Federal Lobbyist

The City of Tempe, Arizona is seeking a Washington, D.C.-based federal lobbyist through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP# 26-009) for Federal Lobbying and Information Services. The primary objective is to secure a consultant who will provide comprehensive support to city leadership, including the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager, in developing and advocating for Tempe's interests at the federal level. The consultant will be responsible for monitoring federal legislation, representing the city before federal agencies, identifying grant opportunities, preparing briefing materials, arranging meetings with Congressional delegations, and providing monthly performance reports. Key deliverables include supporting the city's participation in national municipal organizations and assisting with federal grant applications and revenue capture strategies. The evaluation criteria for the proposal are weighted across several categories: cost (20%), qualifications and experience (20%), approach and methodology (15%), firm resources and availability (20%), understanding of the city's needs (20%), and overall proposal quality (5%). The RFP was issued on August 7, 2025, with inquiries due by August 25, 2025, and proposals due September 5, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. local Arizona time.

The contract will be for an initial one-year term, with the city reserving the right to extend unilaterally for 90 days and potentially renew for up to four additional one-year terms. The selected consultant must maintain an accessible Washington, D.C. office and demonstrate bipartisan legislative support capabilities without conflicts of interest with other clients. Insurance requirements include commercial general liability ($1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate), workers' compensation, and automobile liability coverage. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned, the RFP emphasizes the need for a firm with proven federal lobbying experience and the ability to secure federal funding. The consultant will be required to propose a firm, fixed annual fee schedule payable in equal monthly installments, which must cover all expenses including labor, travel, and office costs, with one annual trip to the City of Tempe included. The contract will be reviewed annually to assess the consultant's performance in securing federal funding and providing value to the city, which will determine potential contract extensions.