RFP - Lobbying Services - Amendment 1

Agency:	Alabama State
State:	Alabama
Type of Government:	State & Local
Posted Date:	Sep 3, 2026
Due Date:	Sep 9, 2026
Original Source:	Please Login to View Page
Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
Bid Documents:	Please Login to View Page

Description

RFP – Lobbying Services

August 25, 2026

Documents

Schedule

Deadline to Submit Questions: C.O.B. September 1, 2026.

APA Response to Questions: September 3, 2026.

RFP Submission: September 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST.

Attachment Preview

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT

RFP#: APA-2026-LOBBY-001

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND LOBBYING SERVICES

8/25/2026

Issued By

PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT

ALABAMA PORT AUTHORITY

Douglas C. Otto, Jr., P.E., Director & CEO

Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama

Professional Services Contract

Request for Qualifications and Proposals

Alabama Port Authority

RFP#: APA-2026-LOBBY-001

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND LOBBYING SERVICES

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Procurement Department of the Alabama Port Authority (APA) is hereby requesting proposals

from qualified federal government relations and lobbying firms to provide Federal Government

Relations and Lobbying Services on a competitive basis. The selected firm will serve as an

extension of the APA’s governmental affairs team and provide strategic advice, advocacy,

relationship development, and ongoing representation before the United States Congress, federal

agencies, and the Executive Branch.

All services are to be performed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and

regulations governing lobbying and government relations activities, including the federal Lobbying

Disclosure Act of 1995, as amended, and all applicable registration, disclosure, reporting, ethics, gift,

and conflict-of-interest requirements.

Proposals are being requested and this document constitutes the only solicitation. This solicitation

document and its legal terms, conditions, provisions, and clauses constitute the basis for the

resultant contract, which shall serve as the governing and controlling document.

The purpose of this solicitation is to obtain professional federal government relations and lobbying

services, beginning on the contract award signature date for a twelve (12) month Base Contract

Period, with the option to extend the contract term for four (4) additional twelve (12)-month periods,

at the sole discretion of the APA, all subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the APA.

The successful awardee will be notified in writing, not less than 60 calendar days prior to the end

date of an expiring contract period (base or option), of the APA’s notice of intent to exercise the next

option period.

There is no expressed or implied obligation for the APA to reimburse responding firms for any

expenses incurred in preparing proposals in response to this request.

Interested, qualified competing firms (hereinafter referred to as the “Offeror”) shall submit a proposal

demonstrating the Offeror’s ability to perform the work described herein. By submission of a

proposal, the Offeror agrees to all terms of this RFP.

It is the intent of the APA to award a single Firm Fixed-Price contract to the most qualified and

responsible Offeror. The APA reserves the right to reject any and all offers received in response to

this solicitation, in whole or in part, at its sole discretion, without penalty or obligation.

All times noted within this document are local times.

2.0 STATEMENT OF NEEDS

The APA is responsible for operating and developing Alabama’s public port facilities and advancing

projects that support Alabama’s economy, transportation infrastructure, national security,

international trade, and supply chain resilience. The APA seeks to obtain professional federal

government relations and lobbying services to develop and implement a proactive federal strategy

that advances the APA’s legislative, policy, funding, regulatory, and project-specific priorities before

the United States Congress, federal agencies, and the Executive Branch.

The APA anticipates that the selected firm will work closely with APA leadership, the Board of

Directors, and the APA’s state and federal affairs staff.

3.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

The APA intends to procure a qualified federal government relations and lobbying firm to represent

the APA’s interests before the federal government. This RFP and the resultant contract do not

preclude APA from procuring similar services by other means, nor does it guarantee the selected

Offeror any minimum amount of work beyond the base contract period.

3.1 Scope of Services

The full scope of services to be performed under this contract is detailed in Exhibit A - Statement of

Work. A summary of the principal services required is provided below.

Specific areas of work include, but are not limited to:

• Federal Legislative Advocacy: develop and implement a comprehensive federal legislative

strategy; monitor and advocate on appropriations, transportation, maritime, infrastructure, and

environmental legislation; and provide strategic advocacy regarding the Water Resources

Development Act (WRDA) and other authorizing legislation affecting the Port of Mobile and

Mobile Harbor.

• Federal Appropriations and Funding Advocacy: develop and execute an annual federal

appropriations strategy in coordination with APA staff and the Alabama Congressional

delegation, including Congressionally Directed Spending and other congressional funding

mechanisms.

• Federal Agency Relations: develop and maintain relationships with senior officials at federal

agencies whose programs, policies, funding, or regulatory actions affect the APA, including the

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration,

and U.S. Coast Guard.

• Congressional Relations and Delegation Coordination: maintain regular and effective working

relationships with Alabama’s Congressional delegation and appropriate Congressional

committees and staff.

• Strategic Policy and Legislative Counsel: provide strategic advice regarding emerging federal

policies and legislative proposals affecting ports, maritime transportation, freight mobility, rail,

navigation, dredging, and infrastructure.

• Coalition and Stakeholder Engagement, Federal Grants and Funding Intelligence, and

Meetings, Visits, and Advocacy Support, as detailed in Exhibit A.

• Deliverables and Reporting: monthly activity reports, legislative and policy updates,

appropriations and funding updates, priority tracking, strategic recommendations, meeting

preparation materials, and an annual federal advocacy strategy.

3.2 Procurement

The APA will use a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) Source Selection process for this

Professional Services Contract requirement. All responsible sources may submit a proposal, which

shall be considered by the APA. Annual option period renewals will be contingent upon satisfactory

performance and stability of pricing. This procurement is conducted as an open, advertised

solicitation. Upon award, the Alabama Port Authority will publish notice of the contract award on its

official website

3.3 Federal and State of Alabama Requirements

• Lobbying Disclosure Act: The Offeror must be registered, or must register promptly upon

award, under the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, as amended (2 U.S.C. § 1601 et

seq.), and shall maintain all registrations and disclosures required under federal law throughout

the term of the contract. The Offeror shall provide the APA with copies of applicable reports or

filings upon request.

• Byrd Amendment: The Offeror shall comply with the limitations on the use of appropriated

federal funds for lobbying set forth in 31 U.S.C. § 1352 and its implementing regulations. No

federal appropriated funds shall be used for lobbying activities under this contract, and the

Offeror shall complete disclosure certifications as required.

• Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer & Citizen Protection Act is applicable to any business

entity contracting with the APA. The Offeror must submit a completed Certificate of Compliance

with the Beason-Hammon Act as part of its proposal. The E-Verify website is available at:

http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc1185221678150.shtm.

• Alabama Ethics Law: The Offeror shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Alabama

Ethics Law, Ala. Code § 36-25-1 et seq., including any applicable registration and disclosure

requirements administered by the Alabama Ethics Commission.

• State of Alabama restrictions upon former employees soliciting, performing work, and/or

contracting projects with the State and APA apply to all respondents.

• The Offeror shall promptly disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest that could affect

its representation of the APA, including representation of other clients whose interests may be

adverse to the APA’s federal priorities.

3.4 Schedule

APA currently anticipates conducting this procurement in accordance with the following milestones.

This schedule is subject to revision and APA reserves the right to modify it at its sole discretion.

• Advertise RFP: Aug 25, 2026

• Deadline to submit questions: C.O.B. September 1, 2026

• APA Response to questions: September 3, 2026

• RFP Submission: September 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM Central Time

• Notification of Intent to Award Date: On or around September 29, 2026

Proposals shall be submitted electronically only. Hard copies will not be accepted or evaluated. E-

mail proposals to: ProcurementandContracting@alports.com. Please indicate “Federal Lobbying

Services” in the subject line.

Note: The contract must be executed within 10 days of the issuance of the Notice of Intent to Award.

3.5 APA’s Point of Contact

APA’s sole point of contact (POC) for matters related to this RFP shall be Terell Taylor, Contracting

Officer. APA’s POC is the only individual authorized to discuss the RFP with any interested parties,

including Respondents. All communications regarding this RFP shall be addressed in writing as

follows:

Alabama Port Authority

Attn: Terell Taylor, Contracting Officer

250 N Water Street

Mobile, AL 36602

Email: ProcurementandContracting@alports.com

APA disclaims the accuracy of information derived from any source other than the POC, and the use

of any such information is at the sole risk of the Offeror.

3.6 Acknowledgement of Receipt of RFP Revisions and/or Amendments

Offeror shall provide to APA the Acknowledgement of Revisions and/or Amendments set forth as

Attachment 1, signed by the Respondent’s Principal Officer, with the submission of the proposal

package. All amendments shall be acknowledged via signature on each numbered amendment

form.

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

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RFP - Lobbying Services - Amendment 1

Description

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