SUBJECT:
title
Approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO, or his designee, to finalize and execute a contract with Blank Rome Government Relations, LLC for Federal Government Legislative services for a base period of one (1) year with four (4) one-year options for a total not to exceed amount of $1,087,400.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this action is available in the FY2022 Operating Budget
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Goal Alignment:
☒ 1. Internal/External Customer Service Excellence ☐ 2. Stakeholder Engagement
☐ 3. Financial and Environmental Sustainability ☒ 4. Staff Development ☒ 5. Agency Growth Management
Strategic Objectives:
☐ 1.1 Safety & Risk ☒1.2 Continuous improvement ☒ 1.3 Dynamic Change
☐1.4 Culture of Innovation ☐2.1 Be an Employer of Choice ☐2.2 Organization Development
☐2.3 Organization Culture ☐3.1 Resource optimization ☐3.2 Safety Culture
☐3.3 Environmental Leadership ☒4.1 Educate & Call to Action ☒4.2 Build Partnerships
☒4.3 Value of Transit ☒4.4 Project Connect
EXPLANATION OF STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT: The Federal Legislative Consultant supports Capital Metro to advance our federal agenda and advises Capital Metro in federal legislative matters through continuous improvements in how we deliver on the value of transit for both Capital Metro and Project Connect. A key objective is ensuring our consultant will aid in developing and building on existing and developing new partnerships; specifically, through maintaining productive relationships with the Central Texas delegation and transit supportive agency leaders.
BUSINESS CASE: Capital Metro seeks to procure professional services to assist with federal government legislative activities. Advocacy through our Federal Legislative consultant should lead to the improvement of the Authority’s communication with internal and external stakeholders, improved financial health, and demonstrated value of public transit, as well as assisting Capital Metro in developing successful funding applications.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: This item was presented and recommended for approval by the Finance, Audit and Administration Committee on December 8, 2021.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: As a recipient of Federal funds to construct, operate and maintain transit services including the operations of a short-line railroad, Capital Metro complies with Federal Regulations and interacts on a regular basis with many federal agencies, including but not limited to the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Department of Labor, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), recently signed into law, enhances Capital Metro’s opportunities for greater federal financial support and as a result, procurement of professional services to assist Capital Metro with federal government legislative activities is critical in receiving the greatest opportunities under the IIJA.
DBE/SBE PARTICIPATION: No SBE goal is assigned to this procurement due to limited subcontracting opportunity. However, we will work with the selected vendor for a commitment towards small business participation.
PROCUREMENT: Click or tap here to enter text.
On August 27, 2021, a Request for Proposals was issued and formally advertised. By the closing date of September 27, 2021, six (6) proposals were received. The proposals were evaluated based on the following factors:
(1) The offeror’s demonstrated, relevant work experience and capabilities of the firm as a whole and of the proposed project personnel on projects of a similar size, scope, complexity, and nature, which shall include:
• Extensive knowledge and experience as a federal legislative consultant is desired for the lead or project manager;
• Experienced staff that has demonstrated success in securing federal funds, advancing federal policies that promote and protect the interests of their clients, and assisting clients with appropriation and authorization requests;
• Knowledge about a diversity of federal financial opportunities including but not limited to traditional and non-traditional (e.g., non-FTA or non-FRA) grants, Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program and Transportation infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program loans, and toll or tax credits;
• Experience in establishing mutually beneficial relationships and networks with public and private entities to achieve common goals, and
• Firm shall include at least one licensed attorney in the Washington, DC area with experience in interpreting and drafting federal transit-related legislation.
(2) The proposed staff shall have extensive knowledge and experience in bus, passenger rail, freight rail, and general transportation issues at the federal level, which shall include:
• Experience with DOT and its programs, regulations, and process, more specifically with the FTA and the FRA, and public transportation freight and passenger railroad programs and regulations, and
• Extensive knowledge and experience in federal policy and political issues affecting the public transportation and freight and passenger railroad industry.
(3) The offeror’s demonstrated understanding of the project undertaking, the proposed plan for the performance of the work and the technical approach proposed by the offeror.
(4) The qualifications of the Project Team members, which shall include:
• Consultant shall appoint bipartisan staff with access to key Members and Congressional staff, and;
• Consultant shall maintain Washington, DC office/presence.
During the initial evaluation process, proposers rated less than Excellent were eliminated from further review.
After a thorough discussion between the evaluation committee team members, the team came to the unanimous consensus to recommend Blank Rome Government Relations LLC for contract award. Pricing was deemed to be fair and reasonable through adequate competition and price/cost analysis, and the firm’s proposal received an “Excellent” rating overall.
This is This is a fixed price Contract for the supplies specified. The term of the contract is five years from the Notice to Proceed.
|
ITEM # |
DESCRIPTION |
PRICE |
|
1 |
Total - Base Year |
$ 217,480 |
|
2 |
Total - Option Year 1 |
$ 217,480 |
|
3 |
Total - Option Year 2 |
$ 217,480 |
|
4 |
Total - Option Year 3 |
$ 217,480 |
|
5 |
Total - Option Year 4 |
$ 217,480 |
|
4 |
TOTAL BASE AND OPTION PERIODS |
$ 1,087,400 |
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: Government Affairs
body
RESOLUTION
OF THE
CAPITAL METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF TRAVIS
AI-2021-229
WHEREAS, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors and Capital Metro management endeavor to comply with all federal laws and regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors and Capital Metro management endeavor to effectively communicate with our congressional delegation, Federal Transit Administration and federal agencies; and
WHEREAS, at the direction of Capital Metro, the services provided under the Contract may be performed on behalf of or in connection with Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), and ATP’s program, projects, initiatives, and proposals; and
WHEREAS, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors and Capital Metro management endeavor to seek federal funding and participation in the implementation of Project Connect.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors that the President & CEO, or his designee, is authorized to finalize and execute a contract with Blank Rome Government Relations, LLC for Federal Government Legislative services for a base period of one (1) year with four (4) one-year options for a total not to exceed amount of $1,087,400.
____________________ Date: ____________________
Secretary of the Board
Eric Stratton