S49-Q26531.1 - Approve an ordinance authorizing a first amendment to Contract No. 4600014979 between the City of Houston and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (approved by Ordinance No. 2018-0575, passed on July 18, 2018) to increase the maximum contract amount from $744,000.00 to $992,000.00, and to extend the contract term from July 25, 2021 to July 25, 2022 for general citywide federal lobbyist services for the Mayor’s Office of Government Relations.
Specific Explanation:
The Director of the Mayor’s Office of Government Relations and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing a first amendment to the contract between the City of Houston and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP to increase the maximum contract amount from $744,000.00 to $992,000.00 and to extend the contract term from July 25, 2021 to July 25, 2022 for general citywide federal lobbyist services for the Mayor’s Office of Government Relations.
This contract was awarded on July 18, 2018, by Ordinance No. 2018-0575 for a two (2) year term with one (1) one-year renewal option in the original amount of $744,000.00. The contract commenced on July 26, 2018 and it is currently in the one-year renewal term that expires July 25, 2021. Expenditures as of May 26, 2021 totaled $739,969.87. The increase in the maximum contract amount will fund the extension of the contract term, as the Mayor’s Office original request only covered the initial term and the one-year option.
Given the numerous issues the firm is currently working on for the City, particularly related to federal funding opportunities and economic recovery, the Mayor’s Office of Government Relations believes it is in the best interest of the City to have uninterrupted advocacy by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.
The scope of work requires Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP to advocate, coordinate, and supervise the City’s legislative programs at the state and federal levels. They work closely with federal lobbyists to promote the City’s interests before two of the three branches of the federal government. The federal lobbyist shall advise and advocate on legislative, regulatory and policy issues under consideration by the U.S. Congress and federal agencies, including Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Commerce Department, Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other agencies as needed, that have potential impact on all City interests.
MWBE Participation:
This contract was awarded with a 19% M/WBE participation level. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is currently achieving a 19.36% participation level. The Office of Business Opportunity will continue to monitor this contract.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2022 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
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Jerry Adams, Chief Procurement Officer Department Approval Authority
Finance/Strategic Procurement Division
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Estimated Spending Authority
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Department / Business Area
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FY2022
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OUT YEARS
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TOTAL
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General Government
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$231,870.96
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$16,129.04
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$248,000.00
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