Consulting and Advocacy Services

Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTB), a public benefit corporation encompassing fifteen member counties across Western, Central, and Finger Lakes regions of New York, is requesting proposals for consulting and advocacy services with proposals due November 17, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. EST. The central eligibility filter is that proposers must not have served as an officer, board member, or employee of WROTB within the last five years and cannot currently be suspended, debarred, or similarly declared ineligible from state or federal contracting.

The scope includes regulatory and legislative representation, program funding identification and assistance with applications, stakeholder outreach coordination with elected officials and state agencies, monitoring of regulatory changes, and related objectives as needed. WROTB serves gaming interests across New York State.

The contract term is one year following WROTB Board approval, with opportunities for mutually agreed upon second and third year renewals. The incumbent firms are Bolton St John, Mercury, Masiello and Martucci. Questions are due November 3, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Evaluation uses a 100-point scale: demonstrated competence (20 points), firm qualifications and experience (25 points), experience with comparable gaming industry engagements (25 points), project management approach (10 points), and key partnerships including relationships with New York State and Federal representatives (20 points). Selected proposers may be required to make oral presentations.

Fee proposals must be submitted in a separate envelope with clear delineation of billable components and compensation methods. All proposals require non-collusion certification, Finance Law Affirmation of Understanding (State Finance Law 139-j), Certification of Compliance (State Finance Law 139-k), and references. The successful consultant must provide monthly written progress reports detailing efforts and outcomes with a one-month forward outlook, and an annual report in November summarizing results. Insurance requirements include commercial general liability ($1 million each occurrence, $2 million aggregate), automobile liability ($1 million combined single limit), professional liability ($1 million per claim and aggregate), and umbrella/excess liability ($2 million per occurrence and aggregate). WROTB reserves the right to terminate for convenience with thirty days' written notice or for cause immediately.