Federal Lobbyist Services

Santa Rosa County, Florida is seeking a federal lobbyist through Request for Proposals (RFP 25-051) to provide comprehensive advocacy services in Washington, D.C. The selected firm will be responsible for representing the county's interests through strategic lobbying activities, including conducting research on federal legislation, developing targeted lobbying strategies, arranging meetings with federal lawmakers, and advocating for funding opportunities. Key deliverables include regular updates and reports to county leadership, demonstrating ongoing progress and engagement. The evaluation process will assess proposals across five critical criteria: lobbyist qualifications and experience (25 points), understanding of Santa Rosa County's unique needs (20 points), proposed strategies and methods (20 points), cost-effectiveness and pricing transparency (20 points), and reference feedback (15 points). Proposals must be submitted through the Santa Rosa County Procurement Portal by 10:00 am on September 10, 2025, with questions accepted through the portal until 12:00 pm on September 3, 2025. The initial contract is for one year, with potential renewal options for up to four additional years.

The county explicitly encourages participation from small businesses, minority/women owned businesses, and disadvantaged business enterprises, with a clear policy of non-discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, or age in contract administration. While specific budget ranges are not disclosed in the documentation, the proposal includes a pricing proposal table indicating lump sum amounts for the initial contract year and potential renewal years. The Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to waive bid irregularities, reject any or all bids for documented reasons, and select the proposal deemed most advantageous to Santa Rosa County. The ideal lobbyist is expected to have established relationships with congressional representatives, a proven track record of legislative influence, and strict compliance with federal lobbying laws and regulations. The procurement approach emphasizes transparency, competitive bidding, and selecting a partner capable of effectively advancing the county's federal policy and funding objectives.