Title
Public Defender recommending the Board approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign Amendment III to Agreement for Services No. 627-S1310 with Chinatown Investigations to provide investigative services extending the term three (3) months through December 31, 2014, increasing the not to exceed amount by $25,000 for a total of $150,480 in order to allow the Public Defender to finish recruiting for the Investigations Unit (Refer Item 43, File ID 13-1477).
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost
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$150,480 |
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Budgeted
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$25,000 |
New Funding
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Savings........................... |
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Other
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Total Funding Available
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|
|
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Change To Net County Cost
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$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
There is no anticipated increase to the County's net county cost. The Department has identified this cost in the proposed Fiscal Year 2014/2015 budget to fund the cost of extending this contract.
Background
Chinatown Investigations has provided investigative services in conjunction with one other contracted Investigator for the Public Defender's office since July 1, 2013. On June 12, 2014, the Board of Supervisors approved the allocations and funding for the Investigations Unit for the Public Defender's Office. The Board also approved on June 24, 2014, the Second Amendment to the contract with Chinatown Investigations, which extended the contract for an additional three months to allow the Department to begin the process of conducting the hiring process and fill the positions for the Investigations Unit. The hiring process has taken longer than expected, and it is being requested that the contract with Chinatown Investigations be extended an additional three months with a termination date of December 31, 2014.
Reason for Recommendation
The Public Defender evaluated, identified and recommended critical investments in regards to the investigative needs of the Department. Based on those recommendations, the Board unanimously approved for the Fiscal Year 2014/2015 budget, a four person Investigations Unit, consisting of the additions of one full time Sr. Investigator, one full time Investigator I/II and one Investigative Assistant. This was in addition to the one Investigator I/II FTE that already existed. This created an Investigations Unit with 4 allocated positions, all of which had to be recruited for.
While the Department is finishing the hiring process for these investigative positions, it is requested that the current agreement with Chinatown Investigations be extended an additional three months. As soon as the hiring process is complete, the agreement will be terminated according to the provisions of the agreement.
An outside review was previously completed by retired Chief Probation Officer Joe Warchol. This review concluded that the Scope of Services and Compensation for Services as outlined in the contract are appropriate. The review also found that the qualifications of this contractor, due his previous law enforcement and investigative services experience, exceeds the qualifications needed for the services identified in the contract.
Action(s) to be taken following Board approval
1) Purchasing Agent to sign two (2) original Amendments III to Agreement
2) Purchasing Agent to return one (1) fully executed original of said amendment to the Public Defender's office
3) Public Defender's office to distribute documents as needed
4) Public Defender to prepare and submit a budget transfer as needed for approval and posting
Contact
Teri Monterosso, Public Defender
Concurrences
County Counsel
Risk Management