Posting Language
Title
Ratify a contract for scientific and organizational consulting services for Austin Police Department with Engel Solutions, LLC. in an amount of $127,000 and authorize an increase in the amount of $191,250 not to exceed $318,250. Funding: $127,000 was available in the Operating Budget of the Austin Police Department. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Client Department(s)
Austin Police Department.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $127,000 was available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Police Department.
Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Procurement Language:
Ratification.
MBE/WBE:
This contract is exempt from the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enter Price Procurement Program); therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov <mailto:FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov> or 512-974-2500.
Additional Backup Information:
The requested action is to ratify and authorize a contract with Engel Solutions LLC for continued scientific and organizational consultant services for the Chief of Austin Police. The contractor has been instrumental in guiding activities associated with use of force, racial profiling, traffic stops, crime reduction, and organizational improvement. The need for a research-based use of force program is critical to accurately assess and reduce risk of physical harm to police officers and community members interacting with police.
The ongoing work including assessments and analysis of Austin Police data, policies, and procedures, requires consistent and focused collaboration between key personnel and Engel Solutions LLC. to correct departmental inconsistencies and to provide accurate and transparent reporting of public safety data to the community.
Given the time-sensitive nature of this work, the contract was executed under emergency authority and brought to Council for ratification at the earliest opportunity. Any delay in executing this contract would have jeopardized the momentum of progress already achieved in these critical areas and would have a significant negative impact on the development of an updated use of force policy and program implementation, including updated training and reporting practices.