Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Arbor Consultants, P.C. for Sustainable Energy Utility Advisory Services ($200,000.00)
Memorandum
Attached for review and consideration is a Professional Services Agreement with Arbor Consultants, P.C. to provide a series of operational, technical, economic, and engagement-related advisory services related to launching the Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility.
Authorized by the voters on November 5, 2024, the proposed Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) will be a supplemental, 100% renewable energy powered municipal energy utility focused on deploying clean, resilient, reliable power in our community. Launching the SEU will require significant time and attention - time and attention which is not currently available with existing staffing resources. Recognizing this, in August 2024, staff released a Request for Information (RFI# 24-49) (see attached) for firms with skills that could help the City launch an SEU should the voters authorize its creation. Eight (8) firms submitted responses to this Request for Information, of which two firms, Arbor Consultants, P.C. and Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, were selected for interviews to further discern their interest and qualifications related to the proposed SEU.
After the interviews, a panel of staff from the City met to discuss the applicants. In this review, a unanimous recommendation was made to move forward with hiring Arbor Consultants, P.C. under a Professional Services Agreement to help support staff in undertaking a significant portion of the work required to bring the SEU to fruition. The specific scope of services, along with estimated delivery dates, is provided in Exhibit A to the Professional Services Agreement (attached).
Arbor Consultants, P.C. is compliant with the City's non-discrimination, living wage, and conflict of interest policies.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funding for this work is available in the Office of Sustainabi...
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