Staff recommends the City Council award a contract for federal lobbying services to Thorn Run Partners in the amount of $90,000 per year with the option to renew the agreement for two (2) additional years.

The City of Billings has an ongoing need for lobbying and advocacy services at the Federal level. A lobbying consultant that has existing relationships with Federal government staffers, both in the federal capital and governmental agencies, can be instrumental in elevating the City to be in a position to capitalize on grant opportunities. This is especially important now with all the new federal programs and grants that are being created. A federal lobbyist is also needed to advocate for the City's policy and financial needs at the federal level to seek changes in legislation.

Public Works entered into a contract with a Federal lobbying firm in March, 2020. That contract expired this year.  A Request for Proposals (RFP) was advertised and seven (7) responses were received. Selection was based on firm experience and key project staff, available resources and consultant location, and project methodology and approach. The selection committee evaluated the proposals and selected three (3) finalists to interview, reaching a decision to award the contract to Thorn Run Partners. The new agreement is for federal lobbying services for all city departments, rather than only public works.

City Council may:

• Approve the agreement for Federal lobbying services with Thorn Run Partners; or,
• Not approve the agreement. 

The annual contract amount is $90,000. It is estimated that public works will fund approximately 50% of this amount, but the actual amount will depend on utilization of the contract. The remaining funding will come from department budgets based on utilization.