Title
Proposed Fraud & Ethics Hotline Contract Amendment
Body
Agenda of: November 21, 2024
Item No.: 2024-358
Amount: Not to Exceed $148,000
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: Suzanne R. Coffey P.E.
Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: November 21, 2024
RE: Proposed Fraud & Ethics Hotline Contract Amendment
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Nicolette N. Bateson, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer the Board of Directors (Board) of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), approves the proposed three-year contract amendment with New Orleans Teleport, Inc. (d/b/a Calls Plus) for an amount not to exceed $96,230, for fraud and ethics hotline services with two, one-year optional renewals not to exceed $51,770 for a total contract renewal cost of $148,000; and authorizes the CEO to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND
Since 2010, with the implementation of the Whistleblower Program introduced by the United States Security and Exchange Commission as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, there has been an increasing focus on the need for structured and transparent programs within organizations to report suspected wrongdoing. These programs have served to establish best practices for all organizations.
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) embraced these practices and executed a contract with Calls Plus implementing a Fraud & Ethics Hotline on January 30, 2020. This service continues today. The services GLWA has contracted with Calls Plus include the following.
1. A live call center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year with a GLWA dedicated toll-free telephone number
2. An internet-based complaint reporting system
3. A case management system that allows anonymity of callers
Calls Plus is a small, minority, woman-owned business located in Lafayette, Louisiana with 21 years of experience designing and delivering compliance and exploitation hotlines for various government agencies. Their roster of clients includes federal, state, and local governments as well as utilities and school districts.
JUSTIFICATION
GLWA has been satisfied with the service, the technology used, and the confidentiality protocols in place for informants. An added service in the proposed contract is multilingual communication materials. A three-year contract extension is recommended with Calls Plus for an amount not to exceed $96,230, for fraud and ethics hotline services with two, one-year optional renewals not to exceed $51,770 for a total contract renewal cost of $148,000. The new contract includes a 12% increase in the annual support contract.
This matter is being brought to the Board of Directors for approval as required by Section 10.1 of the GLWA Procurement Policy which requires Board approval for contracts with a total term of more than five years, irrespective of amount.
BUDGET IMPACT
There is no additional budget impact. The current year budget assumes this important service would continue although the budgeted amount was estimated based on the current contract. This service was also included in the ten-year financial plan.
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This matter was reviewed by the Audit Committee at its meeting on October 25, 2024. The Audit Committee unanimously recommended the GLWA Board approve the Fraud & Ethics Hotline contract renewal as presented.