Department: Economic Equity and Opportunity
Department Head/Elected Official: Estella Gonzalez
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Interlocal Agreement
Project ID (if applicable): FLEX_CCCAPEVAL
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): University of Houston
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request by the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity for approval of an amendment to the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with the University of Houston, Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality (UH IRWGS), evaluators of the Early REACH program, to update Exhibit B (Budget) to a milestone-based billing structure.
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Background and Discussion:
On April 23, 2024, Harris County Commissioners Court approved a contract with the University of Houston Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality (UH IRWGS) to evaluate the economic impact of the Early REACH program (contracted child care slots pilot program). The scope of the evaluation includes center, family, and market impacts, and cost effectiveness of the program. This contract is funded through the FLEX fund.
This request for Court action is to approve a cost-neutral amendment to transition the vendor's payment structure to milestone-based billing.
Expected Impact:
The amendment will significantly reduce the administrative burden on the county and the vendor by providing for a milestone-based budget. Specifically, the new arrangement will reduce the number of invoices to process and lessen the time needed to review all required documentation before paying invoices.
Alternative Options:
Commissioners Court may choose to forgo the amendment and leave the current payment structure in place, leading to significant invoicing and billing delays.
Alignment with Goal(s):
_ Justice and Safe...
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