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SR-062408-1L~ir c;cYOr City Council Report Santa Monica City Council Meeting: June 24, 2008 Agenda Item: l-~'° To: Mayor and City Council From: Kathryn Vernez, Assistant to the City Manager, Community & Government Relations Subject: Professional Services Contract with The Ferguson .Group, LLC for Washington Representative/Lobbying Services for an amount not to exceed $76,000. Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City manager to negotiate and execute a professional services contract with The Ferguson Group in an amount not to exceed $76,000 including expenses not to exceed $4,000 for Federal representative and lobbying services. Executive Summary The Ferguson Group is recommended to continue representing the City's interest in Washington, D.C. Staff conducted a request for proposals process and three firms were rated and evaluated by an interdepartmental team. The Ferguson Group is unanimously recommended as submitting the highest ranked proposal at a competitive price. The qualifications and personnel of the firm; strategy and plan to accomplish goals for the federal lobbyist; and compensation proposal received the highest .ratings from the review panel. The. Ferguson Group has been providing service to the City since 1994. While the firm has developed an extensive and successful track record, the proposal itself stood above the rest in terms of the depth of scope of services, strategic approach and qualifications of personnel. There is a 5% recommended increase in the base contract over the current amount as provided for in the budget to reflect adjustment for minimal increases previously granted. Discussion The Federal lobbyist works extensively for the City's federal objectives in Congress and before federal agencies. They monitor federal executive proposals, legislation, 1 administrative regulation, Congressional appropriation opportunities and. other developments, advising the City when .City policy or program objectives may be affected. Responsibilities include providing detailed information on federal initiatives, maintaining liaison with members of Congress and the Administration, assisting City officials with appearances before Congressional committees and administrative agencies, and advising on City proposals pending before federal regulatory or funding agencies. The Ferguson Group has represented the. City's interest on issues including: MtBE/water contamination; housing (Community Development Block Grant, Home, Section 8, Section. 202, Shelter Plus Care renewals); homelessness; community and economic development (415 PCH); transit/transportation including the Exposition Right of Way-and boulevard improvements; infrastructure improvements such as Palisades Bluffs stabilization and seismic. reliability of water facilities; -and regulatory and administration action by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Ferguson Group has effectively advocated on behalf of the City: However, it is a good business practice to test the market from time to time to ascertain the best firm to represent the city. Contractor Selection Staff issued a request for proposals from qualified. consultants to represent the city's federal objectives before Congress, congressional committees, staff and federal agencies. Three proposals were received and reviewed by an interdepartmental team composed of representatives from the Finance department, EPWM; Planning and Community Development, and the City' Manager's Office. The Ferguson Group was rated the highest on all three evaluation criteria: qualifications and personnel; strategy and plan to accomplish the goals for the federal lobbyist; and compensation proposal. The breadth of the proposal; careful attention to detail; and extensive experience in transportation, water resources, environmental issues, housing was noteworthy. The 2 Ferguson Group proposal offered a thoughtful structure and approach to the advocacy plan that was superior to the other proposals. Components included conducting a strategic assessment of opportunities for the City; development of the federal agenda and strategy to achieve the City's goals; development of materials to make the case for priorities; results oriented lobbying and ongoing communication reports. The review committee vvas unanimous in its recommendation of the Ferguson Group. Services will be provided to Santa Monica for an amount not to exceed $76,000 including expenses not to exceed $4,000. This is a 5% increase in the base contract amount over the current contract as provided for in the budget to reflect adjustment for minimal increases previously granted. In a separate regional effort, the Big Blue Bus works with six other Los Angeles County . municipal transit systems to obtain Federal Section 5309 funds for transit vehicles and facilities. The group, named Municipal Transit Operators Coalition (MTOC) selected The .Ferguson Group to represent its interests. The Ferguson Group has effectively advocated on behalf of MTOC for many years.. Each transit organization funds the effort under a separate contract. Services will be provided to the Big Blue Bus for an amount not to exceed $35,000. Budget/Financial Impact Funds of $76,000 are available in account number 01207.555060. Prepared by: Kathryn Vernez, Assistant to the City Manager, Community & Government Relations Forwarded to Council: Assistant to the City Manager for Community and Government Relations ~~ o P. ont Ewell City Manager 3 Reference Contract No. 8942 (CCS).