Item C20County of Monroe
A
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Mayor George Neugent, District 2
The Florida. Key
y
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Mayor Pro Tem David Rice, District 4
�r
Danny L. Kolhage, District 1
Heather Carruthers, District 3
Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5
County Commission Meeting
January 18, 2017
Agenda Item Number: C20
Agenda Item Summary #2541
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Airports
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Donald DeGraw (305) 809 -5200
No
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval to re- advertise a Request for Qualifications for Air
Service Development - Airport Consultant Services for the Key West International Airport and The
Florida Keys Marathon International Airport.
ITEM BACKGROUND: A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised in July, 2016 seeking
sealed responses for Airport Consultant Services, which included General, Financial and Air Service
Development services. The responses were opened by the Purchasing Department on September 8,
2016, with a total of ten firms responding for the three requested categories.
The Selection Committee met in a publicly- noticed meeting on October 17, 2016 to evaluate and
rank the respondents for Air Service Development Consulting. The top- ranked firm for Air Service
Development Consultant was Sixel Consulting Group, Inc.
Sixel has since informed the County of an "unanticipated change within our organization" which
includes significant reductions in key personnel and related financial challenges. This change
substantially alters the Sixel proposal, thus rendering it invalid and necessitating staff to recommend
a re- advertisement for Air Service Develop RFQ proposals.
-see attachment
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
On January 20, 2016, the BOCC granted approval to advertise a Request for Qualifications for
Airport Consultant Services.
On November 22, 2016, the BOCC granted approval to negotiate fees with top ranked
consultants.
CONTRACT /AGREEMENT CHANGES:
n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
DOCUMENTATION:
Sixel Client Letter Dec 28
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County: none
Current Year Portion: approx. $500.00 to advertise
Budgeted: yes
Source of Funds: Airport Operating
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: no
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
If yes, amount:
01/18/17 404 -63201 - KEY WEST AIRPORT ADMIN
$500.00
REVIEWED BY:
Donald DeGraw
Completed
12/29/2016 12:46 PM
Pedro Mercado
Completed
12/29/2016 1:40 PM
Budget and Finance
Completed
12/29/2016 2:34 PM
Maria Slavik
Completed
12/29/2016 2:37 PM
Kathy Peters
Completed
12/29/2016 5:38 PM
Board of County Commissioners
Completed
01/18/2017 9:00 AM
For Immediate Release
December 28, 2016
Sixel Consulting Group, Inc. Clients, etc.:
Thank you for allowing me to share a moment of transparency in the email I distributed on
December 27th. As you can imagine, the rapid, unanticipated change within our organization
over the Christmas weekend has been stressful on me and on my team. The rapid series of
events during the holidays caught me off guard. Therefore, the initial email I sent, while truthful
(maybe more truthful than necessary), was sent in haste and should have included more clarity
on what these changes mean to me, my company, my remaining staff and to you. As a result, I
believe there is need to clarify the operating status of Sixel Consulting Group, Inc. - WE REMAIN
IN BUSINESS.
As we all know, accurate forecasting is the cornerstone of our industry; and as I have forthrightly
acknowledged, I miscalculated our ability to generate enough revenue to cover the rapid
expansion we experienced over the last three years. My primary mistake was to remain
committed to retain my staff and the responsibility I felt to take care of their families with their
Sixel paycheck. Unfortunately, the result was a series of events that have now made it necessary
for our company to reorganize.
As we just celebrated our twentieth year in business, the good news is that Sixel Consulting
Group, Inc. plans to stay for at least the next twenty. Over the course of these twenty years we
have all seen the ups and downs of this industry, and Sixel has weathered the rough patches
better than most, but even the best of organizations go through tough times - and this time it's
our turn.
While we are no longer a group of 30, as we were at our peak, the dozen or so professionals that
remain with me are committed to your success and the continued success of Sixel. The leaner
organization will actually allow me to focus more on the needs of our remaining clients - clients
like you that have benefited from our brand over the past two decades and have known me
and my remaining team for a very long time.
I will admit that the situation remains fluid as we work to finalize personnel matters and staff size
going forward but I can commit to you that Sixel Consulting Group, Inc. remains steadfast in our
dedication to providing the same, high - quality service that we have provided the aviation
industry over the course of the past 20 years.
To demonstrate our commitment to you, and to continue the spirit of transparency, I'd like to
share my three point plan for going forward with you.
First, I believe that you deserve a conversation. So, you can anticipate receiving a phone call
from me or from your primary consultant within the next week. I know that we are still in the
midst of the holidays, so scheduling calls may be a challenge over the next several days but I do
hope to speak with all of you.
Second, I want to make sure that you feel that I am accessible. So I have included my direct
contact information to this letter and I welcome your correspondence if you choose to reach
out to me immediately.
Third, as I continue to hear back from those of you who have expressed your willingness to
remain a Sixel Consulting Group, Inc. client, I will be sure to maintain open communication
regarding project status and assigned personnel. There will be those of you that make the
Corporate Reorganization
December 28, 2016
Sixel Consulting Group, Inc.
Pa
decision to look elsewhere for your consulting needs, but I hope to be able to have the chance
to have a conversation with each of you before you make that final decision.
Additionally, I can assure you that the resolution to my tax obligations is well underway. It may
take some time, but this situation will be resolved. I have been making timely payments since
this past summer on my account, am working with the IRS on a long -term resolution and I do not
anticipate any future levies or withholdings. This situation will not affect our ability to provide
services as contracted today or in the future.
Our organization has worked hard to help you meet your air service and marketing goals over
the past twenty years. I believe that we have proven the quality of our deliverables and we will
continue to provide the same level of service. Therefore, as I previously stated, I sincerely hope
you will give me the opportunity to retain your business.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mark
,
Corporate Reorganization
December 28, 2016
Sixel Consulting Group, Inc.
Pa