Title
Consider recommendation from EAA staff to approve a contract with Carriage House Partners, LLC, for legislative consultant services in an amount not to exceed $300,000, for the period April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board adopt Resolution and Order No. 03-26-140 of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving Contract No. 26-008-EXE between the Edwards Aquifer Authority and Carriage House Partners, LLC, for legislative consultant services in an amount not to exceed $300,000, for the period April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider an EAA staff recommendation to approve a Resolution and Order of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving a contract between the EAA and Carriage House Partners, LLC, for legislative consultant services in an amount not to exceed $300,000, for the period April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, and authorizing the General Manager to execute the contract.
To solicit the required services, EAA staff advertised a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) consistent with the standard EAA procurement process. EAA staff, through direct notification and publication of the RFQ with the Texas Purchasing Group - BidNet Direct and the State of Texas Electronic State Business Daily, reached 639 vendors, of which 256 were M/WBEs. In addition, newspaper publication of the RFQ was provided in various newspapers throughout the EAA region.
Staff evaluated seven responses to the published RFQ from consulting firms and made a recommendation for selection to the Executive Committee. At its February 3, 2026 meeting, the committee concurred with staff's recommendation and recommended the board authorize the General Manager to negotiate a contract for board approval. At the Feburary 10 meeting, the board directed staff to negotiate a contract with the recommended consulting firm.
Attached to this summary is the draft Contract and Resolution and Order.
M/WBE PARTICIPATION:
Carriage House Partners, LLC is not a M/WBE.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item helps build and/or create Partnerships for Creative Solutions - a key objective in achieving the EAA’s goals identified in the 2021-30 Strategic Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total amount of this contract is not to exceed $300,000. Funding in the amount of $150,000 is included in the recently adopted 2026 budget, and the same amount will be included in the 2027 budget.