DR4549 – (COVID-19) Approve spending authority in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 for the purchase of advertising buys for television, radio and social/digital media related to the COVID-19 Pandemic from Walker Entertainment Group for the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.
Specific Explanation:
The Director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve spending authority in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 for the purchase of advertising buys for television, radio and social/digital media and that authorization be given to issue a purchase order to Walker Entertainment Group.
The administration approved the creation of “Vax Up!” commercials to promote vaccinations among Houston residents. With the recent discovery of the Omicron Variant, urgency for the production of the commercials intensified. Director Susan Christian was able to secure private dollars for the creation of the commercials, to be aired on television and with audio that can be played on the radio. They will be in both English and Spanish. In order to leverage the private dollars to ensure a high quality product, the City of Houston will utilize grant dollars to purchase advertising buys including television, radio, and social/digital media. Council is therefore asked to approve this purchase order to Walker Entertainment Group so that the ads can be aired during the holiday season and reach the maximum number of Houstonians.
This recommendation is made pursuant to Chapter 252, Section 252.022 (a) (7) (A) “a procurement necessary to preserve or protect the public health and safety of the municipality’s residents” of the Texas Local Government Code for exempt procurements.
MWBE Participation:
Walker Entertainment has designated the below named company as its certified M/WBE subcontractor.
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Company Name
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Type of Work
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Dollar Amount
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Percentage
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Media Advantage Communication
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Public Relations and Community Outreach Services
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$55,000.00
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11%
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Hire Houston First:
This procurement is exempt from the City's Hire Houston First Ordinance. Bids/proposals were not solicited because the department is utilizing an Emergency Purchase Order for this purchase.
Disaster Note:
This item is related to the impact of COVID-19 and it is the City's intent to use other federal funding sources for eligible expenditures, namely the Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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Jerry Adams, Chief Procurement Officer
Finance/Strategic Procurement Division
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Estimated Spending Authority:
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Department
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FY 2022
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Out Years
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Total
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Mayor’s Office of Special Events
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$500,000.00
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$0.00
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$500,000.00
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