Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: December 23, 2024
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
FROM: Carrie Mathes, CFCM, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M., Manager II, Procurement Division
CONTACT: Kelley Teague, Director, Legislative Affairs Office
PHONE: 407-836-5423
SUBJECT: Approval of Contract, Y24-1105-MM, Secondary State Lobbying Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approval of Contract Y24-1105-MM, Secondary State Lobbying Services, with Sunrise Consulting Group, in the estimated contract award amount of $348,000 for a five-year term. ([County Administration Legislative Affairs Office] Procurement Division)
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PROCUREMENT:
The consultant will represent the County before the Governor, Cabinet, and Florida Legislature, including its committees and state agencies by providing a full range of professional lobbying and advocacy services. The consultant will work closely with the Legislative Affairs Director, Chief of Staff, County Administrator, and appropriate staff to develop the County’s legislative agenda and associated strategies.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 0001-023-0390-3167.
REMARKS:
The consultant shall work closely with the Legislative Affairs Director, Chief of Staff, County Administrator and appropriate staff to execute the Scope of Services as the County’s secondary lobby firm. The secondary lobby firm will work alongside the County’s primary lobby firm, providing targeted expertise in environment, land use, and water-related issues impacting local governments. The secondary lobby firm would also be expected to be available for general lobbying services, as needed.
The top ranked firm, Gunster, Yoakley & Steward, P.A. withdrew from consideration for award. The next ranked firm, Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. was awarded the primary State Lobbying contract, therefore was ineligible for award consideration under this contract. Therefore, it is recommended that the next-ranked alternate, Sunrise Consulting Group, be awarded this contract.
The proposals were evaluated by the Procurement Committee on September 11, 2024. Commissioner Christine Moore was assigned to the Procurement Committee.