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Approve a contract with Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc. to provide electronic monitoring services for adult and juvenile probation clients, for an amount not to exceed $65,000 for the term of October 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator, pending County Counsel concurrence, to execute the contract and any future amendments including changes to terms and conditions, scope of services and modifications to contract limits up to 20% of the total contract amount, not to exceed $50,000
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Published Notice Required? Yes_____ No__X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes_____ No__X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Chief of Probation recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a contract with Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc. (LCA) to provide electronic monitoring services for adult and juvenile probation clients, for an amount not to exceed $65,000 for the term of October 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
2. Delegate authority to the County Administrator pending County Counsel concurrence to execute the contract and any future amendments including changes to terms and conditions, scope of services and modifications to contract limits up to 20% of the total contract amount, not to exceed $50,000.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Probation Department’s electronic monitoring program for both adult and juvenile clients monitors the client’s whereabouts through an electronic monitoring device. The LCA electronic monitoring services contract provides an alternative confinement program utilizing electronic monitoring tools to County-referred clients. This includes 24-hour monitoring of the equipment, installations and removal of equipment, case management and collection of participant fees. This contract also monitors any pretrial or sentenced referred clients whether they are misdemeanors or felonies.
Given the exemplary level of service provided by LCA over the preceding year, and in accordance with County Purchasing and Contracting Policy Manual, Section 1.1.11 Exemptions to Competitive Bidding, the Probation Department has elected to leverage a recent Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by Marin County in May 2016 to serve clients in pre-trial, persons serving custody time under the authority of the County Parole Board, and persons under the supervision of the Probation Department. Marin County determined that LCA was the most responsible bidder to provide these services; therefore, the Solano County Probation Department wishes to contract with LCA to acquire similar electronic monitoring services for its clients. The contract with Marin County is currently in effect and the contract was procured through a competitive pricing process such a RFP. The services that Solano County is procuring are of comparable description and quality as the Marin County services and contract and the price of this service is not greater than that specified in the Marin County contract.
LCA has extensive experience in operating electronic monitoring programs. They are currently performing similar services in Marin County, San Francisco County and other California jurisdictions. They are based in Oakland and the only Electronic Monitoring Company with significant presence in Northern California. LCA’s staff is trained in providing Electronic Monitoring Services, which equipment requires specialized skill. In addition to having staff onsite in Solano County, LCA also has staff embedded at multiple county facilities throughout the state including Marin County Probation, San Francisco Adult and Juvenile Probation, San Francisco Sheriff, Alameda Probation, Sacramento Probation, Stanislaus Probation, and Riverside Probation. LCA’s staffs are aware of, and receive training in, the unique requirements inherent in working within county facilities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost for the electronic monitoring services is included in the FY2017/18 Probation Department Adopted Budget. There is no additional impact to the County General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose:
1. Not to award the contract to Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc. for the electronic monitoring services. This action is not recommended since the security needs of the public would not be met and safety of the public will be at risk.
2. Not to delegate signing authority to the County Administrator to execute the standard contract and amendments that remain within budget appropriations. This action is not recommended since it would reduce flexibility and timeliness in completing the scope of work.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrator’s Office, County Counsel and General Services concur with Department’s recommendation.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION