ITB Benton County Lobbyist Services_2123-12-Rev2~3.pdf

ITB # 2123-12 Page 1 of 7 August 22, 2022

BENTON COUNTY

Invitation to Bid # 2123-12 For State and Federal Lobbyist

Benton County Board of Commissioners

Date Issued:

September 2, 2022

Response Due Date:

September 13, 2022

The deadline for bid submission is, 4:00 pm (PST). Late bids will not be accepted

Issuing Office: Benton County Financial Services Department PO Box 964 Corvallis, OR 97339 rick.crager@co.benton.or.us

(541)766-6624 mailto:rick.crager@co.benton.or.us

ITB # 2123-12 Page 2 of 7 August 22, 2022

PURPOSE:

Benton County is providing an Invitation to Bid (ITB) to qualified consultants experienced in state and federal legislative programs and resources who are interested in providing professional lobbyist services to further the County’s legislative goals and priorities. The selected consultant will work with the County to develop its 2023 legislative priorities and work with state legislators as well as agency and department staff to advance the County legislative priorities in Salem; monitor the state’s appropriations cycles and grant deadlines; and other appropriate state and federal activities. One of the highest priorities for the County is its Justice System Improvement Program (JSIP). JSIP is a multi-year project that began with a detailed assessment in 2018. The assessment showed that existing facilities are antiquated, too small, and have security issues. Currently, people experiencing addictions and mental illness struggle to find help. In addition, limited jail space often means offenders are routinely released into the community, with no space for mental health services or addiction treatment programs. JSIP aims to address these issues by making significant investments in developing a number of new facilities as well as expanded mental health and behavioral health crisis programs and services.

In working with the County to establish its legislative priorities, JSIP will receive primary focus. More information on JSIP can be found at Justice Services Improvement Program.

BACKGROUND:

Benton County was created on December 23, 1847 by an act of the Provisional Government of Oregon.

At the time of its formation, the county included all the country west of the Willamette River, south of Polk County and running all the way to the California border in the south and the Pacific Ocean in the west. The county was created out of lands originally inhabited by the Klickitat, who rented it from the Kalapuyas for use as hunting grounds. All aboriginal claims to land within Benton County were ceded in the Treaty of Dayton in 1855. Portions of Benton County were taken to form Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Lane and Lincoln Counties, leaving Benton County in its present form. With a population of over 95,000, the County is 90 miles south of Portland and 40 miles north of Eugene providing easy access to urban areas with ample opportunities for cultural activities.

Since 1972, Benton County has been an Oregon "Home Rule" County, meaning that the citizens have full control over the county charter, rather than using a standard constitution issued by the state. The voters elect three County Commissioners who form the Board of Commissioner to oversee all functions of county government services and set the budgets for the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office.

They act as executives, overseeing county operations; legislators, setting county ordinances; and also fill a quasi-judicial role in land use matters.to govern the County. The Board of Commissioners selects a County Administrator who implements policy and oversees all county operations providing the complete range of county services including community development, public works/transportation, public safety, , , natural areas, parks, and events, and health services.

CONTRACT AWARD:

As a result of this ITB, the County intends to award one contract through June 30, 2023. The estimated contract start date is September 15, 2022.

SCOPE OF WORK:

• Assist in the development of legislative priorities for Benton County.

• Develop and implement strategies to successfully promote the County’s legislative priorities.

https://www.co.benton.or.us/justice/page/about-program

ITB # 2123-12 Page 3 of 7 August 22, 2022

• Represent the County legislative priorities and objectives to members of the Oregon State Legislature and appropriate legislative committees, the Governor’s Office, state agencies, and legislative staff as well as appropriate federal representatives and appropriate committees, and federal agencies.

• Monitor State and Federal legislation, legislative committees, state and federal agencies, rulemaking, and the activities of appropriate interest groups that pertain to the stated County interests, goals, and objectives.

• Recommend appropriate County action regarding pertinent legislation.

• Identify opportunities for elected officials and County staff to testify before legislative committees and subcommittees with respect to proposed legislation; communicate such opportunities to the Country Administrator or designee in a timely manner; assist in preparation of testimony to be given; and as requested, testify on behalf of the County.

• Attend meetings of the Board of Commissioners and County staff, as may be requested by the County Administrator or designee in order to brief County officials on legislative activities.

• Monitor and track congress and the federal government for policy issues and funding opportunities for Benton County.

• Provide written and oral reports to the County Administrator and Board of Commissioners, as mutually agreed upon, in order to inform the County regarding the status of pertinent legislation and of the lobbying activity/efforts of the Consultant.

• Testify and/or sign-in on behalf of the County on legislation of interest. Additionally, coordinate talking points and strategies for Elected Officials or County Staff to testify at hearings.

• Comply with all Public Disclosure Commission requirements for lobbying.

• Provide support on County efforts and initiatives beyond the legislative session to position the County to advance its objectives.

• A primary focus of the lobbyist is to identify and lobby for funding from both state and federal governments to assist Benton County with addressing proposed infrastructure projects and other Board of Commissioner top priorities.

Budget:

The County has a Not to Exceed $50,000 budget for the life of the contract term; however firms shall provide competitively hourly rates with their quotes. The proposed fees will be a factor in vendor selection.

INSURANCE REQUIREMENT:

ITB # 2123-12 Page 4 of 7 August 22, 2022

We request that the bidder submit a copy of its current liability certificate(s) to the County as part of the bid response. Should bidder be awarded a contract as a result of this ITB, bidder shall have 30 days to provide the County with a certificate naming the county as additional insured.

ITB # 2123-12 Page 5 of 7 August 22, 2022

SECTION I. Bid Format and Content

The response to this ITB should be in an electronic format only (pdf), using at least a 11 pt. font, and not exceed 12 standard-sized pages (8 ½” x 11”) – excluding the Cover Letter, Project Team and Qualifications, and References. Proposals shall include the following information:

1. Cover letter/Statement of Interest: Describe the firm’s interest in the project, confirming availability of key staff, attesting to the accuracy of the proposal submittals, and indicating the company’s ability to provide services signed by a senior representative of the company.

2. Executive Summary: Summarize your proposal and include your firm’s contact information.

3. Project Approach: Explain your approach to assisting the County in advancing its goals and priorities.

4. Pricing: Provide information on your firm’s proposed fee schedule.

5. Project Team and Qualifications: Identify the individual(s) you propose to assign as lead lobbyist and all members of the project team. Include a statement of qualifications and/or resume for each member.

6. Project Experience: Describe your experience leading strategic initiatives and efforts to further your clients’ goals, preferably with counties. Please provide information for up to three relevant and recent strategic initiatives and efforts with similar scope and size that have been managed by the proposed project manager.

Provide examples of successful legislative outcomes achieved for your clients (preferably counties) within the past 3 years and describe how your efforts contributed to those outcomes.

Include the date each outcome was achieved. Please include specific examples where you were instrumental in achieving State and Federal financial assistance for your local government clients.

7. References: Include a list of references, with contact information, of at least 3 current contracts, within the last 3 years. Municipal references are preferred.

8. Client List: Provide a current listing of all clients utilizing your lobbyist services.

9. Work Samples: Provide samples or electronic links to samples of documents you have produced that are similar to the documents your firm would provide under this contract, including a weekly report to client during legislative session.

In submitting a response to this ITB, each bidder acknowledges that the County shall not be liable to any person for any costs incurred therewith or in connection with costs incurred by any bidder in anticipation of County’s action approving or disapproving any proposed agreement. The County may accept or reject any Bid or proposed agreement without limitation. Nothing in this ITB or in subsequent negotiations creates any vested rights in any person.

ITB # 2123-12 Page 6 of 7 August 22, 2022

SECTION II. Evaluation and Selection Process

EVALUATION PROCESS:

The contract will be awarded to the highest scoring, responsive, responsible bidder. Each response to the ITB will be evaluated on the quality of the approach, strength of the proposed team, experience with state and federal legislative processes, cost of services, as well as value returned to the County.

SELECTION PROCESS:

The County Administrator will create a panel consisting of County staff and officials to evaluate each proposal and may contact references. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Staff expertise and overall experience of personnel assigned to the work.

• Thoroughness and understanding of the tasks to be completed.

• Overall content quality and responsiveness to ITB requirements.

• Background and experience with similar projects.

• Demonstrated success of achieving State and Federal funding for clients.

• Cost.

The County staff anticipates finalizing the selection process and awarding a contract by September 15, 2022. This solicitation does not obligate the County to award a contract to any respondent. At its option, the County reserves the right to waive as informality any irregularities in ITB responses and/or to reject any or responses.

SECTION III. Submittal

Submit responses by email to Karen Vaughn, Contracts and Procurement Analyst, at karen.vaughn@co.benton.or.us no later than Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

SECTON IV. County Reservations

The County reserves all rights regarding this ITB, including, without limitation, the right to:

• Amend or cancel this ITB without liability if it is in the best interest of the public to do so;

• Reject any and all Bids upon finding that it is in the best interest of the public to do so;

• Waive any minor irregularity, informality, or non-conformance with the provisions or procedures of this ITB, and to seek clarification from the Responder, if required;

• Reject any bid that fails to substantially comply with all prescribed solicitation procedures and requirements;

• Negotiate a final Contract within the scope of work described in this ITB and to negotiate separately in any manner necessary to serve the best interest of the public;

• Amend any contracts that are a result of this ITB and/or any contracts/agreements under it;

mailto:karen.vaughn@co.benton.or.us

ITB # 2123-12 Page 7 of 7 August 22, 2022

• Extend any contract that is a result of this ITB without an additional solicitation process for up to a cumulative total of no more than 5 years.

• This ITB is issued as an informal solicitation. No protest(s) will be considered.