Federal Legislative Advocacy Services

Pursuant to the City of Port St. Lucie Code of Ordinances, Section 35.07, this electronic Request for Proposals (“RFP”) is being issued to establish a contract with a qualified proposer who will provide Federal Legislative Advocacy Services to the City of Port St. Lucie (hereinafter, “City”) as further described in this RFP. This RFP has been developed to solicit responses from proposers proven to be qualified and experienced in Federal Legislative Advocacy Services

The objective of the RFP is to select one (1) or more qualified Proposer [...] to provide the goods and/or services outlined in this RFP to the City.

The qualified proposer ("Proposer") shall assist the City of Port St. Lucie in support in crafting its federal legislative agenda, pursuing both immediate and long-term federal appropriations requests, and creating a comprehensive legislative strategy that includes federal appropriations, relationship-building, and identifying opportunities to raise the City’s profile with federal policymakers. Priority topics will be aligned with the City’s adopted federal legislative program.

The Proposer will support interactions on behalf of the City with congressional offices, senate offices, and federal regulatory agencies. **Required** services include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Scheduling meetings and phone calls for City officials.
2. Support developing collateral for meetings with policymakers, including talking points, messaging, one-pagers, and background briefings.
3. Providing federal officials with timely updates regarding news items and issues affecting the City.
4. Collaborating with City officials to analyze the impact of federal legislation on key City issues and recommending engagement strategies.
5. Securing federal support from policymakers, including sponsorship of pertinent legislation, amendments, and appropriations requests.

The Proposer will engage relevant policymakers on Port St. Lucie’s legislative objectives and assist in obtaining federal funds for the City’s top priorities. This includes:

1. Building out project requests and helping the City clarify project scope, cost, and resource needs.
2. Demonstrating community engagement and support through letters of support, media articles, and resolutions from elected bodies.
3. Coordinating staff meetings with congressional offices to highlight funding priorities.
4. Support tracking federal community project funding submission deadlines and ensuring the City’s submissions meet all federal guidance.
5. After submission, coordinating with congressional staff to resolve clarification requests, monitoring related federal legislation or appropriations measures, and providing timely analysis of potential impacts to the City.

Reporting Requirements

The Proposer shall provide the following reports and communications to the City:

• Monthly written activity reports.
• An initial strategy report due within 30 days of contract execution.
• Real-time alerts regarding urgent federal developments affecting the City.
• An annual summary of activities, outcomes, and recommendations.
• Summary and follow-up action items after coordinated meetings, fly-ins, or agency visits.

Turnaround and Communication Requirements

• Monthly virtual check-ins with designated City staff.
• Presentations to City Council and City Leadership when requested, provided virtually, if necessary.
• Coordination of meetings between City officials and federal stakeholders, including support for fly-ins and federal agency visits.
• Monthly invoices that include the required monthly summary report.

Each Proposer interested in competing to win a Contract award must complete and submit a response to this RFP in OpenGov. [...] All questions concerning this RFP must be submitted in writing on the OpenGov Platform during the Question and Answer open period.

The Initial term of the contract(s) is for one (1) year from the execution date. The City shall have three (3), 1-year option(s) to renew to renew, which options shall be exercisable at the sole discretion of the City.

Responses received after the identified due date and time or submitted by any other means than those expressly permitted by the RFP will not be considered.

Unless indicated otherwise, attendance is not mandatory, although Proposers are strongly encouraged to attend.