ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATORS IAPHA. Request for Proposals (RFP) LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY LOBBYIST

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1 ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATORS IAPHA Request for Proposals (RFP) LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY LOBBYIST DUE: FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 The Illinois Association of Public Health Administrators reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and select the proposal which, in its opinion, is the most beneficial to the Association.

2 Request for Proposals (RFP) A. Introduction: The Illinois Association of Public Health Administrators (IAPHA) is accepting requests for proposals to perform legislative advocacy/lobbyist duties for the Association. Legislative advocacy includes lobbying, education/awareness of public health issues and periodic updates to association members. This person will work closely with the Executive Board - Legislative Committee IAPHA general membership and members/staff of the Illinois General Assembly. This is one of three RFPs issued by IAPHA. The other two RFPs are for Financial Management and for Association Management. An applicant may apply for one, two or all three and combine the proposals into one as long as it is clear that the applicant is applying for multiple components. The cost of each component must be identified in a combined proposal. One hard copy and one electronic copy of the proposal must be received by the close of business on Friday, June 29, All proposals postmarked by June 29 will be accepted, proposals after this date may be considered until the vacancy is filled. Proposals should be sent to MaLinda Hillman, IAPHA Committee Chair, Livingston County Health Department, P. O. Box 650, Pontiac, IL Electronic copies should be sent to mhillman@lchd.us. The Committee will review all proposals and conduct interviews in July/August in Springfield or at a mutually agreeable location. The goal is to have the RFP awarded for the fall legislative session. The successful applicant must agree to independently represent the Illinois Association of Public Health Administrators consistent with this RFP. If an applicant applies to perform legislative advocacy/lobbyist duties under this RFP as a subcontractor, any potential or perceived conflict of interest between contracting agents must be clearly explained under Section C. Proposal Outline, Number 3. This agreement will be made on an annual basis and may be extended by mutual agreement by all parties. Either party, upon giving thirty calendar days prior written notice to the other party, may terminate the contract at any time during this period. Upon termination, work satisfactorily completed prior to the termination will be paid. All records, documents and intellectual property belong solely to IAPHA and must be returned in complete order if the contract is not renewed or if notice of termination is given. The successful applicant must provide professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of at least one million dollars per occurrence and three million dollars aggregate. A certificate of coverage must be provided to IAPHA with IAPHA listed as covered on the certificate. This insurance must be kept in force for the duration of the contract. 1

3 Applicants must certify that he/she is in compliance with all the requirements of the Drug Free Workplace Act (P.S ), IL. Rev. Stat., ch. 127, section et seq. Applicant will certify that he/she will not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or unlawful use of a controlled substance in the performance of duties, if awarded a contract for services outlined in the RFP. Applicant must not be presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any federal or state department or agency. The successful applicant must be registered as a lobbyist with the State of Illinois. Experience in public health and lobbying is preferred. For questions contact: MaLinda Hillman, Committee Chair Phone: , ext mhillman@lchd.us B. Background Information The Illinois Association of Public Health Administrators purpose is to promote and provide better local health services in Illinois. To accomplish this goal, the Association shall engage in legislative, educational and policy formulation activities. Membership of the Association is limited to public health administrators from certified local health departments. There are currently 96 certified local health departments in Illinois. Potentially, all of them could be members. Currently IAPHA has members scattered throughout the state with very limited presence in the northeastern corner of the state. There are two other significant local health department associations in Illinois with which we work. NIPHC whose members are from the northeastern corner of the state and SIPHC whose members are from the southern third of the state. IAPHA was formed in 1971 and has been an active organization with a voluntary Board of Directors elected from the membership. A contractual arrangement has been made with lobbyists in the past and the desire is to continue with a similar arrangement. Applicants may combine proposals for legislative advocacy, association management and financial management or may submit separate proposals. The cost of each component must be identified in a combined proposal. The current web site for IAPHA is located at and is under development. The fiscal year for IAPHA is a calendar year. A. LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY SCOPE OF SERVICES 1. Track and report on bills of interest to IAPHA and maintain bill files. 2

4 2. Provide written/electronic weekly report of legislative activity, including Committee coverage, to IAPHA members during legislative sessions and any veto sessions. 3. Develop an agenda and conduct weekly conference calls with the IAPHA Legislative Committee during the legislative/veto sessions. Include information on floor action, committee reports and meetings with Legislative Members on behalf of IAPHA. 4. Attend IAPHA Executive Board and general membership meetings (usually conducted in Springfield on alternate months) and present a summary of legislative activity including a Q & A session for members. 5. Draft bills for IAPHA and secure sponsors for proposed legislation. 6. Maintain contact with experts identified by IAPHA for purposes of testimony at legislative hearings and assist experts in preparing for such testimony. 7. Maintain contact, provide updates and coordinate with other public health organizations on pertinent issues. 8. Provide IAPHA member education on legislative issues and how to engage their Legislative member on issues. Accompany members to General Assembly if requested. 9. Provide Committee testimony and recommend IAPHA witness preparation on pending bills. File Committee witness slips and attend hearings representing IAPHA. 10. Coordinate and provide avenue/direction for members to advocate for legislation on public health issues. Examples would be to solicit letters/ s/telephone contacts with legislators. 11. Be registered as a lobbyist and keep accurate and current lobbyist reports filed with the Illinois Secretary of State and be in good standing with the department. C. Proposal Outline The IAPHA Bylaws/Strategic Planning Committee and Executive Board will score proposals based on the outline listed below. Proposals should be clear and concise. There is not a page limit but the board asks that you be respectful of the time and expectations of the committee. 1. Cover letter: This should include a short summary of your proposal and identify a contact person for more information. 2. Background Section. This should include information on the potential applicant with experience, skills, and staffing arrangements defined. A resume may be included here. 3. Conflict of Interest: Include in this section how a conflict of interest would be handled, if one should arise. How would you handle the following situation: You are the lobbyist representing Agency #1 and Agency #2? Both agencies are viewed as experts in the public health field. Agency #1 supports proposed legislation and Agency #2 opposes it. How would you 3

5 fulfill your contractual obligations and represent both agencies fairly as their lobbyist? 4. Proposed Scope of Work: This section should highlight the applicant s plan to address the scope of work outlined in this RFP. It should include the appropriate staff to be involved, the services to be provided, timelines, and the anticipated outcomes of the plan. 5. Budget Section: This should include a breakdown of the budget needs to complete the scope of work based on a 12 month contract. IAPHA does not cover the cost of insurance or benefits for the contractor. A rate may be submitted on a per calendar day basis and extrapolated to a monthly cost. Expenses, such as conference calls, travel, lodging/meals, etc. can be included in the daily rate/monthly rate or expenses may be listed separately. Justification must be included for the budget expenses and how the rate was derived. Payment by IAPHA will be made at the end of each month based on a billing statement submitted by the applicant and approved by the Executive Board. Future contracts will be considered annually based upon performance and anticipated outcomes. 6. References: Please include at least three references with appropriate contact information. These references should be business related. 7. Other: Any other pertinent information the applicant would like to share may be included here. 4