MEMORANDUM

To: City Council

From: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

Subject: Executive Search Firm to Assist with Selection of Police Chief -
R-6-06

Date: January 12, 2006

On November 8, 2005, City residents expressed a strong preference for the City of Bowie to establish a Police Department. On November 21, 2005, the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to hire an executive search firm. This firm will assist the City in selecting a Police Chief.

On December 8, 2005, Legal Notice was placed for Requests for Proposals (RFP) to select an executive search firm to hire a Police Chief. In addition, RFPs were sent to twelve national executive search firms. Two more firms sent e-mails requesting an RFP. The purpose was to find the executive search firm that would best suit our needs at a reasonable cost.

Proposals were accepted until 3:00 p.m. on December 21, 2005. Nine firms responded. The nine firms (and their state address) were:

• Bennett Yarger Associates (Massachusetts)
• Booth Resources Group (Colorado)
• CPS Human Resources (Wisconsin)
• International Association of Chiefs of Police (Virginia)
• McPherson & Jacobson, LLC (Nebraska)
• Mercer Group (Georgia)
• PAR Group (Illinois)
• Slavin Management Consultants (Georgia)
• Waters Consulting Group (Texas)

All of the proposals were reviewed by the Assistant City Manager, the
Personnel Officer and the City Manager. The following criteria were used in evaluating the proposals:

• Experience and expertise of designated personnel.
• Experience and expertise of the firm in identifying highly qualified candidates with relevant experience, and conducting thorough and exhaustive background inquiries.
• Specific services offered as it relates to the advertising and outreach for this executive search that include:
  • Use of focus groups;
  • Involvement of Council and community in the
    process of establishing desired qualities for the
    new chief and in terms of establishing the new department’s organizational culture;
  • Emphasis on diversity;
  • Willingness to participate in final interviews;
  • Performance guarantees.
  • Organization and time frame of the proposal.
  • Cost of services.

Costs of these nine proposals ranged from just under $20,000 to $34,000.
Costs varied because they consisted of professional fees plus various other expenses.

After reviewing the nine proposals, it was decided that the Mercer Group’s proposal appeared to best meet the City’s needs.

Staff met with Mr. James Mercer on January 10, 2005 to explore his firm’s proposal. After a lengthy interview, staff recommends that the Mercer Group be selected to assist the City in finding a Police Chief. Reasons for recommending Mercer include:

• Willingness to meet with Council and community leaders
  for input on their perspective regarding the desired qualities
  the City is looking for in the Chief.
• Understanding the uniqueness of the City’s search.
• Willingness to be a part of the entire process – including being
  an observer at the final interviews.
• Numerous prior placements of Police Chiefs nationwide.
• Excellent references and placements in the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Matrix used for selection of finalists will match City’s needs.
• Completion of the project on a timely basis (90 to 120 days).
• Guarantees of satisfaction and follow-up.

Staff Recommendation

Based on this process, City staff recommends that the Council approve the
attached resolution awarding the contract for an executive search firm to assist the city with the selection of a police chief to The Mercer Group. The cost for this contract will be $15,000 for professional services plus no more than $7,500 for expected other expenses: total -- $22,500.

DJD/JAC/adf

Attachment

RESOLUTION
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOWIE, MARYLAND
ACCEPTING BIDS FOR AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM TO ASSIST WITH THE SELECTION OF A POLICE CHIEF

WHEREAS, the City Council authorized the City Manager to hire an executive search firm to assist with the selection of a Police Chief; and

WHEREAS, Legal Notice of Intent to negotiate pursuant to Section 61 (b)(4) of the Charter of the City of Bowie was placed in local newspapers and a Request for Proposal (RFP) was sent to fourteen (14) nationally recognized executive search firms for their opportunity to bid on this proposal; and

WHEREAS, at 3:00 p.m. on December 21, 2005, nine (9) proposals were received by the City; and

WHEREAS, all nine (9) bids were reviewed by City Staff on the basis of the experience and qualifications of each bidder, the professional qualifications of staff who would be involved in the project, the specific services offered, and their ability to fulfill the scope of work; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the factors recited above, the proposed cost was another factor in evaluating the bids; and

WHEREAS, a representative from The Mercer Group was interviewed; and

WHEREAS, in the Request for Proposals and in the Instructions to Bidders the City reserved the right to accept any proposal or portion thereof which in the City’s sole and absolute discretion is to the best advantage of the City; and

WHEREAS, it was determined that The Mercer Group submitted the best, most responsive, and responsible proposal; and

WHEREAS, the City Council deems it to be in the best interest of the City to accept the proposal of The Mercer Group to be the executive search firm to assist the City in selecting a Police Chief.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Bowie, Maryland, that the Council hereby accepts the proposal of The Mercer Group to provide the services as the executive search firm to assist the City in selecting a Police Chief in accordance with the proposal submitted by that firm.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Bowie, Maryland that the City Manager is authorized and directed to sign a contract with The Mercer Group consistent with the terms of the proposal submitted by that firm, as modified, and the City’s standard contract requirements.

INTRODUCED AND PASSED by the Council of the City of Bowie, Maryland at a Regular Meeting on the 17th day of January, 2006.

WITNESS: THE CITY OF BOWIE, MARYLAND

______________________
Pamela A. Fleming
City Clerk

________________________
G. Frederick Robinson
Mayor