During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the evaluation and potential awarding of a contract for suicide prevention services. The submission period for proposals ran from February 23 to August 5, resulting in six proposals that met the mandatory qualifications outlined in the Request for Proposals (RFP). An evaluation panel reviewed the submissions and recommended awarding the contract to Creative Corrections LLC, which received the highest total score.

The panel highlighted several strengths in Creative Corrections' proposal, including qualified staff and expertise in suicide prevention. The firm proposed a blended hourly rate of $184, with a maximum total fee of $196,512. Notably, $150,000 had been allocated in a contingency account for this work, and the attached resolution requests the transfer of the full amount to the budget for payment.

If the county board adopts the resolution and releases the funding, the contract will be executed for a term not exceeding one year. Standard professional services contract provisions will be included.

During the meeting, supervisors raised questions regarding the RFP process and the evaluation criteria. Suzanne Carter, the purchasing manager, clarified that while the highest scoring proposal is typically selected, there is no strict requirement to do so. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that contract decisions align with the best interests of taxpayers.

The discussion also touched on the qualifications of the bidders, with one supervisor expressing a preference for proposals that demonstrated strong content and experience rather than solely focusing on cost. Creative Corrections was noted for its solid background in mental health services, with team members possessing significant expertise in the field.

As the meeting concluded, officials prepared to address any further questions from supervisors and the public regarding the RFP process and the proposed contract.