Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for sexual assault case review services for Austin Police with End Violence Against Women International, for an initial term of one year with up to four one-year extension options in an amount not to exceed $500,000. Funding: $8,333 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Management Services. 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.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $8,333 is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Management Services.
Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Procurement Language:
Professional Services.
MBE/WBE:
This contract was awarded in compliance with the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this procurement, there were no subcontracting opportunities; 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 or 512-974-2500.
Additional Backup Information:
The contract will provide continued sexual assault case reviews of Austin Police felony sexual assault cases that have been closed for further investigation with a clearance date occurring between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027. In September 2019, the City contracted the Police Executive Research Forum, in conjunction with the Women’s Law Project and the Wellesley Centers for Women, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the investigation and processing of sexual assaults reported to Austin Police. The resulting report recommended that Austin Police conduct a confidential annual review of randomly selected sexual assault cases. Annual case reviews provide on-going insight into the investigation and processing of sexual assault cases.
Case reviews will be conducted on closed felony adult sexual assault cases. The reviews will focus on the thoroughness of case investigations, proper crime reporting, and related observations, findings, and recommendations, including how the use of trauma-informed practices can help eliminate bias in police response and investigations.
End Violence Against Women International will conduct the sexual assault case reviews under this contract. End Violence Against Women International is a nationally recognized entity with demonstrated experience and expertise in the investigation and prosecution of adult sexual assault cases in the United States. End Violence Against Women International also conducted the most recent case review covering cases from 2023 and 2024. As part of these services, the contractor will collect, review, and analyze available information, conduct victim and Austin Police staff interviews, and produce a final report.
This contract will replace an existing agreement that expires September 25, 2026. The recommended contractor is the current provider of these services. The requested authorization amount is based on departmental estimates and the contractor’s proposal.
A delay in contract execution could impact the City’s ability to continue the case review process and complete the final report, which is expected to help shape future improvements to Austin Police’s Sex Crimes Unit.
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Contract Details: |
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Contract Term |
Length of Term |
Contract Authorization |
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Initial Term |
2 years |
$200,000 |
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Optional Extension 1 |
1 year |
$100,000 |
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Optional Extension 2 |
1 year |
$100,000 |
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Optional Extension 3 |
1 year |
$100,000 |
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Total |
5 years |
$500,000 |
Note: Contract Authorization amounts are based on the City’s estimated annual usage.