SR-05-27-1980-6VMAY 2 7 10 3(l
Santa Monica, California, May 20, 1980
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: SOLICITATION OF CONSULTANT FOR
INNOVATIVE GRANT FOR COMMUNITY ENERGY CONSERVATION
Introduction
This report describes consultant requirements for the Innovative Grant for
Community Energy Conservation and requests the City Council authorize allo-
cation of $4,200 from the General Fund for consultant services.
Background
On April 22, 1980, the City Council approved a resolution to apply for a
Federal grant for energy conservation projects to assist low and moderate
income persons and small and /or minority businesses to conserve energy.
The grant proposal budget is for $500,000 to be used as seed money for a non-
profit corporation which would provide energy conservation training, insula-
tion materials and installation services, audits for solar feasibility, and
financial and installation assistance for solar water heaters. This effort
will be directed mainly toward multi - family residences and small businesses
in the Community Development Block Grant areas, as specified in the grant
guidelines.
During Staff's research of the above program, it became clear professional
services would be needed if the City is to present a proposal which will meet
the highly competitive criteria of this program. The grant application is due
in Washington D.C. June 23, 1980, and an intensive effort over the next four
weeks is required if the deadline is to be met. This deadline puts a time
constraint on normal consultant solicitation procedures. Under terms of the V
MAY 2 7 1900
T0: Mayor and City Council -2-
May 20, 1980
grant, RFP requirements can be waived when the urgency for the requirement will
not permit competitive solicitation.
Staff received the attached proposal for $4,200 from two local consultants.
Nicole Mosberg and Raphe Sonenshein specialize in preparing grant proposals.
The attached documentation include resumes and a listing of their successful
grant submissions. Approximately two months ago, Ms. Mosberg and Mr. Sonenshein
met with Staff to offer their services for any upcoming grant projects. Staff
contacted them for this project because of their active interest in working with
the City.
In Staff's opinion, these consultants have the necessary experience and expertise
to assist on this project. Raphe Sonenshein is listed as an approved consultant
to the City of Los Angeles Economic Development Office and is a specialist in
economic development and energy projects. Nicole Mosberg has six years experi-
ence in developing public information strategies for non - profit corporations.
Recommendati
Staff recommends City Council appropriate $4,200 from the General Fund for con-
sultant services for the Innovative Grant Application; and authorize the City
Manager to enter into a contract with consultants, Nicole Mosberg and
Raphe Sonenshein.
Prepared by: Stan Scholl
Karen Rathbun
Attachment Consultant Proposal
Resumes
Date: May 19, 1980
To: Stan Scholl
From: Raphe Sonenshein
Nicole Mosberg
Subject: Consulting Proposal for Community Energy Conservation
Competition
A. Task
The purpose of the HUD Community Energy Conservation Competition is
to develop'innovatiroe City models for conserving energy in 'Block Grant areas:
B. Steps
The following steps are required to produce a first -rate City application
which will be- responsive to the objectives of the funding agency:..
1. Source Research
Often Federal Requests for Proposal offer only partial
information. We will contact HUD staff to ascertain priorities
in order to broaden understanding of the program objectives.
In addition, library research on background (e.g. hearings,
legislative history) of the program will be done.
2. Needs Assessment
The application requires a preliminary assessment of energy
conservation measures needed in Block Grant areas of the City.
We will assist in gathering this data.
3. Project Development
We will work with City staff and community members to refine the
project idea and to adapt it to the RFP criteria. The City idea's
nation -wide replicability will be analyzed along with the relation-
ship of the idea to the City's energy strategy and long -term needs.
Consultants will work with City Staff to plan the non - profit
corporation and to develop organizational strategies. This will
involve substantial contact with Community groups.
We will help the City form a project budget for appropriate, eligible
tasks, such as training, public information! materials, loan funds,
among others.
Consulting Proposal
May 19, 1980
Page Two
4. Draft Application
Preparation of a draft application for internal and community
review. Feedback will be sought and incorporated, where
appropriate. Endorsements will be solicited. The draft appli-
cation will be compared to the RFP evaluation criteria and adjusted
to obtain maximum proposal points.
5. Final Application
Revisions will be incorporated and the proposal will be typed and
sent in order to meet the Federal deadline:
C. Consultant Qualifications
We have worked together as private grant consultants for four years.
We have obtained funding for public works, energy, volunteer, education,
economic development; CETA and media projects. Our - clients vary from grass-
roots community organizations to largye cities. Our successful grant and
contract proposals have raised over $2.5 million. (A list of funded projects
is attached). In addition, we are:
skilled at preparing incorporation and tax papers for non - profit
corporations
experienced in energy grants, including the area of small -scale
hydroelectric development. In these projects we have prepared
technical proposals, public information strategies, and economic/
job impact assessments
experienced in working with local government (including the City
of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District).
have worked closely with community groups, small and /or minority
businesses in many grant applications
specialize in federal grants for California projects
work effectively under tight deadlines
Raphe Sonenshein is listed as an approved consultant to the City
of Los Angeles Economic Development Office and is a specialist
in economic development and energy projects.
Nicole Mosberg has six years experience in developing public
information strategies for non - profit corporations.
D. Budget
There are 25 calendar days (including weekends) between the start date
and the mailing date. Vie estimate that we will each work 20 days in that
period in order to complete the proposal.
0
Consulting proposal
i•iay 19, 1930
Page 3
Personnel: 40 person -days � $109/day = '4,000
E enses (contingency): Telephone = 100
Typing = bo
Copies = 20
Total = 200,
The expense contingency will only be expended if deadline
requires non -City personnel assistance,
E. Contact
For further information, please contact either of us at
450- 7141.
- 3 -
Address: 52 Dudley Avenue
Venice, Ca. 90291
Born:. November 10, 1949
Writing Experience:
RAPHE SOMENSHEIN
March, 1980
Telephone:
(213) 450 7141 (day)
(213) 396 5727 (eve)
Age: 30 Health: Excellent
September, 1976 - present'. Self- employed as private consultant in grantsmanship,
proposal writing and program planning. Client list is attached. Skills and
experience include: analysis of Requests for Proposal, project development,
proposal planning and development, grant and contract negotiation, project
administration and preparation of reports and public documents. My areas of .:..
specialization are construction and energy engineering.
Successful proposals total over $1.5 million, from such sources as the U.S.
Departments of Commerce, Energy and Health, Education and Welfare.
July, 1975 - August, 1976. Grantsperson and staff aide for Los Angeles City
Councilman David S. Cunningham. Obtained and coordinated a $495,060 Federal
Economic Development Administration grant to convert unused City fire stations
into community centers.
July, 1974 - September, 1974. Intern, Office of Mayor Torn Bradley, Les Angeles.
Co- produced pilot issue of Ways and Means, a newspaper serving . members of the
City Volunteer Corps.
November, 1971 September, 1972, Researcher, Fund for the City of New York.
Extensive research and writing for a published study of the illegal numbers
game in Now York City with recommendations for establishment of a legal game.
"Legal Gambling in New York ", FCNY, 1972._
Academic Ex erp ience:
January, 1960 - present. Research in progress on Ph.D. thesis in political
sci2cca, Yale University: "Canl'idates and Parties in City Politics ".
September, 1979 - January, 19?:. In residence, Yale University, to complete
pre - dissertation requirements. Teaching assistant in undergraduate course on
the Congress.
June, 1978. Received Mi.A, decree in political science, Yale University.
r Raphe Sonenshein (cont.)
January, 1977 - June, 1978. Trainer in Grantsmanship and Proposal Writing.
Taught seminars and workshops for District 10 City Employees, Portland community
agencies and California.VISTA volunteers..
September, 1972 - January, 1975. Graduate student in political science, Yale
University. Teaching assistant in two undergraduate courses: Introduction to
American Politics and Class, Race and Power in American Cities.
September, 1967 - June, 1971. Undergraduate in public policy, Princeton University,
Princeton, New Jersey: B.A. 1971.
List of Grantsmanship Clients:
Los Angeles Unified School District
Pacifica Foundation
.Public Advertising Council
Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles
The Middle Way.. .. -
Lawrence S. Kubie Memorial Fellowship Fund
Pacifico Employment Agency
Community Volunteers of Southern California
Fluid Energy Systems., Inc.
University of West Los Angeles School of Law
Public Sound Productions
Gail Christian and Associates
Proposals Funded By:
United States Department of Energy, Low -Head Hydropower
United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration
United States Library of Congress, Division of Blind and Handicapped Programs
United States Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
California Council for the Humanities in Public Policy
City of Los Angeles CETA Program - On the Job Training
Veatch Foundation
State of California Department of Developmental Services
Nicole Mosberg
1309 Pacific Coast Highway
Santa Monica, California 90401
(213)450 -7141 (office)
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Grants and Program Planning: As private consultant design and plan projects,
research funding sources, and prepare proposals. Experience with negotiation
of proposals and federal contracts and administration of grants and contracts.
Have worked for all types of clients - nonprofit organizations, private firms,
and public bodies. Specialties are federal media contracts, CETA grants, programming
by and for the handicapped and public works projects. Received first grant at age 20
from the National Endowment for the Humanities to execute original TV reserach
based on honors thesis."
TV /Radio Production and Administration: At Public Advertising Council, managed
•all media —projects .as we]1 as writing proposal s._. Duties "were producing TV and _Ra.dio
PSA's, designing public information and promotional campaigns; dealing with clients,
preparing grants, and negotiating with funding sources. Consulted with non - profit
groups on using the media. Administered all work and supervised staff ranging
from one to six persons., Working knowledge of film production, especially production
management, planning, and budgeting. Have extensive experience in commercial- and
public radio: "airwork," production and station administration at all levels except
General Manager.
China Trade: Have owned and operated for two years a trading company which brokers
fabric from the People's Republic of China and negotiates sales and purchases
in other product areas for client firms. Product experience includes textiles,
gifts, and chemicals. Annual trips to China and good working relationship with
the Chinese governemnt.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
present: consultant in grants and program planning
present: importer of Chinese fabric
1976 -1978: Assistant Director, Public Advertising Council. A non- profit media
agency and production house. Los Angeles.
1971 -1976: key positions (including program director, music director, announcer, news,
interviewing, production, personnel director) at FM radio stations:
KPFT (Houston), KSML (Lake Tahoe), KRMH (Austin), WXPN (Philadelphia).
1974: researcher, NEH- funded original research project
EDUCATION
University of Pennsylvania. BA Cum Laude (American History) received in
1973 after 3 years of study.