State Advocacy and Lobbying Services

The City of Santa Cruz is seeking a qualified firm to provide State legislative advocacy and lobbying services through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process numbered CM-0039. The procurement targets a comprehensive state-level advocacy partner to support the City Manager's Office in advancing the City's legislative priorities, with a primary goal of securing state discretionary funding and influencing public policy for high-priority projects and programs. The selected consultant will be responsible for representing the City's interests in Sacramento, tracking relevant legislation, developing strategic policy approaches, and building relationships with state officials and agencies. Key deliverables include monthly progress reporting, developing an annual legislative platform, attending meetings with legislators, advocating for budget funding through grants and legislation, and maintaining strategic stakeholder relationships. Proposers must demonstrate at least five years of legislative advocacy experience, extensive knowledge of California state laws, understanding of the state budget process, and proven experience representing government institutions. The RFP was released on October 19, 2023, with proposals due by December 29, 2023, at 4:00 pm, and the initial contract term is two years with potential for two additional two-year renewals. The evaluation will utilize a 100-point system considering firm qualifications, team expertise, technical approach, cost, and references, with potential additional preference points for local businesses.

The RFP does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract does emphasize equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination policies, suggesting openness to diverse firms. While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the document indicates the selected firm will work closely with the City's thirteen advisory bodies and the City Manager's Office. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), Professional Liability ($2,000,000 per occurrence), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000), and Workers' Compensation as mandated by California law. The specific contract value is not directly stated in the provided documents, though the extensive scope of services suggests a significant professional services investment. The consultant will be required to provide a Certificate of Insurance meeting specific criteria, including naming the City of Santa Cruz as an additional insured, and may be subject to prevailing wage requirements depending on the nature of work performed. The contract emphasizes a collaborative approach, with the expectation of monthly meetings or mutually agreed intervals to review and report on advocacy progress.