CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
TELEPHONE: (408) 777-3212
CUPERTINO.GOV
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Date: January 21, 2026
Subject
Approve a Sixth Amendment with Joe A. Gonsalves and Son to provide State Legislative Advocacy Services, increasing the contract amount by $45,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $244,750, and extend the contract date to October 31, 2026, and authorize the City Manager to proceed with the RFP using the proposed criteria and scoring methodology.
Recommended Action
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Sixth Amendment reinstating the agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves and Son to provide State Legislative Advocacy Services, increasing the contract amount by $45,000 for a new total not-to-exceed contract amount of $244,750, and authorize the City Manager to proceed with the RFP using the proposed criteria and scoring methodology.
Background
In 2022, the City entered into an agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves and Son to provide State Legislative Advocacy Services after soliciting an informal Request for Proposals (RFP). From 2022-2025, the agreement has been amended periodically, as shown below, to extend the term, modify the scope, and/or adjust compensation to reflect ongoing service needs.
Reasons for Recommendation and Available Options
In September, staff initiated an RFP process for ongoing Legislative Support Services. Soon thereafter, staff concluded that this competitive process to select a lobbyist would benefit with input from Council on specific selection and scoring criteria to retain the most qualified lobbyist.
While RFPs are typically administered by staff, this RFP is an exception because the City’s lobbyist works closely and directly with the City Council on legislative priorities, strategy, and advocacy. Thus, the decision was made to reissue a new RFP in summer 2026 after seeking City Council input on selection criteria and scoring methodology to help ensure the selected firm meets Council’s expectations and supports the City’s legislative objectives.
To ensure continuity of lobbyist support for the 2026 Legislative Session, staff is recommending continuing the agreement with the existing lobbyist through October 31, 2026, and increase the total not-to-exceed contract amount by $45,000, from $199,750 to $244,750. As the amended total exceeds the $220,000 authorization threshold established by the City’s Municipal Code, staff is bringing this for City Council approval.
This extension will allow the City to prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) for future State Legislative Advocacy Services with City Council approved selection criteria. This RFP is expected to be released in late Summer 2026.
Next Steps
Staff is seeking input on the proposed selection criteria and scoring methodology (shown below), which are consistent with legislative advocacy RFPs previously issued with the City. Once the RFP is underway in summer, staff will inform City Council of the process and may request further Council involvement, as needed.
Proposed Selection Criteria
Possible Points
1. Firm Description, Qualifications and Experience
10 2.
Project Team, Qualifications and Experience
30 3.
Legislative Experience
30 4.
Proposed Work Plan and Approach
30 Total Possible Points
100
Sustainability Impact
No sustainability impact.
Fiscal Impact
State Legislative Advocacy Services are budgeted annually in the City Manager’s Office Administration budget with a current Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 budget allocation of $61,920 in GL account 100-12-120 700-702.
City Work Program (CWP) Item/Description
None
Council Goals:
Fiscal Strategy
California Environmental Quality Act
No California Environmental Quality Act impact.
_____________________________________
Prepared by: Astrid Robles, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Kirsten Squarcia, Interim Deputy City Manager Floy Andrews, Interim City Attorney
Approved for Submission by: Tina Kapoor, City Manager
Attachments:
A – Draft Amendment