SR-011309-1C~;~Yof City Council Report
Sautes Monica°
City Council Meeting: January 13, 2009
Agenda Item: ~ -~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Subject: Professional Services Agreement with Jordan & Associates .for
Washington RepresentativelLobbying Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with Jordan & Associates in an amount not
to exceed $60,000 for Federal representative and lobbying services on issues related to
bus transit. The award shall be for athree-year period with an additional one-year
renewal option.
Executive Summary
Jordan & Associates is recommended to represent the City's interest on issues related
to the Big Blue Bus in Washington, DC. Staff conducted a request for proposals process
and Jordan & Associates was the only firm that submitted a proposal. Jordan &
Associates has provided high quality work for the City on bus transit issues since 2002.
The firm has developed an extensive and successful track record working with transit
systems across the United States. Funds of $60,000 are available in the current Big
Blue Bus budget.
Discussion
The Federal lobbyist works extensively for the Big Blue Bus' federal objectives in
Congress, before federal agencies and national trade organizations. They monitor
federal executive proposals, legislation, administrative regulation, Congressional
appropriation opportunities and other developments, advising the Big Blue Bus when a
policy or program objectives may be affected. Responsibilities include providing
detailed information on federal initiatives, maintaining liaison with members of Congress
1
and the Administration, advising on Big Blue Bus proposals pending before federal
regulatory or funding agencies and working with national trade organizations.
Jordan & Associates has represented the City's interest on bus transit issues including:
charter bus, school bus regulations, working with national trade associations and
working with the Southern California Regional Transit Training Consortium. Jordan &
Associates has effectively advocated on behalf of the Big Blue Bus. However, it is a
good business practice to test the market from time to time to ascertain the best firm to
represent Santa Monica on issues that affect the Big Blue Bus.
Contractor Selection
Staff issued a request for proposals from qualified consultants to represent the Big Blue
Bus' federal. objectives before Congress, congressional committees, staff, federal
agencies and national trade associations. Only one proposal was received. Jordan &
Associates' proposal was strong 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 with transportation agencies were noteworthy. The Jordan &
Associates proposal offered a thoughtful structure and approach to the advocacy plan.
Components included conducting a strategic assessment of opportunities for the Big
Blue Bus; development of the federal agenda and strategy to achieve the Big Blue Bus'
goals; development of materials to make the case for priorities; results oriented lobbying
and ongoing communication reports.
Services will be provided to the Big Blue Bus for a three year period at $60,000 with an
additional one year renewal option. This is a 9% increase over the current contract.
Budget/Financial Impact
Funds of $60,000 are available in account number 41640.555062.162W. Budget
authority for subsequent years will be included in each annual proposed City budget.
2
Prepared by:
David Feinberg, DeputyDirector of Transit Services
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
Stephanie Negriff Lamont EN
Director of Transit Services ~y Manager
Reference Contract
No. 9020 (CCS).