Title
NxT Horizon LLC Agreement for ARPA Phoenix Resilient Food System, Backyard Garden Program - Amendment 1 (Ordinance S-48211)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, for first amendment to Contract 155313-0 with NxT Horizon LLC (NxT) to provide additional funding of $56,505 for data collection, analysis, and evaluation related to the Backyard Garden Program. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. Funding is available through the City’s allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding received from the federal government and is under the City’s Phoenix Resilient Food System category of the strategic plan. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) developed a food assistance plan to address the food needs of vulnerable populations and communities impacted by COVID-19. The plan provides: 1) access to healthy foods for impacted populations; 2) infrastructure assistance regarding transportation and delivery with a focus on home delivery; 3) support for food banks, food pantries and community agencies; 4) support for increased local food production; and 5) business and employment opportunities throughout the food system spectrum.
Local Food Consumption/Production
The Backyard Food Production Pilot Project aka Backyard Garden Program
This program will empower residents to grow healthy food in their own backyards to improve health, promote physical activity, decrease food insecurity and hunger, and potentially decrease their food budgets. The program is providing approximately 92 residents with one of three gardening systems, which includes system installation, including equipment, materials, supplies and labor, and gardening training throughout the 12-month program. Program outreach materials, application, and training materials will be provided in English and Spanish.
NxT is one of three partners engaged as subrecipients for this program. NxT is a Phoenix-based organization founded by Dr. George Brooks, Jr., a nationally recognized Aquaponics expert.
Collection of data related to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as well as more general information about the impact of the three garden programs is critical to understanding the efficacy of the program. Additionally, the data will help to answer the overarching research question: “Can urban agriculture promote food system justice and resilience in a desert city?” The work will be completed by post-graduate professionals with Arizona State University who are experienced in this field. NxT will serve as the administrator of the contractors. Dr. Brooks’ practical and academic expertise is beneficial for effectively and efficiently guiding the data collection for all three garden systems.
NxT will receive a total of $56,505, with $47,105 disbursed to the contractors and $9,400 to NxT for administrative fees. The additional funds will be expended by Dec. 31, 2022.
Procurement Information
Services may be procured, as needed, by using procurement in accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10 to implement and administer programs intended to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 national pandemic.
Contract Term
The term of the contract is extended from Oct. 31, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2022. Contracts may be extended based on continuous need and available funding, which may be exercised by the City Manager or designee.
Financial Impact
The original Subrecipient Agreement 155313-0 for NxT was authorized for $145,000. This Amendment 1 will increase the authorization by $56,505 for a new total authorization of $201,505.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The City Council approved the Agreement for ARPA Phoenix Resilient Food System with NxT (Ordinance S-47932) on Sept. 8, 2021.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Office of Environmental Programs.