TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any related documents or amendments, with Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab, on behalf of What Works Cities, for a term of 12 months, at no cost to the City. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into an agreement with the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab (GPL), for pro bono technical assistance improving the City’s procurement processes and procedures, under the What Works Cities Initiatives (WWC).
The GPL hires and trains full-time fellows, embedding them in government agencies to lead 12 to 36-month intensive reform projects, and has identified the City of Long Beach (City) for the potential placement of a GPL fellow. In partnership with WWC, the GPL fellow will assist the City with developing improvements to the City’s procurement processes and procedures by adopting applicable results-driven contracting techniques to improve the performance and effectiveness of contracted government programs and services.
Through its continued engagement with WWC since 2017, the City launched numerous data-informed projects including the City’s open data platform, DataLB; an online business development resource hub, Bizport; and, the establishment of the Office of Civic Innovation, which has facilitated other initiatives focused on public safety and economic development.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on June 1, 2020 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on June 8, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 23, 2020, to execute the agreement by early Fall 2020. The agreement with GPL is anticipated to be effective beginning in August 2020. The fellow’s engagement will conclude 12 months after their start date.
FISCAL IMPACT
The GPL fellow’s work will be funded under a prime award sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Inc., which established WWC. All technical assistance is provided at no cost to the City. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
JOHN GROSS
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
ACTING CITY MANAGER