Agenda Item   

AGENDA STAFF REPORT

 

                                                                                                                        ASR Control  14-001344

 

MEETING DATE:

09/09/14

legal entity taking action:

Board of Supervisors

board of supervisors district(s):

All Districts

SUBMITTING Agency/Department:

County Executive Office   (Approved)

Department contact person(s):

Cymantha Atkinson (714) 834-7219 

 

 

Mark Carmel (714) 834-2009

 

 

Subject:  Selection of Firm for State Legislative Advocacy

 

      ceo CONCUR

County Counsel Review

Clerk of the Board

Concur

No Legal Objection

Discussion

 

 

3 Votes Board Majority

 

 

 

    Budgeted: Yes

Current Year Cost: $207,000

Annual Cost: FY 2015-16 $276,000
FY 2016-17 $276,000

 

 

 

    Staffing Impact: No

# of Positions:

Sole Source: No

    Current Fiscal Year Revenue: N/A

  Funding Source: GF: 100%

County Audit in last 3 years: No

 

 

    Prior Board Action: N/A

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):

 

 

1.

 Find that the subject activity is not a project as defined by CEQA pursuant to Section 15322 of the CEQA Guidelines.

 

2.

Select the firm of Platinum Advisors, LLC, to provide Legislative Advocacy for the County and authorize the County Purchasing Agent or authorized Deputy to execute Contract Number MA-017-15010253 with Platinum Advisors, LLC, for State Legislative Advocacy Services as set forth in Scope of Work, effective October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2016, in an amount not to exceed $276,000 annually ($23,000 monthly), with the option to renew for three additional one-year periods, plus authorized expenses per Contract.

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

Board approval of the firm Platinum Advisors, LLC, to conduct State Legislative Advocacy Services effective October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2016, in an amount not to exceed $276,000 annually ($23,000 monthly) plus authorized expenses will provide critical advocacy for the County's interests with the Legislature as well as with State departments and regulatory agencies. 

 

 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

 

On November 6, 2007, the County and Platinum Advisors, LLC, entered into Contract N1000009364 for Sacramento Legislative Advocacy Services, effective January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2010.  This contract was amended on September 21, 2010, as MA-017-11-010285 for an additional two years, effective January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2012 per Board approval.  On September 11, 2012, the County Executive Office returned to your Board for an extension to this contract effective January 1, 2013, through September 30, 2014.

 

Accordingly, on March 27, 2012 the Board of Supervisors directed CEO to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) in Spring of 2014 for Sacramento Legislative Advocacy Services for the 2015-2016 Legislative Session. The current contract for Legislative Advocacy Services with Platinum Advisors, LLC is due to expire September 30, 2014.

 

Scope of Work

The Sacramento legislative advocate provides advocacy services for state-related legislation, regulatory activity, administrative rule making, and grant support. The County’s advocate also facilitates access to the Governor and his Administration, legislative members, and state departments and staff. Further, the advocate assists in monitoring, analyzing, and notifying the County of anticipated, newly introduced or amended legislation, regulations, policies, and ballot initiatives and prepares analyses on how such actions may affect the interests of the County. 

 

Selection Process

 

On May 22, 2014, the County Executive office issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Legislative Advocacy Services.  The RFP was advertised through the County of Orange's online bidding system, BidSync. An additional 400 e-mails with solicitation information were distributed to various lobbyists and lobbying firms to ensure maximum notification of the opportunity. The RFP closed on June 19, 2014, at which time two proposals were received and deemed to be responsive.

 

A four-member evaluation panel, which included a representative from the Orange County Transportation Authority, County of San Bernardino, County of Orange/John Wayne Airport and County of Orange/CEO Legislative Affairs with subject matter expertise, reviewed and rated the proposals and oral presentations. 

 

RECOMMENDED VENDOR

 

Platinum Advisors, LLC, received the highest overall evaluation score.  The highest possible score is 100 points.  The two proposals in rank order were:

 

CONTRACTOR

FINAL SCORE

Platinum Advisors, LLC

74.60

Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.

63.35

 

Based on the results of the evaluation process, the Evaluation Committee recommends that the Board select Platinum Advisors, LLC, for the County’s Sacramento Legislative Advocacy Services.

 

Compliance with CEQA: The subject activity is not a project as defined by CEQA pursuant to Section 15322 of the CEQA Guidelines.

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

 

N/A

 

STAFFING IMPACT:

 

N/A

 

REVIEWING AGENCIES:

 

CEO/Purchasing
County Counsel

 

ATTACHMENT(S):

 

Attachment A - Contract MA-017-15010253
Attachment B - Final Score Sheets (Written)
Attachment C - Final Score Sheets (Oral)
Attachment D - RFP Scoring Matrix