Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arsenal Alliance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sterling Heights recommends $1.3 million AECOM contract to launch Arsenal Alliance
Summary
City staff recommended awarding a $1.3 million, 36-month contract to AECOM to stand up the Arsenal Alliance, a new intercity partnership with Warren to support the regional defense and aerospace economy; council heard scope, governance and funding details.
Sterling Heights city officials on Tuesday detailed plans to begin implementing the Arsenal Alliance, a jointly governed economic-development partnership with the city of Warren that aims to protect and grow defense and aerospace industry jobs in the region.
Assistant City Manager Haley Bradley told the council the two cities each committed $250,000 annually to support the Alliance and that each city appointed two representatives to a five-member executive committee. Bradley recommended the council accept a professional-services proposal from AECOM Technical Services, Inc.; AECOM's negotiated price for the initial 36-month contract is $1,300,000, she said, with roughly half the annual expense offset through cost sharing with Warren.
"The advisor will shape, develop, implement, and oversee a unified strategy to grow the region's defense presence," Bradley said, summarizing the consultant's responsibilities. The work plan in staff materials divides the contract into four phases and calls for invoicing by percent complete on a net-30 schedule.
Chris Brewer, AECOM vice president and the project director identified by staff, said his team intends to pair local place-branding and economic-development expertise with federal and Pentagon-level engagement.
"When we first saw your RFP, it was a very exciting moment," Brewer said. He outlined three concurrent changes shaping defense procurement and regional opportunity: reshoring of supply chains, a strategic shift in defense priorities since 9/11, and rapid adoption of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence.
Bradley said the Alliance will also produce a comprehensive defense-industry strategic plan and identify federal and private investment opportunities. Council members asked procedural questions but did not oppose moving forward; staff said Warren would consider the contract on March 24.
If awarded, the AECOM engagement would be among the Alliance's initial investments in technical planning and federal outreach; Bradley said staff will report regularly to council as the program advances.
