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 De...
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