Federal Legislative Advocate Contract

1. APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Executive Director to execute contract with Thorn Run Partners, subject to approval by Agency Counsel, in an amount not to exceed $201,850, to provide federal legislative advocacy services for the period from December 1, 2021 to December 31, 2024; 
2. APPROVE the use of Reserve funds budgeted to this purpose; and 
3. AUTHORIZE the Executive Director to take such other further actions as may be necessary to fulfill the intent of the contract, including approvals of future modifications or amendments that do not significantly alter the scope of work, or change the approved contract term or amount.

TAMC hired Alcalde & Fay in May 2021 after a Request for Qualifications for federal legislative advocacy services. Paul Schlesinger was a key reason why the Agency selected that firm. As of November 1, 2021, Mr. Schlesinger has left that firm and is now with Thorn Run Partners. TAMC staff sent a 30-day notice to Alcalde & Fay to terminate that contract, effective December 9, 2021. Staff recommends executing a new contract with Thorn Run Partners, effective December 1, 2021, in order to continue our relationship with Mr. Schlesinger as our federal advocate.

This contract budget includes a monthly retainer of $5,000, a $50 per month budget for expenses to be reimbursed based on receipts, and an annual allowance of $5,000 for long-distance travel, via pre-approval, over the contract term of three years and one month. The total contract not-to-exceed amount is $201,850.

Pursuant to Board direction on March 24, 2021, staff published a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for federal legislative advocacy services. The RFQ specified that the contract would be for a three-year period, with the option for the Board to extend the contract by an additional two years with satisfactory performance.

TAMC received four Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) in response to this RFQ by the deadline. A staff team reviewed the qualifications and recommended the selection of Alcalde & Fay for this contract due to their demonstrated success and proven relationships with relevant parties in Washington, DC, their strategy for accomplishing TAMC priorities and meeting TAMC needs, and their reasonable budget for the work. Paul Schlesinger, as the project manager, was a key reason staff recommended hiring this firm.

Mr. Schlesinger has left Alcalde & Fay as of November 1 and now works at Thorn Run Partners. Staff recommends entering into a contract with Thorn Run Partners at the same rates approved by the Board for the previous contract, in order to maintain the continuity of Mr. Schlesinger's representation of TAMC in DC.

To better align the contract with the legislative calendar and not ending the contract in the middle of the legislative session, staff also recommends setting the scope and budget to coincide with what was in the Alcalde & Fay contract of three years and one month, starting December 1, 2021, through December 31, 2024.

Attached is the draft scope of work and budget for the new contract.