SUBJECT:
title
Approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO, or her designee, to finalize and execute a contract for State Legislative Consulting Services with the offices of Marc A. Rodriguez for a base term of three (3) years, with one (1) two-year extension option, in a total amount not to exceed $648,000.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this action is available in the FY2024 Operating Budget.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Goal Alignment:
☐ 1. Customer ☒ 2. Community
☐ 3. Workforce ☒ 4. Organizational Effectiveness
Strategic Objectives:
☐ 1.1 Safe & Reliable Service ☐1.2 High Quality Customer Experience ☐ 1.3 Accessible System
☒ 2.1 Support Sustainable Regional Growth ☐ 2.2 Become a Carbon Neutral Agency
☐ 2.3 Responsive to Community and Customer Needs ☐ 2.4 Regional Leader in Transit Planning
☐ 3.1 Diversity of Staff ☐ 3.2 Employer of Choice ☐ 3.3 Expand Highly Skilled Workforce
☒ 4.1 Fiscally Responsible and Transparent ☐ 4.2 Culture of Safety ☐ 4.3 State of Good Repair
EXPLANATION OF STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT: This contract aims to help CapMetro achieve its Strategic Priority of building Agency Trust, Presence, and Reputation, by engaging with elected officials, stakeholders, and the community proactively and strategically all Central Texas. This engagement is designed to address the requirements, challenges, and benefits of public transportation as an integral part of the overall regional transportation system, promoting the agency's role, presence, and goodwill.
BUSINESS CASE: CapMetro has augmented in-house resources with specifically skilled consultants to assist with state legislative consulting services for several years previously. By retaining a consultant to assist the agency with state legislative consulting services, we help to ensure that during the regular and interim sessions of the Texas Legislature, the agency is promptly notified of issues which may impact current capital projects or other operations. During the interim, consultants will work with CapMetro staff to develop and maintain relationships with state leaders that are crucial to the continued success of the agency.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: This item was presented and recommended for approval by the Finance, Audit and Administration Committee on May 8, 2024.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Staff is requesting approval for the President & CEO, or their designee, to finalize and sign a contract with the offices of Marc A. Rodriguez for state legislative services. The cost of the contract should not exceed $648,000.
The purpose of this contract is to provide lobbying and other professional and governmental relations services. These services aim to advance and protect CapMetro's interests at the state level. The contractor will advise and assist CapMetro with developing and maintaining constructive relations and providing continuous communications with members of the State Legislature and other relevant entities. The contractor will also provide additional related services, including communicating on the agency’s behalf with state agency executives and industry counterparts on state matters.
Currently, CapMetro is contracting with K&L Gates. However, their contract is expiring on May 31, 2024. Therefore, on December 26, 2023, a Request for Proposal was issued and advertised for the performance of State Legislative Consulting Services. By the deadline of February 06, 2024, four proposals were received.
After a five-member staff review team evaluated the proposals, the Office of Marc A. Rodriguez was chosen as the best value proposer to represent CapMetro.
If approved by the board, a contract with the Offices of Marc A. Rodriguez will be finalized for a base term of three years. The contract will have one two-year extension option that can be exercised by CapMetro.
DBE/SBE PARTICIPATION: A 3% SBE goal was assigned to this contract. The contractor awarded is a certified SBE and will perform 100% of the work, which will exceed the 3% SBE goal.
PROCUREMENT: On Dec 26, 2023, a Request for Proposal was issued for State Legislative Consulting Services, with four proposals received by the closing date, Feb 06, 2024. Evaluation factors included expertise in the Texas Transportation Code (Ch. 451), relevant work experience, demonstrated ability to interact with key state legislators and executives, and an understanding of the project scope. The proposal from Marc A. Rodriguez's Offices, totaling $648,000.00, was deemed the best value, considering price and other factors. Contract term: three years from the Notice of Proceed (NTP) with a two-year option period from the Notice to Proceed (NTP).
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: Government Affairs
body
RESOLUTION
OF THE
CAPITAL METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF TRAVIS
AI-2024-1118
WHEREAS, the Capitol Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors recognizes the importance of effective representation at the state legislative level to advance its mission and objectives; and
WHEREAS, CapMetro desires to develop and maintain constructive relationships and continued communications with members of the state legislature, agency executives, and state leadership; and
WHEREAS, securing legislative services is vital for building these relations, advocating for CapMetro's interests, and ensuring alignment with state transportation policies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors that the President & CEO, or her designee, is authorized to finalize and execute a contract with the offices of Marc A. Rodriguez for state legislative services in an amount not to exceed $648,000.
____________________ Date: ____________________
Secretary of the Board
Becki Ross