Legislative Representation in Sacramento, California

Location:	California
Posted:	May 1, 2026
Due:	Jun 5, 2026
Agency:	South Coast Air Quality Management District
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	A - Research and development
Solicitation No:	P2026-08
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FOR LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION IN

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

P2026-08

South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) requests proposals for the

following purpose according to terms and conditions attached. In the preparation of this

Request for Proposals (RFP) the words "Proposer," "Contractor," "Consultant," “Bidder” and

“Firm” are used interchangeably.

PURPOSE

South Coast AQMD requires representation in Sacramento, California, to ensure that air quality

legislation and other related issues are monitored and that South Coast AQMD viewpoints are

presented in an effective, timely, and persuasive manner during the legislative and policy-

making process.

The purpose of this RFP is to contract with outside representative(s) knowledgeable in air

quality-related issues to provide assistance with and representation of South Coast AQMD

policy positions and funding needs before the California State Legislature, Governor’s Office,

and state agencies. The consultant(s) selected pursuant to this RFP will be reimbursed on a

monthly basis for services rendered at an agreed upon flat monthly fee and for actual costs

incurred for out-of-pocket expenses. The consultant may make use of the services of

subcontractors, on an as-needed basis. A list of names of subcontractors along with their

qualifications and the total hours of services expected shall be submitted with responses to this

RFP. All subcontractors are subject to approval by South Coast AQMD, and pre-approval is

required before commencing any work.

The selected firm(s) will be expected to provide a variety of services, to be outlined in the work

statement, and consistent with South Coast AQMD Governing Board (“Board”) directions. The

contract term will be for a period of two (2) years, and funding for the initial year shall be up to

a maximum of $465,000. The contract may include an option for one, two-year renewal,

contingent on satisfactory performance and approval of subsequent budgets, upon approval of

the Board.

INDEX – The following are contained in this RFP:

Section I

Background/Information

Section II

Contact Person

Section III

Schedule of Events

Section IV

Participation in the Procurement Process

Section V

Statement of Work/Schedule of Deliverables

Section VI

Required Qualifications

Section VII

Proposal Submittal Requirements

Section VIII

Proposal Submission

Section IX

Proposal Evaluation/Contractor Selection Criteria

Section X

Funding

Section XI

Sample Contract

Attachment A - Participation in the Procurement Process

Attachment B - Certifications and Representations

Attachment C – Guiding Principles for 2026

P2026-08

SECTION I: BACKGROUND/INFORMATION

P2026-08

South Coast AQMD is the air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and

the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, the

smoggiest region of the U.S. As a regulatory agency, South Coast AQMD is

committed to protecting the health of residents of the four-county area from the

harmful effects of air pollution, while remaining sensitive to businesses and the

economic vitality of the region.

Legislative representation for South Coast AQMD in Sacramento is critical to

advancing the Board’s policies and priorities through direct engagement with the

Legislature, Governor’s Office, agencies, and other stakeholders. South Coast

AQMD’s legislative representatives engage in ongoing communication with Capitol

offices to build and maintain relationships and effectively represent the agency’s

interests. This legislative presence includes delivering technical information,

providing assistance, and otherwise serving as a resource to legislators and the

Governor’s Office regarding air quality matters; acting as a liaison between South

Coast AQMD and legislators and the Governor’s Office regarding the Board’s policy

and funding priorities; seeking funding and program support for technology

advancement and emission reduction projects and incentive programs; and

advocating for South Coast AQMD’s positions on air quality-related legislation. These

efforts also include fostering support for South Coast AQMD’s federal initiatives which

have synergy at the state level.

A challenging political and economic environment is expected to continue to affect

legislative, funding, and policy issues. South Coast AQMD is expected to continue to

navigate issues framed by affordability concerns, a tight state budget, high fuel and

energy costs, increased scrutiny of zero-emission mandates, efforts to prescribe or

repeal local rules and regulations, ongoing issues on energization, deployment of

infrastructure and clean technologies, data centers, and other. These challenges will

be compounded by continued turnover in the Legislature, requiring renewed

outreach and education to newly elected members and staff who may be less

familiar with South Coast AQMD’s mission, authority, and regional air quality needs.

As a result, maintaining a strong, consistent, and strategic presence in Sacramento

will be critical to advancing South Coast AQMD’s policy and funding priorities.

Legislative representation for South Coast AQMD in 2027 may include advancing the

following policy and funding priorities:

• Protect and expand funding by maintaining existing resources, such as

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and identifying new, sustainable revenue

streams to support programs that achieve state and federal air quality standards,

implement the Community Air Protection Program (AB 617), and reduce toxic air

contaminants to protect public health.

• Preserve South Coast AQMD authority to raise revenue and impose fees as

needed and to implement the Board’s clean air policies and programs, including

those required by state and federal Clean Air Act laws, to support Air Quality

Management Plans, State Implementation Plans and Letters of Commitment with

U.S. EPA and CARB. Additionally, oppose unfunded state mandates.

• Advance clean transportation and goods movement policies by supporting funding

and programs that accelerate deployment of the cleanest technologies available

P2026-08

with a priority on zero-emission where commercially viable for medium- and heavy-

duty trucks, locomotives, oceangoing vessels, aircraft, and off-road equipment.

• Advocate for policies and funding to address energization challenges such as

interconnection, grid capacity, infrastructure upgrades, permitting hurdles, and

reliability.

• Support and advocate for legislative and administrative policies and funding that:

1) promote and sustain environmental justice initiatives which reduce localized

health risks resulting from criteria pollutant and toxic air contaminant emissions;

2) prioritize equitable access to zero-emission or cleanest available technologies

for over-burdened communities; 3) enhance community participation in decision-

making; and 4) provide the resources necessary to fully implement local air

districts’ responsibilities and initiatives created through the AB 617 Community Air

Protection Program, including implementing CARB’s blueprint to expand the

program to address communities that have been consistently nominated.

• Support legislative policies and administrative actions that promote job retention

and creation, workforce training for zero-emission technologies, as well as

economic growth, while working toward attainment of clean air standards; and that

support and assist the regulated community in complying with rules and

regulations in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. Work to ensure job

and economic benefits are equitably accessible to environmental justice

communities.

• Support and advocate for legislative and administrative policies, programs, and

funding that reduce and/or mitigate air quality-related public health impacts within

the South Coast region caused by wildfires, dust/sandstorms, odors, or other

events.

• Support and seek legislative and administrative policies, programs, funding and/or

actions that ensure that South Coast AQMD can meet its administrative and

operational needs, including, but not limited to, those related to human resources

and pensions.

• Additional issues of potential interest include data centers, CEQA reform, and

other.

The legislative priorities for South Coast AQMD for 2027 will be further refined and

presented to the Board’s Legislative Committee and the full Board for approval later

in the year, as determined by the course of events in 2026.

SECTION II: CONTACT PERSON:

Questions regarding the content or intent of this RFP or on procedural matters should

be addressed to:

Philip Crabbe III, Legislative Public Affairs & Media

South Coast AQMD

21865 Copley Drive

Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4178

(909) 396-2632

SECTION III: SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Date

May 1, 2026

June 5, 2026

June 8-June 19, 2026

August 14, 2026

September 4, 2026

December 31, 2026

P2026-08

Event

RFP Released

Proposals Due to South Coast

AQMD - No Later Than 1:00 pm

Proposal Evaluations

Interviews, if required

Governing Board Approval

Anticipated Contract Execution

SECTION IV: PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS

It is the policy of South Coast AQMD to ensure that all businesses including minority

business enterprises, women business enterprises, disabled veteran business

enterprises and small businesses have a fair and equitable opportunity to compete for

and participate in South Coast AQMD contracts. Attachment A to this RFP contains

definitions and further information.

SECTION V: STATEMENT OF WORK/SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

A. Statement of Work

Under the direction of the Executive Officer or Deputy Executive Officer of

Legislative, Public Affairs and Media, and in coordination with South Coast AQMD

legislative staff, the consultant(s) shall gather information, provide advice and

assistance, and/or advocate positions on legislation in Sacramento as it directly

pertains to the ability of the South Coast AQMD to carry out its statutory

responsibilities. The selected Consultant(s) will perform the services listed below

on legislative/regulatory matters; however, the responsibilities of the selected

Consultant(s) under the contract pursuant to this RFP are not necessarily limited

to items listed since there may be other legislative needs that may arise during

the course of the legislative process.

1. Based on Governing Board Approved State Legislative Guiding Principles,

prepare a written strategic and tactical implementation plan for 2027;

2. Drafting, and/or assisting South Coast AQMD staff, consultants, or other parties

in drafting, legislation and other policies and procedures as requested by South

Coast AQMD and coordinating or assisting in their introduction in the California

Legislature;

3. Reviewing, identifying, tracking, and monitoring both the actions of the

administration and related state agencies as well as the California Legislature for

legislation and other proposals potentially affecting air quality and South Coast

AQMD’s operations, authority, and funding;

4. Advocating, as directed by South Coast AQMD, on all identified and/or drafted

legislation and administrative and other proposals, providing testimony at

committee and other special hearings, and providing written communications to

legislators, key administrative officials, and other staff regarding South Coast

AQMD priorities;

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Number	Title	Bidder's Conference	Closing Date	Contact Person	Document
P2026-08	Legislative Representation in Sacramento, California	None	6/5/2026 01:00 PM	Philip Crabbe (909) 396-2632	P2026-08

Legislative Representation in Sacramento, California

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