State Government Relations, Regulatory Agency Support, and Lobbying Services

The City of Dallas (the “City”) is soliciting Proposals to establish a three-year service contract with one, one-year renewal option for state government relations, regulatory agency support, and lobbying services to be utilized by the City Attorney's Office. This type of contract sets a maximum spending limit over the contract term. Services will be ordered on an as-needed basis and are subject to availability of funds, but the total cost of all orders shall not exceed the authorized contract amount.

The City of Dallas is seeking comprehensive state government relations, regulatory agency support, and lobbying services to represent its municipal interests before the Texas Legislature, the Executive Branch, and state agencies and commissions. The selected providers will deliver strategic advocacy, legislative and regulatory monitoring, policy analysis, and funding opportunity identification primarily within Austin, Texas. These professional services will encompass maintaining regular communication with City leadership, coordinating stakeholder relationships, and supporting the advancement of the City's legislative agenda throughout legislative sessions, interim periods and agency rulemaking. The City is seeking to engage one or more providers with demonstrated specialization in water, wastewater, and sewer infrastructure and one or more providers with demonstrated experience in the subject matters of the City’s adopted legislative agenda.

The proposer must demonstrate familiarity with Texas legislative processes, state appropriations procedures, and state policy development. All individuals performing lobbying services must comply with all applicable Texas lobbying registration and reporting requirements. [...]

Operational Duties

• Monitor relevant state legislation, appropriations, and regulatory actions, tracking and monitoring legislative developments affecting the City.
• Attend legislative committee hearings, interim hearings, and agency or commission meetings, as necessary.
• Notify the City of legislative or administrative initiatives that may be beneficial or detrimental to the City's interests.
• Provide policy analysis regarding legislative, budgetary, and regulatory developments.
• Provide strategic advice and policy guidance to City leadership regarding legislative strategy, messaging, and state legislative developments and opportunities.

Communication and Reporting

• Provide written summaries of legislative activity, meetings, and key interactions, when requested.
• Provide weekly written and oral reports, including updates following legislative hearings and meetings.

Funding, Regulatory, and Policy Support

• Monitor and assist in securing funding from state programs, appropriations, and grant opportunities.
• Advise on state regulatory actions affecting the City and assist City officials in reviewing and interpreting proposed rules.
• Assist in preparing advocacy materials, including policy memoranda, legislative summaries, talking points, letters, testimony, and briefing materials.

Proposals are required to be submitted electronically using the City’s solicitation portal. The system will not accept submittals after the Submission Due Date and Time and hard copies are not permissible. All Proposal documents can be obtained through the City’s solicitation portal at www.dallascityhall.bonfirehub.com.

Proposals will only be considered from Proposers who have been established in the business of providing state government relations, regulatory agency support, and lobbying services for a minimum of 7 years.

Evaluation criteria

• Experience: 30 points
• Key Personnel: 30 points
• Technical Approach: 20 points
• Developing Regional & Inclusive Vendor Enterprises (DRIVE) Plan: 20 points

The City’s intent is to award this solicitation to multiple highest-ranked proposers, but the City reserves the right to award in the method that is most advantageous to the City.

The successful proposer will be required to purchase, within fifteen (15) days of the award, and maintain during the term of the contract, insurance as described in Attachment B.

The Contract or Agreement will be for an initial term of 3 years with one, one-year renewal option. The City reserves the right not to offer an extension or renewal.