Federal Lobbying Services

Orange County, Florida is soliciting proposals for Federal Lobbying Services through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process designated as Y25-163. The procurement seeks a professional lobbying firm to represent the county's interests before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies during a proposed five-year contract term from 2025-2030. Key objectives include identifying federal funding opportunities, advancing county priorities in congressional legislation, securing legislative and executive branch support, and maintaining effective communication between federal officials and county personnel. The scope of services encompasses advocacy in critical areas such as transportation, affordable housing, mental health, substance abuse, and security. Proposals will be evaluated using a weighted criteria system: 30% Qualifications of Staff, 20% Qualifications of Firm, 30% Technical Approach, and 20% Fee Proposal. Interested firms must submit electronic proposals through the OpenGov e-Procurement Platform by 4:00 PM EST on March 27, 2025, with a deadline for questions established as March 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Proposers must demonstrate experience with large urban government issues, provide comprehensive references, and disclose potential conflicts of interest. The contract includes a monthly fee structure with an estimated total five-year value, and selected contractors will be required to travel to Orange County up to twice annually at their own expense. Firms must maintain specified insurance coverages and comply with federal and state regulations. While no incumbent vendor is specified in the documentation, the selected firm will be responsible for comprehensive lobbying services that require detailed understanding of federal legislative processes and strong communication capabilities. The procurement is managed by the Orange County Procurement Division under the leadership of Carrie Mathes, with Viviana Sandoval serving as the primary point of contact for potential respondents.