RFP #24-02 - State Legislative Advocacy and Communications Services

CONTRACTOR agrees to advocate for COUNTY interests on administrative, regulatory and legislative matters at the California State Capital and to provide the following services from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029: Perform as the Sacramento advocate for the County and maintain liaison between the County and members of the State Legislature, the State Administration, and other State agencies, the California State Association of Counties, the Urban Counties of California, and other officials as directed by the County. The advocate will report to the County Administrator (CAO) and his/her designee(s). Report on, and advise the County on relevant state legislation, proposed and adopted, and administrative actions that affect County programs. This includes monitoring and tracking all legislation of interest to the County, testifying on behalf of the County, and drafting correspondence for the County on areas of interest. In collaboration with the County Administrator’s Office prepare a bi-annual State Legislative and Regulatory Platform for the Board of Supervisors adoptions based on input from the Board of Supervisors, County Administrator, and County Department Heads. Meet with Department Heads and County staff (minimum of once per calendar year) to discuss the County’s legislative agenda and platform, report on advocacy efforts and activities, and confer on matters related to legislative, regulatory or administrative actions in Sacramento with such meetings to be held in San Joaquin County. Additional meetings may be held in San Joaquin County, Sacramento, or other locations agreeable to both Parties. Vigorously represent the County on identified priority issues and initiate appropriate actions to advocate on the County’s behalf, consistent with the County’s Board Adopted Legislative Platform. Identify available State programs that provide State funding or grants for County projects and services and represent the County in the application process when requested. Prepare briefing materials, conduct briefings, and arrange appointments for County officials and staff when their travel to Sacramento is relevant to the County’s priority issues. Provide space, staff support and office equipment such as telephones, fax machines and personal computers for County use at an office in Sacramento. Maintain regular communication with the County Administrator (or designee); provide written reports, coordinating frequency with the County Administrator (or designee) on activities and accomplishments. Review legislative proposals and amendments and advise the County on matters of interest; make recommendations regarding positions the County may take in response to legislation, and draft related correspondence. Represent the County in meetings and correspondence with legislators, representatives of the executive branch, as well as CSAC and UCC, in order to advocate on behalf of County positions. Draft bill language and amendments for County sponsored legislation. Research issues at the request of the Board of Supervisors or County Administrator. Provide training of designated County Administrator’s Office staff in legislative and regulatory process to maximize County resources. Provide representation of the County without conflict of interest; representation of other clients should not pose conflict of interest issues for the Contractor, nor should the interest of such other clients be in direct conflict with the County’s interests. 2.CONTRACTOR agrees to provide general communications support to the County Administrator’s Office in implementing annual communications and outreach activities. Projects and typical activities include: Annual Report - assist in drafting, compilation—including graphic design and layout—editing, and promoting the Annual Report as needed. End-of-year message - Assist in drafting the CAO’s annual end-of-year message to County staff. Provide back-up support when needed for the State-of-the-County speech and related media outreach activities. Illegal Dumping/Clean San Joaquin - Assist County Administrator’s Office staff in redirecting Clean San Joaquin efforts in 2024-2025 to the Illegal Dumping initiative that may include: Outreach, prevention, and education messaging and reassessing the website. Press releases and media advisories – Write and issue in partnership with the Countywide PIO. Thought-partnership in maintaining a strategic editorial calendar. Strategic social media content creation. Registrar of Voters – provide communications support. Promote County-sponsored events. Provide crisis communications when situations arise. Work with the County Administrator's Office to address high profile issues and events. Use Board of Supervisor's (BOS) adopted strategic priorities to determine which issue areas to promote and advise on optimal promotion channels (media interviews, editorial board meetings, guest columns). Use BOS meeting agendas to determine which issues are media-worthy. Work with County staff to prepare talking points for Supervisors and/or the CAO should high-profile issues arise. Provide media relations support for issues related to County labor negotiations. Research and advise on comparable communications resources/activities of other counties. Draft talking points for County-related hearings, educational briefings, and additional public meetings. Coordinate graphic design, translation, and printing services as needed. 3.CONTRACTOR agrees to provide communications consultation to the Countywide Public Information Officer in support of the County Administrator’s Office’s communications program. Consultation shall include: Phone or video meeting consultation once a week at a minimum or as needed. Strategic consultation on communications priorities. Consultation on media strategy, campaign management, general project direction, and crisis communication. Guidance on preparing talking points, Q&A, FAQ’s, information/media kit, website, and digital media content. Guidance on Press Release/Advisory research preparation. Guidance on pitching stories to key reporters and follow-up, and story development consultation. Guidance on guest column and Opinion Editorial ideas and development and identifying media targets. Consultation on preparing media spokespersons (with speaking points, material preparation, etc.). Consult on digital media: website management, social media strategy, and content development. Consult on preparing for news conferences, planning, organization, and facilitation. Advise on special events: organizing, visuals, talking points, material preparation, etc. Advise and review prepared statements on behalf of the County. Provide overall guidance on messaging and material preparation. Advise on how and where to obtain communication resources such as translation, multi-modal/media outreach, etc. and make introductions/connections where applicable. Meet in person on a bi-annual basis, either in Sacramento or in San Joaquin County.