Title
Authorizing the award of a professional services agreement to Wilder Research to conduct up to two (2) research and evaluation projects beyond those that Council or City staff can provide to examine program and financial evaluations designed to improve the timing of delivery of services with the goal of building greater public trust and satisfaction with city services and to provide reports with recommendations to the city for improvements to city services and processes. (To be withdrawn)
Body
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council Audit Committee desires to contract with a professional evaluation firm or an individual consultant to work on up to two short-term performance audit studies that would allow the committee to be nimble and more responsive in addressing issues and questions that arise out of City Council, Budget Committee or Organizational Committee and/or topic ideas submitted from the Administration, residents, or district councils that require more in-depth analysis or research than Council or City staff can provide; and
WHEREAS, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued via www.stpaul.bids.com on September 25, 2023 (ATTACHMENT A); and
WHEREAS, the RFP closed on October 20, 2023, and interested researchers and evaluators submitted responses for consideration; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council Audit Committee, consisting of two (2) Councilmembers, three (3) community advisors, convened on November 6, 2023, for the oral presentations based on the responses received and deliberated on the proposals; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council Audit Committee determined that Wilder Research's response satisfy the requirements of the RFP to conduct up to two (2) research and evaluation projects beyond those that Council or City staff can provide to examine program and financial evaluations designed to improve the timing of delivery of services and to provide reports with recommendations to the city for improvements to city services and processes; and
WHEREAS, the performance audit may lead to the city to build a greater public trust and satisfaction with city services and processes; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council Audit Committee desires to enter into an agreement with Wilder Research to provide said services at a cost not to exceed $50,000.00, and requested that the City of Saint Paul Contracts and Analysis Division to negotiate an agreement with Wilder Research as described in their proposal (ATTACHMENT B) submitted in October 2023; and
WHEREAS, the professional services agreement form has met the necessary requirements for consideration by the Contracts and Analysis Division and the City Attorney's Office, at a cost not to exceed $50,000.00, and to include all other terms and conditions as may be required; and, be it
RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby authorizes the appropriate City officials to execute the agreement on behalf of the Saint Paul City Council Audit Committee.