City of St. Louis Port Authority – Request for Qualifications For Legislative and Government Relations Consulting Services

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
FOR
LEGISLATIVE AND GOVERNMENT
RELATIONS CONSULTING SERVICES
RFQ OPENING DATE: Wed. Oct. 7, 2026, 9am
RFQ CLOSING DATE: Wed. Oct. 28, 2026, 9am
The City of St. Louis Port Authority
1520 Market Street, Suite 2000
St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: (314) 657-3700
Fax: (314) 613-7011

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Purpose and Intent ............................................................................................................ 3
II. Contact Person & Questions ............................................................................................ 4
III. Submission Deadline ......................................................................................................... 4
IV. Respondents' Minimum Qualifications .......................................................................... 5
V. Scope of Work ................................................................................................................... 5
VI. Required Proposal Contents ............................................................................................ 6
VII. Proposal Evaluation .......................................................................................................... 7
VIII. Insurance Requirements .................................................................................................. 8
IX. Living Wage ....................................................................................................................... 8
X. Service Contract Prevailing Wage .................................................................................. 8
XI. Additional RFQ Terms and Conditions .......................................................................... 8
A. Indemnification ..................................................................................................... 8
B. Amendments .......................................................................................................... 9
C. Right to Withdraw Proposal ................................................................................ 9
D. Revisions to this RFQ ........................................................................................... 9
E. Contents of Responses .......................................................................................... 9
F. Respondents' Responsibility .............................................................................. 10
XII. Terms to be Required in Contracts ............................................................................... 10
A. Non-Discrimination Policy ................................................................................. 10
B. Public Records Law ............................................................................................ 10
C. Unauthorized Alien Affidavit ............................................................................ 10
D. Anti-Discrimination Against Israel Act ............................................................ 10
E. Independent Contractor ..................................................................................... 11
F. Indemnification ................................................................................................... 11
G. Prohibition on Limitation of Liability Clauses ................................................ 11
XIII. Governing Law and Venue ............................................................................................ 11
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ESTIMATED SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE):
Date Activity/Time
10/7/26 Request for Qualifications Released
Date and Time for Pre-Submission Conference (if desired).
10/16/26 Deadline for Questions by Email to Designated Contact
10/28/26 Due Date of Response - NO EXCEPTIONS [9am (CDT)]
I. Purpose and Intent
Background and Project Description
The City of St. Louis Port Authority (The "Authority") is a political subdivision of the State of
Missouri organized to carry out economic development activities for the City of St. Louis,
Missouri ("City"). Such activities include managing fleeting and real property leases along the
City's riverfront, overseeing operations of the City's Municipal River Terminal, and engaging in
capital improvement projects within the Port District to promote commerce in the City.
Additionally, in conjunction with various local stakeholders, the Authority seeks to expand tourism
at the Arch.
To execute its duties, the Authority engages with government actors at the state and federal levels.
Accordingly, by issuance of this RFQ, the Authority seeks to create two (2) prequalified lists of
firms that provide legislative and government relations services related to economic development
issues for the Authority and the City of St. Louis, Missouri ("City"); one such list for services at
the State level, and another for services at the Federal level.
Reservations
The intent of this RFQ is to create prequalified lists of firms that can execute the requested services
in a manner that is advantageous to the Authority regarding cost and other factors considered. the
Authority reserves the right to award the contract(s) resulting from this RFQ to one or more
respondents, as appropriate, to meet the needs of the Authority. Issuing this RFQ does not obligate
the Authority to award a contract to any provider, nor is the Authority liable for any costs incurred
by the organizations in the preparation of responses. Nothing in this RFQ nor in any response to
this RFQ is intended to be, nor should anything be construed, as an offer of engagement. Nor shall
the selection of a Respondent be construed as an offer of engagement unless and until a contract
is fully negotiated and fully executed by all parties.
The Authority reserves the right to reject any and all responses submitted and to waive any and/or
all non-material irregularities pertaining to the submission of the response. Additionally, any and
all RFQ project elements, requirements and schedules are subject to change and modification. the
Authority also reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate at its sole discretion any and all
aspect(s) of the RFQ process to obtain further information from any and all respondents, and to
waive any defects as to form or content of the RFQ or any responses by any organization/business.
All submitted materials will become the property of the Authority, may become public documents
at any time during the selection process, and will become public documents at the conclusion of
the selection process. Any and all documents submitted by the Respondent may become public if
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and when they are submitted to any advisory or legislative public body, or pursuant to the Missouri
Sunshine Law. By submitting a response to this RFQ, each Respondent acknowledges having read
this RFQ in its entirety and agrees to all terms and conditions set out in this RFQ.
II. Contact Person & Questions
Questions concerning this RFQ must be submitted in writing to Rojeana Helms, Legal Assistant
1520 Market Street, Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63103, Helmsr@stlouis-mo.gov, 314-657-3838,
not later than10/16/26. No contact with other the Authority employees or employees of St. Louis
Development Corporation ("SLDC") about this RFQ is permitted during the RFQ process, unless
otherwise authorized. Unauthorized contact regarding this RFQ may result in disqualification or
rejection of a response. the Authority will maintain a list of all firms or individuals requesting
copies of the RFQ and will ensure that copies of all questions and responses shall be made
available in writing to each firm on such list, when requested. Answers will also be publicly
posted on the Authority's website:
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/sldc/procurement/index.cfm
Questions should be asked in consecutive order, from beginning to end, following the organization
of this RFQ. Each question should begin by referencing the RFQ page number and section number
to which it relates. Short procedural inquiries may be submitted to Rojeana Helms,
Helmsr@stlouis-mo.gov by email.
Contact with the Authority after the submission of responses is limited to status inquiries only and
such inquiries are only to be directed to the above-named individual. Any further contact or
information about the RFQ to the Authority or any of its employees or any Selection Committee
Members will be considered an impermissible supplementation of the respondent's response.
III. Submission Deadline
In order for the Authority to consider responses, Respondent's submission must be received by:
Date: 10/28/26
Time: 9am CST
Location: The City of St. Louis Port Authority
c/o St. Louis Development Corporation
Attn: Rojeana Helms, Legal Dept.
1520 Market Street
Suite 2000
St. Louis MO 63103
Responses received after this deadline will not be accepted.
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Responses must be labeled on the outside of the package to clearly indicate that it is in response
to the REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE AND GOVERNMENT
RELATIONS SERVICES. Each Respondent must submit one (1) electronic copy of its response
to the Authority's contact identified herein, and one (1) sealed, complete, original response and
four (4) sealed, full, complete and exact copies of the original. Responses must utilize 8.5 x 11-
inch paper, use standard 12-point font, have 1.5-2.0 spacing, and contain a Table of Contents. It is
suggested that Respondents make and retain a copy of its proposal. Responses sent exclusively by
email without physical copies will not be considered.
IV. Respondents' Minimum Qualifications
Respondents must have a minimum of 5 years' experience with river industries, multi-modal
strategies, regulatory bodies, and other issues pertaining to the Inland River System. Container-
on-barge expertise alone will not meet this requirement.
V. Scope of Work
The services to be retained following this RFQ shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. Serve as consultant to the Authority (to also benefit the City) and assemble a team of
professionals responsible for one or more of the following tasks:
a. Secure support of federal, state, and local governmental officials needed for
developing projects related to overall economic development and port related
issues;
b. Monitor local, state, and federal legislative developments related to economic
development and advise the Authority regarding legislation affecting City
development efforts;
c. Represent the Authority with state and local agencies and other public and private
groups involved in economic development initiatives to further the overall
development goals of the Authority and/or City;
d. Assist the Authority's pursuit of state and federal funding, state and federal
designation of economic opportunity zones, and other aspects of financial support
for Authority initiatives and projects;
e. Facilitate presentations and meetings with representatives of federal, state, non-
governmental, and local agencies pertaining to applications for funding assistance
and programs; accompany Authority and/or City officials during visits to such
representatives or agencies; and
f. Prepare and present legislative and regulatory initiatives and/or proposals related
to economic development to federal, state, and local officials.
B. Brief Authority, City, and/or SLDC representatives regarding the above topics as needed;
and
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C. Present quarterly reports to the Authority's board, the Port Commission, regarding the
above topics.
VI. Required Proposal Contents
A. Transmittal Letter: Respondents shall provide a transmittal letter with authorizing
signature for the submission. The letter must briefly summarize the Respondent's
ability and willingness to perform the services required by the RFQ. The letter
must also identify whether Respondent is seeking inclusion on the prequalified
list for (1) State Legislative and Government Relations Services; (2) Federal
Legislative and Government Relations Services; or (3) both State and Federal
Legislative and Governmental Relations Services.
B. Organization Information, Background, and Capability: Provide a thorough
description of your organization, its contact information, and the services it is
qualified to provide to the Authority. Describe the organization's strengths,
capabilities and experience in performing these services. Please articulate
Respondent's capacity to devote sufficient time and resources to these services in
relation to existing assignments the firm and the above-named individual(s) have
or will have through December, 2031.
Key Personnel: Provide the name, title, telephone number and e-mail address of the
persons who will function as the primary contact and back-up contact person.
Provide brief resumes/qualifications of personnel who will be primarily involved
in this project. Identify the city(ies) in which Respondent's personnel for these
services reside.
With respect to each of the above, experience with governmental clients should be
highlighted. Firms with offices in the State of Missouri and with strong connections
in Jefferson City, MO, are encouraged to respond for State legislative and
government relations services. Firms with offices in Washington D.C. and with
strong connections on Capitol Hill or with development-related federal agencies,
are encouraged to respond for Federal legislative and government relations
services. The key personnel must have a good understanding of City's weak mayor
system of government, the City's status as both a city and a county, and how City
entities work with the Board of Aldermen and its members.
C. Addressing Services: In this section, provide a description of how your organization
intends to perform the specific services requested above, including a thorough
description of the proposed approach. Identify each of the areas listed in the Scope
of Services section that the organization desires to be considered for this RFQ.
Please also explain why the firm is particularly suited to meet the services required
by the Authority.
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D. Acknowledgment of Prevailing Wage and Benefits. Include a statement of
acknowledgment of the minimum prevailing wage and the minimum prevailing
fringe benefits required. See Section X-XI.
E. Pricing: Include details regarding all proposed fees for the services listed in the
scope of work. Please itemize the type and amount of expenses for which
Respondent will seek compensation and/or reimbursement.
F. References: Include references from three (3) clients of similar scope and
complexity for which your organization has conducted similar services.
G. Business License: Please produce a copy of Respondent's current City of St. Louis
Business License, if required by the City of St. Louis License Collector's Office.
H. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Provide a statement regarding any potential conflict
of interest issues Respondent, its principals, or any of the listed individuals or other
team members might have or encounter if selected to perform the requested services.
Know that Respondent's services will involve interaction with City public officials
including, but not limited to, members of the Board of Aldermen, various City
departments and offices, and representatives of the Authority and SLDC and its
affiliated agencies and authorities. Indicate whether Respondent, its principals, or any
of the listed individuals or other team members have interests that may conflict with
Authority, City, or SLDC interests.
Respondents must also disclose any other local government entities in the State of
Missouri with which they, their principals, or the individuals listed, or other team
members are currently doing business or with which they have done business of
this same nature over the past three years.
VII. Proposal Evaluation
The evaluation of qualifications will be performed by a Selection Committee composed of the
Authority Staff. The Selection Committee will consider, at a minimum, the following, as related
to the selection of organizations qualified to perform the services requested above:
A. Specialized experience, qualifications and technical competence of the
organization, its principals, project manager and key staff;
B. Ability of the organization to provide innovative solutions;
C. Approach to the project and any unusual problems anticipated;
D. The capacity and capability of the organization to perform the work within the time
limitations;
E. Past record and performance of the organization with respect to schedule
compliance, cost control, and quality of work;
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F. Proximity of the organization to the City of St. Louis;
G. Fees or fee structure as may be appropriate for the service to be provided;
H. Availability of financial and operating resources as required to complete the work;
I. Ability of the organization to meet statutory or ordinance requirements;
The Authority reserves the right to interview, or call for a presentation from, any Respondent
submitting a response. The Authority also reserves the right to discuss the responses with any or
all Respondents. The Authority may request additional submission of information during the
negotiations of the contract.
VIII. Insurance Requirements
Any Respondent awarded a contract from a prequalified list generated pursuant to this RFQ shall
procure and maintain General Liability Coverage, Automobile/Motor Liability Coverage
(including non-owned and hired vehicle coverage), Worker's Compensation, and Professional
Liability Insurance. Typical requirements are: General Liability Coverage insuring property
damage and injury to persons of at least $1,000,000.00 each occurrence/$3,500,000.00 general
aggregate; Automobile/Motor Vehicle Coverage (including non-owned and hired vehicle
coverage) of at least $500,000 personal injury and $500,000 property damage; or of at least
$1,000,000 combined limit; Professional Liability coverage of at least $1,000,000.00. Any
Respondent awarded a contract shall also procure Worker's Compensation Insurance as required
by the State of Missouri.
IX. Living Wage
Any Respondent awarded a contract from a prequalified list generated pursuant to this RFQ may
be subject to the St. Louis Living Wage Ordinance (Ordinance No. 65597, codified at Chapter 3.99
of the Revised City Code of St. Louis (2020)) and its associated Regulations. Respondents hereby
agree to comply with the applicable measures thereof.
X. Service Contract Prevailing Wage
For all positions listed on the Secretary of Labor's wage and fringe benefits determination, (see
https://sam.gov/wage-determination/2015-5075/20), and as applicable, Respondents will be
required to provide the minimum prevailing wage and the minimum prevailing fringe benefits
required and abide by the terms of Ordinance No. 62124, codified at Chapter 6.20 of the Revised
Code of the City of St. Louis (2020) in any contract entered into pursuant to this RFQ.
XI. Additional RFQ Terms and Conditions
A. Indemnification
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Each Respondent, in seeking, receiving, or possessing this RFQ and/or in submitting a response,
does release, indemnify, and hold the Authority and its various directors, employees,
representative and agents harmless from and against all claims and demands of any and all loss,
cost, damage, or liability of whatever nature, which may be asserted against or imposed against
the Authority as a result of issuing this RFQ, making any revisions thereto, conducting this
selection process and subsequent negotiations, and making a final recommendation and/or entering
into a contract.
B. Amendments
Respondents may submit amended responses before the deadline for receipt of responses. Such
amended responses must be complete replacements for a previous submission and must be clearly
identified as such in the transmittal letter. the Authority will not merge, collate, or assemble
Respondents' materials.
C. Right to Withdraw Proposal
Respondents are permitted to withdraw their submissions at any time prior to the deadline for
receipt. Respondents must submit a written withdrawal request signed by the Respondent's duly
authorized representative(s) addressed to the Authority.
D. Revisions to this RFQ
In the event that it becomes necessary to clarify or revise this RFQ, such clarification or revision
will be by addendum.
All RFQ addenda will be issued on the Authority's website. To access addenda, Respondents must
locate "RFQ for Legislative and Government Relations Services" at the following address:
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/sldc/procurement/index.cfm
There are no designated dates for release of addenda. Therefore, interested Respondents should
check the Authority's website on a daily basis from time of RFQ issuance through RFQ deadline
date. It is the sole responsibility of Respondents to be knowledgeable of all addenda related to this
RFQ.
E. Contents of Responses
All materials submitted in accordance with this RFQ will become and remain the property of the
Authority and will not be returned.
All materials submitted in accordance with this RFQ shall be considered public records but may
be deemed and treated as "closed" or "exempt" by the Authority, pursuant to the laws of the State
of Missouri. All materials may be treated as open records. the Authority cannot guarantee
confidentiality of any materials during the evaluation process or at any other time. Thus, responses
and communications exchanged in response to this RFQ should be assumed to be subject to public
disclosure.
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F. Respondents' Responsibility
Respondents assume sole responsibility for the complete effort required in this RFQ. No special
consideration shall be given after responses are opened because of a Respondent's failure to be
knowledgeable of all the requirements of this RFQ. By submitting a proposal in response to this
RFQ, Respondent represents that it has satisfied itself, from its own investigation, of all the
requirements of this RFQ.
XII. Terms to be Required in Contracts
Any contract entered into pursuant to this RFQ shall require the inclusion of the following, or
substantially similar, terms. By submitting qualifications in response to this RFQ, Respondents
(identified in this Section as "Contractor") agree to adhere to such terms:
A. Non-Discrimination Policy
Contractor agrees that neither it nor anyone under its control will permit discrimination against
any business, employee, applicant, client or subscriber because of race, creed, color, disability,
religion, sexual orientation, national ancestry or origin. Further, Contractor shall comply with all
applicable requirements and provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
B. Public Records Law
Contractor is hereby notified that the Authority is subject to the State of Missouri's Sunshine Law
(the "Act"), Revised Statute of Missouri 610.010 et seq. the Authority will not give prior notice
of receipt of a request under the Act for any record that has been provided to it by Contractor, nor
of any record disclosed pursuant to the Act. Nothing in any awarded contract shall supersede,
modify, or diminish in any respect whatsoever any of the Authority's rights, obligations, and
exceptions under the Act, nor will the Authority be held liable for any disclosure of records,
including information that the Authority determines in its sole discretion is a public record subject
to disclosure under the Act.
C. Unauthorized Alien Affidavit
Contractor shall, pursuant to the provisions of Section 285.525 through 285.555 of the Revised
Statutes of Missouri, as amended, by sworn affidavit and provision of documentation, affirm its
enrollment and participation in a federal work authorization program with respect to the employees
working in connection with this Agreement. Contractor shall also affirm that it does not knowingly
employ any person who is an unauthorized alien in connection with the Agreement pursuant to the
above-stated Statutes.
D. Anti-Discrimination Against Israel Act
Contractor, shall, pursuant to the provisions of 34.600 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, by
sworn affidavit, affirm that it is not currently engaged in and shall not, for the duration of the
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