Title
a. Approve and authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer or their designee to execute Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement with Guardian PSBI, Inc. dba Guardian Public Safety Background Investigations to provide pre-employment background investigation services for the Probation Department, to extend the term of the Agreement for two (2) additional years through August 31, 2026, for a revised term of August 28, 2023 through August 31, 2026, and to increase the Agreement’s amount by $175,000 for a revised total Agreement amount not to exceed $231,900; and
b. Authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer or their designee to execute future amendments to the Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($23,190) of the Agreement amount and do not significantly change the scope of services, for a not to exceed maximum amount of $255,090.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer or their designee to execute Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement with Guardian PSBI, Inc. dba Guardian Public Safety Background Investigations to provide pre-employment background investigation services for the Probation Department, to extend the term of the Agreement for two (2) additional years through August 31, 2026, for a revised term of August 28, 2023 through August 31, 2026, and to increase the Agreement’s amount by $175,000 for a revised total Agreement amount not to exceed $231,900; and
a. Authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer or their designee to execute future amendments to the Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($23,190) of the Agreement amount and do not significantly change the scope of services, for a not to exceed maximum amount of $255,090.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey, Probation Department, entered a Standard Agreement with Guardian PSBI, Inc. dba Guardian Public Safety Background Investigations (Contractor) to provide pre-employment background investigation services for a term of August 28, 2023 through August 31, 2024 and for an amount not to exceed $25,000. The Agreement was subsequently amended on January 25, 2024 (Amendment No. 1) to increase the Agreement’s amount by $31,900 for an updated not to exceed amount of $56,900 with no change to the term date.
The Probation Department (Probation) has a continued need for services and a term extension and an increase in funding are necessary to allow the Contractor to continue providing services. Amendment No. 2 has been drafted to extend the term of the Agreement for two (2) additional years through August 31, 2026 and to increase the Agreement’s not to exceed amount by $175,000 for an updated Agreement amount not to exceed $231,900.
Probation is required to perform background clearances on all its personnel. Peace Officer candidates have minimum selection standards detailed in Government Code Sections 1029, 1029.1, 1031, and Penal Code 830.5. In addition, Probation must also perform a background check on all non-sworn employees (professional and support staff).
The background investigation services provided by the Contractor include review of personal history statements, legal history (prior arrests, detentions, convictions, and civil records), social media, past employment, school transcripts, driving history, credit history, military service, previous tenancy, relative and personal reference checks, and an interview. Candidates may become ineligible for employment at Probation at any phase of the background check which makes it difficult to hire staff in an expeditious manner. Because of the ongoing efforts to fill vacancies within a reasonable amount of time, the services provided by the Contractor are essential to Probation’s hiring process. Probation recommends the approval of Amendment No. 2 as it will allow the Contractor to continue providing the services required to hire well-qualified staff.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Amendment No. 2 was approved by the Office of County Counsel as to legal form and by the Auditor-Controller as to fiscal terms.
FINANCING:
The associated funding and appropriations of $87,500 for the FY 24-25 fiscal year are included in the Probation Department’s FY 24-25 Adopted Budget (PRO001 - Unit 8167). Funding for the following fiscal year will be budgeted as per the County’s annual budget process. There is no additional cost to the County General Fund with this recommendation.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This recommendation supports the Board of Supervisor Strategic Initiatives of Administration and Public Safety by following the appropriate background check process required for staff seeking employment in the Probation Department and by ensuring well-qualified candidates are hired.
___ Economic Development
X Administration
_ Health & Human Services
____Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Marcela Barbosa, Management Analyst II, Ext. 1100
Approved by: Todd Keating, Chief Probation Officer, Ext. 3913
Attachments:
Amendment No. 2 to Agreement with Guardian PSBI, Inc.
Amendment No. 1 to Agreement with Guardian PSBI, Inc.
Agreement with Guardian PSBI, Inc.