To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Steve Potter, City Manager
Prepared By: Molly Rattigan, Deputy City Manager
TITLE:
Title
Federal Advocacy and Grant Writing Services
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Merchant McIntyre & Associates, LLC for an amount not to exceed $144,000 for federal advocacy and grant writing technical assistance services through June 30, 2025.
Body
DISCUSSION:
In 2020, the City of Napa issued a Request for Proposal for federal advocacy and grant writing services with the goal of seeking a consultant to assist with securing federal funds and advocating for the City of Napa in Congress and the Federal administration. Merchant McIntyre & Associates was selected as the successful firm and has served the City of Napa since October of 2022.
Merchant McIntyre assists the City of Napa by working with the City Manager’s staff and the Departments to identify funding sources to support the City’s programs and projects, as well as maintain a comprehensive Federal Grant Strategy for the City by providing regular updates and information on current and upcoming grant opportunities.
In addition to technical assistance services related to grants, Merchant McIntyre meets at least monthly with City representatives to provide necessary information on the activities at the Federal legislative and regulatory level to provide the necessary information in real time to help the City with planning and implementing Federal legislative strategies.
Finally, Merchant McIntyre facilitates meetings between City representatives and congressional and federal representatives to further the City’s legislative strategy.
This agreement extends through June 30, 2025, at the rate of $8,000 per month for services. Since Merchant McIntyre will have served the City of Napa for five years at the conclusion of this agreement, and assuming the City of Napa will continue needing like services, staff will prepare and issue a new Request for Proposal during this time to identify a provider beginning July 1, 2025.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
This agreement is $8,000 per month and is included in the General Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.
CEQA:
The City Manager has determined that the Recommended Action described in this agenda report is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15060(c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
None.
NOTIFICATION:
None.