Ethics Consulting Services for Establishment of an Independent Ethics Commission

Background
The City of Santa Clara is issuing this Request for Quotes (RFQ) to seek qualified firms or individuals with expertise in ethics consulting. The goal is to assist the City in evaluating and advising on various models for establishing an Independent Ethics Program/Commission, as a response to the recommendations from the Santa Clara County Grand Jury.

The City aims to implement an Independent Ethics Commission by October 1, 2024, to oversee Councilmembers' behavior and restore public trust.

Work Details
The selected consultant will be responsible for the following services:

- Conduct a comprehensive review of existing ethics programs and commissions;
- Identify best practices for establishing an ethics commission;
- Provide a comparative analysis of different models;
- Draft a framework outlining the proposed structure, powers, and duties of the commission;
- Engage stakeholders including City officials and Councilmembers;
- Provide recommendations on commission size and member qualifications;
- Recommend a governance structure;
- Ensure compliance with relevant laws;
- Provide a final report and recommendations for the formation of the Ethics Commission;
- Develop a timeline for establishing the commission by 2025;
- Optionally provide ongoing consultation support.

Period of Performance
The contract will have an initial term of up to two years, with the possibility of three one-year extensions, totaling five years.

Place of Performance
The services will be performed in Santa Clara, California.