Request for Qualifications Government Relations and Lobbying Services

Request for Qualifications Government Relations and Lobbying Services I. PURPOSE The Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Inc. (FHCHC), a federally qualified health center (FQHC) invites proposals from qualified consulting entities for the provision of governmental relations consulting and lobbying services. FHCHC provides primary care, behavioral health and dental services, in addition to specialty and social services, to more than 18,000 individuals in the Greater New Haven area, regardless of ability to pay. Approximately 58% of patients are enrolled in HUSKY; 7% in Medicare; 12% in commercial plans; and, 23% have no insurance and qualify to pay discounted fees on a sliding fee scale. FHCHC receives federal funding to partially subsidize the cost of providing these services to uninsured patients. Additionally, in Connecticut we receive State grants through a variety of agencies, including DPH, DMHAS and DSS. Given multiple health reform projects in Connecticut (e.g., State Innovation Model), and a shifting health care landscape, both in the state and nationally, careful surveillance of both the state legislature and state administration actions is required. Specific attention should be paid to budget issues, as well as to bills directly and indirectly impacting FQHCs in the state. This request does not include or anticipate any lobbying at the federal level. II. SUMMARY OF OBJECTIVES & SCOPE OF SERVICES FHCHC is seeking a reliable, professional, and qualified consulting entity to provide governmental relations consulting and legislative lobbying services, at the Connecticut State level, to achieve the following objectives: Primary A. Create and maintain high profile visibility among all key Connecticut state legislators and policymakers (especially Co-Chairs of Appropriations, Governor and Lt Governor, Head of OPM, and DSS Commissioner), and with an emphasis on Greater New Haven area legislators. B. Position FHCHC to secure bonding for major capital project 1

Secondary C. Educate legislators and policymakers about the positive impact FHCHC has on health outcomes, health care costs, economic growth and overall community health. To achieve these objectives, the qualified consulting entity must provide services to include, but are not limited to, the following: A. Establish and maintain contact with appropriate legislators, legislative staff, Governor s office staff and state agency leadership and staff. B. Actively lobby legislation and state bonding designated by FHCHC. III. TERM OF AGREEMENT The contract term is for a one-year period, from January 1-December 31, 2019. IV. ELIGIBILITY The following are eligible to submit a proposal: A. Individuals or organizations with a minimum of five (5) years of legislative advocacy experience representing primary health care providers, medically underserved populations, or public health interests in Connecticut. B. Consultant must be, or be willing to become, a registered lobbyist in Connecticut and maintain good standing with the State Ethics Commission. C. Consultant must have a proven success record of ability to work with diverse populations. Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate knowledge of and experience with addressing current issues affecting access to primary health care in Connecticut, particularly within New Haven County, and familiarity with FQHCs. V. PROPOSAL INFORMATION & PROCESS A. General Information The proposal shall be used to assess the applicant s capability of rendering the services to be provided. FHCHC reserves the sole right to evaluate the contents of proposals submitted in response to this RFQ and to select a successful contractor. 2

B. Proposal Outline and Content Proposals must respond to each element listed below. 1. Organizational Background, Capability, and Referrals Describe the organization s history and ability to provide the required services (include previous successes). Describe the qualifications/experience of the principal consultant. Include prior health care and New Haven area experiences. Describe an Action Plan which includes a timeline for the implementation of services beginning January 1, 2019. The Action Plan should include suggested strategies and activities that: o Position FHCHC to receive bonding as needed/available. o Cultivate relationships with key legislators (FQHC/FHCHC champions) in both the House of Representatives and the Senate; and with key administration officials and state agency staff. Describe any anticipated barriers (including conflicts of interest) to implementation of the agreement in compliance with identified contract requirements, and provide a projected response to address these issues. (This includes, but is not limited to any FQHC or FQHC look alike experiences.) Describe how performance outcome measures will be developed and monitored in collaboration with FHCHC. List at least three (3) references, including corporate name, contact name, corporate address, telephone number and email address. 2. Budget Provide a budget to support Action Plan (above B.1.), along with proposed payment terms. If possible, budget should be broken out by recommended services. Budgets should be reasonable and specific in nature. C. Proposal Format and Submission Requirements Proposals, including all exhibits, charts and other attachments, must be presented in an easy-to-read font in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Proposals may be sent electronically. D. Proposal Page Limit Proposals must not exceed thirty (30) pages. This limit includes the Table of Contents, narratives, budget, references and any exhibits, charts and/or other attachments. 3

E. Proposal Contact and Deadline 1. Address and deliver proposals to: Suzanne Lagarde, MD, MBA, FACS Chief Executive Officer Fair Haven Community Health Care 374 Grand Avenue New Haven, CT 06513 Or email to s.lagarde@fhchc.org 2. Proposals must be received by November 26 th at 12:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time). Proposals delivered after this deadline will not be accepted. All proposals must be valid for sixty (60) days following their submission to FHCHC. F. RFQ Questions Questions related to this RFQ must be directed to Suzanne Lagarde via e- mail at s.lagarde@fhchc.org by November 12 th at 5:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time). FHCHC will respond to all written questions by e-mail within five (5) business days. G. Evaluation Committee The review of proposals will be conducted by the Evaluation Committee. The Evaluation Committee will assess proposals and the qualifications of applicants submitting proposals and will conduct interviews with select applicants. H. RFQ Timeline Issue RFQ: On: November 5, 2018 Questions Due: November 13, 2018 at 12:00 PM, EDT Proposals Due: November 26, 2018 at 12:00 PM, EST Award Date: On or Before December 7, 2018 Contract Start Date: January 1, 2019 VI. RFP GENERAL TERMS A. Acceptance of Proposal: Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Inc. reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive informalities, if, at its discretion, the interests of Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Inc. will be best served thereby. B. Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Inc. reserves the right to accept other than the lowest cost proposal, and to negotiate the specified dollar amount, or any portion of that amount. 4

C. Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Inc. reserves the right to negotiate contract changes following the award. D. If there is any conflict between these documents and the proposal, these documents shall control. E. Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Inc. reserves the right to cancel this RFP in writing or postpone the date and time for submitting proposals at any time prior to the proposal due date. F. No proposer shall have a right to make a claim against Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Inc. in the event FHCHC accepts a proposal or does not accept any proposals. G. Nondiscrimination: Vendor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual preference, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance or as veteran. H. Debarment and Suspension: The Contractor warrants and represents that neither it nor its principals, employees or agents who would perform services under this RFP are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation by any Federal or State department or agency. I. Compliance with Public Law 115-141 In compliance with the Fiscal Year 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 115-141), FHCHC shall not use Federal grant funds, other than for normal and recognized executive legislative relationships, for the following: i. For publicity or propaganda purposes; ii. For the preparation, distribution, or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, electronic communication, radio, television, or video presentation designed to support or defeat the enactment of legislation before the Congress or any State or local legislature or legislative body, except in presentation to the Congress or any State or local legislature itself, or designed to support or defeat any proposed or pending regulation, administrative action, or order issued by the executive branch of any State or local government, except in presentation to the executive branch of any State or local government itself; 5

FHCHC shall not use Federal grant funds to pay the salary or expenses of any employee or agent of FHCHC for activities designed to influence the enactment of legislation, appropriations, regulation, administrative action, or Executive order proposed or pending before the Congress or any State government, State legislature or local legislature or legislative body, other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships or participation by an agency or officer of a State, local or tribal government in policymaking and administrative processes within the executive branch of that government. These prohibitions include any activity to advocate or promote any proposed, pending or future Federal, State or local tax increase, or any proposed, pending, or future requirement or restriction on any legal consumer product, including its sale or marketing, including but not limited to the advocacy or promotion of gun control. 6