REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 25, 2025
FROM
LUTHER SNOKE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Potomac Partners DC, LLC for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 23-157 with Potomac Partners DC, LLC, for federal legislative advocacy services, increasing the contract amount by $240,000 plus travel expenses, from $480,000, plus travel expenses, to a total not to exceed amount of $720,000, plus travel expenses, and extending the term by one year, for a new contract period of February 28, 2023 through February 27, 2026.
(Presenter: Leia Fletes, Director of Government Relations, 387-5423)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The increase of $240,000, plus travel expenses, will be funded within the Finance and Administration’s (Department) existing 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The County relies on advocacy services to advance the County’s legislative agenda in Congress and with federal agencies. Approval of this item will authorize the County to extend the current contract with Potomac Partners DC, LLC (Potomac Partners) an additional one-year period.
On February 28, 2023 (Item No. 28), as a result of Request for Proposal No. CAO123-CAO5-4697, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Contract No. 23-157 with Potomac Partners to provide federal legislative advocacy services in an amount not to exceed $480,000 plus travel expenses from February 28, 2023, through February 27, 2025.
Approval of this item will allow Potomac Partners to continue, as a policy advocacy firm with a focus on advancing County priorities in federal legislation, to assist County staff with community project funding process and coordinate visits by County elected officials and staff to Washington, D.C.
The contract with Potomac Partner may be terminated by the County without cause with 30 days’ written notice.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 21, 2025; Finance (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on January 21, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on January 24, 2025.