Washington State Transit Association (WSTA) on behalf of Small & Mid-Sized Transit Alliance (SMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Transcription

1 Washington State Transit Association (WSTA) on behalf of Small & Mid-Sized Transit Alliance (SMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS For Legislative Lobbying Services Closes Jun 22, :00pm The Small and Mid-Sized Transit Alliance (SMTA) is seeking a contract lobbyist to represent SMTA in the legislative and executive branches of Washington State. A successful lobbyist should have experience with public transportation issues and local governments, a solid understanding of the Washington State legislative and political process, existing relationships with state elected officials and staff, the ability to work both sides of the aisle, strong written and verbal communication skills, and effective coalition-building skills. This Request for Proposals (RFP) is for an eleven (11) month contract to begin August 1, 2018 and end on June 30, 2019, with the option to extend for additional one (1)-year period upon mutual agreement. There is no limit to how many times the contract can be extended annually if it is mutually agreed. Fees will be paid in equal monthly payments. Contactor will be reimbursed for travel or other expenses when requested by SMTA and that is outside the central Puget Sound. Reimbursements must gain prior approved by either the Chair of SMTA or the WSTA Executive Director. INTRODUCTION The Small and Mid-Sized Transit Alliance (SMTA) is a caucus of the Washington State Transit Association (WSTA). WSTA is a private not-for-profit corporation that provides legislative advocacy, education and training for public transit agencies in Washington State. WSTA s members includes 31 public transit agencies in the state and the Washington State Department of Transportation Public Transportation Division (WSDOT). WSTA is governed by a Board of Directors, is based in Olympia and has an existing contract lobbyist to lobby on behalf of the entire association. Some of WSTA s members have their own governmental affairs staff, in-house lobbyists and/or contract lobbyists. All of WSTA s members and their lobbyists are invited to participate in WSTA s Legislative Committee and the lobbyists meet weekly during session. Decisions are made primarily on a consensus-basis. WSTA s bylaws allow caucuses to be formed within the WSTA membership and also allow WSTA staff to provide minimal support to any caucus. Since 1992, most of the small and midsized transit agencies in the state have been organized as a caucus. The primary purpose of SMTA is to secure state legislative lobbying services for its 19 members. The vast majority of these members do not have their own in-house lobbyist or government affairs staff. Page 1

2 SCOPE OF SERVICES Relationship with WSTA: The SMTA Lobbyist is part of the WSTA Lobbyist Team which include the WSTA Executive Director and WSTA Lobbyist. The Lobby team will work to implement the legislative priorities of WSTA and the SMTA lobbyist will focus on issues that impact SMTA members as identified by them and the WSTA Executive Director. The Lobbyist team will work closely with other transit lobbyist, government affairs staff, representatives of public transit agencies and other stakeholders, such as Transportation Choices Coalition; and agencies, such as WSDOT. If SMTA and or their members identified an issue, policy and/or legislation that may provide conflict of interest with WSTA Lobbyist and their legislative agenda the Executive Director will declare a firewall be put up and the SMTA lobbyist may work to resolve the members issues while keeping informed the Executive Director and SMTA Chair of the work product. SMTA members have varying relationships with their legislators. The SMTA lobbyist will be asked to develop and assist with strategies for SMTA as a whole to be most effective from a statewide perspective. The SMTA lobbyist may also be asked to develop and assist with strategies for SMTA member agencies on how to best engage with their state legislators (e.g., meetings, tours, advice on forming coalitions to meet with legislators, etc.). Prior to session, the SMTA lobbyist will work with the WSTA Lobby Team on developing and identified potential legislative strategies and issues and assist with the development of any legislative priorities that may be approved. WSTA s official legislative priorities shall be seen as priorities for SMTA as well. SMTA LOBBYIST WILL ALSO: Establish and maintain working relationships with SMTA members. In collaboration with the WSTA Executive Director advise and develop strategies to support SMTA members on how to be most effective with state legislators, including, if requested, specific state lobbying plans for individual SMTA members. Provide advice on legislative strategies, proposals and options. Actively represent SMTA s interests, analyze, identify issues and monitor legislation. Draft proposed legislation and amendments as needed. Establish and maintain working relationships with legislators and staff, executive branch officials and staff, other public transportation representatives, community organizations and other stakeholders. Coordinate any meetings between SMTA members and legislators or their staff. Communicate with legislators and staff on behalf of SMTA and keep SMTA members informed about any communications with their legislators. Coordinate communications and/or testimony on issues impacting SMTA and its membership. Testify as appropriate and as directed by SMTA and or the WSTA Executive Director. Lead legislative update conferences calls with SMTA members during session to update them on key issues and discuss strategies as appropriate. Provide a weekly written update during session. Provide a post- session report with an analysis of SMTA issues. Page 2

3 When requested, attend and/or participate by phone in SMTA s quarterly meetings. When requested, attend and/or participate in WSTA s quarterly meetings as appropriate to represent SMTA and coordinate with the WSTA Lobbyist Team. Attend weekly meeting of the transit lobbyist during session When requested, attend and/or participate in WSTA s meetings and calls to represent SMTA and discuss legislative issues. Ensure SMTA has effective communications and collaborative relationships with key partners including WSTA, other agencies, legislative and executive staff, community organizations and other stakeholders Comply with all federal and state laws, regulations or rulings regarding the registration and activities of contract lobbyists to the extent that said laws are applicable. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS At least three years of experience working in the Washington State Legislature, in some combination of lobbyist, legislative staff, or equivalent. Should be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of the Washington State legislative and political process. Existing relationships with members and staff of the Washington State legislature and the executive branch (e.g., Governor s Office and Policy Advisors, Office of Financial Management Transportation Budget Advisors and the Washington State Department of Transportation) and other stakeholders (e.g., other transit agencies, Transportation Choices Coalition, Futurewise, Washington Bikes/Cascade Bikes, Association of Washington Cities and Washington State Association of Counties. Strong writing and verbal communications skills to communicate issues to clients, elected officials, and other staff. Experience testifying in front of legislative committees. Ability to quickly understand complex issues, and build and maintain a high-level of expertise and credibility on relevant issues. Ability to create strategic direction, goals, objectives, and action plans for legislative advocacy and policy solutions. Knowledge and experience with transportation issues in the State of Washington, with particular emphasis on public transit. Knowledge of state, county and local government operations including statutes, ordinances, funding, organization, functions, and issues. Knowledge of applicable laws within the Revised Code of Washington, Washington Administrative Code and other applicable policies. Strong analytical skills necessary to develop work plans, position papers, and interpret statutes and proposed legislation. Must be capable of working independently with minimal supervision. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND NEXT STEPS: Proposals should be no more than 10 pages total and submitted as one PDF document. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on June 22, 2018 and should be submitted to Justin D. Leighton, WSTA Executive Director, at justin@watransit.com. We are using a streamlined process and expect that any interviews will probably be on July 18 th from 11:00am-3:00pm, with a SMTA decision on a finalist by July 20 th, and, if possible, have a lobbyist hired by August 1, 2018 and able to attend the 3 rd Quarter WSTA Board meeting in Tri-Cities on August 20, 2018 and the 3 rd Quarter SMTA Meting in Vancouver, WA on September Letter of interest. Page 3

4 2. Resume and qualifications. If any other individual(s) will be assigned to the functions of the proposal, provide their resume and qualifications. 3. Proposal for accomplishing the Scope of Work. 4. Description of your lobbying and communication style with examples of successful lobbying efforts for public agencies and effective advice for public agencies as they work with their state legislators. 5. Demonstrated experience with public transit, transportation issues and local governments. 6. Demonstrated experience, if any, in state government, as a legislator, staff member, regulator or state employee; and relationships with members of the legislative and executive branches, and with other stakeholders. 7. Estimate of time that will be devoted to performing work for SMTA. 8. List of existing clients and identification of any potential conflicts of interest. 9. Proposed fee for the first year and for the potential two-year term of a renewed contract. 10. Three references (including contact name and phone number) from individuals or organizations that have used you for similar services. EVALUATION PROCESS An evaluation team will review all proposals received and may request an interview during the evaluation process. The team reserves the right to accept or reject submitted proposals, to waive informational and minor irregularities and to request additional information required to fully evaluate a proposal. The following criteria will be used in reviewing and comparing proposals: 1. Relevant qualifications and experience. 2. Overall approach to the scope of services, lobbying and communications style, and ability to deliver all services as outlined. 3. Knowledge of public transit, transportation and local government issues. 4. Demonstrated record of success. 5. Potential conflicts of interest/positive affiliations. 6. Ability to develop and support local agency lobbying efforts at state level. 7. Fees. 8. Best fit. Questions? If you have any questions, please contact Justin D. Leighton at , or justin@watransit.com Page 4

5 2018 SMTA MEMBERS 1. ASOTIN COUNTY PTBA 2. CLALLAM TRANSIT 3. COLUMBIA TRANSIT TRANSPORTATION 4. GRANT TRANSIT 5. GRAYS HARBOR TRANSIT 6. INTERCITY TRANSIT 7. ISLAND TRANSIT 8. JEFFERSON TRANSIT 9. LINK TRANSIT (DOUGLAS/CHELAN COUNTY 10. MASON TRANSIT 11. PACIFIC TRANSIT 12. PULLMAN TRANSIT (CITY) 13. RIVERCITIES TRANSIT 14. SKAGIT TRANSIT 15. TRANGO (OKANOGAN 16. TWIN TRANSIT (CHEHALIS/CENTRALIA) 17. VALLEY TRANSIT (WALLA WALLA 18. WHATCOM TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY 19. YAKIMA TRANSIT 2018 WSTA Members 1. ASOTIN COUNTY PTBA 2. BEN FRANKLIN TRANSIT 3. C-TRAN (VANCOUVER) 4. CLALLAM TRANSIT 5. COLUMBIA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION 6. COMMUNITY TRANSIT 7. CENTRAL TRANSIT (ELLENSBURG) 8. EVERETT TRANSIT 9. GARFIELD COUNTY TRANSPORTATION 10. GRANT TRANSIT 11. GRAYS HARBOR TRANSIT 12. INTERCITY TRANSIT 13. ISLAND TRANSIT 14. JEFFERSON TRANSIT 15. KITSAP TRANSIT 16. LINK TRANSIT (DOUGLAS/CHELAN 17. MASON TRANSIT 18. METRO (KING 19. TRANSGO (OKANAGAN 20. PACIFIC TRANSIT 21. PIERCE TRANSIT 22. PULLMAN TRANSIT 23. RIVERCITIES TRANSIT (LONGVIEW) 24. SEATTLE DOT 25. SKAGIT TRANSIT 26. SOUND TRANSIT 27. SPOKANE TRANSIT 28. TWIN TRANSIT (CHEHALIS/CENTRALIA) 29. VALLEY TRANSIT (WALLA WALLA 30. WHATCOM TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY 31. WSDOT- PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 32. YAKIMA TRANSIT Page 5