Despite a small bump in the road, the procurement process for the new downtown Austin courthouse is back on track with Ernst & Young LLP hopping on board to help steer.
Ernst & Young was selected as the advisory team that will review the proposals submitted for how to build the potential public-private partnership at the Dec. 20 commissioner's court meeting.
The three-to-two decision, with Commissioners Karen Huber and Margaret Gomez voting against the firm, came after some controversy at the Dec. 13 meeting, in which County Auditor Susan Spataro questioned the fairness of the process.
Huber said at the Tuesday meeting that although she thought the process was fair, she did not like it and had previously offered an alternative suggestion that was voted down by the court.
Conducting the process is Travis County Purchasing Officer Cyd Grimes, who said that with the vote to continue the process, everyone is busy scrambling to finalize everything to bring before the commissioner's court for approval on Dec. 27.
The court has asked for increased minority participation in the process, which is something Grimes said the team will work on before finalizing the contract with Ernst & Young.
If a contract is approved, the New York-based financial services firm will start reviewing the 21 bids submitted regarding the construction of the new Travis County courthouse in January, expected to cost at least $300 million.
The contract will be for an 11-week engagement, with about three opportunities for public input and a final proposal on how to construct the civil and family courthouse expected in March 2012.
Ernst & Young was among 10 companies that bid to serve as the courthouse adviser.
Ernst & Young provided financial advisory services to the $490 million Long Beach Courthouse project, currently under construction.
The other finalist was KPMG Corporate Finance LLC, who has an office in Austin.
