SR-06-11-2013-3FCity Council Meeting: June 11, 2013
Agenda Item: 3 -F
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kathryn Vernez, Deputy City Manager, Special Projects
Subject: Professional Services Agreement with The Ferguson Group, LLC for
Washington Representative /Lobbying Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a five year professional services agreement with The Ferguson Group, a
Washington, D.C. -based company, in an amount not to exceed $216,000 for federal
representative and lobbying services with future year funding contingent on Council
budget approval.
Executive Summary
Following a competitive process, staff recommends The Ferguson Group to continue
representing the City's legislative interests in Washington, D.C. In April 2013, the City
issued a Request for Proposals for a firm to represent the City's federal objectives
including monitoring and advocating for federal policy and programmatic actions that
would impact the City such as environmental, housing, taxation, airport and
transportation issues. The Ferguson Group is recommended to provide federal lobbyist
services in the amount of $216,000
Background
Federal lobbyists works extensively for the City's legislative objectives in Congress and
before federal agencies. They monitor federal executive proposals, legislation,
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; advising on City
proposals pending before federal regulatory or funding agencies; and assisting City
officials with appearances before Congressional committees and administrative
agencies.
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The Ferguson Group has successfully represented the City's interest on federal
legislative, regulatory and funding issues, including:
• Environment: Recycled water infrastructure improvements; $875,000 from EPA
for the City's Water System Reliability Project for a new recycled water reservoir;
$300,000 WaterSMART grant for development of a sustainable water master
Plan; and remediation of MtBE contamination in the Charnock sub - basin.
• Transportation: Preserving a $1.6 million allocation for improvements to Lincoln
Boulevard; Big Blue Bus transit purchases; and regulatory and administrative
action by the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Housing: Advocacy with the Veterans Administration and Congress on funding
for the West LA VA for homeless veterans therapeutic housing; Community
Development Block Grant, Home, Section 8, Section 202, and Shelter Plus Care
renewals; and homelessness.
Discussion
Lobbyists monitor both congressional legislation and federal grant opportunities every
year on a on topics such as: air quality; economic development; energy; environment;
federal /local fiscal relationship; healthcare; homeless /social services; housing; parks
and open space; public safety; public libraries; taxation; telecommunications;
transportation; and water quality. The services of a lobbyist firm are critical to ensure
that the City is aware of legislation that may impact the City's policy or program
objectives and has the opportunity to advocate for or against legislation as appropriate.
Contractor /Consultant Selection
In April 2013, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified consultants
to represent the City's federal objectives before Congress, congressional committees,
staff and federal agencies. The RFP was posted on the City's on -line bidding site and
sent to two firms that provide Federal lobbyist services to cities.
Three proposals were received and reviewed by an interdepartmental team composed
of staff from the departments of Finance, Public Works, Big Blue Bus, Housing and
Economic Development, City Attorney's Office, and the City Manager's Office. The
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Ferguson Group was rated the highest on all three evaluation criteria: qualifications and
personnel; strategies and plan to accomplish goals; and compensation proposal. The
breadth of the proposal, structure and experience of team, and extensive municipal
experience in transportation, water resources, and environmental issues was
noteworthy. The proposal offered a thoughtful plan for advocacy, including: 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, webinars, and
weekly legislative and grant updates. Based on the evaluation criteria, the Ferguson
Group is recommended as the best firm to provide Federal lobbyist services.
The Ferguson Group has a successful track record providing federal lobbyist services to
the City since 1994. Award of the current contract with the firm, which expires June 30,
2013, was the result of a competitive process and Council approval on June 24, 2008.
Due to limited funds and anticipated federal work, the contract represents a reduction
from the previous amount of $76,000 per year.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The professional services agreement to be awarded to the Ferguson Group is for an
amount not to exceed $216,000 ($43,200 per year) over a five year period. Funds for
the first two years have been included in the proposed FY 2013 -15 budget in account
number 012071.555060. Budget authority for subsequent budget years will be
requested in each budget for Council approval. Future funding is contingent upon
Council approval and budget adoption.
Prepared by: Kathryn Vernez, Deputy City Manager, Special Projects
Approved: Forwarded to Council:
(Kathryn ernez Rod Gould
Deputy City Manager, Special Projects 1z City Manager
Reference Contract No.
9744 (CCS)