TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a contract for federal legislative representation services provided by Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc., for a term of one year in an amount not to exceed $166,200, and authorize City Manager to grant two one-year extensions to the contract and execute all necessary amendments. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In 2006, the Long Beach City Council directed staff to initiate a Request for Proposal (RFP) to retain a federal legislative advocacy firm. After reviewing proposals from numerous consultants, the firm Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc. (VSA) was selected based upon qualifications and cost for services.
VSA has represented the City of Long Beach since January 2007. In the first three years of advocacy, VSA assisted the City with obtaining $7.5 million in federal appropriation dollars. This funding has been used to benefit Long Beach on issues ranging from workforce development to rehabilitation of local streets and roads. Though Congress has suspended the appropriations process, VSA continues to advocate on behalf of the City by engaging in issues such as the National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization, Clean Waters Act, Colorado Lagoon dredging and others.
The firm has also assisted the City with compliance requirements for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Since 2009, the City of Long Beach has received over $120 million from this stimulus measure. Funds have been used to conduct green sector job training initiatives, improve water quality, strengthen port security, implement energy efficiency projects, purchase public safety equipment, resurface arterial City streets, and for many other eligible uses.
On an annual basis, VSA also advocates for and monitors Congressional action on federal budget items such as United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) State and Local Grants, Department of Transportation (DOT) TIGER Grants, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grants, and others.
Based upon the quality of service VSA has provided to Long Beach since 2007, staff recommends renewing the City's contract with VSA for federal legislative advocacy. Attachment A includes examples of work VSA has completed on behalf of the City. Attachment B provides biographies of the City's team of advocates at VSA: Thane Young, Vice President at VSA and the City's principal contact; Laura Morgan, Director of Government Relations; and Max Perkins, Legislative Assistant.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang and Budget and Budget Performance Manager Victoria Bell on September 27, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 9, 2012, to ensure the City of Long Beach continues to be represented in Washington, D.C. The City's contract with VSA expired September 30, 2012.
FISCAL IMPACT
In prior years, the City's contract with VSA was for an amount not to exceed $180,000. Staff is recommending a reduction in the total contract amount of 7.7 percent, or $13,800. The monthly retainer will be reduced by 5 percent, and the allowance for authorized expenses will be reduced by $6,000. For the past several years, the firm has voluntarily reduced its fee by 5 percent per the City's request. This revised contract amount will memorialize the commitment, while maintaining the same level of service that has been provided in years past. The total contract cost for FY 13 shall not exceed $166,200, based on a monthly retainer of $12,350 and up to $18,000 in approved expenses annually.
Funds to support this activity are budgeted in the General Fund (GP) in the City Manager Department (CM). The cost of federal legislative representation services is shared by City departments and funds that benefit from these services, with 55 percent of the Government Affairs program paid for by non-General Fund operations.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER