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,
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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
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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
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Reference Contract No.
8942 (CCS).