Title
Probation Department recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Make findings in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030 (B) that specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work;
2) Make findings in accordance with Procurement Policy C-17 3.4.2. (f), exempting the competitive bidding process, with Purchasing Agent concurrence, because “the procurement is for goods where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the goods cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge”;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 8967 with Noble Software Group, LLC to provide training, access and use license of a proprietary cloud-based assessment service for a three year term covering the period of November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2027, for an amount not to exceed $330,000; and
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 8967, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: General Fund (100%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The State of California continues to promote evidence-based practices as the standard for programs and services. The Probation Department (Probation) has procured the services of Noble Software since October 2015 for juvenile and adult risk assessments using Dynamic Risk Assessment, Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT), PACT-pre assessment tools, and Static Risk and Needs Assessment (SRNA), all of which are evidence based. These fully validated assessment tools provide a foundation to address juvenile and adult offenders' needs based on risk of reoffending and addresses the underlying criminogenic needs to make sustainable behavioral changes for each offender while also providing a more consistent process to address offender’s needs. The Noble View software is also used for data collection and reporting requirements.
Noble Software Group, LLC (Noble) provides software tools to allow for the creation of custom forms and assessments by Probation that are instantly available to users, allowing for custom data capture. The Assessment Platform enables integration with current Probation systems and is designed to save time and avoid data entry errors by allowing for single sign-on to the platform, automatic transfer of subject demographic information, and automatic entry of criminal history information. Probation is currently unable to provide these services internally. Based on the ongoing need for these services, it is necessary to continue to contract with Noble for the specialized software and training they provide. Agreement 8967 with Noble is for a three-year term and a maximum contractual obligation of $330,000.
County Procurement Policy describes exemptions to the competitive bidding process. Agreement 8967 falls under exemption 3.4.2 (f) “the procurement is for goods where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the goods cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge.” County Procurement and Contracts has affirmed that services with Noble may be exempted from competitive bidding.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve this Agreement. Probation would have to find another provider to provide juvenile and adult assessment services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Procurement & Contracts, County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact or change to Net County Cost as these services were included in Probation’s FY 2024-25 budget and will be included in subsequent years’ budget requests.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain signature of Chair on two originals of Agreement 8967.
2) Forward one fully executed document to the Probation Department for finalization and distribution to vendor.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Jackie S. Cook, Administrative Analyst, 530-621-5588