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