FPC plans competitive RFP as psychological exam vendor contracts near expiration

During the Jan. 18 meeting, staff notified the committee that contracts for psychological examinations and appeals — executed in 2021 — will lapse this June and that the commission plans to run a competitive request for proposals for both initial exams and appeals.

Deputy director Jay Pusek explained the timeline and said it is possible the same vendors may apply or that new vendors will be selected through a merit‑based process. He told commissioners the plan is to secure vendors for initial psychological evaluations and for appeals to ensure continuity after contract expirations.

Commissioners asked for data on appeal outcomes and whether those hires succeed in the academy. Staff said relatively few psych fails are overturned on appeal and estimated between two and four people per year ultimately are hired after appeal. The committee discussed retaining appeals as part of the process but suggested monitoring results — for example whether appealed candidates that are hired complete the academy — as part of the vendor selection and contract oversight.

Next steps: staff will run an RFP process, return with proposals and recommend a procurement timetable; commissioners asked staff to include outcome metrics (appeal overturn rate and subsequent academy success) in vendor evaluation criteria.