City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 2, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Resolution Approving ATHENA Rapid Response Innovation Lab to Provide Training, Community Outreach and Workforce Development for the United States Department of the Navy and the City of Alexandria. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of request from ATHENA Rapid Response Innovation Lab to support its endeavor in providing services to the U.S. Department of the Navy, veterans, teachers, students, and other interested City of Alexandria residents.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the attached resolution that endorses the City of Alexandria government’s endeavor to continue to partner with ATHENA Rapid Response Innovation Lab LLC.
DISCUSSION: The ATHENA Rapid Response Innovation Lab is a non-profit based in the City of Alexandria, working with communities worldwide to provide hands-on solutions to their most immediate challenges. Originally founded in 2016 as “TechGarden”, the organization has grown to provide a broad range of services including training, small business support, community outreach and workforce development. Since its inception, ATHENA Rapid Response Innovation Lab has been an active partner in the City of Alexandria government and schools, including supporting coronavirus response efforts by producing and distributing 150 desks to local students, supporting individuals and organizations in creating prototypes and solutions for disinfecting equipment and buildings, and producing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Eighteen months ago, the City Manager and ATHENA Rapid Response Innovation Lab/Building Momentum executed a Memorandum of Understanding that facilitated ATHENA Rapid Response Innovation Lab’s partnership with NavalX, an innovation and agility cell, supporting and connecting initiatives across the U.S. Department of Defense. ATHENA will facilitate the transfer of Federal laboratory technologies to the City government, ACPS, and City residents and businesses. Solidifying NavalX’s home in Alexandria is contingent on ATHENA Rapid Response Innovation Lab executing a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) in providing services to the U.S. Department of the Navy, veterans, teachers, students, and other interested City of Alexandria residents. This PIA to be accepted by the U.S. Department of the Navy requires a supportive resolution of City Council.
As part of this partnership the City will have at least one seat on the ATHENA’s Board of Directors.
FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact of the PIA is very positive in that the City government, City schools, city residents and the city economy will receive the benefits that ATHENA Rapid Response can provide.
ATTACHMENT: Proposed Resolution
STAFF:
Julian Gonsalves, Assistant City Manager for Public-Private Partnerships