Request for Qualifications - Lobbying Services

Request for Qualifications – Lobbying ServicesPublication date: October 15, 2025 The City of Bainbridge Island (City) is seeking qualifications from qualified consultants/firms/individuals (“consultant”) to represent the City on legislative issues during the 2026-2028 State Legislative Sessions in Olympia. The City’s needs are outlined in the following Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”).The City encourages responses from individuals and firms led by those who identify as women or members of traditionally marginalized communities, or who are or could be certified as Minority Business Enterprise/Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), or equivalent. Background The City of Bainbridge Island is located in the State of Washington, on ancestral territory of the suq `?abs? “People of Clear Salt Water” (Suquamish People). Bainbridge Island has an area of 26 square miles, with 52 miles of shoreline, dense forests, mostly suburban development patterns, and an estimated population of 25,000.  The entire Island is incorporated as one city.  The City of Bainbridge Island is located in Kitsap County.The City operates under the Council-Manager form of government where legislative authority is concentrated in the elected City Council, which hires a professional administrator to implement its policies.The City directly provides the following municipal services: law enforcement, water treatment & distribution (within certain areas), wastewater collection (within certain areas), stormwater and street maintenance, engineering & public works, general administration, planning & community development, and court services.Land use is a topic of particular interest. Anticipated Scope of WorkGeneral DescriptionThe successful respondents will provide legislative representation on issues in advance of and throughout the 2026-2028 State Legislative Sessions and the period during which the Governor may take action on bills passed during the session. For a full detail description of Services requested, refer to Exhibit A – Scope of Work. SubmittalsIndividuals or firms wishing to respond to this Request for Qualifications should provide a straightforward, concise description of provider capabilities to satisfy the requirements of the request. Emphasis should be on completeness and clarity of content.Each submittal must include the following components:Letter of interest; The address and telephone number of the office(s) where the work is to be undertaken;Itemized cost of services and any customary charges for services to be rendered. Include staff hourly rates, alternative retainer proposals, a description of the process used to fairly allocate costs among consultant’s/firm’s/individual’s multiple clients to avoid double-billing for time spent in legislative activities; andThe legal name of consultant/firm/individual, address, telephone number, number of years in business, and current number of full-time professional and technical personnel with the consultant/firm;Proposed plan including plan for briefing the City Manager and Councilmembers on the issues prior to and during the legislative session, maintaining continuous communications during the session and implementing a decision-making process on issues that demand a quick turnaround time;A complete list of current clients and those served during the twelve (12) months preceding the submission date and a declaration of any potential incompatibility or conflicts of interest between those clients and the City of Bainbridge Island;A list of, at most, five (5) references. Submit your qualifications by 4:00 PM PST on Friday, October 24, 2025.  Submittals are limited to 15 pages, not counting the cover pages. Responses should be sent via email under the subject “Lobbying Services Qualifications” to For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address.. Submittals must be received by the deadline. Submittals received after the deadline will not be considered.Email is the preferred method, but responses may also be mailed or dropped off at City Hall (Monday – Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Print copies should be double-sided, with no cover or binding.City Hall280 Madison Ave NBainbridge Island, WA 98110Attention: Adam Nebenzahl, “Lobbying Services Qualifications”Evaluation/Selection/Delivery Timeline October 24, 2025                                              Deadline to submit Week of October 27, 2025                            Potential interviews Week of November 3, 2025 Date of selection of the most qualified applicantWeek of November 17, 2025                       Contract agreement negotiated and signedJanuary 1, 2026                                                 Services underway          Review and Selection ProcessEvaluation will be based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative criteria. The criteria used as a guideline in the evaluation will include, but not be limited to, the following:Relevance and strength of qualifications;Availability to accommodate calendar and other requirements;Ability and experience performing services of this type;Proof of ability to meet required insurance and contractor standards as enclosed;Attention to detail.Terms and Conditions   Questions regarding this RFQ or the submittal process should be directed to Adam Nebenzahl, Management Analyst, +1 (555) 000-0000, For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address..?Selected applicants will be required to execute a City of Bainbridge Island Professional Services Agreement, obtain a City of Bainbridge Island Business License, and demonstrate compliance with the City’s insurance requirements (briefly explained below). ? ?The City reserves the right not to select any of the applicants, and the right to select an individual or firm not from this application process.  The City further reserves the right to waive irregularities and informalities in this process. This RFQ does not obligate the City to pay any cost incurred by applicants in responding to this RFQ. All such costs shall be borne solely by each applicant. Furthermore, this RFQ does not obligate the City to enter into a contract with any applicant responding to this RFQ.Assurances of Nondiscrimination  Title VIThe City of Bainbridge Island, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information/Pledge? The City of Bainbridge Island in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) commits to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all its programs and activities. ? We pledge to make our bid process accessible and user-friendly for everyone. If you are having difficulty viewing or navigating the content of this document, or note any content, feature, or functionality that you believe is not fully accessible to people with disabilities, please contact us at For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. or +1 (555) 000-0000 for assistance.  Please note the nature of your accessibility concern, the preferred format in which to receive the online material (hard copies are available), the Web page address of the requested material, and the best way to contact you. Nondiscrimination StatementThe City of Bainbridge Island hereby notifies all bidders that all bidders and contractors will be selected, compensated and, if necessary,  terminated without regard to sex/gender, race, national origin, religion, creed, color, marital status, veteran status, age, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law. In alignment with the City of Bainbridge Island’s equity and inclusion goals, we encourage organizations led by those who identify as women or members of traditionally marginalized communities, or who are or could be certified as Minority Business Enterprise/Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), or equivalent to respond. Exhibit ASCOPE OF SERVICESThe following is to be used as a general guide and may not include all work necessary to accomplish the work of lobbying.LOBBYIST SERVICES: Lobbyist to provide lobbying and monitoring representation on behalf of client in the State of Washington and to provide the following services:                                                                                                                 Work with the City of Bainbridge Island to develop and refine a legislative agenda for the upcoming session/year. Provide guidance in the development of the annual legislative action plan with staff and the City Council.   Develop strategies to achieve the desired legislative results. Draft letters and talking points on legislation as necessary.  Implement the aforementioned strategies. This includes, but not limited to meeting with legislators, legislative staff, and Governor’s Office and agencies; representation before legislative committees; arranging for City of Bainbridge Island to meet with legislators, and/or testify; and attending other events on the City of Bainbridge Island’s behalf and creating opportunities to build and strengthen City relationships with legislators and State agencies.  Monitor legislation, arrange for bill sponsorship, perform issue analysis and brief City officials on legislative issues. Coach City representatives, when necessary, on how to present testimony, interact with legislators, and be successful advocates in helping to advance goals. Consult regularly with City Manager and provide the City with weekly reports and tracking lists during the legislative session. Provide the City with monthly reports during the legislative interim.  Maintain close working relationships with the City Manager and designated members of City Staff.   Identify and secure funding for City and community needs. Timely inform the City Manager of developments concerning priorities and unexpected issues that arise and may impact the City of Bainbridge Island. Land use is a topic of particular interest. Provide updates to City Council through electronic meeting platforms like Zoom and meet in-person with staff and Council as necessary.  Represent the City’s interest before state agencies and departments.