Request for Proposals: Legal Services to the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners
1. Overview:
The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners, appointed by Saskatoon City Council, and operating as a statutory board, holds responsibility for providing oversight of the Saskatoon Police Service as well as being a conduit between the public and the Service.
As additional information on the Board’s role and mandate, the Strategic Plan of the Board includes the following:
Mission Statement: To strengthen the culture of community safety in Saskatoon
Goal #1: To provide effective and objective oversight of the Saskatoon Police Service.
Under Goal #1, its objectives include:
• An enhanced and widespread culture of community safety throughout Saskatoon.
• That the Saskatoon Police Service is regarded as the best Police Service in Canada by the
community.
• The confidence of the community that a public body is effectively overseeing policing activity.
Goal #2: To be a highly effective conduit between the public and the Saskatoon Police Service
Under Goal #2, its objectives include:
• An enhanced and widespread culture of community safety throughout Saskatoon.
• That the public regularly provides input on issues relevant to policing and community safety.
• That the Board of Police Commissioners is widely known as a connection point between the public
and the Police Service.
Goal #3: To strengthen the culture of community safety through effective and efficient Police Commission governance and operation
Under Goal #3, its objectives include:
• Recognition of the Board as an entity whose processes reflect best practices in governance.
• Recognition as an entity that is strategically focused.
• That the Board is positioned to carry out its mandate, in a highly effective manner, on a timely basis.
2. Background to the Request for Proposals:
In 2019, the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners (the Board) commenced a review of its practices including the provision of legal services. The Board has determined to invite proposals from legal service providers for the services the Board requires.
3. Scope of Legal Services Required by the Board:
a. The Board is legally responsible for the defense of lawsuits against Saskatoon Police Service members and against the Board. The Board requires counsel to provide legal defense.
b. The Board requires legal services in relation to labour relations and employment matters, including advice in relation to collective bargaining, employment contracts, and the conduct of grievance and arbitration hearings.
c. The Board requires general legal advice, sometimes urgently, and/or services on issues that may arise, sometimes unexpectedly, and sometimes in relation to Freedom of Information Requests, First Nations Policing Agreements, strategy, policy, and the effect of legislation other such legal services that the Board may require.
These services are to be provided at the direction of the Board.
4. Budget:
Over the last four years, the average number of hours provided to the Board for legal services has been 437 per year. Approximately two-thirds (2/3) has been for the services described in Paragraph 3a. Generally, the services described in Section 3b and 3c that the Board may request are less predictable, but they are, over time, approximately equal.
Respondents to this RFP are requested to advise the hourly rate that they propose for the services that they provide.
The Board of Police Commissioners plans to enter into an initial one-year agreement with the legal services provider with the intent of entering into subsequent agreements, provided the Board remains satisfied with the quality of work provided by the provider.
Please note: A legal services provider may bid on all of the services listed in Section 3, or on only one service or two services listed in Section 3. Please indicate clearly which services are selected for your bid.
5. Criteria for Selection:
The decision on selection of legal counsel for provision of the noted services will be made by the Board of Police Commissioners as a body.
The criteria to be applied in this decision includes (but is not limited to, and may be weighted in value):
a. Clear demonstration of experience and expertise in undertaking the functions identified in Section 3,
b. Demonstration of an experience base that will enable legal counsel to carry out these duties with
“senior level” expertise, advising the Board Chair and Executive Director contractor on key issues,
c. Clear indications of highly professional interactions, good judgement, and work habits,
d. Confirmed commitment of capacity to undertake the work described herein,
e. Although fees are a factor, the assessment will also include which contractor will deliver the
greatest value to the Board of Police Commissioners.
6. Application Process:
Please forward your response to this Request for Proposal via email to the attention of: Police Commission RFP Responses c/o info@saskatoonpolicecommission.com
Responses must be received (all submissions will be receipt-confirmed) by 12:00 noon on Friday, October 23, 2020.
Applicants with whom the Board of Police Commissioners wants to hold an interview will be contacted at the contact points listed in the RFP response.
Please provide a minimum of three client references with all contact information. It is preferable that the references be such that they will touch on different elements of the Scope of Work that are identified in Section 3.
If you should have any questions on the Request for Proposal or would like any additional information on work to be performed under this contract, please feel free to contact Leanne Nyirfa at 306-292-9868 or info@saskatoonpolicecommission.com
The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners thanks applicants for their interest.