"The preliminary pick backed out after learning the consultant job required more than just a head-hunting service, Sword said."  

This sounds pretty fishy.  Presumably, the contract was awarded based on a Statement of Work that the contractors bid against.  Presumably, all the bidders read the SOW and responded accordingly.  So, was the SOW poorly prepared?  Did Sword and the Commission change their mind on what they wanted after the contract was awarded?  Did the winning bidder not read the SOW and not respond with a complete proposal that the City then accepted?  Does the second place bidder know what is expected, or did they also respond to an incomplete SOW?  If so, stand by for an expensive Change Order.  Does anyone in the Caldwell administration know how to do anything correctly?