State Legislative Assistance Contract:

1.  AUTHORIZE the Executive Director to execute a contract with Khouri Consulting, in an amount not to exceed $30,000 per year, to provide state legislative analyst/advocate services, for two years, with the option to extend another year at the same cost, subject to Agency Counsel approval;
2. APPROVE the use of the undesignated operating reserve budgeted to this purpose; and
3. AUTHORIZE the Executive Director to make administrative changes to the contract if such changes do not increase the Agency’s net cost, subject to approval by Agency counsel.

TAMC released a Request for Proposals for state legislative analyst/advocate services in March 2017. Three proposals were submitted. The Executive Committee recommends selection of Khouri Consulting due to their impressive legislative expertise in transportation issues.

The Agency budget contains an allowance of $30,000 in undesignated operating reserve funds for services of state legislative assistance in fiscal year 2017/18. Staff proposes to set up a contract for two years and the option for a one-year renewal for a total cost of $60,000-$90,000. Utilizing state legislative assistance may result in the protection or allocation of several millions of dollars in additional transportation funds being devoted to transportation projects in the region. Funding for this type of assistance will come from the undesignated operating reserve.

On March 22, 2017, the TAMC Board of Directors authorized staff to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for State Legislative Analyst/ Advocate services, for a not-to-exceed amount of $30,000 per year, for two years and the option for a one-year renewal.

On March 23, 2017, staff published the RFP and sent the solicitation to a list of firms who work in this field. TAMC received three submittals by the due date of April 27, 2017:

• JEA & Associates
• Khouri Consulting
• Nossaman LLP

A review panel was formed with representatives from the following agencies:

• County of Monterey Intergovernmental Affairs
• Monterey Salinas Transit District (MST)  
• TAMC

The review panel read and scored the written submittals according to selection criteria listed in the RFP, for 20 points apiece:

1. Responsiveness: Demonstrates a history of providing timely responses to requests for information in a manner appropriate to the urgency of the request.
2. Proactiveness: Suggests bills and transportation-related developments or proposals to watch, hearings to attend, and/or grants to pursue. Shows ability to draft and promote Agency-sponsored bills and suggest a bill author.
3. Positive Relationships:  Gets positive feedback/references from elected representatives, administration representatives, and California Transportation Commissioners. For example, receives positive comments from legislators, and shows success in setting up meetings in a timely manner and, as applicable, engaging with sponsors and author(s) of potential Agency bills.
4. Quality of Work: Produces written work of a high quality and with sufficient detail that would not require Legislative and/or Agency staff to rewrite or redo.
5. Project Understanding: Exhibits an understanding of the Agency's priority projects and ability to promote those priority projects. Exhibits a depth of knowledge of transportation funding and policy issues.

The review panel met on May 4, 2017, to discuss the proposals and references and unanimously agreed to recommend hiring Khouri Consulting. Khouri Consulting impressed the review panel with their demonstrated transportation expertise and contacts in the administration and legislature.

The project manager for this work would be Gus Khouri, who has close relationships with many of the key transportation players in Sacramento. Mr. Khouri has a demonstrated ability to draft and advocate for legislation, including a bill that he worked on for TAMC that enabled the Agency to pursue self-help status.

Khouri Consulting had all positive reviews from the references contacted, who praised the firm’s expertise in state transportation legislative analysis, contacts with the legislature and the state, writing ability, and responsiveness.

Khouri Consulting is a small boutique firm that allows for a close relationship with the proprietor, and an ability to provide access and enable the Agency to form or strengthen relationships in Sacramento.  Mr. Khouri is prepared to make personal appearances at Executive Committee and Board meetings upon request and within the budgeted amount.

The Executive Committee voted 4-1 to support the recommendation of the selection committee, after a discussion regarding the timing of the contract start date.

Attachment 1 is the scope of work and budget for the contract.