Contracting Certified 911 Dispatch Services

Project Description: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT WITHOUT ENGAGING IN A STANDARD PROCUREMENT PROCESS
This is NOT a request for competitive solicitation. This is a public notice for comment regarding a proposed procurement without engaging in a standard procurement process.
The intent of this notice is to determine if there are any other interested and qualified suppliers that can meet the requirements of this procurement.
SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION – TEMPORARY TELECOMMUNICATOR SERVICES
Prospective Contractor: Get ResQ911
Contract Amount: Not to exceed $300,000.00
Contract Term: Six (6) months
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND NEED
McKinley County Metro Dispatch Authority operates a twenty-four (24)-hour emergency 911 communications center that receives and dispatches emergency calls and supports public safety agencies throughout its vast rural service area. Metro Dispatch operates twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, using two twelve (12)-hour shifts to maintain continuous emergency 911 communications coverage.
A fully staffed operation requires approximately eighteen (18) trained telecommunicators. Metro Dispatch currently has only eight (8) fully trained telecommunicators (four (4) of which will be going on extended FMLA) available to maintain twenty-four-hour operations for the entire County of McKinley (Gallup Fire/PD, County Fire/PD). This significant staffing shortage has placed increased demands on existing personnel and has created an urgent need for qualified temporary telecommunicators to maintain vital staffing and continuity of this essential emergency 911 dispatch services for the city of Gallup and the County of McKinley.
McKinley County intends to contract with Get ResQ911 for a period of six (6) months to provide experienced temporary telecommunicators while the County continues its efforts to recruit, hire, and train essential 911 dispatch personnel.
SPECIALIZED QUALIFICATIONS
Emergency telecommunicator services require specialized knowledge, training, and experience that are not typically available through traditional temporary staffing agencies. Personnel must be capable of functioning effectively within a high-pressure/fast-paced public safety communications environment and handling a wide range and high volume of emergency and non-emergency calls while coordinating communications with a variety of law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and other public safety personnel.
Temporary personnel must possess appropriate 911/public safety experience and be capable of integrating into Metro Dispatch operations with minimal additional training and supervision. The County's immediate/urgent staffing needs do not allow sufficient time to recruit individuals without the necessary experience and provide the extensive year-long training normally required before an employee can independently perform telecommunicator duties.
BASIS FOR SOLE SOURCE DETERMINATION
Get ResQ911 specializes in providing trained, certified and experienced emergency 911 Dispatch personnel to public safety answering points and emergency dispatch centers experiencing staffing shortages.
Unlike traditional temporary staffing agencies, Get ResQ911 provides personnel with prior emergency 911 Dispatch experience who are capable of being deployed to an operating 911 center and integrating into existing operations with limited additional training. This specialized capability is necessary because Metro Dispatch requires personnel who can provide immediate staffing assistance without undergoing the lengthy recruitment and training process required for individuals without prior 911 communications experience.
McKinley County requires a contractor capable of providing qualified personnel for temporary assignments, including twelve (12) hour shifts and twenty-four-hour/seven-day-per-week (24/7) operations, while the County continues recruitment and training efforts to restore sufficient staffing levels.
Based upon the County's review of available options and the specialized nature of the required services, McKinley County has identified Get ResQ911 as the prospective contractor capable of meeting the County's immediate/urgent operational requirements.
WHY COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT IS IMPRACTICAL
The current staffing shortage directly affects the County's ability to maintain adequate staffing within a twenty-four-hour emergency communications operation. Conducting a standard competitive procurement would extend the amount of time before additional personnel could be placed within Metro Dispatch and would not address the County's urgent staffing needs.
The proposed six-month contract is intended as a temporary measure to stabilize staffing and maintain uninterrupted emergency communications for the community we serve, while McKinley County continues its efforts to recruit, hire, and train full-time telecommunicators.
The proposed contract amount shall not exceed $300,000.00 for the six-month period.