Hearing Officer Services

Sacramento County is seeking a Request for Proposal (RFP #2024-RFP-0395) for Hearing Officer Services, with proposals due on August 30, 2024, at 2:00 pm. The county requires qualified vendors to provide hearing officers who will serve in a quasi-judicial capacity, conducting hearings and rendering decisions on various administrative cases involving business license denials/revocations, parking citation appeals, and dangerous animal hearings. Vendors must be attorneys admitted to practice in California for at least five years, with a minimum of four years' experience in administrative or judicial hearings. The initial contract period runs from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026, with potential extensions up to four additional one-year increments through December 31, 2030. Evaluation will occur in two phases, with the county assessing minimum requirements first, then evaluating top proposals based on experience, qualifications, pricing, references, and risk assessment. The question submission deadline is August 16, 2024, and the county reserves the right to reject any or all proposals to determine the best overall solution.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The compensation structure involves an hourly rate that includes overhead expenses such as secretarial services, telephone, photocopying, postage, and travel costs. While no incumbent vendors are identified in the documentation, the contract allows for pricing to remain firm through the first two years. The county will determine contract award based on the most advantageous proposal that meets their current and anticipated needs. Although a specific budget range is not provided, the contract is structured as an as-needed service, meaning usage is not guaranteed. Vendors should be prepared to provide flexible, responsive hearing officer services across various administrative hearing types, with the understanding that actual utilization may vary throughout the contract period.