Local 2620

POLITICAL DIRECTOR

AFSCME Local 2620

Health & Social Services Professional Employees
Request for Proposals from Individuals or Firms Interested in
Providing “Public Affairs Advocacy,” “Political Direction” and
“Communications”
Period of the Award of the Contract is from
September 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014.

Introduction
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2620, is an affiliate of the California Public Employees Council 57 and a member of the American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFLCIO). AFSFCME Local 2620 represents health and social services professional employees employed by the State of California. Members work for several departments including: The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, State Hospitals, Developmental Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Services, and Public Health. AFSCME Local 2620 members are a diverse group representing professionals in nine (9) major classifications and a number of smaller classification groups, all of which have unique and individual concerns. As a result, AFSCME Local 2620’s public advocacy and communication needs equally diverse and unique.

Pursuant to a fair and open process, AFSCME Local 2620 seeks Requests for Proposals (“RFP”) for the provision of public advocacy and communication services for a contract period of one (1) year beginning upon award of the contract, September 1, 2013 and ending September 30, 2014. All candidates are required to comply with legal standards of practice set forth by the State of California. The successful candidate must have significant experience in public advocacy, political direction and communications for labor organizations. The successful candidate will be working under the Executive Committee in conjunction with the Business Agents of the Local and members of the Government Affairs Committee. Finally, the successful candidate will provide AFSCME Local 2620 with services related, but not necessarily limited to:

1. Providing Advice and Consultation regarding AFSCME 2620 Legislation

a. Drafting legislation.
b. Reviewing the proposed State Budget for implications upon AFSCME Local 2620 members and the programs within which they work.
c. Gather background information on bills of interest to AFSCME 2620.
d. Develop support and opposition letters.
e. Notify relevant officers and committee chairs when high priority legislation is being heard in committee, place AFSCME officers and committee chairs on panels for relevant hearings.
f. Develop timely Grassroots Alerts for the 2620 website and to be emailed out to membership.

2. Legislative Meetings

a. Secure meetings with the Assembly and Senate leadership and relevant committees as needed.
b. Advocate with bill authors, committee staff and committee members on AFSCME 2620’s positions and views on relevant legislation throughout the legislative session.

3. Legislative Trainings/Conventions

a. Secure Legislators and legislative staff to speak at legislative trainings, held annually and/or as needed, and at the biannual convention.
b. Develop handouts and other training materials.
c. Update members on the political landscape in the Capitol and how to have their message heard by legislators and staff.

4.) Advocacy Days

a. Secure meetings in the Capitol for AFSCME 2620 members as needed.
b. Arrange legislators and staff to speak at trainings and legislative dinners held annually and/or as needed.
c. Develop materials for members to educate them about the legislative process and to discuss key AFSCME 2620 issues in meetings.
d. Coordinate the invitations, RSVPs, location, reporting requirements and other details for legislative reception with legislators and staff with the AFSCME 2620 team.
e. Secure a room in Capitol for debriefing of legislative visits.

5.) Government Affairs Committee Meetings

a. Develop an agenda and action items for Government Affairs Committee (GAC) meetings held monthly in Sacramento.
b. Research and compile AFSCME 2620’s bill list and provide to committee.
c. Provide background materials; email regular updates to GAC Chair.
d. Provide analysis at meetings and answer member questions related to political environment and issues.

6.) Political Strategy

a. Inform AFSCME 2620 leadership regarding political developments on an ongoing basis.
b. Create a questionnaire to send out to legislative candidates for any relevant 2014 elections. Make recommendations of legislators and candidates to support with campaign contributions and campaign assistance.
c. Develop 2014 candidates list.

AFSCME Local 2620 is requesting proposals from firms and/or individuals that have extensive experience in providing public affairs advocacy and communications for notforprofit organizations. Submission of a proposal must be postmarked by June 15, 2013 for consideration. Each candidate shall submit proof of business registration with the State of California and must comply with the Affirmative Action requirements.
A description of our organization, the services needed, and other pertinent information follows:

Background of AFSCME Local 2620
AFSCME Local 2620 is a California notforprofit labor organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a taxexempt organization pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. AFSCME Local 2620 employs no fulltime employees and is governed by volunteers. Council 57 provides administrative services to the Local. AFSCME Local 2620 maintains an inhouse GAC and a PAC (Political Action Committee), both of which report to the Executive Board for approval of their political programs and campaign contributions. Other services needed are obtained through contract with independent contracting agencies.

Our main sources of revenue are membership dues. A statewide convention is held every two years. Executive Committee meetings are held monthly and Executive Board meetings are held every two months.
The organization has a fiscal yearend, with a requirement to file an audited financial statement with the bank by November 1 of each year.

For more information, please visit our website at www.afscme2620.org.

Proposal Content
In order to simplify the evaluation process and obtain maximum comparability, AFSCME Local 2620 requires that all responses to the RFP be organized in the manner and format described below:

A. Professional Information and Qualifications

Name of Firm or Individual, address of principal place of business and all other offices and corresponding telephone and fax numbers. Description of the advocate/political director’s education, experience, qualifications, number of years with the firm and a description of their experience with projects similar to those described above.
 

B. Executive Summary

Describe your understanding of the work to be performed for AFSMCE Local 2620 and your firm’s ability to perform the work within the time frame
provided.

C. Professional Experience

Describe how and why your firm or you is/are different from other firms/individuals being considered. This should include an explanation of the
firm’s philosophy, size, structure, and qualifications with serving not for profit organizations with a similar size and operations. Describe the available resources devoted to not for profit labor organizations and provide copies of newsletters or other resource materials addressing issues relevant to not for profit organizations. Discuss the firm’s/your independence with respect to AFSCME Local 2620 and other relevant labor organizations.

D. Team Qualifications

Identify the specific partners, managers, and incharge staff in your firm or associated with you who will be assigned to this engagement if you are
successful in your bid. Provide their/your bio(s) specifying relevant experience with the type of services requested. Also discuss commitments you make to staff continuity, including your staff turnover experience in the last three years, if relevant, or your contract turnover if operating independently.

E. Public Policy Advocacy and Communications Approach

Describe how your firm/you will approach the proposed services, including the use of affiliates or staff from other locations, areas that will receive primary emphasis, and the type of assistance that will be required from AFSCME Local 2620’s Board. Also discuss the firm’s/your use of technology. Finally, discuss the communication process used by the firm/you to discuss issues with the Government Affairs Chair, the Executive Committee and the Executive Board.

F. Fees

Please provide a firm estimate of fees for the services to be provided. It has been AFSCME Local 2620’s practice for the Board to negotiate a fee for services each year prior to such services being rendered. Given that the time required in the first year will be more substantial than subsequent years, please feel free to include the fees for subsequent years, if there is a significant differential in cost from year one as well as provide any guarantees that can be made regarding fee increases in future years.

G. Client References

Include a list of at least four (4) references, three (3) of which must have knowledge of your service to a labor organization or notfor profit group, that the firm/you served within the past three (3) years and furnish the names and telephone numbers of any references that we may contact.

H. Additional Information

Please provide any additional information, not specifically requested, but which you believe would be useful in evaluating your proposal. Proposal Timetable RFP distributed June 15, 2013.

One (1) original and one (1) digital copy of written proposals due to AFSCME Local 2620 by July 15, 2013.
The Executive Committee and Government Affairs Chair will contact applicants to schedule interviews/presentations in late July 2013.
Finalists will make presentations to the September 2013 Executive Board meeting on September 21, 2013.
Public Advocacy/Political Direction/Communications firm/individual selected and notified by September 27, 2013 to begin work starting October 1, 2014.

Evaluation of Proposals
The selection criteria used in awarding a contract or agreement for professional services as described herein shall include the following criteria:
1. Cost competitiveness;
2. Prior experience working with similar notforprofit organizations;
3. Qualifications of the individuals who will perform the tasks and the amounts of their respective participation;
4. Ability to perform the task in a timely fashion, including staffing and familiarity with the subject matter;
5. Public Advocacy/Communication firm’s understanding of the work to be performed;
6. Experience and references; and
7. Completeness and timeliness of the proposal.

Key Contacts
Following are key contacts for information you may seek in preparing your proposal:

L. Sean Carey, LCSW, President
president@afscme2620.org
(760) 9549749.

Elaina Jannell, PhD, Chair, Government Affairs Committee
gacchair@afscme2620.org
5109132917

Submission Requirements

The RFQ must be received no later than the above stated time and date and sent to:

Elaina Jannell, PhD, Chair, Government Affairs Committee
c/o Cliff Tillman, Sr. Business Agent
Council 57
2150 River Plaza Drive #275
Sacramento, CA 95833

Phone: (916) 9231860
or (925) 6879127

Please submit one (1) original and one (1) digital copy of the RFQ. The original will be issued using standard white 8 ½” x 11” paper.