County of Orange Opengov #97369

MA FOR INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES

The County of Orange, California, through its Office of the County Counsel, has entered into a professional services agreement with Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation to provide employment investigative services. The scope includes investigations of workplace sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation claims, with detailed written reports as deliverables. Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation is the sole vendor mentioned, with Eli Makus designated as the Supervising Investigator. Services include interviewing witnesses, legal research (with County approval for over 12 hours), and preparation of investigative summaries and final reports. The agreement term is three years with two optional one-year renewals. Compensation is hourly, with rates ranging from $160 for paralegals to $520 for lead attorneys/investigators. Expenses reimbursed include transcript fees, postage, messenger service, process service, document reproduction, consultants, expert witnesses (up to $150,000 per contract), and travel outside specified Southern California counties. Travel time is not compensated. The agreement includes strict confidentiality, conflict of interest policies, indemnification, insurance requirements, and ownership of all work product by the County. Place of performance and delivery is primarily Orange County, California, with the vendor located in Sacramento, CA. The County Counsel's office is located in Santa Ana, CA. Unique contract requirements include limitations on the number of investigators compensated per meeting, prior approvals for consultants, expert witnesses, and travel outside specified counties, and detailed billing and audit provisions.

Description

Agreement for professional investigative services between County of Orange and Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation effective January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025, with possible renewals. The agreement covers scope of work, compensation, invoicing, performance, compliance with laws, conflicts of interest, insurance requirements, and other contractual terms.

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