Outside Investigation Services

The Sacramento County Equal Employment Office is seeking qualified individuals and firms to provide outside investigation services for discrimination, sexual harassment, whistle-blower claims, and similar employment-related complaints. The procurement targets investigative professionals specializing in public sector employment issues, with a primary objective of conducting comprehensive investigations from formal complaint filing through report completion. Qualified contractors will be expected to prepare detailed findings reports, testify in administrative or judicial proceedings, and maintain availability throughout the investigation process. The contract will be for an initial three-year term commencing around August 1, 2022, with potential renewal for an additional three years through one-year amendments. Minimum qualifications include at least three years of experience conducting discrimination and harassment investigations, with substantial interaction with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Proposals are due by Friday, April 22, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. PST, with the county serving approximately 12,000 employees across 38 departments. The county reserves the right to retain additional investigators during the contract period if deemed in its best interests.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The county will compensate the selected contractor on a professional fee basis, covering investigation services, mileage, photo expenses, copies, and official reports, with historical expenditures ranging from $6,687 in 2018-2019 to $77,266 in 2020-2021. Contractors must comply with extensive insurance requirements, including General Liability coverage of $2 million per occurrence, Automobile Liability of $1 million, Workers' Compensation, Cyber Liability, and Professional Liability coverage. Additional compliance requirements include certification of child support obligations and adherence to the county's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy. Insurers must generally have an A.M. Best rating of at least A-:VII and be admitted to write insurance in California. The county emphasizes a comprehensive approach to vendor selection, focusing on expertise in conducting impartial and thorough investigations of employment-related complaints while maintaining strict professional and legal standards.