Title
Resolution to Award a Contract to Griffin & Strong PC to Perform a Disparity Study for the Town of Carrboro
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to request that the Town Council award a contract to conduct a Disparity Study for contracting and procurement and to authorize the Town Manager to sign any necessary documents.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Jon Hartman-Brown; JHartman-Brown@CarrboroNC.gov <mailto:JHartman-Brown@CarrboroNC.gov>; 919-918-7319
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
_X_ Race/Equity ____ Climate ____ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
This agenda item helps promote the Town’s race and equity goals by analyzing and reviewing our contracting and procurement practices and policies for signs of disparity with regard to race.
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Information
INFORMATION: As part of the Town's racial equity work, the Town Council approved the use of ARPA funds to conduct a disparity study for contracting and procurement on September 13, 2022. The Council subsequently approved a grant project ordinance on October 6, 2022.
Town staff began developing and issued an RFP for the disparity study on February 5, 2023, with a due date of March 3, 2023. The Town received four proposals in response to the RFP. A staff review committee was developed (made up of the Town Manager, Economic Development Director, and the Deputy Finance Director) to review the RFPs. The firms Griffin & Strong and Miller3 Consulting where the highest ranked firms.
The staff review committee proceeded to conduct 30-minute interviews and presentations from these top two firms ultimate recommending the firm of Griffin & Strong to conduct the disparity study.
Griffin and Strong is a minority-owned law and public policy consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA. The firm has conducted over 60 studies for clients including Mecklenburg County, City of Greensboro, Guilford County, Wake County, City of Fayetteville, Durham County, and the State of North Carolina. BLWall Consulting, a certified HUB/minority and woman-owned business based in Wake Forest, NC will be a subconsultant.
It is anticipated that the study will take twelve months to complete.
Below a summary table to firms, proposal costs, and respective timelines to complete the study.
|
FIRM |
TOTAL COST |
TIMELINE |
|
Griffin & Strong PC |
$ 280,148 |
12-months |
|
Miller3 Consulting |
$ 388,400 |
12-months |
|
MGT Consulting |
$ 421,098 |
12-months |
|
Mentor Documents & Consulting |
$ 312,000 |
8-months |
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: The Griffin & Strong proposal is $280,148 and was the lowest, responsible proposal.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: The Town Manager recommends that the Town Council award Griffin & Strong PC the contract to conduct the Town’s disparity study for contracting and procurement.
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