RFP No. 223156 Federal Government Relations Services

The City of Salem, Oregon, on behalf of Marion County, is seeking federal government relations services through RFP No. 223156, with proposals due on March 31, 2023, at 4:00 PM local time. The procurement is designed to secure a consultant who will represent the City before Congress and the Executive Branch, advocating for Salem's legislative priorities and providing strategic governmental relations support. Specific services include offering advice and counsel on governmental issues, participating in regulatory and legislative processes at the federal level, and engaging with Oregon's congressional delegation. Proposers must submit a comprehensive proposal detailing their organization structure, staff qualifications, mobilization capabilities, and a flat monthly rate that encompasses all direct and indirect costs, with separate line items for travel and out-of-pocket expenses. The evaluation criteria will focus on the proposer's organizational approach, staff qualifications, mobilization ability, and proposed fee structure, with the City reserving the right to award based on initial proposals or conduct additional interviews. The successful proposer will be required to complete a Personal Services Agreement that incorporates the RFP and their submitted proposal.

The RFP does not specify any explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises or specific types of organizations. No incumbent vendor information is provided in the documentation, and there are no details about existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements. The solicitation does not disclose a specific budget range or maximum award value for the federal government relations services contract. The City of Salem indicates that they will not necessarily select the lowest-cost proposal, suggesting that qualitative factors will play a significant role in the contract award decision. The procurement appears to be an open competition for qualified consultants with demonstrated experience in federal government relations, legislative advocacy, and strategic counsel for municipal government interests. The contract will be awarded on May 10, 2023, with Summit Strategies recommended as the selected vendor based on the Intent to Award notification.