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Committee reviews RFP to combine state and federal lobbying services, prioritizing I‑470 funding
Summary
City staff and the Legislative & Intergovernmental Relations Committee discussed a proposed RFP to combine state and federal lobbying into a single contract (one‑year with renewals), asked for a clearer federal purpose statement emphasizing transportation/I‑470, and set a procurement timeline aiming for a December 1 start.
City staff presented a proposed request for proposals to secure lobbying services that cover both state and federal policy and appropriations. The draft scope would ask firms to demonstrate knowledge of Lee's Summit priorities, assist in formulating state and federal policy agendas, identify and pursue grants and capital appropriations, and provide logistical support for testimony and office visits.
Staff noted the recommended contract structure is a one‑year agreement with two automatic one‑year renewals (three years total unless canceled). The proposed procurement timeline: finalize scope in August, issue the RFP, receive responses by the September meeting, negotiate in October, and seek City Council approval in early November for a December 1 contract start.
Committee members asked that the RFP be clearer about the intended balance between state and federal work. Several members recommended a short purpose statement saying the city's primary interest is at the state level while federal work should be narrowly focused on transportation and acquiring funding for I‑470 and related projects. The committee also requested that travel and extra‑visit costs to Jefferson City and Washington, D.C., be either quantified in the RFP or made clear in the interview/negotiation process.
Staff responded that the RFP can include a purpose statement that narrows the federal focus to transportation-related funding and that travel costs can be requested as separate line items or reimbursable expenses. They reiterated that the city's gov‑watch tracker and weekly reports from the firm provide ongoing status updates to council members.
What happens next: staff will revise the scope based on committee input, work with procurement to prepare the full RFP packet, and return with a near‑final draft at the committee's August meeting. The committee signaled support for issuing the RFP on the revised schedule.
Attributions: summary based on staff presentation by Brian Head and committee discussion recorded in the July 20, 2026 meeting transcript.
