PURCELLVILLE, Va., September 7, 2018 – On August 17, the Town issued a News Release informing the public that Shaun Alexander Enterprises, Inc. (“SAE”) would no longer perform under its contract with the Town which includes operation of the Town’s Bush Tabernacle and Fireman’s Field facilities, effective September 1, 2018. Upon receipt of this notice, the Town moved to undertake three specific actions: 1) issued notice to SAE for breach of contract and not fulfilling the requirements contractually obligated for the four plus years remaining of the contract; 2) the Town prepared to move expeditiously, under emergency procurement procedures, to seek informal short term proposals to maintain operations of both the field and the Tabernacle; 3) the Town began discussions with Loudoun County to return maintenance and operation of Fireman’s Field back to the County under the previous contractual terms that both parties had honored historically.
The anticipated emergency procurement process, for the operation of the Bush Tabernacle, would allow sufficient time (up to six months) for the Town to develop a formal RFP and go through a standard procurement process to select a permanent concessionaire to operate the Tabernacle for a new five year period. The Town received three informal proposals for administrative consideration. While conducting the evaluation of the interim proposals, SAE forwarded a formal letter to the Town rescinding its notice of termination. With this notice, the Town immediately suspended the emergency procurement process and opened up negotiations with SAE to determine both its intent and its capacity to honor its long term contract. SAE pledged to continue its operations of the Bush Tabernacle and also agreed to expand both its days of service and hours of operation.
SAE fully supports a necessary contractual amendment, recommended by the Town, to transfer all operations of Fireman’s Field to Loudoun County. The County is currently considering placing this item on the agenda for their September 20th Board of Supervisors meeting for discussion and action, and the Town has tentatively placed this item on its Council agenda for September 25th. In addition to this contract amendment, the Town understands that SAE is evaluating a number of subcontractors to replace the role formerly held by Play to Win who withdrew from the SAE partnership. The selection of a subcontractor is not in the purview of the Town, rather it is an independent unilateral decision of SAE as the prime contractor.
As Town Manager, I will provide a further update to the Town Council at the September 11th meeting.
