Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Award
Project ID (if applicable): 250107
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Community Resources for Justice, Inc.
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 13.3%
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal is not 0% and is listed above
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Office of the Purchasing Agent for approval of an award on the basis of successful negotiations with the highest overall evaluation and that the County Judge execute an agreement with Community Resources for Justice, Inc. in the amount of $1,003,180 for professional services to provide non-carceral feasibility study for Harris County for the period of February 12, 2026 - February 11, 2027 with four (4) one-year renewal options (250107), MWBE Contracted Goal: 13.3%.
end
Background and Discussion:
Harris County’s jail facilities are operating at or near capacity and are not equipped to support the increasing behavioral health and medical needs of the population. Recognizing that expanding jail capacity alone would not address the root causes of incarceration, the County sought to explore alternatives through a non-carceral lens. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued to identify a qualified firm to develop recommendations focused on deflection, diversion, and community-based services. Following an evaluation by the evaluation committee and negotiations, Community Resources for Justice, Inc. (CJI) was selected to proceed with the project.
Expected Impact:
Engaging an experienced firm will help Harris County develop actionable strategies to safely reduce the jail population. CJI will provide recommendations grounded in data and best practices which will include identifying gaps in mental health services, substance use treatment, housing, and workforce development. The work will support long-term planning and improve coordination across County departments.
Alternative Options:
Investing in jail infrastructure changes without conducting a comprehensive review, plan, and study risks creating solutions that are ineffective.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: C: Improve safety and health conditions in the jail.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): C1: Support the Jail and Community Safety Infrastructure Governance Advisory Committee’s and Resident Advisory Committee’s efforts to increase non-carceral options and improve safety, security, and other conditions in jail facilities.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: N/A
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
4/10/2025 |
286 |
Transmittal for Advertisement |
|
10/16/2025 |
426 |
Authorization to Negotiate |
Location: N/A
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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Commercial Paper |
$ |
$1,003,179.50 |
$1,003,179.50 |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$1,003,179.50 |
$1,003,179.50 |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$1,003,179.50 |
$1,003,179.50 |
$ |
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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 2/12/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Tonya Mills, Justice Innovation Managing Director, Office of County
Administration; Margaret Obot, Sr. Sourcing Manager, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter, agreement