SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve Professional Services Proposal (RFP 31-23) rankings of the review committee for Negotiation Services between the City and Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball Team and authorize appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
On February 28, 2023, Request for Proposal (RFP #31-23) Professional Services Negotiations with MLB Team was released. The purpose of this proposal was to secure a qualified firm to assist the city in future negotiations with the Philadelphia Phillies franchise. One of the major components of the RFP was to provide substantial evidence of successful negotiations with other MLB teams or other professional sports franchises on behalf of a municipal or county government.
On March 30, 2023, the city received four proposals which were evaluated by a committee made up by Michael Delk, Assistant City Manager, Jay Ravins, Finance Director and Art Kader, Interim Parks & Recreation Director. Evaluation criteria included demonstrated experience for the firm and project personnel, project methodology, approach and timeline, references, and cost of services.
Three of the firms were asked to attend a virtual meeting to answer a second round of questions, which occurred on April 27, 2023. All three firms were very responsive and answered the questions requested by the committee at the meeting. A public meeting was held at 3:40 PM in room 130 at the Municipal Services Building to discuss the ranking of the firms.
The committee ranked the firms in the following order:
1. CAA ICON
2. HR&A Advisors
3. Gray Robinson
CAA ICON is well known in the industry and has extensive experience leading negotiations for complex, large-scale sport-specific projects for public sector and private sector entities. The evaluation team felt that they had the most successful negotiation experience with MLB franchises of all the firms.
Staff is requesting approval of these rankings and to enter negotiations with CAA ICON to provide professional negotiation services. There is no one on city staff that has the expertise and knowledge in negotiating with MLB franchises. To utilize the negotiation expertise and skills of a proven negotiating firm is wise and prudent so that the citizens of Clearwater and the Phillies can arrive at a contract that is fair to all parties.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
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USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
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