The City Attorney recommends that City Council approve spending authority in the amount not to exceed $250,000.00 for the purchase of court reporting services for the Legal Department and that authorization be given to issue purchase orders, as necessary, to Nell McCallum & Associates, Inc., in the amount not to exceed $75,000.00, Carol Davis Reporting, Records & Video, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $100,000.00, and Brian Pletcher d/b/a Coastal Reporting Service in the amount not to exceed $75,000.00 for the Legal Department. The spending authority is expected to support the City’s court reporting services while the pending solicitation process for these services is concluded and an award recommendation is presented to City Council.
The court reporting services include, but are not limited to, the following services related to various matters in litigation, including hearings, trials, subpoenas, and administrative matters: attend and record depositions, hearings, and/or trials; prepare stenographic, video, or audio records of depositions, hearings, and/or trials; collect and organize deposition exhibits; copy and return any necessary originals to the provider; ensure copies of all exhibits are included with the deposition transcript; provide deposition transcripts for review and signature by deponents and include all corrections to the deposition with the final transcript; provide originals and copies of transcripts to parties in accordance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (“TRCP”); file Reporter’s Certifications for each deposition with the court when requested or required under TRCP; assist in preparing video testimony and exhibits for hearings and trials; and any other related service that is requested by the City Attorney.
During FY2020, these vendors were previously issued purchase orders totaling $49,333.75. for Carol Davis Reporting, Records & Video, Inc., $12,856.40 for Brian Pletcher d/b/a Coastal Reporting Service, and $12,269.31 for Nell McCallum & Associates, Inc. With the issuance of these purchase orders, the aggregate total spend for each vendor will exceed $50,000, and therefore require City Council approval.
MWBE Information:
M/WBE Zero Percentage Goal document approved by the Office of Business Opportunity.
HIRE HOUSTON FIRST:
This procurement is exempt from the City’s Hire Houston First Ordinance based on the department’s determination that compliance with the ordinance would unduly interfere with contract needs.
FISCAL NOTE:
Funding for this item is included in the FY20 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
REQUIRED AUTHORIZATION:
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Ronald C. Lewis, City Attorney