Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: MARLON RAMIREZ, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
D ATE: MAY 27, 2025
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE FERGUSON GROUP, LLC FOR
FEDERAL ADVOCACY SERICES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider approving a one-year extension to the professional services agreement with The Ferguson Group (TFG) for continued federal advocacy services. The firm has effectively supported the City’s legislative and funding priorities by providing grant assistance, coordinating federal agency engagement, and facilitating a Washington, D.C. advocacy trip. The extension will allow the City to maintain continuity in its federal advocacy efforts through Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1, an extension of the Professional Services Agreement with The Ferguson Group for federal advocacy services, for an additional one-year term through June 30, 2026, by exercising the one-year optional term of $74,000.
BACKGROUND
In April 2024, the City of Downey issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services. The RFP was publicly released on April 25, 2024, and proposals were due on May 24, 2024. The City received a total of five (5) proposals. A selection panel composed of City staff members reviewed and scored all proposals based on experience, approach, qualifications, cost, and responsiveness to the City's scope of work.
Following the evaluation of written proposals, the top two (2) firms were invited to participate in interviews in June 2024. TFG was selected as the most qualified firm based on its experience with similarly sized jurisdictions, depth of federal relationships, and overall strategic approach. TFG’s proposed cost of $74,000 per year was also competitive
APPROVED BY
CITY MANAGER
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE
FERGUSON GROUP, LLC
MAY 27, 2025
PAGE 2
with the other bidders. The City entered into a professional services agreement with TFG in July 2024 for federal advocacy services.
Following execution of the agreement, TFG conducted meetings with all City departments to gain a thorough understanding of departmental needs and citywide priorities. TFG subsequently developed a federal advocacy work plan tailored to the City’s goals and began providing the following services:
• Regular updates on federal funding opportunities and legislative developments • Monitoring and analysis of developments under the new federal administration • Strategic connections with federal agencies aligned with City priorities • Technical assistance on Community Project Funding (CPF) and earmark requests • Technical assistance on competitive federal grant submissions • Bi-weekly coordination meetings with City staff to review work plan progress
In March 2025, TFG organized and facilitated a City delegation visit to Washington, D.C., during which City representatives met with Congressman Robert Garcia, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, and their congressional staff, as well as senior officials from the Bureau of Reclamation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and the Federal Railroad Administration. These meetings were productive and helped elevate the City’s funding priorities. Staff continues to build upon the relationships and momentum established during those meetings.
ANALYSIS
TFG has delivered consistent and high-quality federal advocacy services, helping to expand the City’s presence in Washington, D.C., and strengthen its ability to pursue competitive funding. Its assistance in navigating the changing federal landscape, coupled with its guidance on funding programs and agency engagement, has been timely and strategic.
It is important to note that the broader federal environment continues to evolve rapidly, with shifts in agency priorities, program guidelines, and funding mechanisms under the current administration. These factors, coupled with the long lead time often required for federal funding and policy influence, make it challenging to fully quantify the impact of advocacy efforts at this stage. However, based on the quality of support provided to date, including technical assistance, access to key federal staff, and the organization of a productive D.C. advocacy visit, staff believes The Ferguson Group has performed effectively and is well-positioned to continue advancing the City’s federal priorities.
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE
FERGUSON GROUP, LLC
MAY 27, 2025
PAGE 3
Given the progress made under the current agreement and the continued importance of consistent federal representation, staff recommends exercising the one-year optional extension clause to continue services from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Fiscal Responsibility
Economic Vibrancy
Efficiency & Adaptability
Quality of Life, Safety & Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended action will result in an expenditure of $74,000 in FY 2025- 2026, bringing the cumulative two-year total to $148,000. Funding is allocated from the General Fund, Account No. 10-4-1210-0700, under the City Manager’s Office. This amount was previously approved in the FY 2024-2025 Operating Budget and is budgeted in the FY 2025-2026 Proposed Operating Budget.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A: Amendment No. 1 – Professional Services Agreement with The Ferguson Group