Professional Services for S97-SR1545068891 - Approve an ordinance authorizing an agreement between the City of Houston and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in the maximum contract amount of $1,337,400.00 for Federal Lobbying & Consulting Services for various departments.
Specific Explanation:
The Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve an ordinance awarding a two-(2) year agreement, with one one-year option to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in the maximum contract amount of $1,337,400.00 for a Federal Lobbying Services agreement for various departments.
The Mayor’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations and the Houston Airport System’s Office of Government Relations will collaborate with the vendor to identify and prepare for potential proactive legislation, track adverse legislation, and advocate for the City’s position on legislative and regulatory measures that may impact all City interests.
The scope of work requires the contractor to effectively represent the city government. This includes advising and advocating on legislative, regulatory, and policy issues that are under consideration by the U.S. Congress and federal agencies. The contractor will specifically engage with various agencies, including but not limited to:
- U.S. Department of Transportation
- Federal Aviation Administration
- 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
The issues addressed are expected to have significant implications for all aspects of the City's interests.
MWBE Participation:
The professional services contract is being issued with a 19% goal for M/WBE participation. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP has designated the below-named company as its certified M/WBE subcontractor.
|
Name of Certified MWBE
|
Certification Type
|
Description of Work
|
% of Participation
|
|
REM Services, Inc.
|
MBE
|
Assisting with consulting services
|
19%
|
Pay or Play:
The proposed contract 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.
Hire Houston First:
This procurement is exempt from the City’s Hire Houston First Ordinance. Bids were not solicited because the City is utilizing a Professional Services Direct Award for these services.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2026 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
|
________________________
Jedediah Greenfield
Chief Procurement Officer
|
|
_________________________________
Department Approval Authority Signature
|
|
Estimated Spending Authority
|
|
Department
|
FY2026
|
Out-Years
|
Award Amount
|
|
General Government
|
$224,645.16
|
$507,354.84
|
$732,000.00
|
|
The Houston Airport System
|
$185,400.00
|
$420,000.00
|
$605,400.00
|
|
Total
|
$410,045.16
|
$927,354.84
|
$1,337,400.00
|