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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit 2ATTACHMENT A-1 2.0 SPECIFICATIONS / SCOPE OF WORK 2.1 Background Information With a population of over 360,000 residents, the City has one of the largest populations of any city in the State of Florida and is located in Miami -Dade County, with a population of well over 2.2 million people. The City seeks to secure experienced public sector lobbyist(s) to represent its various interests before the Legislative and Executive branches of the Federal Government, with the purpose, at a minimum, of identifying funding sources and influencing the development of legislation that will improve the quality of life for those who live, work and visit the City. Proposers should possess or have continual and immediate access to legal expertise on the governmental issue(s) needing to be addressed. Legal expertise for "key personnel" of the Proposer is desirable and should be identified in its responses to the RFQ. Please refer to Attachment A-1 for those anticipated "Categories of Expertise" being sought by the City. These Categories are not all inclusive and may be modified throughout the duration of the contract. It is the intent of this solicitation to establish a term Contract, qualify Proposers ("Successful Proposers") based upon their credentials, experience, and expertise, per the Categories shown on Attachment A. As such, Proposers, in their Response, are to clearly identify those areas of expertise, on a per Category basis, for which they are seeking to qualify. The City shall utilize qualified Proposers on the List, per Category, on an as needed, when needed, basis. Proposers are not guaranteed specific work assignments or quantity of work under the Categories. The City reserves the right to qualify additional firms or categories at any given point in time throughout the term of the contract when deemed in the best interest of the City. The Successful Proposers shall not represent any other party before Congress or any other administrative agency on any matter where such party's interest may be adverse to the City without written permission of the City. In the event that Successful Proposer(s) desires to represent another party with the federal government, it shall inform the City Attorney and the City Manager/Chief Administrator, in writing, of any other party it wishes to represent and the nature of the representation. The City may preclude the Successful Proposer(s) from simultaneously representing the City and another party when, in the City's sole determination, the representation of another party may be adverse to the City's interest. 2.2 Categories of Expertise The City recognizes expertise of a Proposer may be in the Categories of Executive/Agency; Legislative, or both. It is the City's desire to secure the services of Proposers who can provide quality service in one or more areas of need, as shown on 06-604 22 Attachment A and identified as "Categories of Expertise." In its Response, Proposers must reflect in which area(s) of expertise it is seeking to qualify under. 2.3 Scope of Work The Successful Proposer(s) must provide federal governmental lobbying and consulting services as stipulated by the City. While Attachment A reflects subject areas where the City is seeking to qualify Proposers with experience and expertise, the City understands that each Proposer is uniquely qualified and may be an expert in some but not all subject areas. As a result, the City is seeking a number of qualified Proposers for each of the main subject areas reflected on Attachment A-1. Proposers may seek to qualify for one (1) Category, more than one (1) Category, or all Categories, depending upon its expertise, qualifications and experience. At the time of need, and depending upon the issue, the City will select a qualified Proposer from a Category, on an as needed basis, to perform required services. Successful Proposers shall perform, as a minimum and per Category, the following services: • Communicate with the City Manager/Chief Administrator or his/her designee(s) on at least a weekly basis to review and analyze federal government executive and legislative actions having a bearing on the City's fiscal and programmatic interests. • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with the executive and legislative branches of the federal government to enhance the City's position with respect to financial assistance, including reimbursements, applications, regulatory procedures, legislation, budget authorizations and appropriations, and other similar matters as needed. • Integrate its efforts with the City Manager/Chief Administrator or his/her designee to assure a strong and consistent legislative program. • Establish and maintain a fully functional office, if required, including, but not limited to, parking, phones, facsimile, copy machine, personal computer with appropriate software, as identified by the City, filing space for City staff or officials in the Metropolitan Washington D.C. area, and provide clerical assistance for said staff or officials during session to ensure adequate coordination between Washington D.C. and the City. • Provide a full range of legislative counsel and advocacy services, including preparing weekly reports advising the City Manager/Chief Administrator of the current status of legislation during legislative sessions. • Advise the City Manager/Chief Administrator on a timely basis of any issues, meetings, hearings, or legislative and administrative procedures of relevance to the City. • Represent the City at meetings, hearings, or conferences, as requested. 06-604 23 • Be available on a twenty-four hour, seven (7) day per week basis during the session, and must immediately respond to any calls or pages by the City Manager/Chief Administrator or designated City Staff. • Confer with the Mayor, City Commission, City Manager/Chief Administrator, City Attorney, and other City personnel, on an as needed basis, regarding strategic organizational planning and program activities which have a bearing on the ability of the City to make the best use of federal programs, assistance, appropriations, and/or any other legislative, administrative or executive actions. • Meet with the Mayor, City Commission, and City Manager/Chief Administrator or his/her designee(s) periodically and at mutually agreed upon times and dates. • Maintain liaison with the City's Congressional delegation and assist with the delegation in any matter that the City determines to be in its best interest. • Counsel with the City regarding appearances by City personnel before Congressional Committees and Federal Administrative Agencies. • Depending upon its area of expertise identified on Attachment A, identify and notify the City in advance of opportunities such as grant opportunities and funding availability for transportation, community and economic development, environmental matters, infrastructure improvement, hurricane recovery efforts, housing and urban development, homeless programs, intermodal programs and any other areas of interest to the City. • Depending upon its area of expertise, assist the City in the review of federal executive proposals, legislation under consideration, proposed and adopted administrative rules and regulations, and other federal developments for the purpose of advising the City of those items which may have a significant bearing on City policies, funding, and programs. • Depending upon its area of expertise, consult with the City regarding any proposed formula changes in the Community Development Block Grant or other major federal programs to determine their impact on the City, and take the necessary steps as mutually agreed upon to bring changes in the best interest of the City. • Submit to the City an annual report of accomplishments concerning the Consultant's responsibilities. • Assist in implementing the City's federal legislative agenda. • Assist in writing, interpreting and monitoring legislation and regulations. • Assist in the drafting of legislation, amendments, report language, position papers, and testimony. • Provide monthly written progress reports detailing the services that have been rendered. 06-604 24 (Attachment A-1 Cont'd) • Be prepared at all times to obtain documentation and research materials upon request. • Forward all required reports upon request by the City, and those reports shall be in the number of copies as requested by the City at that particular instance. OVERALL FEDERAL PRIORITY ISSUES Miami Streetcar Project — Common sense mobility In an effort to reduce traffic congestion in the urban core, the City of Miami is proposing to build the Miami Streetcar Project, an urban transit circulator that will provide service connecting key destinations in the downtown to mid -town corridor. With over 60,000 additional residential units newly constructed, traffic mobility and relief are of paramount importance to the City. Whereas traditional models of transportation have become ineffective in reducing congestion in urban settings, the Miami Streetcar will use existing rights -of -way and integrate itself into current streets providing improved transit connectivity. The project will include modern, electric streetcars running over a fixed rail line within the street travel lanes and will connect with the existing elevated Metrorail and Metromover rail systems, eliminating thousands of daily automobile trips in Downtown Miami. The recent transportation authorization bill SAFETEA-LU contained a $50 million dollar authorization for the Miami Downtown Streetcar Project. Preserving Community Development Block Grants — Economic opportunity for all Started theduring Nixon Administration, the Community Development Block Grants program funds housing rehabilitation, public improvements, and economic development efforts in cities throughout the United States. It is perhaps one of the most effective tools that local communities have to enhance the development of their economies and to remedy poverty. The City of Miami opposes recent efforts to eliminate the Community Development Block Grants program and instead supports efforts to change the formula by which funds are allocated to place greater emphasis on poverty percentages rather than population. International Law Enforcement Training Facility - Teaching democratic policing With the emergence of the City of Miami Police Department as one of the top international police departments, the Miami Model of policing is now sought after by leaders worldwide that are interested in the process of strengthening their ability to maintain an orderly society through effective enforcement of laws. 06-604 25 Focused on the idea that stable foreign legal institutions are key in maintaining national security, the City of Miami is building an International Law Enforcement Training Facility that will serve as a teaching center where domestic and international police departments can learn the principles of democratic policing. Urban Area Security Initiative — Keeping our City safe It is of utmost importance that the City of Miami be able to protect our residents and the numerous visitors we receive from attack and natural or manmade catastrophes. Part of this protection stems from providing the needed resources to the first responders that make up our first line of defense. At this time, the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) continues to be the main source of federal funds toward that end. The City supports the continued existence and funding of the UASI Grant, supports formula modifications that take into account infrastructure and population risk assessments, and further supports Congressional intent that federal homeland defense funds to key urban areas be directed and controlled by local urban municipalities, not diluted by state or other jurisdictional controls. The City also opposes recent actions to cut funding for traditional law enforcement, policing and crime prevention efforts at the local government level. While we welcome additional resources to enhance homeland security, these new initiatives can not be done at the expense of ongoing traditional law enforcement activities. Advocacy for Arts and Tourism Cabinet Position —Promoting culture Nationally, the arts industry generates $134 billion in economic activity per year. Art has a significant impact on other industries, such as tourism, as well. A recent report by the Smithsonian Magazine shows that 81 percent of adults who traveled included cultural activities in their itinerary; 30 percent of these travelers were influenced by cultural attractions when choosing their destinations. Countries around the world realize the importance of culture and have created cabinet level positions for Art, Tourism and Culture. Of the countries in the Western Hemisphere 66% have a cabinet level minister of Tourism, and 58% have'a-minister of culture and arts. The difference is even more astounding in Europe, where 80% of all nations have a minister of Culture and Arts. Given the importance of the arts to our national economy, the City supports the creation of a federal post that would become a focused national advocate on all issues related to travel, tourism, arts and culture. This would be a national advocate charged with the task of forming the national policy for tourism, art and culture, and solely dedicated to the protection, development and expansion of this industry. Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness - Increasing hope for the most vulnerable Together with the Interagency Council on Homelessness, the City has embarked on a detailed strategy that seeks to end chronic homelessness by insuring that appropriate permanent housing and social and support services are made available. 06-604 26 (Attachment A-1 Cont'd) Opposing Unfunded Mandates —Returning local control The federal government continues to impose unfunded mandates on state and local governments, and to pre-empt their legitimate powers. Congress should assure that mandates are funded and preemptions minimized, and should review whether current federal law limiting the imposition of mandates should be strengthened. Categories of Expertise FOR QUALIFICATION PURPOSES The following bulleted sub -areas are merely illustrative and are not meant as an exhaustive list Category Area of Expertise A. B. C. D. Congressional Relations • Appropriations / Authorizations • Fundraising White House • Office of intergovernmental Affairs • Office of National Drug Control Policy • Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives • Inter -Agency Council on Homelessness • U.S. Trade Representative • Council on Environmental Quality Department of State • Office of intergovernmental Affairs • Western Hemisphere Affairs • International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs • Population, Refugees and Migration Department of Homeland Security • Urban Areas Security Initiative • International Law Enforcement Training Facility • Office of State and Local Coordination and Preparedness • Critical Infrastructure Protection • Transportation and Security Administration • Customs and Border Protection • immigration and Customs Enforcement • U.S. Coast Guard E. Department of Defense • Defense Logistic Agency 06-604 27 (Attachment Al-Cont'd) F. G. H. I. J. K. L. Department of the Interior • Virginia Key Preservation • Biscayne Bay Preservation • Everglades Restoration • National Park Service Department of Education • No Child Left Behind • Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students • Office of Safe and Drug -Free Schools • Center for Faith -Based and Community Initiatives • Historically Black Colleges and Universities • International Education • Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans Department of Transportation • Federal Aviation Administration • Federal Transportation Administration Department of Housing and Urban Development • Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) • American Dream Homeownership • Office of Housing • Office of Community Planning/Development • Office of Fair Housing/Equal .Opportunity • Lead Hazard Control Department of Commerce • Minority Business Development Agency • Economic Development Administration • International Trade Administration Department of Health and Human Services • Medicare/Medicaid promotion and retention • Administration on Aging • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Department of the Treasury • Earned Income Tax Credit • Community Development Financial institution (CINI) Fund • Internal Revenue Service • Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms 06-604 28 (Attachment A-1 Cont'd) M. N. Environmental Protection Agency • Brownfield remediation • Clean Air / Water Standards • Lead Hazard Mitigation Small Business Administration • 8a Business Development • SBDC and SCORE • Increased Access to Capital 06-604 29.