Title
Paralegal Services (Ordinance S-45468)
Description
Request authorization to enter into an agreement with Lee Davis and Associates, Inc. to provide paralegal services, on an as-needed basis as determined by the City Attorney, in an amount not to exceed $2,250,000 over the five-year term of the contract. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Law Department services a large number of litigation cases in-house rather than assign to outside legal counsel, reducing the City's overall litigation costs. In order to properly handle these cases, the City of Phoenix relies on the services of qualified paralegal firms. They provide vital services such as document management, medical record analysis, legal research and other duties the Assistant City Attorneys or other in-house staff may not be qualified to handle or be prepared to accomplish within required timeframes. Lee Davis and Associates, Inc. will bridge essential gaps in defending the City against lawsuits and otherwise ensure the Law Department operates efficiently and effectively.
Procurement Information
Request for Proposals (RFP) 19-067 was conducted in accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10. The proposal was sent directly to multiple vendors and publicly posted on the City's website, in accordance with the Administrative Regulation. There was one offer received by the Procurement Division on Dec. 14, 2018. The offer submitted by Lee Davis and Associates, Inc. was evaluated and deemed to be fair and reasonable based on the evaluation criteria presented in the RFP and Procurement Division review of market research and previous contract pricing data.
The Deputy Finance Director recommends that the offer from Lee Davis and Associates, Inc. be accepted as a responsive and responsible offer.
Contract Term
The five-year contract term will begin on or about July 1, 2019 and will end on June 30, 2024.
Financial Impact
Lee Davis and Associates, Inc. will be paid the hourly rate of $85.00 per hour for their services. The Law Department estimates an annual expenditure of $450,000. The aggregate contract value for the term covering five years will not exceed $2,250,000. Payments may be made from affected funding sources or the General Fund on an individual case or legal assignment basis, but are primarily financed through the City's Risk Management fund.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. and the Law Department.