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~;tYOf City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: June 30, 2009
Agenda Item: ~ C
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kathryn Vernez, Assistant to the City Manager, Community & Government
Relations
Subject: Extension of Washington Representative/Lobbying Services Contract
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a
modification to Professional Services Agreement #8942 (CCS) with The Ferguson
Group, LLC, to extend the contract term from one year to five years and increase the
total not to exceed amount from $76,000 for aone-year term to $389,250 for afive-year
term.
Executive Summary
The Ferguson Group has been performing federal representative and lobbying services
for the City since 1994. As a result of a request for proposal process conducted in
2008; The Ferguson Group was selected by an interdepartmental team to continue to
represent the City's federal objectives before Congress, congressional committees, staff
and federal agencies. Subject to funding for future years, staff recommends that the
contract term be extended four years and that the not-to-exceed amount be increased
by $313,250 for a total not to exceed $389,250,
Discussion
On June 24, 2008, Council authorized a contract with The Ferguson Group for federal
representative-and lobbying services in Washington D.C. in the amount of $76,000
including expenses not to exceed $4,000. Since that time, The Ferguson Group has
successfully represented the City's federal objectives in Congress and before federal
agencies. Staff would now like to extend the term of the contract and the not-to-exceed
contract amount to five years and $389,250, respectively.
The Ferguson Group has effectively advocated on behalf of the City at the federal .level.
They monitor federal executive proposals, legislation, administrative regulations,
Congressional appropriation opportunities and other developments, advising the City
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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: Federal
Stimulus opportunities; 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 developed an extensive and
successful track record with 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, and an RFP
process was completed last year which confirmed the City's decision to contract the
.Ferguson Group.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The total cost of federal representative and lobbying services will not exceed $389,250.
during the five-year term of the professional services agreement and will approximate
$76,000 in each of the five fiscal years, plus a CPI increase if warranted. Funds are
available in account 01207.555060. Funding for future fiscal years will be subject to
approval as part of the annual budget.
Prepared by: Kanani Brown, Intern to the City Manager's Office
Forwarded to Council:
Assistant to the City Manager for Cfty Manager
Community and Government Relations
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Reference Amendment to
Contract No. 8942 (CCS).