Port Authority of Allegheny County Issues Governmental Relations RFP

Authority is requesting proposals to provide governmental relations and lobbying services (Contract Services) to assist in properly representing Authority before political bodies and similar organizations as deemed necessary by Authority. The Contract Services are needed in the following categories:

(1) The executive and legislative branches of the Federal government; and

(2) The executive and legislative branches of the State and Local government.

Background:

Port Authority of Allegheny County (Authority) provides a network of fixed route public transportation services to persons traveling within a 745-square mile area, including the City of Pittsburgh and all of Allegheny County. Operating a fleet of 700 buses, 83 light rail vehicles and the Monongahela Incline, and by sponsoring ACCESS (the nation’s largest paratransit program of its kind for senior citizens and persons with disabilities), Authority is one of the largest and most diversified public transit agencies in the United States.

Authority provides bus service on three exclusive busways: the 4.3-mile South Busway; the 9.1-mile Martin Luther King, Jr. East Busway; and the 5-mile West Busway. Authority operates its light rail transit service, known as “the T”, on a 25-mile rail system.

In addition, Authority owns and operates 4 bus operating divisions, a major bus overhaul facility, a light rail vehicle maintenance facility, a light rail transportation control center, and a major service facility that supports maintenance of Authority facilities, properties, Park and Ride lots and rights-of-way.

Scope of Work:

The Project consists of furnishing Contract Services to perform the work specified herein. The Contract Services will be in two categories, which shall include, but not be limited to the following disciplines or functions:

Federal Government Lobbying and Legislative Consulting:

1. To advise Authority of legislation or regulations being proposed or acted upon by the federal government and/or federal government agencies with jurisdiction over Authority that may affect Authority and its public transportation operations.
2. Initiate, develop and/or enhance relationships between Authority and the federal government and/or federal government agencies with jurisdiction over Authority that may affect Authority and its public transportation operations. Coordinating and physically accompanying the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer and/or Government Relations staff on 1 to 2 visits to Washington D.C. and/or regional federal offices on an annual basis to review the Authority’s annual budget, current and future capital projects and, as applicable, an assessment of federal grants that Authority has or will submit.
3. Must maintain a regular physical presence in Washington, DC.
4. Must be a registered federal lobbyist or otherwise lawfully permitted to lobby on behalf of Authority before the federal government and/or federal government agencies with jurisdiction over the Authority.
5. Advise and consult with Authority officials relative to the initiation, development, management or enhancement of strategic initiatives and broad-based issue advocacy.
6. Advise, consult, support and direct on crisis management and rapid response to developing issues as they relate to elected officials, stakeholder communities and media.
7. Attend meetings and events as required by the Authority.
8. As instructed by the Authority, help identify and secure federal funding opportunities through advertised federal grants and/or federal discretionary programs, including tracking, drafting and advocacy on behalf of Authority for application and award of same.
9. To track, list and provide weekly reports identifying the status of proposed and/or final federal legislation and/or federal regulations relevant to Authority and its public transportation operations.
10. To prepare and deliver to Authority a monthly written activity report summarizing federal lobbying and legislative consulting activities completed on behalf of the Authority.
11. As may be required by the Authority, assist Authority in any and all filing or other requirements to ensure the Authority’s compliance with any and all federal lobbying registration and reporting requirements.
12. Perform other related federal lobbying and federal legislative consulting services as required by the Authority.

State Government Lobbying and Legislative Consulting:

1. To advise Authority of legislation or regulations being proposed or acted upon by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania government agencies with jurisdiction over Authority and/or local governmental units that may affect Authority and its public transportation operations.
2. Initiate, develop and/or enhance relationships between Authority and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania government agencies with jurisdiction over Authority and/or local governmental units that may affect Authority and its public transportation operations. Coordinating and physically accompanying the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer and/or Governmental Relations staff on 1 to 2 visits to Harrisburg and/or regional legislative offices to review the Authority’s annual budget, current and future capital projects and, as applicable, an assessment of state or local grants that Authority has or will submit. Also, coordinating the scheduling of and physically accompanying the Authority’s Government Relations staff on an as needed basis to conduct meetings with state House and Senate members and/or staff regarding issues relevant to Authority and its public transportation operations.
3. Must maintain a regular physical presence in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
4. Must be a registered Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lobbyist or otherwise lawfully permitted to lobby on behalf of Authority before state government, state government agencies with jurisdiction over Authority and/or local government agencies.
5. Advise and consult with Authority officials relative to the initiation, development, management or enhancement of strategic initiatives and broad-based issue advocacy.

Due Date:

November 1st

Address:

Office of the Director of Purchasing and Materials Management

Port Authority of Allegheny County

345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor

Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527

Attention: Catherine Terrill, Professional Services Contract Specialist

Firms with relevant experience includes Finn Partners and APCO Worldwide.