HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 14225
City of Palo Alto (ID # 14225)
City Council Staff Report
Meeting Date: 4/18/2022 Report Type: Consent Calendar
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Title: Approval of Amendment Number 1 to Contract Number C18169357
With Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc. for Federal Legislative Advocacy to Extend
the Term for one Additional Year and add $82,800 for a Total Not-to-Exceed
Amount of $414,000
From: City Manager
Lead Department: City Manager
Recommended Motion
Staff recommends that City Council approve the first amendment (attached) to the current
agreement with Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc., for federal legislative advocacy services to (1)
increase the term length by twelve months from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022;
and, (2) increase the not-to-exceed amount by $82,800 from $331,200 to $414,000.
Background
For many years, the City has contracted for federal legislative advocacy services. This
Washington, D.C.-based representation allows Palo Alto to have a presence and voice with
federal representatives, regulators, and their Washington, D.C. staff. Since 2018, the City has
contracted with Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc. (Van Scoyoc), to provide this federal representation
(CMR #8562; Minutes; 11/6/2017). Staff is in the process of developing a new request for
proposals (RFP) for these services and this contract extension will allow the City to continue the
services while the RFP is conducted in 2022.
Discussion
Federal legislative advocacy generally, and through Van Scoyoc specifically, has been
instrumental to the City of Palo Alto’s sustained presence and voice in Washington, D.C. For
example, in 2021, Van Scoyoc assisted the City in preparing for the Community Project Funding
application process and best situated the City for a successful application to Representative
Anna Eshoo.
Staff is currently drafting the RFP for release in spring 2022. This will allow for enough time to
solicit and evaluate bids for a start date of January 1, 2023 of any new federal advocacy
contract.
Staff recommends this contract amendment with Van Scoyoc to provide comprehensive federal
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legislative advocacy services. The relationship between the City and Van Scoyoc is effective and
highly collaborative, with staff of each entity communicating frequently and working to stay
ahead with information at the federal level. As Van Scoyoc has worked with the City over the
years, the firm’s knowledge of what makes Palo Alto unique has deepened. Leveraging this
knowledge and relationship is an important benefit to the City.
Van Scoyoc has agreed to continue their existing rates into this next extension, with no increase
during this extension. Attachment A sets out Amendment number one, extending the original
agreement to December 31, 2022, and noting the flat rates.
Resource Impact
Funding for extending the current contract by twelve months increases the total not-to-exceed
amount by $82,800. Funding for federal legislative services is included in the annual budget
appropriation for the City Manager’s Office reviewed with City Council during the annual
budget. Current annual funding for federal legislative services in the City Manager’s Office is
sufficient to fund this contract extension.
Environmental Review
These services do not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.