To: Dale K. Weighill, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Sam Olson, Probate Court Administrator
title
RE: Contract with A2J Tech PBC for Legal Kiosks for Legal Resource Center
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
The Genesee County courts are respectfully requesting approval of a contract with A2J Tech PBC (“A2J”) for the purchase and configuration of seven (7) legal kiosks to be installed in the Legal Resource Center, to be located in the law library space on the second floor of the Genesee County Courthouse.
BACKGROUND:
The procurement of legal kiosks with A2J was realized through the RFP process. The installation of the kiosks is one item as part of the large-scale project for the courts to create a modern legal resource center to serve the Genesee County community, particularly self-represented individuals in need of legal resources and assistance.
DISCUSSION:
The vendor was identified through the RFP process. The contract has been reviewed and approved by corporation counsel and risk management, and county IT has reviewed the project regarding technology/security. County IT and court IT will work with the vendor throughout the project.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The kiosks are to be installed in what is now the law library space on the second floor of the Genesee County Courthouse. Work is currently underway to remove the hard-bound law books from the library, as well as the bookshelves. Architectural plans have been finalized for the legal resource center, which incorporates the kiosks. The kiosks themselves will be funded from two Self-Help Grants awarded to the circuit court - a $100,000 grant awarded in 2023, and a $75,000 grant awarded in 2024. Payment for the one-item items associated with hardware will be paid from: 2689-283.00-978.000. Per hour costs associated with configuration will be paid from: 2689-283.00-801.004. Annual items for post-installation will be paid from 2689-283.01-801.004, as part of a concurrent budget amendment (RES 2024-147) once such items become due and the $75,000 grant award is received by the court. A budget amendment for the one-time items is included with this request.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
The kiosks are to be installed in what is now the law library space on the second floor of the Genesee County Courthouse. Work is currently underway to remove the hard-bound law books from the library, as well as the bookshelves. Architectural plans have been finalized for the legal resource center, which incorporates the kiosks.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
County IT and Court IT have been and will be involved in the configuration and installation of the units.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
The current request, and the greater legal resource center project, will serve as significant benchmarks in improving access to justice to those in the community who cannot afford an attorney to navigate the legal process. Self-represented litigants make up a large contingent of those who intersect with the court. Court leadership has embarked on an important mission to better serve the community by providing a modern legal self-help center. The present request is in the furtherance of this mission.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Probate Court Administrator to authorize entering into the Legal Kiosk contract between Genesee County and A2J Tech PBC, whereby the contractor will deliver, install, and configure seven legal kiosks that will be located in the Legal Resource Center in the Circuit Courthouse, at a cost not to exceed $83,750.00 for the initial term of the contract, which shall be through August 30, 2024, funding to be provided from accounts 2689-283.00-978.000, 2689-283.00-801.004, and 2689-283.01-801.004, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the February 7, 2024 meeting of the Governmental Operations Committee of this Board), the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the contract on behalf of Genesee County, and the Chief Financial Officer is directed to record the attached budget amendment.