South Coast Air Quality Management District

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

SYNOPSIS: 

At the September 2001 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 finalists, the Legislative Committee recommends that the Board authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Copeland, Lowery & Jacquez.

COMMITTEE: 

Legislative, November 30, 2001, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Copeland, Lowery, & Jacquez for Legislative Representation in Washington, D.C., for one year, with an option to renew for a second and third year. Funding for the first year of the contract shall not exceed $120,000/year.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Currently, the AQMD contracts with Patton Boggs for legislative representation in Washington, D.C. The contract expires December 31, 2001. On September 21, 2001, the AQMD released RFP #P2002-16 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 maintain 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 Opinion	21. Precinct Reporter
2. Black Voice News	12. La Prensa Hispana	22. Rafu Shimpo
3. Chinese Daily News	13. La Voz	23. Riverside Press Enterprise
4. Eastern Group Publications	14. Los Angeles Daily News	24. San Bernardino Sun
5. El Chicano	15. Los Angeles Sentinel	25. Santa Clarita Signal
6. El Informador	16. Los Angeles Times	26. State of California Contracts       Register
7. Excelsior, The	17. M/W/DVBE Source	27. Washington Post
8. Inland Empire Hispanic News	18. Orange County Register
9. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	19. Palm Springs Desert Sun
10. Korea Central Daily	20. Philippine News

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 five-member evaluation panel. Of the eleven proposals evaluated, four firms received the necessary technical points and were forwarded to the Legislative Committee for their consideration. The attached matrix reflects the evaluation of the four proposals deemed technically qualified.

Panel Composition

The evaluation panel consisted of a Regional Affairs Manager for Sempra Energy; a Government Relations Director for the Orange County Transportation Authority; and the Executive Officer, DEO/Public Affairs and Transportation, and Assistant DEO/Public Affairs and Transportation. Of these panelists, one is African-American, three are Caucasian, and one is Hispanic; one female and four male.

Committee Discussion

At a Special Legislative Committee meeting held November 30, 2001, Committee Vice-Chair Jane Carney, Committee member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta, Board Chair Dr. William Burke and Board Vice-Chair Norma Glover interviewed four firms: Billings & Sturbitts; Patton Boggs; Copeland, Lowery & Jacquez; and Morgan Meguire. The Committee felt that Copeland, Lowery & Jacquez strongly presented their depth and knowledge regarding Washington D.C. activities and how best to represent this agency in Washington, D.C., Copeland, Lowery & Jacquez received the highest final score (including lowest cost bid), and the Committee determined that Copeland, Lowery & Jacquez would provide the best value to the District considering technical expertise and cost.

The Legislative Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Governing Board award a contract for Legislative Representation in Washington, D.C., to Copeland, Lowery & Jacquez for one year, for an amount not to exceed $120,000/year, with an option to renew for a second and third year.

Resource Impacts

The funding for the first six months of this contract is included in the FY 2001-02 Budget. Funding for the remainder of the first year and the optional second and third year renewal will be proposed as part of the Budget for the respective fiscal years.

Attachments

Evaluation of Proposals for RFP #P2002-16

/ / /