Consent-General Government # 20.
Board of Supervisors
County Administrator
- Meeting Date:
- 08/26/2025
- Brief Title
- Agreement with Nielsen Merksamer for Legislative Advocacy Services
From:
Michael Webb, County Administrator, County Administrator's Office
Staff Contact:
Yen Nguyen, Associate Management Analyst, County Administrator's Office, x5776
Supervisorial District Impact:
Countywide
Subject
Approve agreement with Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, LLP in the amount of $222,900 to provide legislative advocacy services for the period of August 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. ($222,900 general fund impact) (Webb/Yen)
Recommended Action
- Approve agreement with Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, LLP in the amount of $222,900 to provide legislative advocacy services for the period of August 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 (see Attachment A);
- Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign the Agreement; and
- Approve and authorize the County Administrative Officer or designee to approve up to two (2) twelve (12) month period extensions of the Agreement under the same scope of work and payment provisions for a total in aggregate not to exceed $378,900 subject to County Administrative Officer and County Counsel approval, and issue related option year notices.
Strategic Plan Goal(s)
 |
In Support of All Goals (Internal Departments Only) |
Reason for Recommended Action/Background
The Yolo County Administrator's Office sought legislative services firms to provide state legislative representation in California's state capitol, Sacramento, that will advocate on behalf of the County and its departments on legislative and regulatory matters. The selected firm shall assist with implementing the County's State Legislative Agenda, and to keep the County Administrator's Office updated with relevant information about State government.
The requested authorization allows the County Administrator to approve subsequent extensions, upon mutual agreement with the contractor, with the same terms and conditions as the originally approved agreement. Staff recommend approval of the contract so Staff and the Contractors may address active issues on the County’s 2025 Intergovernmental Advocacy Policy (see Attachment B).
The requested authorization allows the County Administrator to approve subsequent extensions, upon mutual agreement with the contractor, with the same terms and conditions as the originally approved agreement. Staff recommend approval of the contract so Staff and the Contractors may address active issues on the County’s 2025 Intergovernmental Advocacy Policy (see Attachment B).
Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies)
County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.
Competitive Bid Process/Vendor Performance
On April 24, 2025, Yolo County Administrator's Office issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified firms to provide state legislative advocacy services for the Yolo County, County Administrator's Office (CAO). The RFP was open for 42 days (about 6 weeks), and staff offered potential bidders an opportunity to submit questions by May 22, 2025. The CAO received three proposals from this solicitation. The proposal submitted by Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni was selected as the best evaluated Proposer by the Review Committee and was evaluated and determined to meet all the required qualifications necessary to successfully provide these services (see Attachment C Intent to Award Letter). Additional information regarding the Competitive Bid Process is provided below, including a summary of the RFP evaluation criteria.
Request for Proposals (RFP) Service Requested: State Legislative Advocacy Services
Evaluation Criteria Included in RFP
Request for Proposals (RFP) Service Requested: State Legislative Advocacy Services
Evaluation Criteria Included in RFP
- Proposer's Concept & Understanding of the County's goals and intent of the project (20 points)
- Demonstrated Competence (20 points)
- Qualifications and Experience (35 points)
- Proposer's Approach to the Project (5 points)
- Customer References (10 points)
- Reasonableness of Costs (10 points)
- Completeness of Submitted Proposal (Pass/Fail)
Bids Received
| Bidder | Criteria Point Ranking Out of 100 |
| Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni LLP | 83.33 |
| EJ Thronson Consulting | 67.33 |
| The CrisCom Company | 53.67 |
Vendor Performance
The Department confirms Nielsen Merksamer has performed satisfactorily on the current agreement.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal impact (see budgetary detail below)
Fiscal Impact (Expenditure)
- Total cost of recommended action:
- $ 222,900
- Amount budgeted for expenditure:
- $ 222,900
- Additional expenditure authority needed:
- $ 0
- On-going commitment (annual cost):
- $
Source of Funds for this Expenditure
- General Fund
- $222,900
Further explanation as needed:
This contract will be funded using already allocated General Funds included in the CAO Recommended Budget for fiscal year 2025-26. Future year amounts will be included in the budget process. The total amount of this action is as follows:
| Fiscal Year | |
| August 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 | $69,300.00 |
| FY 2026-27 | $75,600.00 |
| FY 2027-28 | $78,000.00 |
| Total | $222,900.00 |
Provided, however, that the total amount of compensation to be paid to Contractor for the services required by this Agreement shall not exceed two hundred twenty-nine thousand and two hundred dollars ($222,900.00). Upon mutual written agreement, this Agreement may be extended for two (2) additional twelve (12) month periods on the same terms and conditions as set forth herein.
| Option Year/Fiscal Year | Revised Agreement Expiration Date | Maximum Increased Funding |
| FY 2028-29 | June 30, 2029 | $300,900.00 |
| FY 2029-30 | June 30, 2030 | $378,900.00 |
In no event shall the term of the Agreement extend beyond June 30, 2030 nor shall the total contract maximum exceed the amount of THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($378,900), unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties and in conformity with the then-current Yolo County Procurement Policy approved by the Yolo County Board of Supervisors.
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Yen Nguyen (Originator) | Yen Nguyen | 08/21/2025 03:48 PM |
| Mark Bryan | Mark Bryan | 08/21/2025 03:50 PM |
| Michael Webb | Michael Webb | 08/21/2025 04:24 PM |
| Financial Services | mrobertson | 08/21/2025 04:50 PM |
| County Counsel | Hope Welton | 08/21/2025 04:54 PM |
| Berenice Espitia | Berenice Espitia | 08/21/2025 04:58 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Yen Nguyen
- Started On:
- 08/14/2025 09:31 AM
- Final Approval Date:
- 08/21/2025