Federal Lobbying Services
| Bidders ID: | NBD12271608903655729 |
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| Due Date: | Jul 22, 2026 |
| Posted Date: | Jun 29, 2026 |
| Level of Government: | State & Local |
| State: | North Carolina |
| Agency: | State Government of North Carolina |
| Category: |
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| Solicitation Number: | 1012-27-001 |
| Source: | Members Only |
| Solicitation Number: | 1012-27-001 |
| Project Title: | Federal Lobbying Services |
| Description: | Federal Lobbying Services |
| Opening Date: | 7/22/2026 2:00 PM |
| Posted Date: | 6/29/2026 |
| Status: | Open |
| Department: | GOTRIANGLE |
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Solicitation Number
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1012-27-001
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Department
GOTRIANGLE
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Status Reason
Open
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Opening Date
2026-07-22T14:00:00.0000000
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Posted Date
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2026-06-29T13:13:17.0000000Z
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Primary Commodity Code
Political representation and participation
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Mandatory Conference/Site Visit
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Special Instructions
Bid Agent: dnunnally@gotriangle.org
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Solicitation Type
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Select RFP IFB RFI
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Owner
Dean Nunnally
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Description
Federal Lobbying Services
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Attachment Preview
Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 1012-27-001 for
Federal Lobbying Services
Research Triangle Regional Public Transportation Authority dba GoTriangle (GoTriangle), as
authorized under the N.C.G.S. §160A-610, is seeking to establish a contract for the above-
referenced services.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) document is available for download in the State of North
Carolina electronic Vendor Portal https://evp.nc.gov, and on the GoTriangle’s website:
https://gotriangle.org/procurement
Publish Date:
June 29, 2026
Pre-Offer Conference:
A Pre-Offer Conference will not be held.
Submission Date & Time: July 22, 2026, by 2:00 pm local NC time
For detail timeline, refer to the Instructions to Offerors Section 1. Anticipated Procurement Schedule.
Submission Location:
Via email to:
Dean Nunnally, Procurement Officer
Email: DNunnally@gotriangle.org
Instructions for preparing and submitting a proposal are provided in the Instructions to
Offerors Section 4. Contents of Submittal of this document. To be considered responsive
and responsible, offerors must submit all required items specified in that section.
All Inquiries regarding this solicitation shall be submitted to:
Dean Nunnally, Procurement Officer at DNunnally@gotriangle.org or by phone at 919-485-7481
LATE PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
GOTRIANGLE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY OR ALL PROPOSALS.
Page 1 of 43
RFP No. 1012-27-001 Federal Lobbying Services
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
SCOPE OF SERVICES.......................................................................................................................................... 4
1. Strategic Federal Affairs Plan .................................................................................................................... 4
2. Congressional Engagement ....................................................................................................................... 5
3. Surface Transportation Reauthorization ................................................................................................... 5
4. Annual Appropriations ............................................................................................................................... 6
5. Competitive Discretionary Grant Programs.............................................................................................. 6
6. Federal Agency Engagement ..................................................................................................................... 6
7. Political and Electoral Environment .......................................................................................................... 7
8. Reporting and Communication.................................................................................................................. 7
9. Federal Lobbying Compliance ................................................................................................................... 7
10. Personnel .................................................................................................................................................... 8
11. Conflicts of Interest.................................................................................................................................... 8
TERMS AND CONDITIONS................................................................................................................................. 9
1. Services....................................................................................................................................................... 9
2. Contract Term............................................................................................................................................. 9
3. Invoicing and Compensation ..................................................................................................................... 9
4. Changes in the Services ........................................................................................................................... 10
5. Conflict of Interest.................................................................................................................................... 10
6. Contract Termination ............................................................................................................................... 10
7. Transition Assistance ............................................................................................................................... 12
8. Indemnification and Hold Harmless........................................................................................................ 13
9. Dispute Resolution ................................................................................................................................... 14
10. Choice of Law / Forum ............................................................................................................................. 14
11. Insurance .................................................................................................................................................. 14
12. Independent Contractor........................................................................................................................... 15
13. Accuracy of Financial Statements .......................................................................................................... 15
14. Non-Discrimination.................................................................................................................................. 15
15. Covenant Against Contingent Fees ......................................................................................................... 15
16. Delegation and Assignment ..................................................................................................................... 16
17. Nonwaiver................................................................................................................................................. 16
18. Merger ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
19. Reference.................................................................................................................................................. 16
20. Contractor’s Personnel............................................................................................................................ 16
21. Certification on Israel Boycott ................................................................................................................. 16
22. Notices...................................................................................................................................................... 17
23. No Third-Party Rights ............................................................................................................................... 17
24. Severability ............................................................................................................................................... 17
25. Survivorship .............................................................................................................................................. 18
26. Attachments ............................................................................................................................................. 18
27. Separate Counterparts ............................................................................................................................ 18
28. Iran Divestment Act.................................................................................................................................. 18
29. E-Verify...................................................................................................................................................... 19
30. Debarment Policy ..................................................................................................................................... 19
31. Force Majeure........................................................................................................................................... 19
32. Operational Continuity ............................................................................................................................. 19
33. Intellectual Property and Work Product.................................................................................................. 19
INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS...................................................................................................................... 22
1. Anticipated Procurement Schedule ........................................................................................................ 22
2. Questions and Clarifications ................................................................................................................... 22
3. Exceptions to Terms and Conditions ...................................................................................................... 22
4. Contents of Submittal .............................................................................................................................. 23
Page 2 of 43
RFP No. 1012-27-001 Federal Lobbying Services
5. Questions and Clarifications ........................................................................................................................ 25
6. Selection Procedures............................................................................................................................... 25
7. Evaluation ................................................................................................................................................. 25
8. Public Records and Proprietary Information........................................................................................... 26
9. Contractual Relationships ....................................................................................................................... 27
10. Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Participation......................................................................... 27
11. Modification and Withdrawal of Proposals............................................................................................. 27
12. Proposal Rejection / Reserved Rights ..................................................................................................... 27
13. News Releases......................................................................................................................................... 28
14. Identifying Conflicts of Interest................................................................................................................ 28
15. Protest Procedures .................................................................................................................................. 28
ATTACHMENTS................................................................................................................................................... 30
Attachment A - Offeror Form ............................................................................................................................ 31
Attachment B - Cost Proposal .......................................................................................................................... 32
Attachment C - Insurance Requirements......................................................................................................... 33
Attachment D - References............................................................................................................................... 36
Attachment E - Iran Divestment Act Certification ........................................................................................... 37
Attachment F - E-Verify Employer Compliance Statement ............................................................................ 38
Attachment G - Certification Regarding Conflict of Interest........................................................................... 39
Attachment H - Boycott of Israel Divestment Act Certification ..................................................................... 40
Attachment I - Conformance Statements ........................................................................................................ 41
Attachment I1 - Exceptions Form ..................................................................................................................... 42
Attachment J - RFP Response Checklist .......................................................................................................... 43
Page 3 of 43
RFP No. 1012-27-001 Federal Lobbying Services
Background
GoTriangle operates a system of regional fixed-route bus service, paratransit (GoTriangle ACCESS),
vanpool, and rideshare-matching programs. It also performs regional planning, capital project
delivery, and grants administration. GoTriangle is a direct recipient of federal financial assistance
from the Federal Transit Administration (“FTA”) and a participant in the federal grants programs
administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (“USDOT”).
Federal programs and investments are key components of GoTriangle’s capital and operating
budgets. The agency’s federal priorities during the anticipated contract term include, without
limitation: (i) preservation and growth of formula funding under 49 U.S.C. §§ 5307, 5337, and 5339;
(ii) competitive funding for fleet renewal and bus facility investment, including under the Bus and Bus
Facilities Competitive Program (49 U.S.C. § 5339(b)) and the Low or No Emission Grant Program (49
U.S.C. § 5339(c)); (iii) support and potential pursuit of Capital Investment Grants (49 U.S.C. § 5309)
funding for eligible fixed-guideway bus investments; (iv) Community Project Funding (congressional
earmark) requests; and (v) other discretionary funding for which GoTriangle is or may become
eligible.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58), which authorizes federal surface
transportation programs through fiscal year 2026, expires September 30, 2026. The anticipated
contract term will span the next surface transportation reauthorization and multiple federal
appropriations cycles.
Scope of Services
The Consultant shall have demonstrated success representing public transit agencies and local
governments before the U.S. Congress, USDOT, FTA, and other federal departments and agencies
whose decisions affect public transportation.
The Consultant shall perform the services described below at the direction of GoTriangle’s President
and Chief Executive Officer (or designee), in coordination with GoTriangle’s Office of the General
Counsel and grants administration staff.
The Consultant shall demonstrate the experience, relationships, and capacity to deliver each of the
following functions, and shall perform other related tasks reasonably requested by GoTriangle during
the term. The tasks identified below are illustrative of the work expected under this engagement and
are not exhaustive. Tasks include, but are not limited to, those listed below.
1. Strategic Federal Affairs Plan
1.1. Within sixty (60) days of the contract execution, deliver a written Federal Affairs Plan setting
forth the Consultant’s recommended strategy for the contract term, including
identification of GoTriangle’s federal funding priorities, key authorizing and appropriations
Page 4 of 43
RFP No. 1012-27-001 Federal Lobbying Services
milestones, target Members of Congress and committee staff, and target federal agency
officials.
1.2. Update the Federal Affairs Plan at the convening of each new Congress and at the start of
each federal fiscal year, and amend it as warranted by changes in administration,
congressional leadership, FTA leadership, or GoTriangle’s project and policy priorities.
2. Congressional Engagement
2.1. Maintain regular, substantive contact with the offices of the United States Senators from
North Carolina; the Members of Congress representing GoTriangle’s service area (currently
the 2nd, 4th, and 13th Congressional Districts of North Carolina); any relevant Members of
Congress representing districts adjacent to GoTriangle’s service area (currently the 1st,
3rd, and 9th Congressional Districts of North Carolina); and the leadership and staff of the
authorizing and appropriations committees of jurisdiction, including the Senate
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; the Senate Committee on Environment
and Public Works; the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; the Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
(THUD); and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on THUD.
2.2. Arrange, prepare for, and accompany GoTriangle’s Board of Trustees, executive leadership,
and staff at meetings in Washington, D.C., in-state, and in-district, including in connection
with industry advocacy events such as the APTA Legislative Conference.
2.3. Draft and edit talking points, briefing memoranda, leave-behinds, follow-up
correspondence, and other engagement materials for use by GoTriangle’s principals.
2.4. Seek opportunities for GoTriangle representatives to testify before House and Senate
committees and subcommittees on matters affecting public transportation in growing
urban regions.
3. Surface Transportation Reauthorization
3.1. Develop and execute strategies and tactics to advance GoTriangle’s priorities in the next
surface transportation authorization (successor to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act), including, without limitation: growth of formula funding to which GoTriangle currently
receives; preservation and improvement of the Capital Investment Grants Program;
preservation and growth of bus and bus facility funding programs; and policy changes
affecting GoTriangle’s program eligibility, project delivery, and long-term financial
sustainability.
3.2. Provide timely written analysis of introduced legislation, committee prints, manager’s
amendments, and conference reports, with specific assessments of impact on GoTriangle.
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