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<br />Professional Services Agreement <br />Page 14 <br />Grant Guide <br />Based on Contractor understanding of the County’s goals for the I-90 Corridor, <br />Contractor proactively compiled a Grant Funding Guide in January that includes <br />relevant information on potential federal funding sources for the planning and <br />construction of an expansion of I-90. Contractor will build upon this initial set of grants <br />after meeting with County officials and partners and after Contractor has a more <br />detailed understanding of specific County needs. <br /> <br />Regional Coalition Building <br />With a project with the magnitude of the I-90 Corridor Project, having support from the <br />local and regional communities will be critical to success. Contractor will work with <br />County to develop and organize a coalition of public agencies, regional organization, <br />private entities, and other interested parties who are in support of the I-90 project and its <br />impacts to the community, region, and state. This coalition will serve as the driving force <br />for grass roots advocacy in support of the project as well as establishing a network of <br />project partners and a framework for information sharing and data collection. Contractor <br />will be responsible for identifying potential stakeholders, performing outreach to those <br />stakeholders, and developing the organizational structure of the coalition. <br />Once the coalition is established, Contractor will work with members to establish the <br />“face” and brand of the coalition, marking the coalition as an entity. Efforts in this regard <br />could include developing a logo to be used in the development of future outreach <br />materials. This brand will help establish the coalition as an entity and will be used in <br />grassroots advocacy efforts locally, regionally, at the state level, and in Washington, <br />DC. <br /> <br />Project Advocacy <br />Contractor will work with Kittitas County to develop an advocacy strategy that draws <br />upon the strengths of the County and its regional partners. If developed, the regional <br />coalition will be instrumental in this regard. Contractor anticipates that federal <br />transportation programs will be a main target of funding for the I-90 project. In this <br />regard, advocacy in Washington DC will be critical. Contractor practices a cooperative <br />team approach to advocacy in which the County is an integral part of the education and <br />advocacy process in Washington, DC. Contractor will work closely with County to <br />identify the best timing, audience, and message when County staff and coalition <br />members are in Washington, DC. Contractor encourages the County to make at least <br />one trip to Washington, DC annually to meet with their congressional delegations and <br />relevant federal agencies. An additional trip may be warranted depending on the <br />progress of County and coalition objectives. <br /> <br />Contractor’s team will prepare meeting materials, provide recommended talking points, <br />brief County staff and coalition members in advance, discuss political strategies, and <br />answer all questions to help optimize effectiveness during advocacy meetings and <br />otherwise. Contractor will make all arrangements for the most effective use of time, <br />resources, and effort. Contractor will personally guide County staff and coalition