Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
JANUARY 15, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: EXECUTIVE STRATEGIC ADVISORY SERVICES
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACTS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to:
A. AWARD a three-year firm fixed unit rate Contract No. PS131207000D1 (Discipline 1) to WSP USA, Inc. to provide strategic advisory services in the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $1,700,000, effective February 16, 2026, subject to the resolution of properly submitted protest(s), if any; and
B. AWARD a three-year firm fixed unit rate Contract No. PS13207001D2 (Discipline 2) to WSP USA, Inc. to provide mega events advisory services in the NTE amount of $740,000, effective February 16, 2026, subject to the resolution of properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
The Office of the Chief Executive Officer (OCEO) requires direct access to executive-level strategic and mega-event advisory expertise to guide enterprise-wide decision-making and ensure organizational readiness for complex, time-sensitive milestones.
Background
BACKGROUND
Metro issued RFP No. PS131207 on April 17, 2025, to provide executive-level strategic advisory services, including mega event advisory services directly to the OCEO. These services are intended to support the OCEO in navigating agency-wide priorities, managing cross-functional risks, and coordinating regional and international event readiness efforts associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These advisory consultants are expected to function as thought partners to executive leadership, offering an independent perspective informed by experience supporting complex public agencies and large-scale global events.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The Strategic Advisory and Mega Event Advisory Services contracts will provide the OCEO with access to specialized expertise across these two disciplines that are vital to Metro’s continued growth, transformation, and readiness for upcoming milestones. As one of the largest and most complex transit agencies in the nation, Metro operates in an evolving landscape balancing service reliability, safety, equity, fiscal responsibility, and sustainability commitments while preparing for global mega events. These advisory services will strengthen Metro’s ability to make timely, informed, and strategic decisions at the executive level.
• Discipline 1: Strategic Advisory Services: Provides independent counsel on agency-wide direction, organizational alignment, and strategic tradeoffs. This includes advising on cross-departmental coordination, executive governance, performance priorities, and emerging risks that require executive-level consideration.
• Discipline 2: Mega Events Advisory Services: Ensures Metro’s operational and logistical readiness for global events. These services focus on executive-level planning, risk identification, and strategic coordination across internal departments and external partners to ensure Metro is prepared to support safe, reliable, and high-capacity service during global events.
Direct access to executive-level advisors enables the OCEO to draw upon technical expertise when developing agency-wide strategies, responding to emerging challenges, and implementing Board directives. The contracts will allow Metro to leverage subject-matter specialists efficiently.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
This Board action has no direct impact on safety.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Strategic Advisory Services provided by subject matter expert consultants is an ongoing need and is budgeted for each year. In FY26, funds are available in the Chief of Staff cost center: 2015; Project 100002.
Impact to Budget
The sources of funds for this action are Proposition A/C/TDA admin funds, which are not eligible for Metro bus and rail operations.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This action will provide dedicated expertise to ensure that strategic, operational, and policy decisions consider equity outcomes, potential unintended impacts, and mitigation strategies consistent with Metro’s adopted equity framework.
The Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) established an overall eight percent (8%) Small Business Enterprise (SBE) goal for this On-Call contract. Proposers were encouraged to form teams that included SBE firms without schedules or specific dollar commitment to designated subcontractors. Overall SBE achievement will be determined using aggregate SBE participation levels.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
While this item does not directly encourage taking transit, sharing a ride, or using active transportation, it is a vital part of Metro operations. Because the Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item supports the overall function of the agency, this item is consistent with the goals of reducing VMT.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This recommendation supports Strategic Plan Goal #5: Advance Organizational Excellence, by strengthening executive capacity, improving collaboration, and ensuring accountable, evidence-based decision-making to advance Metro’s mission.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
An alternative to the recommendation is not to approve the recommendation. This is not recommended as it could delay the OCEO’s access to specialized advisory expertise, limit responsiveness to emerging challenges, and hinder Metro’s ability to strategically plan for major regional and international events.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract Nos. PS131207000D1 (Discipline 1) and PS131207001D2 (Discipline 2) with WSP USA, Inc. to provide strategic and mega events advisory services, respectively, effective February 16, 2026.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Elba Higueros, Deputy Chief of Staff, (213) 922-6820
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Nicole Englund, Chief of Staff, (213) 922-7950
