Title
Contract for Diversity Consultant Services (B)
Explanation
The Equal Opportunity Committee heard a presentation by members of the GRU Diversity Team at its meeting of April 1, 2002. The Committee agreed to support the staff recommendation.
Diversity is not about changing people to make them all the same but is about how different people approach the world and respond to it. GRU strives to maintain an inclusive environment where all employees can reach their full potential by leveraging their individual differences and similarities. Furthermore, having a workforce composed of individuals who reflect the diverse nature of our community will provide tangible evidence to our customers that we are capable of responding effectively to their unique product and service needs. Diversity is simply good business. Staff has developed a number of programs and initiatives to help the Utility improve the diversity of its workforce, increase outreach efforts in all areas of the community, and increase its use of small and disadvantaged local businesses. The diversity consultant will assist the Utility in efforts to enhance these initiatives.
GRU expects the consultant to: 1) provide expertise in the performance of a diversity assessment of the Utility's current work environment; 2) provide expert detailed analysis of information and data acquired in the diversity assessment; 3) provide recommendations related to intervention strategies that should be undertaken by GRU; and 4) provide recommendations regarding the development of appropriate measures and/or benchmarks to determine progress and success.
Utilities Purchasing sent Requests for Proposal (RFP) to forty-eight consultant firms to determine their experience and abilities in the area of diversity consulting. Thirty-five firms responded to the RFP. The GRU Diversity Team identified three consultants from the proposals received that were seen as most capable of assisting GRU in its efforts to manage diversity successfully.
After careful evaluation of the top three firms based on the criteria established in the RFP, the Diversity Team ranked the firms in order of their demonstrated capability to assist GRU in achieving its diversity goals. Ivy Planning Group was the highest evaluated firm. A tabulation of the proposal evaluations is attached for your information.
The proposed agreement would allow implementation strategies that involve training to be provided by either the Ivy Planning Group or another firm at the discretion of the City.
Recommendations
The City Commission: 1) Authorize the General Manager or his designee to execute a contract with the Ivy Planning Group, LLC for consultative services in support of Gainesville Regional Utilities' efforts to manage diversity successfully; and 2) approve the issuance of a purchase order to Ivy Planning Group for these services in an amount not to exceed $198,250.
Fiscal Note
Funds were budgeted in the 2002 FY O&M Budget. Funds to cover expenses that extend into FY 2003 will be proposed in the next budget.
Drafter
Prepared by Albert E. White, Community Relations
Reviewed by Michael L. Kurtz, General Manager
Submitted by Commissioner Chuck Chestnut, Chair
Commissioner Pegeen Hanrahan, Member
INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION