids were received:
Vendor Bid Amount City/State CC Status
1. Psychological Dimensions $425.00/per person Smyrna, Georgia MAJ
2. ForPsych Corporation $560.00/per person
dba ForPsych: A Forensic Psychology Practice Cincinnati, OH MAJ
3. Personnel Research $600.00/per person
and Development Corporation dba PRADCO Chagrin Falls, OH MAJ
After evaluation of the proposals, the Civil Service Commission has deemed the proposal from Psychological Dimensions non-responsive for the fact that they are located out-of-state and therefore unable to provide an in-person interview done by an Ohio licensed psychologist.
The proposal from ForPsych Corporation dba ForPsych: A Forensic Psychology Practice does meet all of the requirements of the specifications. Therefore, the Civil Service Commission recommends that the award be made for all items to ForPsych Corporation dba ForPsych: A Forensic Psychology Practice as the most responsive, responsible and best bidder.
This contract will remain in force for one (1) year from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, with the option to renew annually for two (2) additional one (1) year periods upon mutual agreement between the parties, availability of budgeted funds and approval by City Council. If unforeseen issues or difficulties are encountered that would require additional funding, a modification would be requested.
Cost Summary:
Original Contract - Year 1: $300,000.00
Potential Modification/Renewal #1 - Year 2: $268,750.00 (est.)
Potential Modification/Renewal #2 - Year 3: $300,000.00 (est.)
Estimated Contract Total: $868,750.00
SUPPLIER / CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION:
ForPsych Corporation dba ForPsych: A Forensic Psychology Practice
Contract Compliance Number: 033463, expires 9/24/2026, MAJ
The certification of ForPsych Corporation dba ForPsych: A Forensic Psychology Practice was in good standing at the time of the contract award.
The company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency legislation is requested in order to establish the contract prior to the expiration of the current contract on December 31, 2024 so as to not have a lapse in service.
FISCAL IMPACT: A total of $300,000.00 is budgeted and available for this service within the Civil Service Commission’s General Fund Budget.
$131,625.00 has been spent year-to-date in 2024
$163,750.00 was spent in 2023
$199,887.50 was spent in 2022
Title
To authorize the Executive Director of the Civil Service Commission, on behalf of the Department of Public Safety, to establish a contract with ForPsych Corporation dba ForPsych: A Forensic Psychology Practice, for Psychological Screening Services for entry-level police officer and firefighter candidates; to authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Civil Service Commission has a need for psychological screening services for entry-level police officer and firefighter candidates; and
WHEREAS, the Civil Service Commission opened formal bids on September 25, 2024 for psychological screening services for entry-level police officer and firefighter candidates; and
WHEREAS, the lowest proposal from Psychological Dimensions was deemed non-responsive for the fact that they are located out-of-state and therefore unable to provide an in-person interview done by an Ohio licensed psychologist; and
WHEREAS, the proposal from ForPsych Corporation dba ForPsych: A Forensic Psychology Practice, has been determined to meet all the specifications; and
WHEREAS, the Civil Service Commission recommends an award be made to the most responsive, responsible and best bidder, ForPsych Corporation dba ForPsych: A Forensic Psychology Practice; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish the new contract prior to the expiration of the current contract on December 31, 2024, so as to not have a lapse in service; and
WHEREAS, this Contract will remain in force for one (1) year from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, with the option to renew annually for two (2) additional one (1) year periods upon mutual agreement between the parties, availability of budgeted funds and approval by City Council; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 or so much thereof as is needed from the General Fund for the purchase of psychological screening services for entry-level police officer and firefighter candidates; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Civil Service Commission in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Executive Director of the Civil Service Commission to enter into contract with ForPsych Corporation dba ForPsych: A Forensic Psychology Practice, for the purchase of Psychological Screening Services for entry-level police officer and firefighter candidates in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications of solicitation RFQ028653 on file, to prevent a lapse in service in light of the current contract expiration date of December 31, 2024, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Executive Director of the Civil Service Commission, on behalf of the Department of Public Safety be, and is hereby, authorized to enter into contract with ForPsych Corporation dba ForPsych: A Forensic Psychology Practice, for the purpose of administering Psychological Screening Services for entry-level police officer and firefighter candidates.
SECTION 2. That said firm shall conduct the work to the satisfaction of the Executive Director of the Civil Service Commission and the Director of Public Safety.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $300,000.00 or as much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund); in Object Class 03 Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications/renewals associated with this Ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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.