Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD
Secondary Department: Purchasing
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Negotiation
Project ID (if applicable): 250107
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Community Resources for Justice, Inc.
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 0%
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Minimal MWDBE Availability
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 for approval on the basis of highest overall evaluation and authorize negotiations with Community Resources for Justice, Inc. for professional services to provide non-carceral feasibility study for Harris County, and the county, at its sole discretion, may discontinue negotiations and proceed to negotiate with the next ranking vendor(s) if unable to agree to an executable contract (250107), Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Minimal MWDBE Availability.
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 a review, Community Resources for Justice, Inc. was selected to proceed with negotiations for this level of effort.
Expected Impact:
Engaging an experienced firm will help Harris County develop actionable strategies to safely reduce the jail population. The firm 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 |
Location: N/A
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
|
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
|
Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 10/16/2025
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