STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Government Performance & Financial Management
AGENDA DATE: September 25, 2024
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): N/A
DEPARTMENT: Office of Procurement Services
EXECUTIVE: Donzell Gipson
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a five-year service price agreement for language proficiency testing services for the Department of Human Resources - ALTA Language Services, Inc., most advantageous proposer of two - Estimated amount of $134,629.00 - Financing: General Fund (subject to annual appropriations)
Body
BACKGROUND
This action does not encumber funds; the purpose of a service price agreement is to establish firm pricing for services, for a specific term, which are ordered on an as needed basis according to annual budgetary appropriations. The estimated amount is intended as guidance rather than a cap on spending under the agreement, so that actual need combined with the amount budgeted will determine the amount spent under this agreement.
This service price agreement will provide for language proficiency testing services for the Department of Human Resources. The City has established a Language Skills Program that mandates assessment and re-assessment of oral and written proficiency for approximately 1,800 participants. This program ensures that employees meet the language requirements necessary for their positions or for additional compensation, aligning with employment regulations and internal policies. The testing services are crucial for evaluating both employment candidates and current employees. For candidates, these assessments determine their suitability for positions requiring specific language skills before employment. For current employees, the tests assess proficiency levels for potential promotions or additional compensation tied to language proficiency.
A five-member committee from the following departments reviewed and evaluated the qualifications:
• Business Enterprise Hub (1)
• Department of Human Resources (1)
• Office of Communications and Customer Experience/311 (1)
• Office of Equity and Inclusion (1)
• Office of Procurement Services (1)*
*The Office of Procurement Services evaluated cost and local preference, if applicable.
The committee selected the successful respondents on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications under the following criteria:
• Cost 30 points
• Experience 25 points
• Approach 25 points
• Business Inclusion and Development Plan 15 points
• Local Preference 5 points
As part of the solicitation process and in an effort to increase competition, the Office of Procurement Services used its procurement system to send out email notifications to vendors registered under relevant commodity codes. To further increase competition, the Office of Procurement Services uses historical solicitation information, the Internet, and vendor contact information obtained from user departments to contact additional vendors.
On November 10, 2015, the City Council authorized a living wage policy that requires contractors to pay their employees a “living wage” rate as established annually by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator for Dallas County by Resolution No. 15-2141. The calculated living wage during the solicitation process of this contract is $18.24; the selected vendor meets this requirement.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
This item has no prior action.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2024 |
FY 2025 |
Future Years |
|
General Fund |
$26,925.80 |
$26,925.80 |
$80,777.40 |
M/WBE INFORMATION
In accordance with the City’s Business Inclusion and Development Policy adopted on September 23, 2020, by Resolution No. 20-1430, as amended, the M/WBE participation on this contract is as follows:
|
Contract Amount |
Procurement Category |
M/WBE Goal |
|
$134,629.00 |
Other Services |
N/A |
|
M/WBE Subcontracting % |
M/WBE Overall % |
M/WBE Overall Participation $ |
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
• This item is Other Services which does not have an availability and disparity participation goal. |
|
• ALTA Language Services, Inc. - Non-local; Workforce - 0.00 Local |
PROCUREMENT INFORMATION
Method of Evaluation for Award Type:
|
Request for Competitive |
• Utilized for high technology procurements, insurance procurements, and other goods and services |
|
Sealed Proposal |
• Recommended offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the City, considering the relative importance of price, and other evaluation factors stated in the specifications |
|
|
• Always involves a team evaluation |
|
|
• Allows for negotiation on contract terms, including price |
The Office of Procurement Services received the following proposals from solicitation number BIZ24-00023984. We opened them on May 3, 2024. We recommend the City Council award this service price agreement in its entirety to the most advantageous proposer.
*Denotes successful proposer
Proposers Address Score
*ALTA Language Services, 3355 Lenox Road 75.33
Inc. Suite 450
Atlanta, GA 30326
Skillsoft US LLC 300 Innovative Way 70.45
Suite 201
Nashua, NH 03062
OWNER/EXECUTIVE
ALTA Language Services, Inc.
Hannah Lodge, Chief Executive Officer