BOARD MEETING DATE: November 7, 2003
AGENDA NO. 7

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

SYNOPSIS:

At the June 6, 2003 Governing Board meeting, the Board approved release of an RFP to solicit proposals for legislative representation in Washington, D.C. Three proposals were submitted. Based on the evaluation of the proposals submitted and interviews of finalists, the Legislative and Administrative Committees recommend that the Board authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & Shockey, LLC.

COMMITTEES:

Legislative and Administrative, October 10, 2003, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & Shockey, LLC for legislative representation in Washington, D.C., for one year, with an option to renew for up to two additional one-year terms. Funding for this contract shall not exceed $129,000/year.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Currently, the AQMD contracts with Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & Shockey, LLC for legislative representation in Washington, D.C. The contract expires December 31, 2003. On June 6, 2003, AQMD released RFP #12003-38 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 engage in the resolution of federal Clean Air Act implementation issues and see that they are resolved in a timely and meaningful manner and to ensure continued involvement in policy development relating to allocation of federal resources to local agencies.

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.	Rafu Shimpo
2.	Black Voice News	12.	La Prensa Hispana	22.	Riverside Press Enterprise
3.	Chinese Daily News	13.	La Voz Publications	23.	San Bernardino Sun
4.	Eastern Group Publications	14	Los Angeles Daily News	24.	Santa Clarita Signal
5.	El Chicano	15.	Los Angeles Sentinel	25.	State of California Contracts Register
6.	El Informador	16.	Los Angeles Times	26.	Washington Post
7.	Excelsior, The	17.	Orange County Register	27.	Wave Community Newspapers
8	Inland Empire Hispanic News	18.	Palm Springs Desert Sun
9.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	19.	Philippine News
10.	Korea Central Daily	20.	Precinct Reporter

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, various minority chambers of commerce and business associations, placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business & Job Opportunities" icon], and on AQMD’s 24-hour telephone message line for bidders.

Bid Evaluation

Three proposals were received in response to the RFP. The proposals were evaluated and scored by a four-member evaluation panel. All of the proposals evaluated received qualifying scores and were forwarded to the Legislative Committee for their consideration. As a result of the panel evaluation, the National Group West, LLC scored 101; Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & Shockey, LLC received a score of 90, and Charlene A. Sturbitts scored 88. The attached matrix reflects the panel evaluation of the three proposals.

Panel Composition

The evaluation panel consisted of the Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Orange County Business Council, AQMD Executive Officer, District Counsel, and Assistant Deputy Executive Officer for Public Affairs. Of these, three are Caucasian and one is Hispanic; two are female and two are male.

Committee Discussion

At the Legislative Committee meeting held October 10, 2003, Committee Chair Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley, Committee Vice-Chair Jane Carney, and Committee members Michael Antonovich, William Burke and Roy Wilson interviewed three firms: the National Group West, LLC; Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & Shockey, LLC; and Charlene A. Sturbitts, Esq. The firms had earlier been ranked in terms of technical expertise. The Committee felt that Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & Shockey, LLC most strongly presented the necessary depth and knowledge of the AQMD and how best to represent this agency in Washington, D.C. The committee members also agreed that they expect regular personal communication, periodic briefings for the Board Chairman, and a close working relationship with the firm selected.

The Legislative Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Governing Board award a new contract for legislative representation in Washington, D.C. to Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & Shockey, LLC for one year, for an amount not to exceed $129,000/year, with an option to renew for up to two additional one-year terms. The Administrative Committee concurred with this recommendation.

Resource Impacts

The funding for the first six months of this contract is included in the FY 2003-04 Budget. Funding for the remainder of the first year and the optional second and third year renewals will be proposed as part of the Budget for the respective fiscal years.

Attachment

Evaluation Matrix

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