Government Relations Services

The Houston City College System is seeking qualified firms to provide Government Relations Services under Request for Qualifications RFQ2620, with a submission deadline of June 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. local time. Services include legislative monitoring and analysis at local, state, and federal levels; strategic advisory support for institutional priorities; development of executive summaries, policy recommendations, and legislative strategies for college leadership; identification of regulatory and funding opportunities in higher education and workforce development; and attendance at hearings, sessions, and related events as needed. The contract period is anticipated to be three years, with options to renew for two additional one-year terms and a possible month-to-month extension of up to three months following expiration. Performance is on an as-needed basis, with no guaranteed volume of services, and all work must be conducted in Texas. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Bonfire HCC Procurement Portal in non-editable PDF format, with no paper, email, or fax submissions accepted. All submissions must be labeled with the project name and number, and must not exceed 1000 MB in size or contain embedded documents. Firms must demonstrate they are responsible and responsive by meeting minimum criteria including adequate financial resources, the ability to meet performance schedules, a satisfactory past performance record, necessary personnel and management capability, and non-delinquency in taxes owed to the State of Texas and HCC. Evaluation is based on a weighted scoring system prioritizing past performance (35 points), firm qualifications and personnel expertise (30 points), proposed methodology (30 points), and small business practices (5 points). Selected firms will be required to submit notarized and signed certifications and forms, including Proposer’s Certifications, Conflict of Interest Questionnaire, Financial Interests disclosure, Small Business Unavailability Certificate, Subcontractor Participation Form, Form 1295, and GA-48 Certification. Key personnel must be identified with resumes limited to one page each, detailing their experience, roles, time allocation, qualifications, and physical office location. The contract includes strict confidentiality requirements for institutional and legislative information, indemnification obligations, public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act, and payment terms of net thirty days per Texas law. An hourly rate schedule, including annual escalations and maximum subconsultant surcharges, will be negotiated post-selection and will also govern audit-related services for a five-year period. Firms must certify they are in good financial standing, current on all taxes and