Federal Public Affairs and Legislative Advocacy Counsel Services

The Vendor is required to provide federal public affairs council to represent institutional interests, develop strategy, promote legislative priorities, secure funding, support agency internships, and enhance reputation.
- Services include:
•    Legislative advocacy: advocate for the university's federal policy priorities as articulated by university leadership.
•    Information gathering and analysis: monitor, analyze, and report on federal legislative and regulatory developments impacting higher education and the university's specific interests.
•    Program support and enhancement: support and enhance the agency legislative internship program by identifying internship opportunities in state, connecting agencies and non-profit organizations in need of interns with the university's internship office, and helping to enhance the experience of university's student interns in state.
•    Relationship management: cultivate and maintain strong relationships with members of congress, their staff, and key agency officials. The firm should have business relationships with the executive branch and its reporting agencies.
•    Appropriations and funding: actively research and pursue opportunities for federal grants, earmarks, and other funding initiatives that support the university's research, teaching, student engagement, and other institutional priorities.  Effectively represent the university in the budget process.
•    Coalition building: identify and engage in relevant higher education advocacy coalitions and partnerships to amplify the university's voice.
•    Campus communication: regularly communicate with university leadership on the status of federal issues and provide guidance on engagement strategies.
•    Disclosure and compliance: ensure all lobbying activities comply with federal disclosure laws, including the lobbying disclosure act (LDA).

- Contract Period/Term: 1 year