T29886.A1 - Approve an ordinance authorizing a first amendment to Contract No. 4600016938 between the City of Houston and the Houston Area Women’s Center (approved by Ordinance No. 2021-0968, on November 10, 2021) to extend the contract term from December 31, 2024, to December 31, 2029, for continued shelter and support services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Specific Explanation:
The Director of the Finance Department 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 Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) to extend the contract term from December 31, 2024, to December 31, 2029, for continued shelter and support services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
The agreement was awarded on November 10, 2021, by Ordinance No. 2021-0968, with a term commencing on November 22, 2021, and ending on December 31, 2024. The requested extension of the contract term will ensure that survivors of domestic and sexual violence continue to receive essential shelter and support services. Additionally, it will enable the City to continue paying HAWC all the interest and royalties from the John Battaglia Trust Fund during the term of the agreement.
Since 1983, the HAWC has received interest and royalty income from the John Battaglia Trust. The HAWC provides shelter and support services to survivors of sexual assault and family violence; it also educates and informs the community on ways to eliminate the causes of this violence. The HAWC’s mission is to provide leadership and action to empower women to advance their roles, rights, and well-being. All services are free of charge. The HAWC provides the following services: (1) family violence programs that include both the provision of shelter for abused women and their children, and non-residential counseling services; (2) a women’s center hotline that provides callers with information and referrals to community resources and serves as the intake service for the shelter; (3) a rape crisis program; and (4) a community involvement and outreach program that includes community education, volunteers, and funding development programs.
The HAWC is responsible for commissioning an annual audit of funds expended under the agreement as well as preparing and submitting an annual performance report to the Director of the Finance Department.
This recommendation is made pursuant to subsection 252.022(a)(4) of the Texas Local Government Code, which provides that "a procurement for personal, professional, or planning services" is exempt from the competitive requirements for purchases.
MWBE Participation:
Zero-Percentage Goal document approved by the Office of Business Opportunity.
Fiscal Note:
There is no impact to the fiscal budget or no additional spending authority. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
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Jedediah Greenfield Department Approval Authority
Chief Procurement Officer
Finance/Strategic Procurement Division