Electric utility lobbyist services

The City of Austin is seeking a qualified firm to provide professional lobbyist services for its municipally owned electric utility, Austin Energy. The selected contractor will engage with state and federal legislative and government bodies on complex issues, including energy sector policy, electric market design, statewide system reliability, regulatory compliance for power assets, and municipal finance. Key deliverables include navigating legislative processes, conducting detailed policy analysis of active legislation and rulemakings, and providing detailed monthly written reports on regulatory changes. The contract is expected to be active 12 months a year, regardless of whether the legislature is in session, with a total not-to-exceed value of 78,000 dollars. To qualify, firms must demonstrate at least 20 years of experience in state or federal legislative processes, 10 years of direct lobbying experience, and 10 years of experience working with Texas electric utilities. Additionally, the firm must be licensed to practice law in Texas and maintain no conflicts of interest with City of Austin operations. Award will be made to the lowest offer that meets these minimum requirements. Pricing is structured around a monthly retainer capped at 14,000 dollars, with additional provisions for miscellaneous hourly services. The contract includes rigorous compliance mandates, requiring certifications against the boycott of Israel and energy companies, prohibitions on discriminatory employment practices, and adherence to Texas Government Code regarding foreign ownership of critical infrastructure. Contractors must also comply with a ten-year non-disclosure agreement and may be subject to personnel risk assessments, including criminal background checks. Payment is processed within 30 calendar days of receiving a proper invoice via credit card, check, or electronic funds transfer.