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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
LOBBYING SERVICES
CITY OF BOZEMAN
Bozeman, MT
City of Bozeman
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771-1230
June 2024
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the City of Bozeman (City) is seeking qualifications from firms to represent
and lobby on behalf of the City of Bozeman and its interests before the Montana State Legislature during
the 2025 legislative session and the following interim session.
Copies of the Request for Qualifications are available on the City’s website
All proposals must be provided as a single, searchable PDF document file and be submitted digitally as an
email attachment to the RFP Recipient email address below. Respondents are advised that Recipient’s
email attachment size limit is 25MB and that only one PDF file will be allowed per response. The subject
line of the transmittal email shall clearly identify the RFP title, company name and due date/time. File
sizes greater than 25MB in size may be uploaded to the City Clerks’ Office upon special arrangement of
the Recipient; however, it is the respondent’s sole responsibility to ensure the file upload is completed,
and that the Recipient is separately notified via email of same, prior to the given deadline.
Deliver RFQs via email to the City Clerk by Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 5:00pm MST. It is the sole
responsibility of the proposing party to ensure that proposals are received prior to the closing time as late
submittals will not be accepted and will be returned unopened.
The email address for submission is: procurement@bozeman.net
NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY
The City of Bozeman is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Discrimination in the performance of any agreement awarded under this RFQ on the basis of race, color,
religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender
identity or disability is prohibited. This prohibition shall apply to the hiring and treatment of the awarded
entity’s employees and to all subcontracts.
As such, each entity submitting under this notice shall include a provision wherein the submitting entity,
or entities, affirms in writing it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age,
marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or
disability and which also recognizes the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting
discrimination as described above and that this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and
treatment of the submitting entity’s employees and to all subcontracts.
In addition, pursuant to City Commission Resolution 5169, the entity awarded a contract under this RFQ
and any subcontractors must abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the
Montana Equal Pay Act), and affirm it will abide by the above and that it has visited the State of
Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website, or equivalent “best practices publication
and has read the material.
Failure to comply with the above may be cause for the City to deem the submittal non-responsive.
Any administrative questions regarding proposal procedures should be directed to: The City Clerk’s Office
(406) 582-2320, procurement@bozeman.net.
Questions relating to the RFQ should be directed to: Jesse DiTommaso, Economic Development Specialist,
(406) 597-2494, jditommaso@bozeman.net.
DATED at Bozeman, Montana, this 26th day of June, 2024
Mike Maas
City Clerk
City of Bozeman
For publication on:
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Saturday, July 20, 2024
I. INTRODUCTION
The City of Bozeman (City), seeks statements of qualifications from firms or individuals to undertake
representation of the City of Bozeman and to conduct lobbying services on behalf of the City before the
Montana Legislature during its 2025 legislative session and the following interim session.
The City intends to enter into a professional services agreement with the selected firm or individual that
will include approximately twelve months working with the City to identify and set legislative priorities,
and to advocate and lobby on behalf of the City of Bozeman before the Legislature. The City reserves the
option to extend any professional services agreement to cover the 2027 legislative session.
This RFQ shall not commit the City to enter into an agreement, to pay any expenses incurred in preparation
of any response to this request, or to procure or contract for services. The City reserves the right to accept
or reject all responses received as a result of this RFQ if it is in the City’s best interest to do so.
This procurement is governed by the laws of the State of Montana. By offering to perform services under
this RFQ, all respondents agree to be bound by the laws of the State of Montana and of the City, including,
but not limited to, applicable wage rates, payments, gross receipts taxes, building codes, equal
opportunity employment practices, safety, non-discrimination, etc.
II. SCOPE OF PROJECT - PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION
Introduction
The City seeks a professional lobbyist who will demonstrate effective experience working with the
Montana Legislature and legislators, and whose other clients will not pose a conflict of interest with the
priorities of the City of Bozeman.
III. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The successful respondent will be retained to represent and lobby on behalf of the City of Bozeman on
matters before the Montana Legislature. In the past, key interests for the city have included issues such
as tax increment financing, sustainability and renewable energy, general revenue, human resource and
pension issues, municipal water and wastewater permitting, local control, land use, affordable housing,
and other matters impacting the City.
The successful respondent must, prior to entering into a professional services agreement with the City,
disclose to the Bozeman City Manager any potential conflicts of interests on key issues before the
Legislature including in those key areas listed above.
The City is interested in hearing and reviewing detailed proposals from respondents that describe an
effective lobbying strategy and related services. The proposals should consider outlining:
• The methods to assist the City in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with
local legislators, chairs and vice chairs of relevant committees, sub-committees and interim
committees, party leadership, majority and minority, in both chambers, and the Governor’s
office.
• The methods and frequency for reporting to the Bozeman City Manager and other City staff
and officials
o Key dates for reports may include, but are not limited to, introduction deadlines,
committee and subcommittee hearing dates, transmittal deadlines, etc.
• The methods for engaging staff to testify before relevant committees on priority issues for
the City and meet with legislators individually on those issues, when necessary.
• Any other suggestions or deliverables that will contribute to a successful legislative session
for the City.
IV. TIMELINES, DELIVERY DEADLINE, AND INSTRUCTIONS
As the initial submittal to the City, he deadline to submit the RFQ response is Wednesday, July 31, 2024
at 5:00 PM Mountain Time. It is the sole responsibility of the responding individual to ensure their email
transmittal is digitally timestamped as being sent to the Recipient’s email address prior to the prescribed
closing time as late submittals will not be accepted.
RFQ Recipient Email Address: procurement@bozeman.net
RESPONSES THAT ARE UNSIGNED OR SUBMITTED BEYOND THE DEADLINE SHALL NOT BE
CONSIDERED AND SHALL BE REJECTED.
A. Contact Information
ALL QUESTIONS AND CONTACTS REGARDING THIS RFQ MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO:
Jesse DiTommaso, Economic Development Specialist
jditommaso@bozeman.net
Amendments to Solicitation
Any interpretation or correction of this request will be published on the City’s webpage. The deadline for
questions related to this document is 5:00 PM MST on July 19, 2024.
B. Selection Timeline
Advertising dates: June 29, 2024 and July 20, 2024
Receipt of RFQs: No later than 5:00 p.m. MST July 31, 2024
RFQ Review Complete by Committee: No later than August 30, 2024
Interviews: No later than September 13, 2024
Selection: September 23, 2024
With the exception of the advertising dates and advertised due date, the City reserves the right to
modify the above timeline.
V. SELECTION PROCEDURE
A. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
Respondents must comply with the requirements provided in this solicitation. The
selection process shall be conducted pursuant to all applicable Montana law and
applicable City policy.
1. Evaluation of RFQs. The City’s selection committee will consist of no less
than five persons representing the City. The selection committee will review
conforming RFQ responses using the evaluation criteria listed below. RFQ
responses that do not contain the required documentation may be deemed
nonresponsive to this solicitation and may be rejected.
2. Revisions. Responses will be accorded fair and equal treatment with
respect to opportunity for discussion and revision of responses, and such revisions
may be permitted, after submissions and prior to award for the purpose of
obtaining best and final responses.
3. Evaluation & Elimination. After evaluating all conforming responses based
on the criteria herein the selection committee may eliminate one or more or all
Respondents from further review if they do not meet the qualification criteria
specified herein. Any respondents eliminated by the selection committee, at any
time, or for any reason, will not have an opportunity to make revisions or
participate further in the selection process.
4. Interviews. After reviewing conforming RFQ responses, the selection
committee may decide to schedule interviews with qualified respondents. Each
firm selected for an interview will be notified of the specific time for their
interview. The format of the interview will be determined by the City.
5. Selection and Final Recommendation. The selection committee will tally
the scores for the RFQ. A final determination on the selected respondent will be
made by the Bozeman City Manager. The City Manager may determine a
respondent’s potential for conflicts with its other clients on legislation affecting
City priorities are of such a nature as to preclude the City from retaining the
respondent. At that time, contract discussion will take place between the City and
successful respondent. The City may negotiate a contract with the next highest
ranked respondent if contract terms cannot be reached.
B. RFQ – FORM AND CONTENTS
Deliver one (1) digital copy prepared as follows:
i. General Instructions:
a. RFQ responses must be signed by an officer or principal of your firm.
b. RFQ responses must be contained in a single searchable PDF document not to
exceed 20 pages total including pictures, charts, graphs, tables, and text the
firm deems appropriate to be part of the review of the firm's qualifications. A
separate transmittal letter, cover page, cover sheets, and dividers are
exempted from the page limit.
c. Schedules may be submitted in addition to the page limit.
ii. Firm Information:
a. Experience. Respondent must demonstrate successful experience and capacity
to act as a contractor for this size, type and complexity of work. Provide the
name and location of each project, the client, and the contact person and phone
number. Describe experience and qualifications of the professional personnel
to be assigned to this project. Describe your recent and current work for the
City of Bozeman, if any.
b. Firm Background. Provide information about the firm, including location.
Describe the firm’s history. Include information identifying the firm’s annual
volume of business, financial/bonding capacities, and speak to the firm’s
stability in the marketplace. Information identifying the firm’s strengths and
weaknesses, along with special capabilities that may be appropriate to the
Project, will assist in the evaluation.
c. Firm Workload. Provide the status of current and anticipated work within the
firm in terms of time and magnitude for the anticipated Project schedule as it
relates to availability of key personnel and your firm for the duration of the
contract. Describe the firm’s capability to meet time and project budget
requirements.
d. Claims. At any time in the last ten (10) years has your firm been assessed and
paid liquidated damages after completion of a project under a contract with a
public owner?
e. References. Provide detailed contact information for the Owner for at least five
(5) project undertaken by your firm within the past five years.
C. EVALUATION CRITERIA
Qualifications will be evaluated by the Selection Committee who will individually score
qualifications out of a total of 100 possible points based on the criteria below. The scoring
criteria and possible point values are:
1. Respondent’s prior lobbying experience with clients of similar size and
challenges:
Possible Points: 40
2. Firm’s Qualifications:
Possible Points: 20
3. Demonstrated capability to prioritize City interests and to effectively and
timely communicate issues related to legislation.
Possible Points: 20
4. Workload for clients other than the City:
Possible Points: 10
5. Past projects/experience working with the City of Bozeman:
Possible Points: 5
6. Office(s) location:
Possible Points: 5
VI. FORM OF AGREEMENT
The final form of the contract documents will be disclosed to the selected respondent during contract
negotiations and will be developed from the City’s standard professional services agreement.
VII. CITY RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
All proposals submitted in response to this RFQ become the property of the City of Bozeman and are
public records and, as such, may be subject to public review.
A SUBMISSION IN RESPONSE TO THIS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS CONFERS NO RIGHTS UPON ANY
RESPONDENTS AND SHALL NOT OBLIGATE THE CITY IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER. THE CITY
RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NO AWARD AND TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL REQUESTS FOR
QUALIFICATIONS AT A LATER DATE.
A. This RFQ may be canceled and/or any or all responses may be rejected in whole or in part,
as specified herein, when it is in the best interests of the City. If the City cancels or revises
this RFQ, all respondents who submitted will be notified by email.
B. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all submissions; to amend the RFQ;
to waive any minor irregularities, informalities, or failure to conform to the RFQ; to extend
the deadline for submitting statements of qualifications; to postpone award; to award
one or more contracts for services, by item or task, or groups of items or tasks, if so
provided in the RFQ and if multiple awards are determined by the City to be in the public
interest.
C. The City reserves the right to reject the submission of any person/firm who previously
failed to perform properly to the satisfaction of the City, or complete on time agreements
of similar nature, or to reject the submission of any person/firm who is not in a position
to perform such an agreement satisfactorily as determined by the City.
D. The City reserves the sole right to determine the best qualified respondents and
negotiate a final scope of service and cost, or negotiate a contract with another
respondents if an agreement cannot be reached with the first selected respondent, or
reject all proposals.
E. This RFQ does not commit the City to award a contract. The City assumes no liability or
responsibility for costs incurred by respondents in responding to this request for. The
respondents, by submitting a response to this RFQ, waives all right to protest or seek
any legal remedies whatsoever regarding any aspect of this RFQ.
MISCELLANEOUS
A. No Oral Agreements. No conversations or oral agreements with any officer, employee, or agent of
the City shall affect or modify any term of this solicitation. Oral communications or any
written/email communication between any person and City officer, employee or agent shall not be
considered binding.
B. No Partnership/Business Organization. Nothing in this solicitation or in any subsequent
agreement, or any other contract entered into as a result of this solicitation, shall constitute, create,
give rise to or otherwise be recognized as a partnership or formal business organization of any kind
between or among the respondent and the City.
C. Employment Restriction and Indemnity. No person who is an owner, officer, employee,
contractor, or consultant of a respondent shall be an officer or employee of the City. No rights
of the City’s retirement or personnel rules accrue to a respondent, its officers, employees,
contractors, or consultants. Respondents shall have the responsibility of all salaries, wages,
bonuses, retirement, withholdings, worker’s compensation and occupational disease
compensation, insurance, unemployment compensation other benefits and taxes and
premiums appurtenant thereto concerning its officers, employees, contractors, and consultants.
Each respondent shall save and hold the City harmless with respect to any and all claims for
payment, compensation, salary, wages, bonuses, retirement, withholdings, worker’s
compensation and occupational disease compensation, insurance, unemployment
compensation other benefits and taxes and premiums in any way related to each respondent’s
officers, employees, contractors and consultants.
D. Accessibility. Upon reasonable notice, the City will provide assistance for those persons with
sensory impairments. For further information please contact the ADA Coordinator Mike Gray at
406-582-3232 or the City’s TTY line at 406-582-2301.
E. Governing Law. This solicitation and any disputes arising hereunder or under any future
agreement shall be governed and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
State of Montana, without reference to principles of choice or conflicts of laws.
VII. ATTACHMENTS
The following exhibits are incorporated in this RFQ:
Appendix A: Non-Discrimination Affirmation
END OF RFQ
Attachment A
NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY AFFIRMATION
____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or
because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and acknowledges and
understands the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting discrimination as described above
and this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatments or proposer’s employees
and to all subcontracts.
In addition, ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will
abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act), and has
visited the State of Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website,
https://equalpay.mt.gov/BestPractices/Employers, or equivalent “best practices publication and has
read the material.
______________________________________
Name and title of person authorized to sign on behalf of submitter