Federal Lobbying Services

The Research Triangle Regional Public Transportation Authority dba GoTriangle is requesting proposals for federal lobbying services under RFP No. 1012-27-001, with proposals due July 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. local North Carolina time. Questions and exceptions to terms and conditions were due July 8, 2026; no pre-offer conference will be held.

GoTriangle seeks comprehensive federal affairs representation before Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, and other federal agencies. The scope includes developing and maintaining a strategic federal affairs plan; conducting congressional engagement with North Carolina's U.S. Senators and Representatives from the 2nd, 4th, and 13th Congressional Districts; advancing GoTriangle's priorities in surface transportation reauthorization; managing annual appropriations strategies; identifying and supporting competitive discretionary grant opportunities; maintaining relationships with federal agencies; analyzing the political and electoral environment; and providing monthly reporting and compliance filings under the Lobbying Disclosure Act, including Byrd Amendment certifications and federal agency reporting support.

The contractor must designate a principal-in-charge and identify all registered lobbyists assigned to the engagement, who cannot be substituted without GoTriangle's written consent. An office in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is required. The contractor must disclose actual or apparent conflicts of interest, including clients with overlapping competitive federal applications, competing transit projects in North Carolina and nationally, and interests adverse to GoTriangle in federal matters, with conflict mitigation measures subject to GoTriangle's acceptance. Subcontracting is not permitted.

The contract term is two years from execution with potential extension. Evaluation criteria are Experience (30%), Method of Approach (40%), and Cost Proposal (30%). Interviews and best and final offers are scheduled August 5–19, with award anticipated August 31. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability ($2 million general aggregate), Professional Liability ($5 million per claim and annual aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1 million combined single limit), and Umbrella/Excess Liability ($1 million). The contractor must comply with North Carolina E-Verify requirements, Iran Divestment Act certification, Boycott of Israel Divestment Act certification, and debarment policies. The contract is subject to availability of appropriated funds and the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act.