Airport commission recommends $6 million program‑management contract with Accenture to city council

The Palm Springs Airport Commission voted Jan. 21 to recommend that the City Council approve a professional services agreement with Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects LLC for airport program‑management and advisory services, in a contract capped at $6 million, staff said.

Staff explained the reprocurement process after a prior apparent procedural deficiency led staff to reissue the request for proposals. Accenture representatives Katherine Cronin and Michelle Brantley described the firm’s airports team, their approach to aligning funding with delivery, and a four‑month listening‑and‑planning phase that produces a detailed program management plan.

Commissioners asked about financing models, including public‑private partnerships, phasing approaches to spread costs and how the commission would be involved in oversight. Cronin said financing recommendations depend on the project driver — schedule, cost or political timing — and that Accenture would work with the commission and staff on stakeholder engagement and governance.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Hedrickk moved to recommend the agreement to council. The roll call vote as read on the record recorded a majority of commissioners voting in favor and the motion carried. (The commission’s recommendation now moves the item to the City Council for final approval; council action is required to execute the contract.)

Why it matters: Staff and the commission said the city is preparing for a multiyear capital program with substantial funding needs; the recommended consultant team would provide program governance, funding plans and delivery oversight. The commission’s recommendation does not bind the City Council, which will consider the item on a future agenda.

Next steps: Staff will forward the recommendation and contract documents to the City Council for consideration.