Request for Qualifications received December 21, 2017 for S76-Q26438 - Approve an ordinance awarding a professional services contract to Outreach Strategists LLC in an amount not to exceed $399,430.00 to develop and implement the Houston Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Training and Engagement Initiative.
Specific Explanation:
The Director of the Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve an ordinance awarding a one year professional services contract to Outreach Strategists LLC in an amount not to exceed $399,430.00 for the development and implementation of the Houston CVE Training and Engagement program for the Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security. The Chief Procurement Officer or the Director of the Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security may terminate this contract at any time upon 30-days written notice to the contractor.
In an effort to reduce terrorism risk and empower communities, the Scope of Work requires contractor support for the development and implementation of a whole community training and engagement initiative focused on reducing the vulnerability of youth to extremist ideologies. While the City of Houston Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security will facilitate this project and provide financial management, the City intends to have this effort coordinated by a multi-disciplinary Houston Regional CVE Steering Committee to include governmental, interfaith, non-profit, law enforcement, academic and other whole community partners as appropriate. The contractor will develop curricula and videos, develop a communication strategy, identify and vet trainers, train the trainers, conduct parent and youth workshops, and engage with national and international partners.
The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised in accordance with the State of Texas bid laws, and thus, submissions were received from two (2) firms: Outreach Strategists LLC and Lilies & Brambles, Inc. The evaluation committee consisted of evaluators from the Department of Neighborhoods, The Houston Police Department, and the Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security. The evaluation was based upon the following criteria:
1. Responsiveness of Submission
2. Technical Competence
3. Price
Outreach Strategists LLC received the highest overall score, offering the best approach and plan to develop and implement the program as outlined in the RFQ.
MWBE Participation
The RFQ was advertised with a 24% goal for MWBE participation. Outreach Strategists LLC has designated the below named companies as its certified MWBE subcontractors to satisfy 13.5% of the goal. This 13.5 % commitment was approved by the City of Houston's Office of Business Opportunity based on Outreach Strategists LLC's requisite Good Faith Efforts to meet the advertised goal.
|
Name
|
Type of Work
|
Dollar Amount
|
Percentage
|
| Lorelle Media, LLC |
Video Production Services |
$49,928.75 |
12.5% |
| First National Trading Company, LLC DBA-Minuteman Press-Downtown |
Printing and Reproduction Services |
$ 3,994.30 |
1% |
Pay or Play Program:
The proposed contract requires compliance with the City's Pay or Play ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City Contractors. In this case, the contractor provides health benefits to eligible employees in compliance with City policy.
Hire Houston First:
Hire Houston First does not apply to this expenditure, because it involves the use of federal funds and is subject to specific procurement rules of the federal government.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Jerry Adams, Chief Procurement Officer Department Approval Authority Signature
Finance/Strategic Procurement Division