Summary of Specifications:
INTRODUCTION: Through this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), the Wayne County Airport Authority (Airport Authority) hereby invites attorneys or law firms that meet the qualifications set forth herein to submit responses to provide legal services in accordance with the Airport Authority’s Ethics Ordinance [See Attachment A] and to serve as the Airport Authority’s Independent Ethics Counsel on an as-needed basis.
GENERAL INFORMATION: The Wayne County Airport Authority has operational jurisdiction of the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Willow Run Airport pursuant to the provisions of the Michigan Aeronautics Code, as amended, specifically the Public Airport Authority Act (2002 P.A. 90), being MCL 259.108-259.125c. The Airport Authority is managed by an independent, seven-member Board which includes four members appointed by the Wayne County Executive; two members appointed by the Governor; and one member appointed by the Wayne County Commission. Terms of the appointments range from two to eight years. There are approximately 600 Airport Authority employees. The Airport Authority’s Ethics Ordinance (the “Ordinance”) is intended to promote public confidence and preserve the integrity of the Airport Authority in the operation and management of the Airports. The Ordinance includes disclosure requirements and standards of conduct for Board Members, Officers and employees and established procedures governing the conduct of Airport business to avoid conflicts of interest. Annually, “Covered Persons” are required to file a disclosure statement [See Attachment B] with the Airport Authority. “Covered Persons” include any member of the Board, the Airport Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and any employee of the Airport Authority who is an Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice president, Director, Deputy Director, Controller or Assistant Controller, or otherwise in a position that is equivalent to a Deputy Director. For 2011, sixty-two persons are required to file a disclosure statement with the Airport Authority. The Ordinance defines “Independent Counsel” as “legal counsel licensed to practice in the State of Michigan who has not performed any legal services for Wayne County, Michigan or the Authority other than pursuant to this Ordinance during the one year period preceding the date of such Independent Counsel’s retention by the Authority, and who agrees not to perform any other legal services other than pursuant to this Ordinance for Wayne County or the Authority during the period of such retention and for a period of one year following the termination of such retention.”
Additionally, the Ordinance establishes the Airport Authority’s Ethics Committee with responsibility to advise the Board of any reports it has received of any ethical violations of the Ordinance. The Ethics Committee may then request Independent Counsel to review and report on the issue.
