City Manager’s Office
www.santa-ana.org/cm
Item # 10
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
February 3, 2026
TOPIC: State Legislative Advocacy Services
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for State Legislative Advocacy Services (Specification No. 25-142) (General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. for State Legislative Advocacy Services for a three-year term, 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 $375,000. (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. Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) will represent the City’s interests before members of the State Assembly and State Senate, state agencies, and other stakeholders. They will identify potential legislative issues or opportunities relevant to the City, and help position the City to benefit from new laws, regulations, policies, programs, or funding opportunities.
Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 25-142 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:
260 Vendors notified
0 Santa Ana vendors notified
12 Vendors downloaded the RFP packet
2 Responsive Proposals received
0 Proposals received from Santa Ana vendors
State Legislative Advocacy Services
February 3, 2026
5 5
4 8
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
Townsend Public Affairs 1 91.00
Silverling Advocacy Inc. 2 66.00
Staff recommends awarding an agreement to the highest-ranked firm, Townsend Public Affairs (Exhibit 1). Townsend Public Affairs brings more than two decades of institutional knowledge, trusted relationships, and a proven track record of delivering tangible outcomes that advance the City’s policy and funding priorities.
In partnership with the City, TPA has secured $80,166,102 in competitive funding, including $3,690,885 through the Homeless Emergency Aid Grant Program (2018), $8,579,777 from the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Grant Program (2019), $4,000,000 from the State Budget for youth facilities improvements (2021), and most recently, $400,000 through a Caltrans Deferred Maintenance Agreement for homeless encampment cleanup (2025).
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.
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
$25,000
FY 26-27 City
Manager’s
Office
01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council
Service
Enhancement
$75,000
State Legislative Advocacy Services
February 3, 2026
5 5
4 8
FY 27-28 City
Manager’s
Office
01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council
Service
Enhancement
$75,000
FY 28-29 City
Manager’s
Office
01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council
Service
Enhancement
$75,000
FY 29-30 City
Manager’s
Office
01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council
Service
Enhancement
$75,000
FY 30-31 City
Manager’s
Office
01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council
Service
Enhancement
$50,000
TOTAL $375,000
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs
Submitted By: Sylvia Vazquez, Deputy City Manager
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager