RFP794 - ARC Federal Public Affairs Services

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), an instrumentality of the State of Georgia with its office located at 229 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, is seeking proposals from firms experienced in federal public affairs services as outlined below. The vendor(s) will provide all equipment, personnel, expertise, facilities, financial resources, and management for this service. All proposals shall be presented in a unit price for hourly labor and shall contain any other information requested herein.

Professional services would be provided to ARC for a period beginning March 8, 2027, through September 30, 2028, with an option to renew for up to two (2) terms of two years each. This RFP may result in multiple awards with the right reserved to grant all or part of this project to one or more firms. Additionally, firms shall work with the ARC government affairs staff as directed.

ARC's Government Affairs and Policy (GAP) Group provides reliable information, analysis, and outreach that educates leaders and enhances the agency's reputation as an authoritative resource for sound policymaking. GAP seeks a qualified firm or firms (referred hereafter as the Consultant) to assist this sophisticated operation at the federal level.

The Consultant shall personally perform, in a satisfactory and proper manner as determined by ARC, the following work and services:

- Develop and execute annual strategic recommendations reflecting legislative, executive, judicial, and political dynamics, such as the congressional calendar for reauthorizations and appropriations, congressional and administration priorities, and interbranch relations, and identify ways for ARC to meet institutional needs while meaningfully contributing to government partners.

Strategic Consulting, Education, and Outreach

• Facilitate and suggest specific actions for the agency to take to facilitate educational outreach both in Congress and within the executive branch [...].
• Assist ARC staff in preparing strategy for engagement with congressional offices or executive branch officials;
• Advise ARC during major federal reauthorizations (e.g. surface transportation, Older Americans Act, workforce programs) about strategic positioning and policy;
• Develop strategies to deal with issues affecting ARC operational programming that may arise from actions taken by the federal government;
• Advise ARC on maintaining necessary liaisons with members of the Georgia congressional delegation and other key congressional members to keep the public informed on work of the agency; and
• Assist ARC with development of informational briefing materials for members of the Georgia congressional delegation, federal agency officials, and others as necessary.

Legislative Reporting

• Monitor and report the actions of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, particularly related to annual appropriations bills and major federal reauthorization bills relevant to the agency;
• Provide timely analysis of major bills at the direction of the Senior Policy Advisor, Federal Affairs.

Executive Reporting

- Monitor and report the actions of relevant federal agencies that may affect ARC operational programming [...].

Judicial Reporting

- Monitor and report on all relevant federal litigation that may affect ARC [...].

General Expectations

• Provide timely updates via email or phone to the Senior Policy Advisor, Federal Affairs or his/her designee about developments at the federal level, including legislation, regulations, executive orders, federal judicial decisions;
• Attend a virtual meeting at least once per month [...].
• Provide a written report to the Senior Policy Advisor, Federal Affairs or his/her designee on at least a monthly basis [...].
• Attend, within the first 90 days of the contract, an orientation session in Atlanta to meet with ARC personnel and learn more about the various operating departments;
• Participate in an in-person strategic planning session at least once per year in Atlanta [...].

All proposals must be submitted electronically through the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) procurement website. Proposals must be received no later than **Monday, December 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST**. Late proposals will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Respondents must complete the two-step registration process (initial registration and application completion) on the ARC procurement website to access the solicitation and submit a proposal.

The review of written proposals will be based on the following evaluation criteria, with the relative weights in parentheses:

1. Understanding of the Atlanta Regional Commission and its work (25%)
2. Understanding of the Atlanta Regional Commission's major strategic challenges (25%)
3. Related experience, strength of qualifications, versatility in subject matter expertise (25%)
4. Budget (15%)
5. References of the firm or project team (10%)

At a minimum, but not limited to, the selected firm will be required to adhere to the following:

• Required Certificates of Insurance
• Assurance of Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Completion of Debarment and E-Verify forms.

The Firm shall be paid monthly for the services performed to ARC's satisfaction. Firms should provide a detailed breakdown of the proposed pricing following the general formats provided in Exhibits B-1.