Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 18-046
 
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RE:
Advisory Opinion request of Larry Roedel on behalf of Emergent Method and Innovative Emergency Management, Inc.
Facts:
Emergent Method is a Louisiana-based management consulting firm that provides the following services: strategic planning, organizational design, project management, communications, outreach services, and strategic design. Innovative Emergency Management, Inc. (IEM) provides a full range of disaster services, including planning and emergency response to long-term recovery.

The Office of Community Development - Disaster Recovery Unit (OCD-DRU) is responsible for distributing and administering recovery programs associated with more than $1 Billion in federal funds as a result of the March and April Floods of 2016. The program is titled Restore Louisiana.

On April 21, 2017, OCD-DRU entered into an agreement with IEM to provide program management services for the administration of the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program. Shortly thereafter, IEM entered into a subcontractor agreement with Emergent Methods under the OCD-DRU contract.

On December 8, 2017, OCD-DRU issued RFP No. 107140-053, which calls for proposals to provide communication and outreach services to support a communications and outreach plan for the Restore Louisiana Task Force and OCD-DRU to reach flood victims, key stakeholders, media, and the general public. Neither Emergent Method nor IEM participated in the drafting or developing of this RFP. The RFP was open to the public for more than four weeks and all qualified firms were able to submit a proposal. Finally, this RFP includes items that are specifically excluded from the current contract with IEM.Emergent Method and IEM have partnered to submit a proposal to the new RFP in which Emergent will act as the prime contractor, with IEM providing services as a subcontractor. IEM notes that the scope of the work to be performed is limited to supporting national inquiries and media engagement if necessary. The work performed by IEM under this new proposal would not be the same work it performs under the current contract with OCD-DRU.

Comments:
AO 2017-100, 2017-887 (See attached summary for details)
Law:
La. R.S. 42:1112A states that no public servant, except as provided in R.S. 42:1120, shall participate in a transaction in which he has a personal substantial economic interest of which he may be reasonably expected to know involving the governmental entity.
Recommendations:
Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
Assigned Attorney: David Bordelon
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2018-046 - Advisory Opinion Draft (2.0)
2018-046 Request for Advisory Opinion
2018-046- Advisory Opinions Summary
2018-046- AO 2017-100
2018-046- AO 2017-887