STATE LEGISLATIVE LOBBYIST SERVICES

OTERO COUNTY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
State Legislative Lobbyist Services
NM Commodity Code(s): 96151
RFP NO. 27-001
September 1, 2026

RFP NO. 27-001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
I. ADVERTISEMENT .......................................................................................................4
II. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................5
A. PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL........................... ........5
B. SCOPE OF WORK ................................................................................................5
C. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS .........................................................................7
D. PROCUREMENT MANAGER ...........................................................................7
E. DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGY.....................................................................8
III. CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE PROCUREMENT...............................................10
A. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS ..................................................................................10
B. EXPLANATION OF EVENTS ...........................................................................11
1. Issuance of RFP ................................................................................................11
2. Pre-Proposal Conference ..................................................................................11
3. Acknowledgement of Receipt Form Due .........................................................11
4. Deadline to Submit Additional Written Questions ..........................................11
5. Response to Written Questions ........................................................................11
6. Submission of Proposals ..................................................................................12
7. Proposal Evaluation ..........................................................................................12
8. Selection of Finalists ........................................................................................12
9. Best and Final Offers from Finalists (If applicable).........................................12
10. Oral Presentations by Finalists (If applicable) ...............................................13
11. Contract Negotiations .....................................................................................13
12. Contract Award ..............................................................................................13
13. Right to Protest ...............................................................................................13
C. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ...........................................................................14
1. Acceptance of Conditions Governing the Procurement .................................14
2. Incurring Cost ................................................................................................14
3. Prime Contractor Responsibility ....................................................................14
4. Subcontractors ................................................................................................14
5. Amended Proposals ........................................................................................14
6. Offerors' Rights to Withdraw Proposal .........................................................14
7. Proposal Offer Firm .......................................................................................15
8. Disclosure of Proposed Contents ...................................................................15
9. No Obligation .................................................................................................15
10. Termination....................................................................................................15
11. Sufficient Appropriation ................................................................................15
12. Legal Review .................................................................................................16
13. Governing Law ..............................................................................................16
14. Basis for Proposal ..........................................................................................16
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RFP NO. 27-001
15. Contract Terms and Conditions .....................................................................16
16. Contract Deviations .......................................................................................16
17. Offeror Qualifications ....................................................................................16
18. Right to Waive Minor Irregularities ..............................................................16
19. Change in Contractor Representatives ..........................................................17
20. Notice .............................................................................................................17
21. County Rights ................................................................................................17
22. Right to Publish .............................................................................................17
23. Ownership of Proposals ...............................................................................17
24. Electronic Mail Address Recommended .......................................................17
25. Preference in Procurement by Otero County .................................................17
IV. RESPONSE FORMAT AND ORGANIZATION ........................................................19
A. NUMBER OF RESPONSES ...............................................................................19
B. NUMBER OF COPIES .......................................................................................19
C. PROPOSAL FORMAT .......................................................................................19
1. Proposal Organization ...............................................................................19
2. Letter of Transmittal ..................................................................................19
V. SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................................................21
A. INFORMATION .................................................................................................21
1. Time Frame ...............................................................................................21
B. EVALUATION CRITERIA ................................................................................21
1. Introduction ...............................................................................................21
2. Technical Competence and Experience ....................................................21
3. Evidence of Understanding Scope of Work ..............................................21
4. Capacity and Capability ............................................................................22
C. COST PROPOSAL .........................................................................................22
VI. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS ...............................................................................22
A. EVALUATION SCORING .................................................................................22
B. EVALUATION PROCESS .................................................................................23
APPENDICES
A. Acknowledgement of Receipt Form ....................................................................24
B. Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form ............................................................25
C. Resident Veterans Preference Certification .........................................................28
D. Cost Proposal .......................................................................................................29
E. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility......30
F. Sample Agreement........................................................................31
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RFP NO. 27-001
I. ADVERTISEMENT
OTERO COUNTY
State Legislative Lobbyist Services
RFP NO. 27-001
Otero County requests proposals from qualified vendors or firms to provide lobbying services with
the New Mexico State Legislature and the New Mexico State Governor's Office to advance County
policy, legislative priorities, and capital outlay funding requests annually with the State of New
Mexico legislature. All proposals submitted shall be valid for ninety (90) days subject to action by
the County. Otero County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals in part or in whole. All
proposals must be received by 2:00PM on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the Otero County
Purchasing Division, 1101 New York Ave, Alamogordo, NM 88310. Building hours are Monday
- Thursday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
By submitting a proposal for the services requested, each Offeror is certifying that it is a qualified
firm and its proposal complies with the requirements stated within the Request for Proposals.
There will not be a pre-proposal conference. If you have any questions concerning this RFP, please
email Wendy Robinson, Procurement Manager at wrobinson@co.otero.nm.us no later than August
20, 2026.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: All qualified Offerors will receive consideration of
contract(s) without regard to race, color, religion, sex or national origin, ancestry, age, physical and
mental handicap, serious medical condition, disability, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation or gender
identity.
Request for Proposals will be available by contacting Wendy Robinson, Procurement Manager,
1101 New York Ave, Rm 118 Alamogordo, NM 88310, or by telephone at (575) 434-0710 or on
our website at https://co.otero.nm.us
PROPOSALS RECEIVED AFTER THE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED ABOVE WILL NOT
BE CONSIDERED AND WILL BE REJECTED BY OTERO COUNTY.
Otero County
Published July 30, 2026 ADN
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RFP NO. 27-001
II. INTRODUCTION
A. PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
The County seeks to retain the services of an experienced lobbyist to work with the
County Manager and County staff to address matters that will appear before the New
Mexico State Legislature, individual state legislators, the New Mexico Governor, local and
county government and other state agencies, specifically relating to and that affect Otero
County and its residents.
Otero County seeks a legislative program rooted in approaches that center the County's
values and communities. The County is interested in proposals grounded in who the
County is today and that move the County toward a vision of where it needs to be for
effective and powerful advocacy alongside its constituency.
The County recognizes that our needs are not simultaneously executed projects, but a
process in need of skilled relationship builders, creative government relations
professionals, and people who seek to make the resources of the County accountable to the
communities we serve.
Additionally, Otero County may require assistance with other local and regional governing
bodies as needed when opportunities arise.
B. SCOPE OF WORK
Lobbying services will include (and are not limited to) the following:
Strategy
* Meet with the County Manager, key County staff, and designated staff to assist in
developing the County's legislative priorities and attend Board of County
Commissioners meetings to establish the County's legislative agenda.
* Assist the County in the development of relationships with the state legislators to
influence policies and future issues of interest related to our mission.
* Propose a strategic advocacy and political engagement plan designed to achieve
legislative goals and support funding priorities.
* Develop a plan for off-session activities and coordinate with County staff.
* Communicate the goals, aspirations, and work of the County to key legislators and
staff in the legislative policymaking space.
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RFP NO. 27-001
Tracking and Reporting
* Identify, track, and report on state legislation and legislative proposals that may
have an impact on County operations and on issues related to the County's
legislative agenda.
* Provide administrative services to aid the preparation of capital outlay requests
before and during the legislative session, including but not limited to personal,
electronic, and/or telephonic consultations with state elected officials and their
staff.
* Report the activities at a minimum through the following:
* Weekly/daily updates via email as the legislative session progresses;
* A weekly written status report during legislative session for County staff and
policymakers on key actions, movement, and legislation;
* Periodically brief the Board of County Commissioners at regular meetings on
legislative activities;
* A final written report and in-person presentation at the end of the legislative
session for County staff and Board of County Commissioners highlighting all
legislation impacting the County, strategizing for the next legislative session;
* Track priorities and meetings of Otero County staff.
* Organize state lobby registration, compliance, and reporting.
Advocacy
* Support Otero County by working on behalf of, and alongside staff and partners by
being the day-to-day contact in Otero for legislators, other lobbyists, and interest
groups on behalf of Otero County.
* Recommend and obtain sponsors and co-sponsors for the County's legislative bills,
as well as obtain the support of key legislators or legislative leadership to enhance
the County's ability to pass its legislation.
* Develop and evaluate strategy for the support, opposition, or amendment of
pending legislation.
* Work to pass and achieve the County's legislative agenda by lobbying members of
the Legislature, their staff, and other state government officials, including the
executive's small agency cabinet and its secretaries.
* Track and attend committee and rulemaking hearings, coordinate and assist in the
preparation of testimony (if needed), submissions, and in-person testimony.
* Attend and participate in interim hearings and meetings regarding issues related to
Otero County and grantee priorities.
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RFP NO. 27-001
Relationship Building
* Organize and plan introductory meetings with key legislators, regulatory agencies,
local governments, and related policy organizations that are consistent with the
mission and scope of work of Otero County.
* Develop strong connections with other institutions, agencies, and state membership
organizations to support the goals of Otero County.
* Coordinate with other lobbyists, the NM Counties, the NM Municipal League,
other communities or groups, and any other agency or organization as necessary to
promote and advance the County's legislative priorities.
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
The insurance required by Offeror are listed below.
1. General Conditions. Contractor shall submit evidence of insurance as is required
herein. Policies of insurance shall be written by companies authorized to write such
insurance in New Mexico.
2. General Liability Insurance, Including Automobile. Contractor shall procure and
maintain during the life of this Agreement a comprehensive general liability and
automobile insurance policy with liability limits in amounts not less than $1,000,000
combined single limits of liability for bodily injury, including death, and property
damage for any one occurrence. Said policies of insurance shall include coverage
for all operations performed for County by Contractor; coverage for the use of all
owned, non-owned, hired automobiles, vehicles and other equipment, both on and
off work; and contractual liability coverage under which this Agreement is an
insured contract. County of Otero shall be a named additional insured on the policy.
3. Workers' Compensation Insurance. Contractor shall comply with the provisions of
the Workers' Compensation Act.
4. Increased Limits. If, during the life of this Agreement, the Legislature of the State
of New Mexico increases the maximum limits of liability under the Tort Claims Act
(NMSA 1978, Sections 41-4-1 through 41-4-29, as amended), Contractor shall
increase the maximum limits of any insurance required herein.
C. DESIGNATED PROCUREMENT MANAGER
The County has designated a Procurement Manager who is responsible for the conduct of
this procurement whose name, address and telephone number is listed below. All deliveries
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RFP NO. 27-001
via express carrier should be addressed as follows:
Wendy Robinson, Procurement Manager
Otero County Purchasing Division
1101 New York Ave, Rm 118
Alamogordo, NM 88310
Phone: (575)434-0710
Email: wrobinson@co.otero.nm.us
Any inquiries or requests regarding this procurement should be submitted to the
Procurement Manager in writing. Offerors may ONLY contact the Procurement
Manager listed above regarding the procurement. Other County employees do not
have the authority to respond on behalf of the County.
D. DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGY
This section contains definitions and abbreviations that are used throughout this
procurement document.
"BCC" means the Otero County Board of County Commissioners
"Close of Business" means 5:00 PM Mountain Standard Time or Mountain Daylight Time,
whichever is in effect on the date given.
"Contract" or "Agreement" means a written agreement for the procurement of items of
tangible personal property or services.
"Contractor" means a successful offeror who enters into a binding contract.
"County" means Otero County.
"Determination" means the written documentation of a decision by the Procurement Manager
including findings of fact supporting a decision. A determination becomes part of the
procurement file.
"Desirable" The terms "may", "can", "should", "preferably", or "prefers" identify a desirable
or discretionary item or factor (as opposed to "mandatory").
"Evaluation Committee" means a body appointed by the County management to perform the
evaluation of offeror proposals.
"Finalist" is defined as an offeror who meets all the mandatory specifications of this Request
for Proposals and whose score on evaluation factors is sufficiently high to merit further
consideration by the Evaluation Committee.
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RFP NO. 27-001
"Mandatory" The terms "must", "shall", "will", "is required", or "are required", identify a
mandatory item or factor (as opposed to "desirable"). Failure to meet a mandatory item or
factor will result in the rejection of the offeror's proposal.
"Offeror" is any person, corporation, or partnership who chooses to submit a proposal.
"Procurement Manager" means the person or designee authorized by the County to manage
or administer a procurement requiring the evaluation of competitive sealed proposals.
"Purchasing Division" means the Otero County Purchasing Department.
"Request for Proposals" or "RFP" means all documents, including those attached or
incorporated by reference, used for soliciting proposals.
"Responsible Offeror" means an offeror who submits a responsive proposal and who has
furnished, when required, information and data to prove that its financial resources, production
or service facilities, personnel, service reputation and experience are adequate to make
satisfactory delivery of the services or items of tangible personal property described in the
RFP.
"Responsive Offer" or "Responsive Proposal" means an offer or proposal which conforms
in all material respects to the requirements set forth in the request for proposals. Material
respects of a request for proposals include, but are not limited to, price, quality, quantity or
delivery requirements.
THIS SECTION LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK
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RFP NO. 27-001
III. CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE PROCUREMENT
This section of the RFP contains the schedule for the procurement, describes the major
procurement events and the conditions governing the procurement.
A. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
The Procurement Manager will make every effort to adhere to the following schedule:
Action Responsibility Date
1. Issuance of RFP Purchasing Division July 30, 2026
2 . Pre-Proposal Conference Owner/Offerors/ N/A
Purchasing
3. Acknowledgement of Receipt Form Offerors August 13, 2026
4. Deadline to Submit Additional Questions Offerors August 20, 2026
5. Response to Written Questions Purchasing Division August 26, 2026
6. Submission of Proposal Offerors September 1, 2026
(2:00 PM)
7. Proposal Evaluation Review Evaluation Committee September 2, 2026
8. Selection of Finalist Evaluation Committee TBD
9. Oral Presentation by Finalists Offeror TBD
(if applicable)
10. Contract Negotiations County, Offeror TBD
11. Contract Award Purchasing Division October 2026
Commission Meeting
Note: If the Evaluation Committee makes a selection at the Selection of Finalists, event 9 will
not occur.
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