On December 14, 2011, City Council passed Ordinance 2011-1132, authorizing a contract with the law firm of Pappas and Suchma, PC, to provide Legal Services relating to the City’s Workers’ Compensation Benefits Program (“Program”). This contract expires on December 31, 2017.
Strategic Purchasing and the Legal Department are finalizing the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for a new contract which would take effect in 2018. To prevent a gap in legal services between the completion of the (RFP) evaluation process of potential bidders and the expiration of the current contract, the City Attorney recommends that City Council adopt an ordinance approving and authorizing a Contract with Dean G. Pappas Law Firm, PLLC to provide Legal Services relating to the Workers’ Compensation Benefits Program in the interim.
The contract term would be for a period of six months, commencing on January 1, 2018 and ending on June 30, 2018.
The contract term would allow for the completion of the RFP bidder evaluation process. Additionally, the contract would contain a “termination for convenience” clause which will permit the City to terminate the contract early should the RFP process conclude prior to June 30, 2018.
Upon the conclusion of the RFP process, the item will be placed on the Council agenda to award the contract to the successful proposer.
M/WBE Participation:
The request for proposal was issued as a goal-oriented contract with a 24% M/WBE participation level. The Dean G. Pappas Law Firm, PLLC has designated the below-named company as its certified M/WBE subcontractor:
Name: Type of Work: Dollar Amount: Percentage:
Holley Law Firm Legal Representation $42,240 24%
Pay or Play: The Firm has certified that it provides health benefits to eligible employees in compliance with the City Policy.
Hire Houston First: The proposed contract is exempt from the City's Hire Houston First Ordinance. The Legal Department is utilizing a professional services procurement.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2018 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policy Ord. 2014-1078.
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Ronald C. Lewis, City Attorney