Title
State Lobbying and Advocacy Services (B)
This is a request for the City Commission to approve the rankings for State lobbying and advocacy services.
Explanation
In FY 2020 the City of Gainesville Commission amended and approved a contract for Lobbying Services with Peebles Smith and Mathew (PSM) for one additional year beginning October 1, 2020 and ending on September 30, 2021 (Attachment A - Agenda Item extending the Contract). The Contract was extended due to COVID -19 and Staff’s belief it would be difficult to obtain a firm during the State of Florida and local declaration of emergency. At that time, City staff informed the City Commission that we would be seeking solicitation for State Lobbying Services in FY 2021. On May 14, 2021 the Procurement division advertised for State Lobbying Services for the City of Gainesville. All solicitations were due to the Procurement division on June 14, 2021. Five lobbying firms submitted their proposals. An evaluation committee consisting of two members of General Government and one member of Gainesville Regional Utilities reviewed the proposals and made a recommendation that three firms: (1) Ronald L. Book, PA; (2) Gray Robinson, P.A. and Peebles, Smith and Matthews, Inc. (joint proposal); and (3) the Pittman Law Group, PL be invited to the second round of the interview process (oral presentations). However, the Pittman Law Group, PL withdrew from the second round. The evaluation committee met on July 26, 2021 for oral presentations and again on July 27, 2021 for scoring and ranking of the firms (See Attachment D). The evaluation committee has ranked Gray Robinson and PSM as the number one team and Ronald L. Book, PA as second for the State Lobbying services.
Strategic Connection
Goal 1: Equal Community
Goal 2: Sustainable Community
Goal 3: A Great Place to Live and Experience
Goal 4: Resilient Local Economy
Goal 5: Best in Class “Neighbor Services”
Fiscal Note
The current contract for State lobbying services is $72,000. The City will negotiate to compensate Gray Robinson and PSM for services not-to-exceed $50,000.00 for the City's General Government, and a maximum amount not to-exceed $50,000 for Gainesville Regional Utilities, for a combined maximum amount not-to-exceed $100,000 per year. At the end of the contract period, upon satisfactory performance, the parties may agree to extend the contact for three additional one-year periods.
Recommendation
The Mayor and the City Commission: 1) Approve the ranking of the firms for State lobbying services; 2) Approve a budget amount for lobbying services for an amount not to exceed $100,000 or the amount included in the proposal per fiscal year; 3) Authorize the City Manager or designee and the General Manager or designee to negotiate an agreement with the top ranked firmed for lobbying services and if not successful, be allowed to go to the second ranked firm; and 4) Authorize the City Manager or designee and General Manager or designee to execute the contract subject to approval of the City Attorney as to form and legality.