BOARD MEETING DATE: September 3, 2004
AGENDA NO. 11

Extend Contracts and Issue RFP for Legislative Representation in Sacramento, California

SYNOPSIS:

The current contracts for Legislative Representation in Sacramento expire November 14, 2004 for Richard Polanco (Tres Es, LLC), and December 31, 2004 for Allan Lind. Direct representation in Sacramento is necessary to further AQMD policy positions at the state level. The current contracts have options for two one-year extensions. This action calls for both the extension of these two existing contracts and the issuance of an RFP for additional legislative consulting services in Sacramento, California for Calendar Year 2005. The RFP will also indicate that the service contract(s) may be extended for up to two additional one-year terms. Total expenditure for the existing contracts and RFP shall not exceed $287,760 for the one-year period. Funding for extension of the contracts after 2005 will be contingent upon Board approval of the Budget for the respective fiscal years in the future.

COMMITTEE:

Legislative, August 13, 2004.
Administrative, August 13, 2004. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; those Committee members who were present communicated their concurrence.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Approve a one year extension of the contract with Richard Polanco (Tres Es, LLC) for the amount of $139,200, which represents the current contract amount plus CPI;
    
2. Approve a one year extension of the contract with Allan Lind for the amount of $98,560, which represents the current contract amount plus CPI and,
    
3. Release RFP #P2005-10 to solicit proposals for additional legislative representation in Sacramento, California at a cost not to exceed $50,000.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Richard Polanco (Tres Es, LLC), and Allan Lind, the two principal AQMD legislative consultant teams in Sacramento, have been instrumental in working with our legislative affairs staff to secure additional funding for (i) continuation of AQMD Clean Fuels Program for an additional five years until 2010, and (ii) inception of a new Large Scale Emission Reduction Program (LERP) which has been partially funded by the Administration through the State Budget process. While the former AQMD program has received full funding of approximately $12 million per year, the latter has received an initial allocation of approximately $61 million per year statewide to continue the existing Carl Moyer incentive program. The Administration further has indicated a desire to increase funding in future years, The two Sacramento legislative consultants were instrumental in securing funding for the AQMD’s clean air programs in this region, in spite of the present budgetary constraints faced by the state. In addition, the Board's policy positions have been successfully secured on numerous other bills.

Proposal

The two contracts for legislative representation in Sacramento, California are due to expire near the end of CY 2004. AQMD staff is highly satisfied with the performance of both contractors and wishes to retain them. The present contracts have options for two one-year extensions that may be exercised at the Board's discretion pursuant to the original RFP. Therefore, this proposal is to approve a one-year extension of contract #4055 with Richard Polanco (Tres Es, LLC) for the amount of $139,200, and approve a one-year extension of contract #4057 with Allan Lind for the amount of $98,560.

Staff further proposes to release RFP #P2005-10 to solicit a proposal for additional legislative representation in Sacramento, California at a cost not to exceed $50,000. This last component to the legislative team is pursuant to a Board directive last budget year to expand AQMD's ongoing efforts. A one year contract was issued to Sheldon Sloan for that purpose, and Judge Sloan has actively worked on AQMD's legislative efforts during 2004. However, since the legislative calendar of the Senate and Assembly did not allow for reissuance of an RFP and Judge Sloan's contract was sole source, staff recommends that an RFP be issued to complete the last component of the legislative team. The total annual expenditure for these consulting services shall not exceed $287,760 per year.

Outreach

In accordance with AQMD’s Procurement Policy and Procedure, a public notice advertising the RFP/RFQ and inviting bids will be published in the following publications:
 

1.	Antelope Valley Press	11.	La Opinion	21.	Rafu Shimpo
2.	Black Voice News	12.	La Prensa Hispana	22.	San Bernardino Sun
3.	Chinese Daily News	13.	La Voz Publications	23.	State of California Contracts
4.	Desert Sun	14.	Los Angeles Daily News		Register
5.	Eastern Group Publications	15.	Los Angeles Sentinel	24.	The Daily Breeze
6.	El Chicano	16.	Los Angeles Times	25.	The Excelsior
7.	El Informador	17.	Orange County Register	26.	The Signal
8.	Inland Empire Hispanic News	18.	Philippine News	27.	Wave Community Newspapers
9.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	19.	Precinct Reporter
10.	Korea Central Daily	20	Press Enterprise

Additionally, potential bidders will be notified utilizing the Los Angeles County MTA Directory of Certified Firms, the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; and AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors. Notice of the RFP/RFQ will be 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 where it can be viewed by making menu selections "Inside AQMD"/"Employment and Business Opportunities"/"Business Opportunities" or by going directly to http://www.aqmd.gov/rfp/index.html). Information is also available on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (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 #P2005-10. 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 Public Affairs FY 2004-05 Budget for services through June 30, 2005. Funding for the period of July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005 and the two optional one-year extensions are contingent upon Board approval of the Budget for the respective fiscal years.

Attachment

RFP #P2005-10- Legislative Representation Services in Sacramento, California

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