Posting Language
Title
Authorize an amendment to a contract for continued third party administration of the City’s hotel occupancy tax-funded cultural grant programs for Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment with Greater Austin Performing Arts Center Inc. d/b/a The Long Center for the Performing Arts, to increase the amount by $23,000,000 for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $123,000,000. Funding: $23,000,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, & Entertainment.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Client Department(s)
Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $23,000,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.
Procurement Language:
Contract Amendment.
MBE/WBE:
This contract was awarded in compliance with the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
Prior Council Action:
February 9, 2023 - Council approved a contract for third-party administration services with Greater Austin Performing Arts Center Inc. d/b/a The Long Center for the Performing Arts.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500.
Additional Backup Information:
The Long Center for the Performing Arts provides third-party administration services for the City's Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT)-funded cultural grant programs, including the Austin Live Music Fund, Cultural Arts Fund, and Heritage Preservation Grant programs. Under the contract, the Long Center administers grant applications, award agreements, payments, and reporting in accordance with program guidelines established by Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME).
The contract was initially approved based on estimated HOT revenue at the time of award. Since then, HOT revenue has increased, allowing the City to expand funding to Austin's creative sector. The City has distributed more than $75 million through 2,328 grants and over $500,000 in payments to peer panelists and reviewers. The increased grant activity and associated administrative requirements have resulted in a need for additional contract authority.
The request to increase contract authorization will support the continued administration and distribution of cultural grant funding during this fiscal year. The increase will cover grant awards and associated administrative costs. Without additional contract authority, ACME will be unable to distribute grant funding to more than 750 expected recipients. The increase is necessary to maintain continuity of the City's cultural grant programs and support Austin's creative sector.
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Contract Details: |
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Contract Term |
Length of Term |
Contract Authorization |
Requested Additional Authorization |
Revised Total Authorization |
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Initial Term |
1 year |
$20,000,000 |
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$20,000,000 |
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Extension Option 1 |
1 year |
$20,000,000 |
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$20,000,000 |
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Extension Option 2 |
1 year |
$20,000,000 |
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$20,000,000 |
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Extension Option 3 |
1 year |
$40,000,000 |
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$40,000,000 |
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Proposed Amendment |
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$23,000,000 |
$23,000,000 |
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Optional Extension 4 |
1 year |
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Total |
5 years |
$100,000,000 |
$23,000,000 |
$123,000,000 |
Note: Contract authorization amounts are based on the City’s estimated annual usage and may be more or less in the initial term and in each exercised optional extension; however, the total contract amount will not exceed $123,000,000.