Posting Language
Title
Authorize execution of a contract for hearing officer services with Brad Norton, for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,182,000.
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Client Department(s)
All City Departments.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $236,500 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of various City departments.
Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Purchasing Language:
The Financial Services Department issued a Request for Qualifications Statements solicitation RFQS 5000 JOG4006 for these services. The solicitation was issued on July 1, 2024, and closed on July 30, 2024. Of the three offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the best evaluated responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=140896.
MBE/WBE:
This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities ; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department - Central Procurement at FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Respondents to the solicitation and their Agents should direct all questions to the Authorized Contact Person identified in the solicitation.
Additional Backup Information:
This contract will provide hearing officer services as needed for various departments, ensuring compliance with City regulations and ordinances. Services will include preparing for hearings, conducting scheduled hearings, issuing written rulings in accordance with applicable ordinances, codes, or regulations. These hearings may address needs such as:
• Vicious and dangerous dog offenses.
• Telecommunications and regulatory matters.
• Procurement protests, including those for Austin Housing Finance Corporation and Anti-Lobbying Ordinance.
• MBE/WBE program protests and appeals.
• Housing discrimination complaints.
• Any other civil, administrative offenses, or hearing support that are subject to the purview of the City.
The contract will replace an existing contract which expires November 29, 2024. The requested authorization amount was determined using departmental estimates based on historical spend and forecasted volume of hearings across departments. The recommended contractor is the current provider of these services. An evaluation team with expertise in this area evaluated the offers and scored the contractor as the best to provide these services based on qualifications and experience and writing samples.
A delay in contract approval could impact the City’s ability to promptly address service requests.