Title
Report regarding a resolution approving Consulting Services Agreements with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. for State legislative advocacy services for a five-year term in an amount not to exceed $360,000; with Carpi & Clay, Inc. for Federal legislative advocacy services for a two-year term in an amount not to exceed $108,000; and with Grant Management Associates for grant writing services for a one-year term in an amount not to exceed $78,000. (Megan Wooley-Ousdahl, Deputy City Manager)
label
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Move to adopt the resolution approving Consulting Services Agreements with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. for State legislative advocacy services for a five-year term in an amount not to exceed $360,000; with Carpi & Clay, Inc. for Federal legislative advocacy services for a two-year term in an amount not to exceed $108,000; and with Grant Management Associates for grant writing services for a one-year term in an amount not to exceed $78,000.
Body
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On April 16, 2026, the City issued a request for proposals for legislative advocacy and strategic grant writing services. Proposers were invited to submit proposals for State representation, Federal representation, grant writing services, or a combined approach. The City received four proposals for State legislative advocacy services, five for Federal legislative advocacy services, and seven for grant writing services.
A staff committee comprised of the Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Fire Chief, Police Chief, and Economic & Community Development Director evaluated the proposals and held interviews. The Committee recommends the following firms for selection based on the quality of the proposal and proposed approach to the scope of work; expertise of the key personnel; experience with similar services; value; and performance in the interview.
For State legislative advocacy services, staff recommends Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. (TPA) for a five-year contract term. TPA has served as the City’s State legislative advocacy firm for many years and has a successful track record in advancing the City’s interests, policies, and funding requests in Sacramento. The annual fee for Townsend’s services is $72,000 with a five-year fee of $360,000.
For Federal legislative advocacy services, staff recommends Carpi & Clay, Inc. for a two-year contract term. Carpi & Clay is based in Washington, D.C. and has over forty years of experience providing Federal advocacy services to municipalities. The key personnel who will work with the City have extensive experience working with Bay Area agencies, both as internal staff and as legislative advocates. As the City’s Federal legislative advocates, Carpi & Clay will work to advance the City’s grant funding priorities and legislative and regulatory policies in Washington, D.C. The annual fee for Carpi & Clay’s services is $54,000 with a two-year fee of $108,000.
For the grant writing services, staff recommends Grant Management Associates for a one-year contract term. Grant Management Associates has a strong reputation for securing large grants for municipalities in California. The firm will assist City departments in pursuing grants for affordable housing, sea level rise and flood protection, capital improvements for City facilities and streets, and other high-priority, high-cost projects. The annual fee for Grant Management Associates’ services is $78,000.
Staff recommends a five-year contract term for Townsend Public Affairs because the City has worked with Townsend for a number of years, and they have established a proven track record of success. Since Carpi & Clay and Grant Management Associates are new to the City, staff recommends a two-year contract for Carpi & Clay and a one-year contract for Grant Management Associates. All contracts have the ability to extend or reduce the length of the term of services. See Exhibits 1, 2, and 3 to the Resolution for the consulting service agreements for the firms.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.’s five-year contract in the amount of $360,000 will be allocated at $72,000 per FY 2026-27 through FY 2030-31 from the City Manager Department’s Professional Services budget. Funding for Carpi & Clay, Inc.’s two-year contract in the amount of $108,000 will be allocated at $54,000 per fiscal year from the City Manager Department’s Professional Services budget. Funding for Grant Management Associates’ $78,000 one-year contract will be provided by the professional services budgets from Economic & Community Development, Fire, and any other departments that utilize the grant writing services.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES ACTION PLAN
Legislative advocacy services advance the City’s funding, legislative, and regulatory priorities at the State and Federal levels. Grant writing services assist with securing the funding needed for the capital improvements and programs included in the 2026 City Council Priorities Action Plan.
ATTACHMENT
1. Request for Proposals
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
Legistar File 26-2278 - Resolution