TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 18, 2025
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase orders and enter into agreements for Contract 25-RFP-16, State Legislative Consulting Services, with Paul L. Williams & Associates, P.C. in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, Blaida and Associates LLC in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, and McGuireWoods Consulting in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, Account 101-15000-612430, Requisitions 1641566, 1641567, 1641568, 1641569 (As Revised)
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Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue purchase orders and enter into agreements with Paul L. Williams & Associates, P.C., Blaida and Associates LLC, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, and McGuireWoods Consulting for state legislative consulting services.
This Request for Proposal is for services of state legislative consultants to work with the District’s legislative liaison and staff to develop and facilitate the District’s annual state legislative program.
Contract 25-RFP-16 was advertised on July 17, 2025. Bid proposals were received on September 19, 2025, from the following seven (7) firms: Blaida and Associates LLC, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, Fuentes Consulting, McGuireWoods Consulting, Paul L. Williams & Associates, P.C., Point of Difference Strategies, and Taft, Stettinius & Hollister.
The seven proposals were reviewed and evaluated by a panel consisting of one member each from Procurement, Law, and Treasury, and two members from General Administration. The proposals were rated on understanding and approach to the scope of work, consultant technical competence, and cost of services. All proposers were then invited to give presentations to the evaluation panel. The presentations were rated on understanding and approach to the scope of work and consultant technical competence.
During the Best and Final Offer (BAFO) portion of the RFP process, the BAFO document received from Fuentes Consulting consisted only of a signed BAFO cost proposal signature page. Fuentes Consulting failed to submit a completed cost proposal spreadsheet. Therefore, the BAFO was considered non-responsive, and their proposal received on September 19, 2025, was deemed non-responsive and rejected.
Based on the technical review, finalist interviews, and Best and Final Offers submitted for the remaining six proposers, the evaluation team determined that Paul L. Williams & Associates, P.C., Blaida and Associates LLC, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, and McGuireWoods Consulting are the firms most responsive and advantageous to the District. These consultants possess a strong understanding of the District’s needs, goals, and objectives, and their experience with the legislative process in the Illinois General Assembly makes them well qualified to provide the required services.
The agreements will begin upon Board approval and execution of agreements and purchase orders and will continue for approximately six (6) months during the 2026 Illinois General Assembly and veto session. There is an option to extend the services for two (2) additional General Assembly and veto sessions at the same monthly fee. The monthly fee will remain fixed during the entire contract period. The option to extend is at the sole discretion of the District and will be approved by the Board of Commissioners.
Appendix A was not included in this RFP because the estimate is less than the minimum threshold established by Section 4 of the Affirmative Action Ordinance.
Inasmuch as Paul L. Williams & Associates, P.C., Blaida and Associates LLC, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, and McGuireWoods Consulting possess a high degree of professional skills, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement & Materials Management be authorized to issue purchase orders and enter into agreements per Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act, in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 each for Paul L. Williams & Associates, P.C., Blaida and Associates LLC, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, and McGuireWoods Consulting.
Funds are being requested in 2026 in the amount of $100,000.00 in Account 101-15000-612430. Funds for expenditures in 2026 are contingent upon the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s 2026 budget.
Requested, Shellie A. Riedle, Administrative Services Officer, CO:VA
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Precious Brady-Davis, Chairperson, Committee on Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for December 18, 2025
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