In 2017, the County Office of Reentry and Justice (ORJ) conducted a two-step competitive selection process consisting of a Request for Interest (RFI) to identify qualified community-based organizations (CBOs) interested in operating a West County Reentry Resource Center (WCRRC), followed by a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process that provided qualified CBOs an opportunity to submit expanded responses. Rubicon Programs, Inc. (Rubicon) prevailed over the only other qualified organization, Mental Health Systems, and on September 19, 2017 your Board authorized the execution of a contract with Rubicon for the operation of the WCRRC. The County has continued to execute contracts with Rubicon for these services each fiscal year, with the most recent authorization from your Board in September 2020 for a FY 2020-21 contract extension in the amount of $791,335.

  

On October 8, 2019, your Board authorized a contract amendment with Rubicon to increase the payment limit by $65,000 to a new payment limit of $626,335 for the operation of the WCRRC in FY 2019-20 (funded by SB 678). The contract amendment extended the Reentry Success Center’s service hours during the remainder of the contract term, which allowed the center to provide critical evening services to those requiring support outside of the regular business hours and to act as a bridge to the County's Warming Center for homeless residents in West County.

  

In December 2019, ORJ issued RFI #2001-374 for the operation of a WCRRC during the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023. The RFI process was completed on March 10, 2020, and three CBOs were invited to submit responses to the issued RFQ. However, due to complications around the COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders issued shortly thereafter in March 2020, it was determined that extending Rubicon’s contract for one additional year would improve the chances of completing a fair and unimpeded selection process at another time, and best protect residents from harmful disruptions in service at a time of increased need. The RFQ was subsequently cancelled and Rubicon’s contract to operate the WCRRC was extended by your Board on September 15, 2020, increasing the total by $791,335 through June 30, 2021.

  

On February 12, 2021, the ORJ issued a Request for Proposals (RFP # 2101-452) to establish and manage the implementation of a WCRRC beginning July 1, 2021. This 4-year contract period, upon completion, will align all AB 109 community-based partner contracts such that they renew the same year. The RFP was posted on BidSync, the website the County utilizes for contracting opportunities, and distributed directly via email to contacts developed by the Office of Reentry & Justice. Two proposals were received, from SHELTER Inc. and Rubicon, by the March 26, 2021 deadline.

  

An RFP Review Panel was assembled and convened on April 13, 2021 to review and score the proposals per the RFP guidelines. The Review Panel recommendation for contract award to Rubicon was issued on April 23, 2021.

  

It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors accept the recommendation of the Community Corrections Partnership and authorize the Chief Probation Officer, or designee, to award Rubicon Programs, Inc., the total amount of $2,412,000 for the four (4) year period of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2025, for the operation and management of a West County Reentry Resource Center.