Agenda

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C. 84

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	David Twa, County Administrator
Date:	January 11, 2011

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Contract Amendment/Extension for Federal Legislative Representation

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 01/11/2011

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

L. DeLaney, 925-335-1097

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: January 11, 2011
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Administrator, or designee, to amend a contract with Alcalde & Fay, effective October 31, 2010, to extend the term from November 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 and increase the payment limit by $67,664 to a new payment limit of $398,164 (for a three-year period) for continued federal advocacy services.

FISCAL IMPACT:

County General Funds have been budgeted for these legislative advocacy services for FY 2010/11.

BACKGROUND:

Alcalde & Fay, minority-controlled/employee-owned firm, is the County’s current federal representative. Paul Schlesinger, the County’s point person at Alcalde & Fay, has established the County’s presence in Washington, D.C. and developed excellent relationships with staff of our congressional delegation. The result has been a very positive “return on investment” for the County for its appropriation and authorization requests.

The firm's services to the County include (but are not limited to) the following:

* Assisting the County in developing and implementing an effective federal advocacy strategy and annual legislative program to influence federal laws and policies as they relate to County priorities, programs, and operations; and increase funding for County priorities, programs, and operations.

* Research, monitor, and provide information to the County on such matters as federal bills and laws; congressional hearings, reports and testimony; funding opportunities and availability; federal regulations, guidelines, directives and other administrative policies; and technical memoranda and reports impacting County operations.

Alcalde & Fay has provided these services on retainer to the County since December 2001. The Legislation Committee has recommended that a Request for Proposals be developed and issued for federal advocacy services. Because these services are critical to the County, it is recommended that a contract amendment/extension be executed to keep Alcalde & Fay on retainer while the RFP process is underway and until it is concluded, which is anticipated in June 2011.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The County would not have federal advocacy services during Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

None.