CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: JUNE 24, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NO. 26P109
WITH ACCENTURE INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS, LLC FOR OWNER’S REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES FOR THE PALM
SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTER RENOVATION AND EXPANSION
PROJECT
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Engineering Services
SUMMARY:
This action will award professional services agreements with Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects, LLC to provide owner’s representative services for the Palm Springs Convention Center renovation and expansion project for an amount not to exceed $4,147,220.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Professional Services Agreement No. 26P109 (Attachment A) with Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects, LLC to provide owner’s representative services for the Palm Springs Convention Center renovation and expansion project for an amount not to exceed $4,147,220 for an initial three-year term commencing on June 25, 2026, and continuing through June 24, 2029; with two one-year extension options at the City’s sole discretion.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
According to the Public Integrity Disclosure form (Attachment B), Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects, LLC is registered in the state of California.
BACKGROUND:
The Palm Springs Convention Center (PSCC), a cornerstone of the City's hospitality and tourism economy, has served as a premier venue for conferences, exhibitions, and community events since its original construction in 1984. A major expansion and
City Council Staff Report
June 24, 2026 -- Page 2
Owner’s Rep Services for the Palm Springs Convention Center Renovation and Expansion Project modernization effort was completed in 2005, significantly increasing the facility's capacity and enhancing its amenities. Despite these improvements, many of the Convention Center's core systems, finishes, and functional spaces now require further upgrades to meet current industry standards and user expectations. In response to evolving market demands and the need to maintain competitiveness in the regional convention landscape, the City of Palm Springs initiated a comprehensive renovation and expansion of the PSCC, with a preliminary project budget of approximately $125 million encompassing modernization of the facility, its grounds, and urban connectors linking the Convention Center to downtown.
Since January 2025, the City Manager's Stakeholder Group has been meeting to oversee the broad conceptualization of the overall PSCC District and facility modernization plans, with several working groups established to address capital improvements, urban design and connectivity, public finance, and the formation of a Tourism Infrastructure District (TID).
On September 10, 2025, City Council authorized staff to advance the Palm Springs Convention Center modernization and connectivity project including the issuance of solicitations for architecture and engineering, urban design and branding, and owner’s representative services.
On September 4, 2025, the Procurement and Contracting Department issued Request for Qualifications 13-25 (RFQ 13-25) for Owner’s Representative Services for the PSCC Renovation and Expansion Project. This solicitation concluded on October 8, 2025, resulted in the submission of ten (10) statements of qualification. The City’s evaluation team made of nine (9) including representatives from the City Manager, Economic Development, and Engineering Departments, and included stakeholders such as Visit Greater Palm Springs, Grit Development, Palm Springs Convention Center, and a Palm Springs Planning Commissioner. The evaluation committee’s review identified four (4) respondents to move onto interviews. Following the conclusion of interviews the evaluation committee was not in favor of moving forward with the highest ranked firmed and the solicitation was ultimately cancelled to be reissued at a later date.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
On March 30, 2026, the Procurement and Contracting Department issued Request for Proposals 05-26 (RFP 05-26) for Owner’s Representative Services for the Palm Springs Convention Center Renovation and Expansion Project based on the specifications provided by Engineering Services and Economic Development Departments. RFP 05-26 was advertised in the local newspaper, published on the PlanetBids website with notification to 413 registered vendors, and 500 vendors through Bid Broadcast. This extended outreach resulted in 72 attendees at the Pre-Proposal Conference on April 16, 2026, and the submission of 14 Proposals for Owner’s Representative Services for the Palm Springs Convention Center Renovation and Expansion Project.
The following firms submitted Proposals for consideration by the May 4, 2025, deadline.
City Council Staff Report
June 24, 2026 -- Page 3
Owner’s Rep Services for the Palm Springs Convention Center Renovation and Expansion Project Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects, LLC – Palm Desert, CA CREDE Construction Advisory, LLC – Irvine, CA
Cumming Management Group, Inc. – Murrieta, CA
Dennis Potts Project Management, LLC – Henderson, NV
Gardiner & Theobold, LLC – Los Angeles, CA
Griffin Structures – Irvine, CA
MAAS Companies, Inc. – Newport Beach, CA
Gafcon – San Diego, CA
MOCA Systems, Inc. – Irvine, CA
Procon Consulting LLC – McLean, VA
Rider Levett Bucknall – Los Angeles, CA
The Barrie Company – San Diego, CA
Turner & Townsend Heery – Los Angeles, CA
Willdan Engineering – Anaheim, CA
An evaluation committee consisting of City staff from Economic Development, Engineering Services and the Palm Springs Convention Center reviewed and scored the proposals received against the criteria published in the Request for Proposals. Criteria included the firm’s experience, references, staff’s experience, understanding the scope of work and demonstrated understanding of City goals and values. This resulted in the evaluation committee moving on three (3) of the fourteen (14) proposal submission on to the interview phase and Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects, LLC (Accenture) being recommended for award as the highest ranked firm.
Accenture brings nearly 30 years of experience providing owner's representative and construction management services for public-sector capital projects. The firm has extensive experience delivering complex municipal infrastructure and facility projects throughout Southern California, including current work with the City of Palm Springs on the Palm Springs Public Library Renovation.
Accenture's qualifications are demonstrated through its successful management of complex, multi-phase public projects, including airport, civic facility, and regional infrastructure improvements requiring coordination among multiple stakeholders, active facility operations, and stringent schedule and budget controls. The firm also possesses significant experience administering publicly funded projects and managing compliance requirements related to grants, labor standards, reporting, and public accountability.
Through Accenture’s familiarity with City processes, regional expertise, and proven track record delivering complex capital projects, Accenture is well positioned to provide effective Owner's Representative Services for the Palm Springs Convention Center Renovation and Expansion Project.
Deborah Palmer, Project Manager for Accenture, brings unparalleled experience delivering convention center programs directly comparable to the Palm Springs Convention Center in scale, complexity, and operational demands. Throughout her career, she has led large, multi-phase convention center projects within active facilities, managing the unique challenges of event scheduling, phased construction, stakeholder City Council Staff Report
June 24, 2026 -- Page 4
Owner’s Rep Services for the Palm Springs Convention Center Renovation and Expansion Project coordination, and system integration. Her dual perspective as both an Owner’s Representative and General Contractor strengthen her ability to translate program-level decisions into effective execution while maintaining schedule and cost discipline. The select projects listed below demonstrate the depth of Deborah’s convention center experience and her proven capability to lead the PSCC renovation and expansion program successfully.
Las Vegas Convention Center – South Hall Expansion ($150 Million) As Owner’s Representative for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), Deborah oversaw the design and construction of the $150 million South Hall Expansion, a 1+ million square-foot addition to the existing Las Vegas Convention Center.
Acting as the interface between LVCVA and the general contractor, she managed construction progress, schedule adherence, and risk mitigation efforts throughout the project lifecycle. Her responsibilities included monitoring quality control, resolving design and construction challenges, and facilitating communication among stakeholders to facilitate successful delivery of this major expansion to one of the world’s most active convention venues.
Hawaii Convention Center ($200 Million)
Deborah served as Project Manager overseeing the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (MEPF) scopes of work for the award-winning $200 million Hawaii Convention Center, a 1.1 million square-foot design-build facility in Honolulu. As a subcontractor to the prime builder, she was responsible for directing design coordination, construction execution, and labor oversight for all MEPF systems. Trades and subcontractors reported directly to her throughout the project. Deborah led a highly successful team through complex systems integration on a fast-tracked schedule, confirming high-quality delivery of this landmark civic facility, which has since received acclaim for its functionality, sustainability, and architectural excellence.
Massachusetts Convention Center Authority
As Program Director for Capital Projects, Deborah led the strategic planning and delivery of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority’s statewide capital program, overseeing more than 40 active projects annually across four major facilities, including the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and Hynes Convention Center. Relocated to Massachusetts to serve as the primary client interface, she directed design and construction teams, managed budgets and schedules, and facilitated executive-level decision-making in coordination with MCCA leadership. Her oversight facilitated continuity of capital investment and facility upgrades.
Staff recommend approval of Professional Services Agreement 26P109 with Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects, LLC in an amount not to exceed $4,147,220 for an initial three year term commencing on June 25, 2026, and continuing through June 24, 2029, with two one-year optional terms at the City’s sole discretion.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The requested City Council action is not a “Project” as defined by the California City Council Staff Report
June 24, 2026 -- Page 5
Owner’s Rep Services for the Palm Springs Convention Center Renovation and Expansion Project Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The requested action is to approve contracts for the above-mentioned services, and is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15378(b), in that a “Project” does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal of Economic Development, and aligns with multiple principles, initiatives, and implementation actions contained within the Palm Springs Economic Development Strategic Framework (EDSF), particularly those focused on strengthening Palm Springs’ tourism economy, enhancing institutional capacity, and modernizing critical economic infrastructure.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Following notification to Accenture as being the highest ranked firm, the City entered into financial negotiations. This resulted in a cost savings of approximately $750,000, and a not to exceed cost of $4,147,220 for phase 1 and 2 of the Palm Springs Convention Center Renovation and Expansion Project. Services for phase 3, PSCC expansion project will be negotiated following further development of this phase of the project.
The Measure J Commission approved expenditure up to $9.9 M in design costs related to the Palm Springs Convention Center Modernization. The approval was conditioned by reimbursement to Measure J from debt proceeds issued when the capital project begins later in 2026. To date, the City has issued a $1M contract to LMNO2, the Project architects, $1,500,000 to MELK the Urban Design Team, and $572,250 to Multistudio the Branding and Marketing team. The Accenture contract for Owners Representative Services is for an amount not to exceed $4,147,220. If this contract is approved, the total amount of Professional Services to date will be $7,222,470 of the $9.9M budget from Measure J.
REVIEWED BY:
City Engineer: Joel Montalvo
Procurement & Contracting Manager: Tabitha Richards
Director of Finance & Treasurer: Kristopher J. Mooney
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Professional Services Agreement 26P109
B. Public Integrity Disclosure Form