BOARD MEETING DATE: January 21, 2000
AGENDA NO. 5

Execute Contract for Legislative Representation in Washington, D.C.

SYNOPSIS: 

At its August 1999 meeting, the Board approved the release of an RFP to solicit proposals for legislative representation in Washington, D.C. Eleven proposals were submitted. Based on the evaluation of the proposals submitted and interviews of the potential candidates, the Legislative Committee recommends that the Board authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Patton Boggs L.L.P.

COMMITTEE: 

Legislative, January 8, 2000, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Patton Boggs L.L.P., for Legislative Representation in Washington, D.C., for a period of two years, with an option to renew for one additional year. Funding for this contract shall not exceed $125,000/year.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Currently, the AQMD contracts with Murray, Scheer, Montgomery, Tapia and O'Donnell for legislative representation in Washington, D.C. The contract expires January 25, 2000. On August 13, 1999, the AQMD released RFP #9900-02 to solicit proposals for legislative representation in Washington, D.C. The AQMD, as the largest local air quality agency in the United States and a leader in air quality innovations, is an important contributor to the federal policymaking debate. This agency needs to ensure a continued presence in Washington, D.C., to ensure that federal Clean Air Act implementation issues are resolved in a timely and meaningful manner and involvement in policy development relating to allocation of federal resources to local agencies continues.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids was published in the following publications:

 

1. Antelope Valley Press	11. La Voz	21. Riverside Press Enterprise
2. Black Voice News	12. Los Angeles Daily News	22. San Bernardino Sun
3. Chinese Daily News	13. Los Angeles Sentinel	23. Santa Clarita Signal
4. Eastern Group Publications	14. Los Angeles Times	24. State of California Contracts Register
5. El Chicano	15. M/W/DVBE Source	25. Washington Post
6. Excelsior, The	16. Orange County Register	26. The Bidders Compendium
7. Inland Empire Hispanic News	17. Palm Springs Desert Sun
8. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	18. Philippine News
9. Korea Central Daily	19. Precinct Reporter
10. La Opinion	20. Rafu Shimpo

Additionally, potential bidders were identified using the Los Angeles County MTA, and Cal Trans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Notice of the RFP was mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business & Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s 24-hour telephone message line for bidders.

Bid Evaluation

Eleven proposals were received in response to the RFP. The proposals were evaluated and scored by a four-member evaluation panel. Of the eleven proposals evaluated, three were forwarded to the Legislative Committee for their consideration. The panel evaluation scored Billings & Sturbitts and E³ Ventures tied with a technical score of 57.75 and Patton Boggs, L.L.P. the next highest with a score of 56. The attached matrix reflects the evaluation of the three proposals deemed qualified.

Panel Composition

The evaluation panel consisted of a Regional Affairs Manager for Sempra Energy; a Government Relations Director for the Orange County Business Council; a General Counsel and Legislative Liaison for Mojave Desert AQMD; and a DEO/Public Affairs and Transportation for the AQMD. Of these, two are Caucasian, two are Hispanic; two male and two female.

Committee Discussion

At a Special Legislative Committee meeting held January 8, 2000, Committee Chair Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley, Committee members Michael Antonovich and Roy Wilson and Board Vice-Chair Norma Glover interviewed two firms: E³ Ventures and Patton Boggs L.L.P. [Billings & Sturbitts withdrew from consideration on January 6.] The firms scored close in technical expertise (57.75 and 56, respectively). The Committee felt that Patton Boggs L.L.P. most strongly presented their depth and knowledge of issues of importance to the AQMD and how best to represent this agency in Washington, D.C. Although E³ Ventures ranked highest on technical points, the Committee has determined that Patton Boggs L.L.P. would provide the best value to the District considering technical expertise and experience based on oral interviews and written materials.

The Legislative Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Governing Board award a contract for Legislative Representation in Washington, D.C. to Patton Boggs L.L.P. for two years, for an amount not to exceed $125,000/year, with an option to renew for one additional year.

Resource Impacts

The funding for the first five months of this contract is included in the FY 1999-00 Budget. Funding for the remainder of the first year and the second and optional third year renewal will be proposed as part of the Budget for the respective fiscal years.

Attachments

Evaluation of Proposals for RFP #9900-02

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