(November 4, 2025)
Fire Department
DATE: November 4, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Aaron Osorio, Fire Chief
Sharrone Taylor, Director of Human Resources
Subject:
Contract with The Gumshoe Group for Pre-Employment
Background Investigations
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed total three-year not-to-exceed cost of $120,000, with the option for two one-year extensions of $40,000 per year is included within the approved Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Fire Department budget and will be
budgeted accordingly in subsequent fiscal year (Account String: 01204022-400201).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
October 3, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Richmond Fire Department is planning to conduct a
fire academy in Spring 2026 to fill current vacancies and address projected attrition. As part of the pre-
employment process, firefighter recruits must undergo
background checks. The Department intends to contract
this service with The Gumshoe Group, which has
successfully conducted background investigations for the City over the last three academies.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE a contract with The Gumshoe Group to provide pre-employment background investigations in an
amount not to exceed $120,000, for a three-year term
effective November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2028,
with two one-year extension options not to exceed an
additional $40,000 per year for the extended term – Fire Department (Chief Aaron Osorio 510-307-8021/Sharrone
Taylor 510-620-6803).
AGENDA
REPORT
(November 4, 2025)
DISCUSSION:
In June 2022, the Richmond Police Department conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to select a background investigator for pre-employment background investigations for public safety personnel (both sworn and non-sworn). The Richmond Fire Department ("Department") was able to use the Police Department's RFP and selected The Gumshoe Group to conduct pre-employment background investigations for firefighter recruits (Attachment 1)
On October 3, 2023, the City Council approved a two-year contract with The Gumshoe Group to provide pre-employment background investigations, with a contract term running from October 4, 2023, through July 31, 2025. Upon contract expiring, the Department did not extend the contract, as it did not initially plan on conducting another academy this fiscal year. However, after further discussions with City leadership, it was decided that holding an academy in Spring 2026 would be prudent, in order to address current vacancies and projected attrition.
The Gumshoe Group is a full-service investigation agency that is licensed, bonded, and insured in the State of California. The agency’s staff consists of active and retired law enforcement professionals with extensive investigative experience. Due to their proven track record of providing thorough and timely background investigations, the Department seeks to hire them again to conduct pre-employment investigations for firefighter recruits. Their familiarity with the City of Richmond’s hiring process further streamlines the process, making it efficient to send candidates to the vendor.
City staff request approval of the contract with The Gumshoe Group, in the amount of $120,000 for a three-year term, with two one-year extension options by means of a mutual agreement from both parties (Attachment 2). Each extension shall not exceed an additional $40,000 per year for the extended term. Funding is present in the current budget and will be budgeted accordingly in subsequent budgets as required.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
The contract with The Gumshoe Group is vital in supporting our hiring decisions and ensuring we have the necessary information for each candidate. It also aligns with the goals and priorities set by the City Council to ensure that there are appropriate staffing levels and experience to meet service needs.
(November 4, 2025)
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – RFP
Attachment 2 – Standard Contract