title
APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH SIMPLE THERAPY TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SERVICES
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a three (3) year agreement with an option to extend for two (2) additional (1) one-year terms between the City of Stockton (City) and Simple Therapy to provide Employee Assistance Program Services not to exceed $186,000 over the term of the contract (Attachment A); and
2. Approve findings which support and justify an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code Section 3.68.070(A)(3) where the City held a competitive Request for Proposals.
It is further recommended that the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed 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.
body
Summary
The City provides Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services to full-time employees and their dependents. The current contract will expire on September 30, 2025. The Request for Proposals (RFP) was conducted through Bid PUR #25-044. On July 16, 2025, the RFP Committee interviewed the proposers and selected Simple Therapy.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City has provided EAP services to full-time employees and their dependents since 1979 regardless of their enrollment in a City-sponsored medical plan. The intent of this program is to provide free and confidential mental health services for employees and their family members to improve overall well-being and assist with life/work issues. The EAP is accessed as a means of reducing absenteeism, reducing disciplinary actions, improving job performance, providing training, and providing a vast array of resources. Additionally, the City can utilize services when critical issues arise.
Present Situation
Currently, the City provides EAP services to approximately 1,700 full-time employees and their dependents regardless of their enrollment in a City-sponsored medical plan. The Human Resources Department conducted an RFP, and the City’s Procurement Division conducted a technical and financial review of the bids submitted and determined that the bids submitted were conforming to the specific conditions required by the bid’s scope of services. Through the bid process, two (2) providers submitted bids:
• Simple Therapy
• Com Psych
On July 16, 2025, the Committee reviewed the submitted proposals in depth and rated them based on the following evaluation criteria:
1. Experience and Qualifications
2. Compliance
3. Understanding of the needs of the employees of the City of Stockton with emphasis on safety personnel
4. Traditional and non-traditional access and communication methods
After interviewing each proposer, the Committee selected Simple Therapy to provide EAP services due to their qualifications, professional and industry expertise, and pricing.
FINDINGS
Pursuant to SMC section 3.68.070(A)(3), Council may approve findings that support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
• Use of RFP is appropriate for this Standard Agreement because it relies on the evaluation of professional qualifications, experience, and performance as the basis of the selection.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Simple Therapy’s contract rate is $1.72 per employee per month. Based on the average number of 1,700 full-time employees, the monthly cost is $2,924; the contract will not exceed $175,440 over the life of the contract. Sufficient funding was included in the FY 2025-26 Annual Budget for the cost of EAP services within the Human Resources Special Services account #2510-000-630006-540-000-00-25-000-000-. Funding for the remaining years of this contract will be included in each year’s annual budget development.
Attachment A - Contract with Simple Therapy