City Manager’s Office
www.santa-ana.org/cm
Item # 9
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
February 3, 2026
TOPIC: Federal Legislative Advocacy Services
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement with Manatt Government Strategies, LLC for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services (Specification No. 25-143) (General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Manatt Government Strategies LLC for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services for a three-year term in an amount not to exceed $352,800, from March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2029 with the option for two (2) one-year extensions for a total not to exceed amount of $588,000. (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX)
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
Legislative advocacy firms, often referred to as lobbyists, are an essential tool for local governments to assess state and federal legislation. They assist in identifying grant funding opportunities, tracking policy developments, and ensuring that local interests are represented in an increasingly complex legislative environment. Manatt Government Strategies LLC will help the City identify projects and issues that require federal legislative, agency, programmatic, appropriations/budgetary, or regulatory solutions.
They will maintain communication with Congress and the Administration to strengthen relationships and achieve the City’s federal objectives. Additionally, they will keep the City informed about federal legislation, regulations, and policy developments.
Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 25-143 was issued on December 1, 2025, on the City’s online bid management and publication system. A summary of vendor participation and results is as follows:
Federal Legislative Advocacy Services
February 3, 2026
5 5
4 7
260 Vendors notified
0 Santa Ana vendors notified
20 Vendors downloaded the RFP packet
2 Responsive Proposals received
0 Proposals received from Santa Ana vendors
Proposals were solicited, opened on December 22, 2025, and evaluated. Two (2) proposals were submitted by the RFP deadline and were determined to be responsive to the specifications and met the City’s requirements. An evaluation committee reviewed and rated the proposals according to the criteria listed in the RFP. The following summarizes the responsive firms and their rankings:
Firm Rank Score
Manatt Government Strategies 1 93.00
David Turch & Associates 2 68.33
Staff recommends awarding a contract to the highest-ranked firm, Manatt Government Strategies, LLC (Exhibit 1). Manatt is a trusted and experienced firm specializing in federal legislative advocacy and has a proven track record with the City of Santa Ana.
Staff finds that Manatt meets all necessary criteria to provide the federal advocacy services required by the City.
Additionally, the same team that previously served the City under its former contractor, Holland & Knight LLP, has transitioned to Manatt and will continue to support the City under this agreement. In prior work for the City with Holland & Knight LLP, the same team helped secure a $25 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant for the Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation Project, and nearly $10 million in earmarks, including earmarks for security enhancements at the Downtown parking garages on 5th Street, the Alternative Response Program (QOLT), Chepa’s Park Renovation, PFAS Water Treatment, and Euclid Street Rehabilitation projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is available in the current FY 2025-26 budget. Funding for subsequent years and renewal years will be included in the proposed budgets for City Council consideration. The table below shows the breakdown for the three-year term and the renewal options. This agreement includes a termination clause authorizing the City to terminate the agreement at any time upon thirty (30) days written notice.
Federal Legislative Advocacy Services
February 3, 2026
5 5
4 7
Fiscal
Year
Department Accounting
Unit –
Account #
Fund
Description
Accounting
Unit, Account
Description
Amount
FY 25-26
City
Manager’s
Office
01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council
Service
Enhancement
$39,200
FY 26-27 City
Manager’s
Office
01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council
Service
Enhancement
$117,600
FY 27-28 City
Manager’s
Office
01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council
Service
Enhancement
$117,600
FY 28-29 City
Manager’s
Office
01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council
Service
Enhancement
$117,600
FY 29-30 City
Manager’s
Office
01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council
Service
Enhancement
$117,600
FY 30-31 City
Manager’s
Office
01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council
Service
Enhancement
$78,400
TOTAL $588,000
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement with Manatt Government Strategies LLC
Submitted By: Sylvia Vazquez, Deputy City Manager
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager