Multi-Award for Federal Lobbying Services

Bernalillo County is seeking multi-award federal lobbying services through Request for Proposal (RFP) #14-25-EM, designed to select multiple contractors across six distinct categories: Budget and Finance, Public Safety and Behavioral Health, Housing, Economic Development, Transportation, and General. The primary objective is to identify and retain federal lobbyists who will serve as lead Washington, D.C. representatives responsible for advocating on federal legislation and project matters. Required services include maintaining liaison with congressional delegations, researching federal proposals, providing monthly progress reports, arranging staff meetings, and developing strategic partnerships benefiting the county. The evaluation process will involve a selection committee scoring proposals across five key factors: communication ability, achieving positive outcomes, understanding county needs, organizing legislative support, and cost, with a maximum of 100 possible points. A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for September 11, 2025, via MS Teams, with final proposals due on September 25, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time. The resulting contract will have an initial two-year term with potential extension for two additional two-year periods.

The county demonstrates a commitment to diverse business participation by offering preferential consideration to several business categories, including state resident businesses, veteran-owned businesses, local businesses, small businesses, and pay equity businesses. Potential respondents must complete and submit additional compliance documentation, specifically the Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form and Unfair Business Practices Disclosure Form, which require transparency regarding campaign contributions and business conduct. These forms mandate disclosure of contributions exceeding $250 to public officials and certification of ethical business practices within the past three years. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the multi-award approach suggests the county intends to engage several contractors across the six service categories. Contractors must be prepared to navigate complex federal legislative environments and demonstrate sophisticated understanding of governmental advocacy processes. The procurement emphasizes not just lobbying expertise, but also a comprehensive approach to representing Bernalillo County's interests at the federal level.