Federal Lobbying Services

The City of Cincinnati is seeking a professional federal lobbying services contractor through Request for Proposals (RFP 265X901130) to provide comprehensive legislative representation and strategic federal engagement. The primary objective is to secure a well-informed lobbyist capable of building relationships with Members of Congress and federal agencies, tracking legislative and regulatory developments, and identifying federal funding opportunities beneficial to the city's interests. Key deliverables include monthly reporting to the City Manager, written updates on legislative and regulatory matters, and proactive pursuit of federal funding prospects. The RFP requires a lobbyist who can provide timely and frequent information on federal policy and funding agendas. Evaluation criteria are weighted across five categories: Personnel, Experience, and Qualifications (40 points); Other Clients and conflict of interest disclosure (20 points); Project Approach and implementation methods (20 points); Fees and price proposal (10 points); and Economic Inclusion certification status (10 points). Critical dates include a submission deadline of December 19, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET, with written questions due by December 9, 2025, and anticipated contract negotiations beginning around February 19, 2026.

The procurement allows submissions from various legal entities including corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships. While no specific mandatory M/W/SBE subcontracting goal exists, the City encourages maximum participation by certified small and disadvantaged business enterprises. Vendors must be registered with Vendor Self Service (VSS) at the time of award and maintain taxpayer good standing with the City of Cincinnati. The successful contractor must register as both a legislative and executive agency lobbyist with the Office of the Legislative Inspector General (OLIG) and maintain professional liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate. The contract term is initially one year, with two optional one-year renewal periods, potentially extending the engagement to a maximum of three years. Proposals must include a fixed fee covering all services, inclusive of travel, lodging, transportation, and meals. An administrative fee of one percent of total contract expenditures will be charged quarterly. While specific contract value is not disclosed, the comprehensive nature of the services suggests a significant engagement focused on federal legislative advocacy and funding acquisition.