Lobbying Services

The City of Cleveland, through its Department of Port Control, is soliciting proposals for Lobbying Services to support Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Burke Lakefront Airport, and the North Coast Harbor. The procurement seeks a qualified firm with at least 10 years of experience navigating the U.S. Congressional Appropriations Committee to provide federal legislative advocacy services. Key deliverables include monitoring federal legislative developments, engaging with federal agencies like FAA and DOT, developing advocacy strategies, maintaining relationships with congressional members, identifying federal funding opportunities, and providing strategic advice to the Department of Port Control. The contract term is one year with three optional one-year renewals, and the consultant will be compensated through hourly billing rates or a fixed price with monthly invoicing based on actual hours expended. A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for September 25, 2024, at 2:30 pm via WEBEX, with mandatory registration by September 23, 2024. Proposals are due on October 18, 2024, at 4:00 pm and must be submitted electronically to https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/clevelandoh. The RFP emphasizes a bipartisan approach and requires firms to have extensive aviation and transportation industry knowledge.

While there are no specific subcontractor participation goals, the City encourages proposers to consider City-certified businesses and requires detailed documentation of subcontracting approaches. The procurement includes several federal contract provisions focusing on non-discrimination, including compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and various Executive Orders prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability. Potential bidders should be aware of the City's Local Producer, Local-Food Purchaser, and Sustainable Business Preference Code, which allows bid discounts of up to 2% for qualifying local businesses, with a maximum total discount of 4% and a $50,000 per bid cap. The contract also requires strict adherence to federal compliance requirements, including equal employment opportunity standards, Davis-Bacon wage regulations, and various certifications related to lobbying, debarment, and tax compliance. Vendors must complete a Vendor Entry Form and may need to provide documentation related to business classifications, including Female Business Enterprise and Minority Business Enterprise certifications. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive requirements and extensive federal compliance mandates suggest a significant and complex procurement opportunity.