By Brett Callwood
At the City Council meeting on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 28, Police Departmental Item 15.A saw the council vote for the “Execution of One-Year Agreement with JL Group, LLC for Background Investigation Services Not to Exceed $77,000.”
A summary note by City Manager Clint Osorio stated that, “In December 2020, the Gardena Police Department released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to acquire a new contract for background investigation services related to both sworn and civilian applicants. The minimum requirements of the RFP were that the selected Contractor shall have a minimum of three years’ experience, shall possess a valid California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) license, and be Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified. The RFP also stated that it was the preference of the City that all personnel who perform under this Contractor are licensed private investigators. The City received seven proposals and JL Group, LLC was determined to be the lowest responsible bidder. Therefore, the City Council awarded a one-year contract to JL Group, LLC on March 23, 2021. The original agreement was a one-year contract that could be extended by two additional one-year periods. In 2022, after a successful first year working together, the Police Department executed the option to extend for the first one-year renewal.”
“During this time, the Gardena Police Department has continued to be satisfied with the services provided by JL Group,” he continued. “The background investigations have been thorough and led to the successful hiring of 38 applicants. Based on the successful relationship thus far, the Police Department would like to exercise the option for the final one-year contract extension, as allowed by the RFP and contract. Per the terms of the contract, JL Group, LLC will maintain their original pricing of $1,320 for sworn employee background investigations, $1,080 for civilian employee background investigations, and $480 for initial screenings. The Police Department anticipates the same estimated annual quantity of each background investigation; therefore, the Police Department anticipates the one-year contract with JL Group, LLC to once again not exceed $77,000. JL Group, LLC has over 70 years combined experience in law enforcement and private investigation. All the individuals who will work on this contract are licensed private investigators. The investigators have worked with agencies such as Huntington Beach Police Department, Carlsbad Police Department, and the City of Torrance City Attorney’s Office, to name a few.”
The item passed unanimously, though Council Member Wanda Love was approved absent due to a family emergency.
Later in the meeting, the council also approved a contract with Pyro Spectaculars Inc., in the amount of $38,500 for the Fourth of July Fireworks Agreement. Therefore, it seems certain that Independence Day will go off with a bang.
