Title
A Resolution Of The City Commission Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Authorizing The Appropriate City Officials To Negotiate And Execute An Agreement Between The Highest Ranked Firm And The City Of Hollywood To Provide Debt Collection Legal Counsel Services For An Initial Period Of Two Years, With Two Optional Two Year Renewal Periods.
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the Attached Resolution,
Explanation:
The City Attorney's Office requires the services of a qualified law firm to represent the City in various debt collection matters.
The qualified law firm will address the collection of judgments and past due fees and fines owed to the City by individuals or entities that have become indebted to the City of Hollywood in a variety of ways:
Request for Proposal Number RFP-4410-14-RD was issued for a time period of two (2) years with two (2) optional two (2) year renewal periods with compensation contingent upon the amount of debt successfully collected based upon a set percentage.
On March 25, 2014, Notices of RFP-4410-14-RD were mailed and the RFP was advertised online via the City's website and DemandStar in accordance with the City's Purchasing Ordinance, Section 38.42(A)(1), and was opened on April 22, 2014, which resulted in responses from two (2) firms as follows:
MCO Financial Services, Inc.
Atlanta, GA
Sprechman & Fisher, P.A.
Miami, FL
The evaluation of the submittals was based upon the criteria established in the RFP: firm's program understanding, approach and methodology, firm's qualifications/experience/resources, remuneration for City of Hollywood Account, and location/availability of servicing office.
On May 12, 2014, each of the firms' proposals was evaluated by a three member Evaluation Committee consisting of the Financial Services Revenue Analyst, Public Utilities Customer Service Manager and Deputy City Attorney.
The RFP Addendum No. 1 stated that the City is seeking a law firm to provide the required services and a proposal submitted by a collection agency with legal work subcontracted to one or more law firms would not be disqualified, but the City is not inclined to accept a situation that would require it to deal with multiple parties whenever the possibility of litigation arises.
All firms were deemed responsive and responsible by the evaluation committee.
On May 12, 2014, the Evaluation Committee scored the firms based upon the established RFP criteria, first choice and second choice as follows:
1. Sprechman & Fisher, P.A. 257
2. MCO Financial Services, Inc. 107
After all Proposals received were evaluated, the Evaluation Committee recommends that the City Commission authorize the negotiation and execution of an Agreement with the highest ranked firm, Sprechman & Fisher, P.A.
Sprechman & Fisher, P.A. is currently providing various debt collection services to the City.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark, City Manager
Matthew Lalla, Director, Financial Services
Jeffrey Sheffel, City Attorney
Joel Wasserman, Director, Procurement Services