Key West City Manager Bypasses Rankings in Lobbying Contract Selection
City Manager Brian Barroso recommends negotiating with a third-ranked lobbying firm, despite higher numerical scores from the evaluation committee.
City Manager Brian Barroso is expected to recommend the City of Key West award its state and federal lobbying contract to a firm that ranked third in a formal evaluation, bypassing higher-scoring competitors and raising questions about how numerical rankings are weighed in major professional-services procurements.
The recommendation is expected to be made at Tuesday’s City Commission meeting beginning at 1300 White Street at 9 a.m.
According to agenda back up materials obtained and reviewed by Above the Fold, under the city’s Request for Proposals No. 25-022 for state and federal lobbying services, an evaluation committee ranked Becker & Poliakoff first, Pittman Law Group second, and The Southern Group of Florida along with its federal affiliate TSG Advocates third, based on averaged numerical scores from three evaluators.
Despite those rankings, Barroso is recommending the city negotiate contracts with The Southern Group and TSG Advocates, citing the firms’ recent work for the city and their positioning to advance legislative and funding priorities at both the state and federal levels.
Why it matters
The recommendation places one of Florida’s most politically connected lobbying firms in line for a lucrative city contract despite finishing behind two competitors in formal scoring. The Southern Group’s leadership includes Kelly Cohen, managing partner of the firm’s Orlando office, who has been recognized IN 2024 by Orlando Magazine as one of the state’s most powerful attorneys — a distinction that places her in the same sphere of statewide legal and political influence as Mayanne Downs, whose consent is required for the City of Key West to execute the lobbying agreements.
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The evaluation committee consisted of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Liaison Todd Stoughton, Senior Grants administrator Carolyn Sheldon and Assistant City Manager Michael Turner, with Procurement Manager Lucas Torres-Bull serving as a non-voting representative.
Committee scoring placed Becker & Poliakoff highest overall, followed closely by Pittman Law Group, with Southern Group/TSG Advocates trailing both.
City documents show Barroso’s recommendation proceeds “notwithstanding the numerical ranking,” a provision allowed under the city’s procurement framework that permits the city manager to advance a lower-ranked proposer based on qualitative factors.
The recommendation was provided in a cover letter and minutes explaining the decision. It took the committee 23 minutes to evaluate, score and recommend the outcome.
Cost differences between proposals
The selection committee’s cost scores reflected meaningful differences in the firms’ proposed fees for lobbying services. Becker & Poliakoff submitted the lowest-priced proposal, which earned it 14.00 out of 15 points in the cost category. Pittman Law Group’s proposal was moderately higher, resulting in a mid-range cost score of 11.67. The Southern Group/TSG Advocates submitted the highest-cost proposal of the three, which translated into a significantly lower cost score of 7.67. While all three firms scored competitively on experience, qualifications, and institutional knowledge, the committee’s tabulation shows that price alone accounted for the largest numerical separation among the finalists.
If approved, the combined contracts would total approximately $240,000 annually, including $90,000 for state lobbying services and $150,000 for federal lobbying services.
Proposal materials state The Southern Group and TSG Advocates have represented the city for the past six months and emphasize continuity, existing relationships and ongoing advocacy as key advantages. Becker & Poliakoff and Pittman Law Group, both of which outscored Southern Group in the evaluation, would not advance to contract negotiations under the city manager’s recommendation.
The proposed agreements require authorization by the City Commission and execution by the city manager, subject to the consent of the City Attorney. Commissioners may accept Barroso’s recommendation, direct negotiations with a higher-ranked firm, or reopen the selection process.
The item is scheduled for Tue., Jan. 6 beginning at 9 a.m. at 1300 White Street. The meeting is open to the public and will be live streamed on the city website.