 |
Subject
Award of Contract to Holland and Knight, LLP, for FY10 Federal and State Lobbying Services
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council approve a contract with Holland and Knight, LLP, in the amount of $120,000 for FY10 State and Federal Lobbying Services as detailed in the June 2009 proposal submitted to the City of Rockville (attached), with the option to extend the contract for three additional one-year periods subject to funding.
Discussion
Holland and Knight, LLP, has been providing Federal and State lobbying services to the City of Rockville since FY 2003. The specific services that the firm provides are as follows:
- Assist the City in its formulation and consideration of a policy agenda.
- Identify funding opportunities to the City and guide the City through State and Federal appropriations cycles.
- Meet with officials from the State and Federal governments to represent the City’s interests.
- Assist Rockville staff and elected officials with logistics of providing testimony and arranging appointments with State and Federal officials.
- Respond to inquiries by City staff about the status of pending legislation and program funding sources.
- Proactively recommend courses of action to protect City interests and further the City’s legislative goals.
- Provide written reports to the City, upon request, describing current activities or the status of City initiatives.
- Provide a flexible level of presence and support, depending on the depth or scope of the City’s legislative priorities at any given time.
The firm has assisted the City in acquiring over $9 million dollars in state and federal funding since FY03 pertaining to Town Square, the Town Center shuttle, Baltimore Road improvements, Senior Center expansion, Thomas Farm Community Center construction, COPS technology, Post Office renovation, and sanitary sewer rehabilitation. In FY10, funds for lobbying services will help Rockville acquire additional federal funds through the appropriations process, the reauthorization of the federal Transportation Equity Act (TEA), and stimulus funding.
In providing these services, Holland and Knight has performed at a high level and has a proven track record of success. As a result, the City invited Holland and Knight to submit a proposal for FY10 Federal and State Lobbying services. The firm was asked to commit to pricing for up to three additional years of service, and include this information with their submittal. The City would prefer to sign a contract that allows both parties to extend the agreement for one year at a time for up to three additional years after FY10, subject to funding. The costs for the FY10 and the three following years are as follows:
Year One (FY10) $120,000
Year Two (FY11) $120,000
Year Three (FY12) $132,000
Year Four (FY13) $132,000
Four Year Total: $504,000
Mayor and Council History
A contract for FY04 federal and state lobbying services was approved by the Mayor and Council on July 12, 2004 for the period through June 30, 2008. Holland and Knight, LLP, agreed to a contract extension to provide FY09 federal and state lobbying services for $30,000 which did not require Mayor and Council approval.
Procurement Information
In accordance with Section 17-87 of the City Code, Miscellaneous Procurement, the lobbying services are exempt from competitive procurement.
Fiscal Impact
Sufficient funds are available in the FY10 Office of the City Manager's Management Systems and Intergovernmental Relations Cost Center, account number 2010-110-550-0102-0201.
Next Steps
The Purchasing Division will execute a contract with Holland and Knight for FY10 Federal and State Lobbying services.
Attachments
Department Head:
Jenny Kimball, Assistant City Manager
Approved on: 07/27/2009
City Manager:
Scott Ullery, City Manager
Approved on: 07/28/2009
|