Watsonville Municipal Code Art. 5 Professional Services

An RFP or RFQ process is found to be an effective and efficient way to procure professional services. Procurement of professional services shall be based on proposals solicited from capable professionals and be evaluated based on a combination of factors including education, training, experience and demonstrated competence and professional qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of the services required. (Ord. 1403-20 (CM), eff. May 28, 2020)

All contracts for professional services shall be in the form of consulting contracts for professional services prescribed by the City Attorney. (Ord. 1403-20 (CM), eff. May 28, 2020)

Purchases of professional services estimated to cost less than Ten Thousand and no/100ths ($10,000.00) Dollars are encouraged but not required to comply with the RFP or RFQ process and do not require a contract. (Ord. 1403-20 (CM), eff. May 28, 2020)

Contracts for professional services estimated to cost between Ten Thousand and no/100ths ($10,000.00) Dollars and One Hundred and no/100ths ($100,000.00) Dollars may be awarded by the City Manager. Proposals from at least three (3) firms shall be requested. In specific circumstances, it may be determined that services will best be provided by a specific consultant or contractor with contract terms, work scope and compensation to be determined based on direct negotiations. These instances must be justified in writing and approved by the City Manager. (Ord. 1403-20 (CM), eff. May 28, 2020)

Contracts for professional services estimated to cost more than One Hundred Thousand and no/100ths ($100,000.00) Dollars will be awarded pursuant to the following procedures:

(a) Council award of the contract is required.

(b) Cost will not be the sole criterion in selecting the successful bidder.

(c) Contracts for professional services shall use a qualifications-based selection process as described in Section 4527(a) of the California Government Code and negotiated as described in Section 4538 of the California Government Code.

(d) Service proposals will be evaluated based on a combination of relevant factors including those in Section 4527(a) of the California Government Code and that results in the best value to the City.

(e) The selection will be based on demonstrated competence and on the education, training and experience and professional qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of the services required.

(f) If it is determined that it is in the best interest of the City for services to be provided by a specific consultant or contractor—with contract terms, work scope and compensation to be determined based on direct negotiations—justification made in writing and the contract shall be approved only by the Council. (Ord. 1403-20 (CM), eff. May 28, 2020)

An RFQ or RFP is not required where the Purchasing Officer determines that the professional services needed are more of a technical nature and involve little professional judgment and that requiring bids would be in the public interest. (Ord. 1403-20 (CM), eff. May 28, 2020)