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APPROVE MOTION TO EXECUTE A ONE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH EPIC PRODUCTIONS OF PHOENIX, LLC, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $190,000
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year Services Agreement with Epic Productions of Phoenix, LLC;
2. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process; and
3. It is further recommended that the City Manager be 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.
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Summary
The Stockton Police Department (SPD) seeks Council approval for a one-year services agreement with Epic Productions of Phoenix, LLC (Epic). The proposed agreement provides SPD with an online recruiting campaign through video production, photography, and a recruitment website. The intent is to recruit and hire a qualified, diverse workforce. As SPD continues to recruit, there has been an overall drop in applicants and qualified candidates able to make the eligibility lists.
DISCUSSION
Background
Over the last three years, the SPD has been experiencing a consistent decline in the number of applicants applying for the Police Officer position and the number of eligible candidates attained from those lists. This dilemma is a nationwide concern throughout most law enforcement organizations.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions deprived SPD’s Recruiting Team of the ability to engage candidates during in-person recruiting events. In response, SPD’s Recruiting Team explored options that did not require personal contact. In December 2021, an agreement with iHeart Media was approved for the broadcasting and streaming advertisement of available Police Officer Trainee positions within our organization. The advertisement was played on three different area radio stations and streamed through the stations’ online platforms. The team has increased the number of in-person recruiting events significantly over the last year but is still experiencing an unceasing decline in the number of applicants. Traditional methods of advertising have not filled our demand for the quality and quantity of applicants needed to offset our rising attrition.
As efforts for recruiting continue to be an increasing concern, SPD expanded research to enhance recruiting efforts through digital platforms and partnering with marketing firms. After numerous efforts, finding a marketing firm with a comprehensive and streamlined process that works with law enforcement recruitment has become challenging.
Present Situation
SPD has been unsuccessful in filling over 100 law enforcement positions, hindering the department’s efforts toward Council priority goals on crime reduction. With the increase in vacancies over recent years, partnering with outside resources will add value and increase recruiting efforts.
Epic is the only vendor SPD has identified that focuses solely on law enforcement recruitment and provides a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to attract a diverse and qualified group of candidates. They have shown sufficient statistics on the success they have provided to other agencies nationwide. Epic provides a solution that other marketing firms have not been able to adequately meet for the needs of SPD recruiting.
Findings
Pursuant to SMC section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings that support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. The Sole Source is appropriate for a recruiting campaign to expand outreach efforts to fill a steady vacancy of 100+ law enforcement positions.
2. Epic is the only vendor SPD has identified that focuses solely on law enforcement recruitment and provides a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to attract a diverse yet qualified group of candidates.
3. Epic provides outreach strategies and a well-developed branding campaign to enhance current recruitment efforts to qualifying candidates.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The agreement term is one year at a total cost of $190,000. The FY 2022-23 Annual Budget includes a sufficient appropriation for this purchase in the Police Department’s Measure A Salary savings: Account 3514-000-610000-100-115-20-35-000-000-.
Attachment A - Standard Agreement - Epic Recruiting