Title
Phoenix Mobile Career Unit Purchase from Farber Specialty Vehicles (Ordinance S-48838)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to contract with Farber Specialty Vehicles to purchase a custom Ford Freightliner FSV Coach Style recreational vehicle and maintenance warranty to be used as the Phoenix Mobile Career Unit. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse funds related to this item. Funding is available from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Funds awarded to the City by Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of the 2021-22 Global Mayors Challenge. The total value will not exceed $600,000.
Report
Summary
The Global Mayors Challenge is an innovation competition designed to spark innovative, replicable ideas that will help cities confront challenges. In collaboration with job seekers and hiring employees, the City developed the Mobile Career Unit (MCU) initiative to help hiring companies connect with the Phoenix workforce, including those with barriers to employment. Companies in Phoenix have expressed difficulty in identifying and recruiting individuals to fill open positions and individuals seeking employment have expressed difficulty in connecting with employers. The MCU is a mobile unit that can be dispatched anywhere in the City and is available to assist residents facing challenges when seeking employment and to provide them with opportunities to connect with employers in their individual neighborhoods. The MCU will also provide access to employment and supportive services through partnerships with community-serving organizations and programs. The MCU assists Phoenix businesses in connecting with the Phoenix workforce by supporting recruiting efforts. The unit will have individual workstations, including ADA-compliant stations, that can be used by job seekers to create resumes, apply for jobs, and conduct virtual interviews, helping job seekers and employers connect. The MCU will offer multi-lingual support.
Phoenix was one of only 15 winning cities (out of 631 applicant cities from around the world) to receive $1 million to implement our innovative idea.
Procurement Information
In compliance with A.R. 3.10, a Special Circumstances Alternative Competition Determination was approved to purchase the vehicle from Farber Specialty Vehicles.
Contract Term
If approved, the four-year contract term will begin on or around Aug. 1, 2022.
Financial Impact
The total contract value will not exceed $600,000.
Funding is available through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Grant. The General Fund will not be impacted by this action.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The City Council authorized an application for the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2021 Global Mayors Challenge on March 17, 2021.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Managers Ginger Spencer and Karen Peters, and the Community and Economic Development Department and the Office of Innovation.