TITLE
Title
APPROVE CONTRACT WITH INNOLECT, INC. TO IMPLEMENT GUILFORD COUNTY DEI INITIATIVE
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Erris Dunston
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BACKGROUND
Background
Guilford County solicited requests for proposals (RFP) for our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiative with submission bid number 20125 on March 16, 2023. This is the first organizational approach to a DEI initiative. We received bids from fourteen (14) responsible bidders. The general conditions of the solicitation included by not limited to: conducting an organizational assessment, policy and process analysis, review current business practices, identify opportunities to address inclusion barriers, and develop a strategic plan. The solicitation requested the bidders provide industry best practice recommendations relative to human resources procedures, including DE&I training and continued learning options.
The fourteen (14) proposals were evaluated by a diverse staff panel. They were scored based on the solicitation award criteria. The evaluations from the staff panel were calculated and they narrowed the proposal pool to the top two (2) scores. The top two (2) proposals were reviewed by MWBE staff and interviewed by the executive leadership. Innolect, Inc was the selected provider.
Innolect, Inc, is a women-owned firm that specializes in diversity, equity an inclusion initiatives in the public and private sectors. They have been designing award-winning DEI strategies and solutions for over 22 years for fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, government organizations, and nonprofit organizations.
The proposal includes a custom designed full circle DEI strategic approach. They offer a diverse ten (10) person project team. Phases 1 & 2 of this proposal are scheduled to take ten (10) months. The proposal cost is $228,659.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
No Additional County Funds
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Approve contract, in substantial form, with Innolect, Inc. in the amount of $228,659 for a period of two years effective June 15, 2023 to June 30, 2025 (with a one year option to renew) to conduct an organizational assessment, policy and process analysis, review of current business practices, identify opportunities to address inclusion barriers and develop a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategic plan.
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