South Coast Air Quality Management District

Issue RFP for Legislative Representation in Washington, DC, and Request Approval to Extend Contract for Legislative Consulting Services in Sacramento, CA

SYNOPSIS:

Presently, the AQMD contracts for legislative representation in Washington, DC, and Sacramento, CA. Current contracts will expire on December 31, 2001. There is a need to continue direct representation of AQMD policy positions in Washington and Sacramento. This action is to issue an RFP for legislative consulting services in Washington, DC, and Request Approval to Extend Current Contract for Legislative Consulting Services in Sacramento, CA, under One-Year Contract Renewal Option.

COMMITTEE:

Legislative, September 14, 2001; Administrative, September 14, 2001; Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the release of RFP #P2002-16 to solicit proposals for legislative representation in Washington, DC, and Approve the extension of the current contract for legislative representation in Sacramento, CA, for a period of one year, at a cost not to exceed $129,675.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The South Coast AQMD, as one of the largest air quality regulatory agencies in the United States and a leader in air quality innovations, is an important contributor to the national policymaking debate. To help ensure that AQMD’s input continues to be conveyed in a timely and meaningful manner and that AQMD is involved in policy development relating to allocation of federal resources to local agencies and possible upcoming amendments to the Clean Air Act, it is appropriate to continue direct representation and advocacy of AQMD’s policy positions on environmental issues in Washington, DC. The current contract for legislative consulting services in Washington, DC, expires on December 31, 2001.

Presently, the AQMD also maintains legislative representation in Sacramento. The state program includes preparing for the 2002 Legislative session, providing technical information and assistance to legislators regarding air quality matters, providing liaison with Legislators regarding AQMD’s programs and policies, and advocacy of AQMD positions on air quality-related bills. The current contract for legislative consulting services in Sacramento, CA, expires on December 31, 2001.

The AQMD has contracted with Allan Lind and Associates since January, 1998. The firm was instrumental in securing successful passage through the Legislature of the AQMD’s Clean Fuels legislation in 1999, and assisted in securing, through the state budget process, increased subvention funding for air districts. The increased subvention funding has also been maintained for Fiscal Year 2001-02. Most importantly, this firm has also been successful in garnering support for the AQMD and its programs and has been instrumental in negotiating amendments to legislation that may have negatively impacted the AQMD.

Based on the continued success of Allan Lind and Associates in its direct representation of the AQMD in Sacramento, staff recommends the extension of the current contract with Allan Lind and Associates for one additional year, in amount not to exceed $129,675, which includes a CPI increase of 3.74%. Staff recommends this adjustment since Mr. Lind’s contract has not been adjusted in four years.

Proposal

Issue an RFP to secure legislative representation services in Washington, DC. The total annual expenditure for these consulting services shall not exceed $125,000 per year. Additionally, approve the extension of a one-year contract with Allan Lind and Associates for legislative representation in Sacramento, CA, for an amount not to exceed $129,675, pursuant to a one-year contract renewal option.

Outreach

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

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

Additionally, potential bidders will be identified using the Los Angeles County MTA Directory 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; AQMD Purchasing's mailing list; and AQMD Administrative & Human Resources's list of interested childcare center management agencies. Notice of the RFP will be mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and will be placed on the Internet at AQMD's Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon] and on AQMD's 24-hour telephone message line for bidders (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

Proposals received will be initially evaluated by a diverse panel of technically-qualified individuals according to the criteria described in the attached RFP #P2002-16. The Legislative Committee of the Board will conduct oral interviews of the most highly qualified bidders and will make a recommendation to the full Board for approval.

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funds are available in the approved FY 2001-02 Budget.

Attachment

RFP #P2002-16, Legislative Representation Services in Washington, DC

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