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APPROVE MOTION TO EXECUTE A THREE (3) YEAR STANDARD AGREEMENT WITH TWO (2) ONE-YEAR OPTIONS TO EXTEND BETWEEN CREATIVE SECURITY COMPANY, INC., THE GUMSHOE GROUP, TRUVIEW BSI, LLC., PIERSIDE INVESTIGATIONS, LLC., AND THE CITY OF STOCKTON (PUR 24-021) IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,863,891
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year Standard Agreement (SA) with four contractors to establish a vendor pool list providing necessary preemployment background investigation services for the City of Stockton Police Department (SPD) in an amount not to exceed $1,863,891;
2. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process; and
3. Authorize and direct the City Manager to make any and all expenditures and appropriations on behalf of the City as appropriate and necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
SPD requires preemployment background investigations for all prospective, part-time, and full-time employees for both sworn and civilian positions. These investigations include personal interviews, education, and employment verification, review of criminal history, driving record, military service, social media, personal references, and other pertinent information useful in identifying candidates that meet City and the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) standards, and those who do not.
On February 1, 2024, a formal Request for Statement of Qualifications (RSOQ) as a hybrid Request for Proposal (RFP) was advertised, and four firms submitted proposals. Following a thorough evaluation process, the SPD staff selection committee found Creative Security Company, Inc., The Gumshoe Group, TruView BSI, LLC., and Pierside Investigations, LLC., to be qualified and proponents.
The proposed agreement covers a three (3) year period with two (2) one (1) year options for a total contract term not to exceed five (5) years.
DISCUSSION
Background
SPD requires preemployment background investigations for all prospective, part-time, and full-time sworn and civilian positions to ensure candidates being considered for employment have the necessary qualifications and character. Preemployment background investigations serve as a crucial verification mechanism for the information provided by candidates during the hiring process, such as their educational and employment history, criminal record, and driving history. Additionally, background investigations identify potential warning signs that may indicate a candidate is unsuitable for the job, such as a history of drug or alcohol abuse, financial irresponsibility, or violent behavior. These investigations help ensure that the department is selecting candidates with the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and professionalism.
SPD currently performs most of the background investigations internally with part-time annuitant staff with limited hours per Fiscal Year. The City Council motioned to approve a $100,000 contract with Gumshoe to provide preemployment background and personnel investigations for SPD, Motion 2023-05-23-1210. However, the current number of backgrounds require multiple vendors to complete in a timely matter. An average background takes roughly 150 days to complete. Following the evaluation of the RSOQ, staff have selected a pool of qualified vendors for City Council approval.
Present Situation
SPD currently conducts in-house background investigations but is seeking to supplement these services to meet rising demand. Following discussions between SPD and the Administrative Service Department, the decision was made to issue a RSOQ as a hybrid RFP and create a rotating list of Background Investigator vendors. This approach would help ease vendor capacity constraints and enable SPD to address its increasing background investigation requirements effectively. Moreover, the dependence on a single vendor has posed challenges in the past, particularly during periods of high demand for services or due to scheduling constraints such as pre-planned vacations.
On February 1, 2024, SPD advertised an RSOQ for background investigation services. On March 7, 2024, four proposals were received from the following vendors:
• Creative Security Company, Inc.
• The Gumshoe Group
• TruView BSI, LLC
• Pierside Investigations, LLC
The SPD staff selection committee evaluated and ranked all proposals based on the proponents’ qualifications, professional experience, industry expertise, and capacity to meet each department’s demands. Following an evaluation process, it was determined that all four firms possess the necessary qualifications, resources, and experience to provide preemployment backgrounds for SPD.
Staff recommends a Standard Agreement (Attachment A) with Creative Security Company, The Gumshoe Group. Inc., TruView BSI, LLC., and Pierside Investigations, LLC. Based on the proposed fees and the anticipated number of investigations, staff estimates the cost for services to be $621,297 annually. Staff recommends a three (3) year agreement with two (2) one-year options for an amount not to exceed $1,863,891 over the term of the agreement.
Findings
Pursuant to SMC section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings which support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. SPD requires preemployment background investigations for all prospective, part-time, and full-time sworn and civilian positions.
2. Use of the RSOQ process is appropriate for this SA because it relies on the evaluation of professional qualifications, experience, and performance as the basis for vendor selection. Using these criteria helps ensure the selection of vendors that will provide the highest quality professional service, which is in the public interest.
3. The City negotiated a contract following the solicitation of competitive proposals in accordance with SMC section 3.68.070.A.3.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The SA term is three (3) years with two (2) one-year options at a total cost of $1,863,891.
|
Year |
Annual Cost |
|
1 FY 2024-25 |
$621,297 |
|
2 FY 2025-26 |
$621,297 |
|
3 FY 2026-27 |
$621,297 |
|
Total |
$1,863,891 |
Funding for the first year of service is included in the FY 2024-25 proposed budget for the Police Department General Fund Measure A account 3514-000-630006-100-115-20-35-000-000-. Subsequent years’ expenditures will be included in each annual budget appropriation process.
Attachment A - Background Investigation Service Agreement