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AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, INC. TO PROVIDE PRE-EMPLOYMENT PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION SERVICES
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to:
1. Execute a five (5) year contract with Law Enforcement Psychological Services, Inc. to provide pre-employment psychological testing for police and fire department candidates.
2. Approve exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070.
3. Authorize the City Manager to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The City’s existing contract for pre-employment psychological evaluation services expires on January 23, 2024. The City issued an RFP on May 24, 2023, and the City received three proposals. An RFP Selection Committee comprised of management representatives from Police and Fire ranked proposals based on each organization’s response to the scope of work, experience providing psychological services, qualifications of staff, and cost. Based on that evaluation, Law Enforcement Psychological Services, Inc. (LEPS) was identified as the best available vendor to provide these necessary services.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Civil Service Rules and Regulations for Police and Fire employees provide for completion of background investigations, which shall include a psychological evaluation. In addition, POST mandates psychological evaluations as part of their minimum selection standards for California peace officers.
Present Situation
LEPS was selected by the RFP Selection Committee because they are able to meet the increased workload due to COVID-inspired changes by providing remote testing and assigning additional psychologists to interview applicants, which will result in timely and adequate responsiveness to Departments.
LEPS’ Psychologists are regularly trained on the latest psychological assessment techniques and tools. They have a minimum of five years postgraduate experience with psychological testing and evaluation of applicants for public safety positions, including police officer, firefighter, public safety dispatcher, and civilian public safety classifications. In addition, each psychologist has extensive practical experience conducting psychological screenings for local and national safety departments.
LEPS services provide administration and evaluation of written and personal history psychological test instruments; conducting in-person interviews with candidates; formulating and making timely recommendations of candidate psychological fitness; and the confidential, secure maintenance of related data and files.
Findings
Stockton Municipal Code, section 3.68.070, provides an exception to the competitive bidding process in cases where the City Council has approved findings which support and justify this action.
Findings to justify an exception to the competitive bidding process are as follows:
1. On May 24, 2023, the City advertised a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a vendor to provide psychological evaluation services, which includes conducting psychological screening for pre-employment assessment for Police and Fire applications.
2. LEPS received the highest ranking based on the proposal criteria and was determined to be the most qualified agency.
3. This is a negotiated contract following solicitation of a competitive proposal in accordance with SMC section 3.68.070.A.3.
Based on these findings, an exception to the competitive bidding process is justified for an award of contract for these services.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The total cost of the contract will not exceed $427,000.
• $205,000 for January 24, 2024 to June 30, 2026 - $475 per individual evaluation
• $86,000 for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 - $500 per individual evaluation
• $136,000 for July 1, 2027, to January 23, 2029 - $525 per individual evaluation
There are sufficient funds available in General Fund (account number 2540-000-630005-100-000-10-25-000-000-) to continue providing psychological evaluation services during the remainder of Fiscal Year 2023-24. Costs for the subsequent years will be budgeted in the same account and subject to Council approval during the annual budget development budget process.
Attachment A - Proposed Contract with LEPS