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Resolution 2023-32841RESOLUTION NO ! 2023-32841 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER, TO AUTHORIZE NEGOTIATIONS RELATING TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS NO. 2024-055-ND, FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENTAL CONSULTING; AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH BALLARD PARTNERS, INC., AS THE TOP RANKED PROPOSER; FURTHER, IF THE ADMINISTRATION IS NOT SUCCESSFUL IN NEGOTIATING AN AGREEMENT WITH BALLARD PARTNERS, INC., AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH CONTINENTAL STRATEGY, LLC, AS THE SECOND RANKED PROPOSER; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT UPON CONCLUSION OF SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS BY THE ADMINISTRATION. WHEREAS, on October 13, 2023, the City issued Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2024- 055-ND for Federal Governmental Consulting; and WHEREAS, a voluntary pre -proposal meeting was held on October 20, 2023; and WHEREAS, on November 3, 2023, the City received two (2) proposals from Ballard Partners, Inc., and Continental Strategy, LLC; and WHEREAS, on October 20, 2023, the City Manager, via Letter to Commission No. 475- 2023, appointed an Evaluation Committee consisting of the following individuals: Krystal Dobbins, Grants Management Division Director, Finance Department, Joe Gomez, Director, Public Works Department, Jose R. Gonzalez, Director, Transportation Department, Marcia Monserrat, Chief of Legislative and External Affairs, Office of the City Manager, and Lindsey Precht, Assistant Director, Environment and Sustainability Department; and WHEREAS, the Evaluation Committee convened on November 15, 2023 to review and score the proposals; and WHEREAS, the Evaluation Committee received an overview of the project, information relative to the City's Cone of Silence Ordinance and the Government Sunshine Law, general information on the scope of services and a copy of each proposal; and WHEREAS, the Evaluation Committee was instructed to score and rank each proposal pursuant to the evaluation criteria established in the RFQ; and WHEREAS, the Evaluation Committee process resulted in the ranking of proposers as follows: Ballard Partners, Inc., as the top -ranked proposer; and Continental Strategy, LLC, as the second -ranked proposer; and WHEREAS, after reviewing all of the submissions and the Evaluation Committee's rankings and analysis, the City Manager concurs with the Evaluation Committee and recommends that the Mayor and City Commission authorize the Administration to enter into negotiations with Ballard Partners, Inc., the top -ranked proposer; further, if the Administration is not successful in negotiating an agreement with Ballard Partners, Inc., authorize the Administration to enter into negotiations with Continental Strategy, LLC, as the second -ranked proposer; and further authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute an agreement upon conclusion of successful negotiations by the Administration. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby accept the recommendation of the City Manager, pursuant to Request For Qualifications (RFQ) No. 2024-055-ND for Governmental Consulting, authorize the Administration to enter into negotiations with Ballard Partners, Inc., as the top -ranked proposer; further, if the Administration is not successful in negotiating an agreement with Ballard Partners, Inc., authorize the Administration to enter into negotiations with Continental Strategy, LLC, as the second -ranked proposer; and further authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute an agreement upon conclusion of successful negotiations by the Administration. PASSED AND ADOPTED this /3 ATTEST: RAFAEL E. GRANADO, CITY CLERK DEC 19 2023 APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION I — IA _ 2 -3 City Attorney �� Date day of Dece�V6lr 2023. • STEVEN MEINER, MAYOR IHCOU10FIATE k. Competitive Bid Reports - C2 A MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager DATE: December 13, 2023 SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER, TO AUTHORIZE NEGOTIATIONS RELATING TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS NO. 2024-055-ND, FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENTAL CONSULTING; AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH BALLARD PARTNERS, INC., AS THE TOP RANKED PROPOSER; FURTHER, IF THE ADMINISTRATION IS NOT SUCCESSFUL IN NEGOTIATING AN AGREEMENT WITH BALLARD PARTNERS, INC., AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH CONTINENTAL STRATEGY, LLC, AS THE SECOND RANKED PROPOSER; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT UPON CONCLUSION OF SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS BY THE ADMINISTRATION. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Resolution accepting the City Manager's recommendation pertaining to the proposals received, pursuant to RFQ 2024- 055-ND, for Federal Govememental Consulting, and authorizing the Administration to enter into negotiations with Ballard Partners, Inc., as the top -ranked proposer. If the Administration is not successful in negotiating an agreement with Ballard Partners, Inc., authorizing the Administration to enter into negotiations with Continental Strategy, LLC, as the second -ranked proposer_ The Resolution also authorizes the City. Manager and City Clerk to execute an agreement upon the conclusion of successful negotiations by the Administration. The solicitation is currently underthe cone of silence. BACKGROUNDIHISTORY On February 1, 2018, the City executed an agreement with Ballard Partners, Inc. for federal consulting services. The initial term of the agreement was three (3) years and included two (2) one (1) year renewal options. All renewal options have been exercised, and the agreement will expire on February 4, 2024. As a result of'the expiring contract, the RFQ was developed seeking responses from qualified Page 24 of 1118 firms or individuals interested in being considered to provide governmental consulting services, including lobbying services, to represent the City's interests before the legislative and executive branches of the Federal Government, including all federal agencies. The services generally include assistance and advise on legislation, policy, and regulations that may impact the City, including but not limited to: Confer with the Mayor, City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney, and other City personnel on all organizational planning and program activities that have a bearing on the ability of the City to make the best use of federal programs; Maintain liaison with the Citys Congressional delegation and assist with the delegation in any matter which 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; • Identify and notify the City in advance of opportunities such as grant opportunities and funding availabilities, or changes in policies and regulations for transportation, community and economic development, environment and resiliency, beach re - nourishment, sargassum, algae blooms, infrastructure improvement, emergency management, housing and urban development, homeless programs, intermodal programs and any other areas of interest to the City; • Review, identify, and monitor federal legislative, executive, and regulatory policy changes or developments to advise the City on those items that may have a significant bearing on City policies, funding, and programs; Establish a strong identity and presence in Washington D.C. on behalf of the City maintain working relationships with the executive and legislative branches of the federal government that will enhance the Citys position with respect to financial assistance applications, regulatory procedures, legislation, budget authorizations and appropriations, and other areas of interest to the City; Design and implement a strategy, in consultation with the City staff, that raises the consciousness and awareness of issues relating to the City of Miami Beach with congressional leaders and broadens and improves direct communication of City staff with the Federal leadership; Assist in implementing the City's federal legislative agenda. ANALYSIS On October 13, 2023, the City issued RFQ No. 2024-055-ND for federal governmental consulting. The Procurement Department issued bid notes to 21,971 companies through the e- procurement system, with 75 prospective bidders accessingthe advertised solicitation A voluntary pre -proposal conference to provide information to proposers submitting a response was held on October 20, 2023. One (1) addendum was issued.. RFQ responses were due and received on November 3, 2023. The City received -a total of two (2) proposals from the following firms: Ballard Partners, Inc., and Continental Strategy, LLC. On October 20, 2023, the City Manager appointed the Evaluation Committee via LTC # 475- 2023. The Evaluation Committee convened on November 15, 2023, to consider proposals received. The Committee was comprised of Krystal Dobbins, Grants Management Division Director, Finance Department, Joe Gomez, Director, Public Works Department, Jose R. Gonzalez, Director, Transportation Department, Marcia Monserrat, Chief of Legislative and External Affairs, Office of the City Manager, and Lindsey Precht, Assistant Director, Environment and Sustainability Department. The Committee was provided an overview of the project and information relative to the City's Cone of Silence Ordinance and the Government Page 25 of 1118 NJ Sunshine Law. The Committee was also provided with general information on the scope of services and a copy of each proposal. The Committee was instructed to score and rank each proposal pursuant to the evaluation criteria established in the RFQ. The evaluation process resulted in the ranking of proposers as indicated in Attachment A. The Evaluation Committee deemed Ballard Partners, Inc. the best -qualified firm to provide governmental consulting services. The Evaluation Committee noted that Ballard Partners, Inc. specializes in all governmental and public affairs aspects, including legislative advocacy and administrative issues affecting executive agency decisions. The Evaluation Committee also noted that Ballard Partners, Inc. has proposed to advance the City's projects, policies, and programs at the federal level by developing an annual legislative agenda and annual budgetary requests and facilitating meetings with key members of relevant committees, legislative leadership, agency officials, and other public office holders. Continental Strategy, LLC, the second -ranked proposer, was also deemed by the Evaluation Committee to. be qualified in the event that negotiations with Ballard Partners, Inc. are unsuccessful. A summary of each top -ranked firm follows based on information provided by each firm: Ballard Partners. Inc, Ballard Partners, Inc. (Ballard Partners), founded as a Florida Corporation in 1998, has been a force in Florida politics and government for 25 years. Its' statewide presence consists of nine offices in Tallahassee, Sarasota, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Fort Myers.. • The clients to which it provides federal legislative and executive branch advocacy include but are not limited .to' Manatee County, the City of Pensacola, and the City of Nashville. Ballard Partners is the incumbent providing these services to the City, and the City has- been satisfied with its work and offered positive feedback.. . Continental Strategy, LLC - Continental Strategy, ,LLC ..(Continental Strategy) is a •new, rapidly expanding lobbying and. consulting, fi rr-with.'t3aobbying: professionals with• over.100.years of combined experience in - lobbying and strategic advising at every level -of government, from the federal to the municipal level. Continental, Strategy,.has..;offices; in Tallahassee, - Washington,_, DC, Miamiy and ,lacksonville_ Its ' clients . include but' -are -.not limited to: _the City. 'of West _.Miami, Miami';Dade: - College, and,the Town -of Miami L- akes SUPPORTING SURVEY Not applicable. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Fees wilt be established through the negotiation process. The estimated ' annual budget for these services,is$102,000. ttis not anticipated that -grant funding will be utilized for this contract. Amount(s)/Acount(s): 011-0310-000312-10-400-579-00-00-00 $102,000 KORMIJA • , Page 26 of 1118 Based on the foregoing, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Resolution authorizing the Administration to enter into negotiations with Ballard Partners, Inc., the top -ranked proposer. If the Administration is not successful in negotiating an agreement with Ballard Partners, Inc., the Resolution authorizes the Administration to enter into negotiations with Continental Strategy, LLC, as the second -ranked proposer. Finally, the Resolution authorizes the City Manager and City Clerk to execute an agreement upon conclusion of successful negotiations. Applicable Area Not Applicable Is this a "Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O. to Know" item, pursuant to Bond Funds? City Code Section 2-14? No No Legislative Tracking Office of the City Manager/Procurement ATTACHMENTS: Description n Attachment A n Resolution Page 27 of 1118 RF02VAOM F*dwW GovwnmwW jnawm im FL Ganuma M.Um..— I Und" PrwcM LOW conlutuna i Aga-" TOWS QLWm&w& - - 1 awbow OUNKNEUM CUMIYA"m a '49 ve 1 Q"ftbA I C..,d— W auwmdlva 1 sw*ow tLI,wd.P*_dnl,Inc. - 94 1 0 0 1 91 1 90 0 1 90 1 6 . "LLC 75 1 91 1 0 B1 2 93 1 0 1 93 1 97 I a 67 2 .1 . 1—,—W.QV LLC T Q FOR DISPLAY PURPONIES QW. FINAL RANKING POES NOT CONSUME AN AWARD RECOMMENDATION, IMM Page 28 of 1118