DATE: January 28, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Hollis Magill, Director of Human Resources
Daniel C. Cederborg, County Counsel
SUBJECT: Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for Specialized Legal Services in the Negotiation of MOUs with Bargaining Units
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Make a finding that it is in the best interest of the County to suspend the competitive bid process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances when obtaining the services of counsel to assist the County; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement for Specialized Legal Services with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to provide specialized legal services as lead negotiator during upcoming Memorandum of Understanding negotiations, effective February 4, 2025, through February 3, 2028, with two optional one-year extensions ($450,000).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions would allow Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) to assist and/or represent the County of Fresno (County) during upcoming successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiations.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If your Board were not to approve the recommended actions, the County would not have the assistance of specialized legal assistance from LCW in the negotiation of MOUs. The County Counsel's office does not provide those specialized services.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
The Department requests to waive the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 because LCW is the only local firm that possesses the expertise and knowledge to administer services within the timeframes established. The Department recommends that your Board waive the competitive bid process based on the need to obtain special counsel to assist the County. The General Services Department - Purchasing concurs with the Department's request to waive the competitive bidding process.
FISCAL ...
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