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November 9, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting
Title
22. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract for Legislative Services with Holland and Knight in the Amount of $102,000. The City’s legislative services contract provides professional representation and liaison services with the Georgia General Assembly, Chatham County Legislative Delegation, and the executive departments and agencies of the State of Georgia.
Strategic Priority
Good Government
Description

Recommend approval to award an annual contract for Legislative Services to Holland and Knight in the amount of $102,000. Holland and Knight will be partnering with a local City of Savannah Company, SPR. The City reserves the right to renew or cancel the contract for the second year. The City’s Legislative Services contract provides professional representation and liaison services with the Georgia General Assembly, Chatham County Legislative Delegation, and the executive departments and agencies of the State of Georgia. Legislative Services help provide the City strategic state legislative counsel with particular emphasis on identifying any threats or opportunities that may arise during the state legislative session. Legislative Services impact all the services provided by the City of Savannah through protecting and advancing the City’s interests, authority, and priorities from legal and policy alterations, as well as combating outside interest groups who attempt to circumvent the City’s laws and policies. If approved, Holland & Knight will assist in promoting the City's annual legislative agenda, and will attend legislative sessions, committee meetings, and working groups. The contract includes working with the City to draft and monitor legislation, as well as preparing periodic reports throughout the year updating City Council on the status of matters of interest. The City released a competitive ‘Request For Proposals’ (RFP) for the procurement of professional Legislative Services on August 25, 2021. The RFP closed on September 21, 2021 and three firms submitted bids. The Savannah First program was utilized during this procurement. All three firms possessed local representation- two firms contained members located within the City of Savannah and one firm was located within Chatham County.
The bid was advertised, opened, and reviewed. The contract term expires on November 8, 2022. This contract also includes one available annual renewal options. Delivery: As needed. Terms: Net 30 days. The bidders were:
L.B. Holland and Knight (1180 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA) and partner
SPR (824 Atlanta Street, Savannah, GA)(B) $102,000
The Vaquer Firm, LLC (2 Lachlan Lane, Savannah, GA)(D) $104,000
Ohio River South (201 E. Gaston Street, Savannah, GA 31401)(B) $ 75,000
A pre-proposal conference was not conducted. (B) indicates local, non-DBE owned business. (D) Indicates non-local, non-DBE business. Recommend approval.
Local available: Yes
Total sent: 661
Total received: 3
Vendor federally debarred/suspended: No

Recommendation

Approval

Contact
Joseph Shearouse, Assistant to the City Manager
Financial Impact
Expenditure of $102,000 from the General Fund
Review Comments
Attachments
Exhibit 1- Funding Verification - Legislative Services.pdf
Exhibit 2- Purchasing Notes - Legislative Services.pdf
Agenda Plus