Adopt an ordinance to approve a contract between the City and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP for professional services related to representing the Houston Airport System before the United States Congress and Federal agencies.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The Houston Airport System recommends that City Council adopt an ordinance approving a one-year contract with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (“Akin Gump”) to advocate for the Houston Airport System before the United States Congress and Federal agencies. The maximum spending authority under the contract is $180,000.
Akin Gump will perform the following services in coordination with HAS:
• Schedule briefings in Washington, D.C. and Houston for members of Congress and congressional staff with HAS officials regarding issues of importance to HAS.
• Monitor developments on homeland security and other legislation of interest to HAS as well as associated regulations, programs and policies and advise HAS of opportunities and risks related to such developments.
• Monitor FAA reauthorization legislation and advocate on behalf of HAS’s interests.
• Identify federal funding opportunities for development at Houston airports and develop and implement strategies for pursuing such funding.
• Advocate for additional CBP officers for George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (Hobby) and identify opportunities to secure federal funding for new technologies to expedite clearance of passengers through Customs.
• Advocate for programs and policies that foster the commercial space industry.
• Support efforts to swap property owned by the City with property owned by the military at Ellington Airport.
• Other lobbying activities requested by HAS.
PAY OR PLAY:
The proposed contract extension requires compliance with the City’s “Pay or Play” ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City contractors. In this case, the contractor provides health benefits to eligible employees in compliance with City policy.
M/WBE PARTICIPATION:
Akin Gump will utilize the services of City-certified M/WBE firm Baldwin Liaison Consulting, with a goal of 11% MWBE participation.
FISCAL NOTE:
Funding for the expense of this item is included in the FY18 Adopted Operating Budget. Therefore, no fiscal note is required as stated in the Financial Policy Ord. 2014-1078. See attached “Form A”
Director's Signature:
_______________________
Mario C. Diaz
Houston Airport System
Amount of Funding:
$180,000 HAS Revenue Fund (8001)