Exhibit 5 - Van Scoyoc Associates

Exhibit 5
RESPONSE TO GENERAL INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRE:
BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ADVOCACY SERVICES
Submitted by:
Van Scoyoc Associates
101 Constitution Ave., NW
Suite 600 West
Washington, DC 20001
Point of contact: Greg Burns
(202) 737 – 8162
(202) 638 – 7715 (fax)
[email protected]
February 25, 2015
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
Evaluation Criteria
1. Give an overview of the firm, list the names, titles, and describe the experience, qualifications and
other vital information of all key personnel that will be assigned to work on Broward County matters. If
the firm intends to use any subcontractors to perform services identified in Attachment A, then identify the
firm that will be providing services and describe in detail its lobbying experience, qualifications and its
specific engagement role in this contract.
Your answer should include an outline of each key person’s area of lobbying responsibility, including any
relevant lobbying experience on legislative or executive branch issues or projects performed for Broward
County or other similar urban local governments. (Refer to Attachments A and B in considering your
response).
Van Scoyoc Associates Company Information
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. (VSA) is a bipartisan, fullservice Federal Government relations firm that provides
comprehensive Legislative and Executive Branch strategic
advice, liaison services, and advocacy. VSA is known for
the knowledge and experience of its principals, which allow
VSA to develop and implement creative solutions to
seemingly intractable problems. We achieve results.
VSA’s clients include many public and private interests,
such as city and county governments, water and flood
control districts, public transportation agencies, major
research universities, defense contractors, hospitals, health
care and research consortia, economic development
authorities, and Fortune 500 companies.
VSA Offices and U.S. Capitol
VSA is comprised of roughly 20 Vice Presidents, many of
whom have held senior staff positions on Capitol Hill and in
the Executive branch. The Vice Presidents are supported by
44 staff members, nearly all of whom have also held
positions in Congressional offices and Federal agencies.
Including administrative and support staff, VSA currently
has 80 full-time employees. The strengths of our team
members, given their experience working with and in a
number of Federal agencies, will give the County an
excellent opportunity to respond proactively to the changing
climate in Washington and succeed via policy,
programmatic, and other opportunities.
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
History: H. Stewart “Stu” Van Scoyoc established VSA with “three employees, eight clients, a 5-pound
cell phone, and the desire to compete,” he likes to say. With annual client revenues in excess of $25
million, VSA is the foremost provider of Federal representation in Washington that is independent of a
larger law firm, public relations company, or other parent corporation.
Service: While our company is large, our core concepts make sure we tailor each government relations
campaign to fit the client’s needs and desires. VSA provides the human touch of a small entrepreneurial
firm by assigning specific principals and staff to each client. In the case of Broward County, Greg Burns
and John Anderson will serve as your main points of contact. However, the County will gain the
resources and knowledge of the entire firm. The team will be supported by Nate Potter and Sarah
Hanson.
Resources: VSA fosters a collaborative atmosphere, and several VSA principals have backgrounds that
give our clients useful experience on which to draw. VSA’s record of accomplishment, combined with
our principals’ hundreds of years of Legislative and Executive Branch experience, make VSA a powerful
advocate.
Balance: From its inauguration, VSA has carefully maintained a bipartisan balance. That commitment
makes VSA unusually effective today, when politics are more polarized than ever. Democrats and
Republicans in roughly equal numbers make up the staff and provide strong ties across party lines, in both
Congress and the Executive Branch.
Skill: Gone are the days when Washington representation meant simply shepherding a client’s proposal
through the appropriations process. Building a case before the Federal Government now calls for action
on a broad front. Long before the end of earmarks, we recognized that relevant policy issues, Federal
agency programs, relationship development, and agency grant and programmatic funding can have a
bigger and longer lasting impact on a community than a simple Federal earmark. While we sought
earmarks in the past with considerable success, this new era has truly highlighted our strengths in the
trenches, where legwork leads to real results for our clients.
Integrity: In today’s political atmosphere, a company offering Washington representation must be above
reproach. Van Scoyoc Associates and its affiliated companies will always represent the City in a
dignified and ethical manner. We strictly abide by the provisions of the Honest Leadership and Open
Government Act of 2007, including prohibitions on gifts, meals, and travel for elected officials and staff.
Location: VSA and its affiliate companies are located just steps from the Capitol at 101 Constitution
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001.
Many Clients Use VSA's Capitol Room for Events
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
Broward County – VSA Team
VSA Vice Presidents Greg Burns and John Anderson will lead the VSA team for Broward County. Mr.
Burns began his career on Capitol Hill and since then has represented both large and small local
government entities in Florida and elsewhere for more than 13 years. Currently, he represents more than
15 government entities in Florida, California, Texas, and Oregon, many of whom have a wide variety of
Corps of Engineers projects or regulatory issues. Mr. Burns also worked on behalf of Broward County
when with his former firm from 2002-2006, working closely with Steve Higgins, the former manager of
the County’s beach projects in the Department of Natural Resource Protection, giving him a solid base of
knowledge with respect to the County’s shoreline issues.
Meanwhile, John Anderson, who recently joined VSA, is the former Staff Director of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, with direct
responsibility for the Corps of Engineers. Prior to that experience, Mr. Anderson spent 26 years
working for the Corps in two District offices and Headquarters. That collective experience has allowed
Mr. Anderson to have a hand in drafting every Water Resources Development Act since 1990 and has left
him with deep relationships within the Corps of Engineers at all levels.
Sarah Hanson and Nate Potter, both of whom serve as Managers, Government Relations, will support the
team. Ms. Hanson and Mr. Potter both have lobbied on behalf of government entities for more than seven
years. Many clients for whom they work have Corps of Engineers projects and concerns. The team will
be overseen by VSA President and CEO “Stu” Van Scoyoc.
All personnel within this proposal are full-time employees of VSA. We do not anticipate utilizing subcontractors.
Greg Burns is a Vice President at Van Scoyoc Associates with an extensive
background in lobbying and politics, experience in a wide range of issues, an
insider’s view of the legislative process, and contacts throughout Washington.
Representing local and regional government entities and non-profits is a particular
interest of Mr. Burns, and it fits well with his emphasis on forging personal
connections with his clients and people in government.
“I like to spend a lot of time during the initial phases of a relationship, learning
about my clients and their specific challenges. I need to know a community or non-profit well before
representing it,” he said.
That attention to detail pays off in many ways. “I value the personal ties with my clients that develop
over time and generally become very strong,” Mr. Burns said.
Mr. Burns lobbies Congress and the Executive Branch on issues such as Federal funding, water resources,
transportation, economic development, public safety, and not-for-profit issues. His clients come from
states as diverse as Florida, California, Oregon, and Texas.
Mr. Burns believes that policy or programmatic victories can often have a bigger impact on a community
than a simple Federal earmark. And over the last few years, as earmarks have fallen out of favor, Mr.
Burns’ approach has been validated.
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
For example, he worked with one client to secure a two-year extension of the Preferred Risk Policy (PRP)
rate for residents who must purchase new Federal flood insurance. With more than 8,000 new residences
in the flood plain and PRP rates at least $1,000 lower than regular flood insurance rates, the community
may save nearly $16 million in collective flood insurance premiums over two years. As another client
said, their “successes with the Federal Government can be directly attributable to the efforts of Mr.
Burns.”
In the House of Representatives, Mr. Burns served on the legislative staff of former Rep. Darlene Hooley
of Oregon, where he was responsible for telecommunications, health care, campaign finance reform,
judiciary, and science. He also worked in the fields of financial services, transportation, foreign affairs,
defense, and the environment during his time on the Hill.
Outside of Congress, Mr. Burns implemented and executed a lobbying agenda for the U.S. Public Interest
Research Group in Washington, D.C. Before joining Van Scoyoc Associates, Mr. Burns was a lobbyist
with Marlowe & Company, also in Washington. During his five-and-a-half year tenure with M&C, Mr.
Burns was successful in helping that company grow substantially.
Mr. Burns graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and English,
where he mixed his interest in campaign finance reform with a love of literature.
John Anderson, who joined VSA earlier this year, serves as a Vice President, having
come to the firm from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on
Water Resources and Environment, where he served as Staff Director since 2006. In
that position, he was responsible for the management of all aspects of the legislative
process for water resources and environmental issues that came before the Committee.
The Subcommittee’s jurisdiction includes water resources development, conservation
and management, water pollution control and water infrastructure, and hazardous
waste cleanup. Mr. Anderson directed the Subcommittee staff in its legislative and
oversight responsibilities related to the civil works programs of the Army Corps of
Engineers, the clean water and Superfund programs of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the
small watershed projects of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, among other issues. With
respect to the Corps of Engineers, Mr. Anderson has had a hand in drafting every Water Resources
Development Act since 1990.
In that role, Mr. Anderson developed legislative proposals, prepared Committee hearings and markups,
drafted Committee reports, coordinated with other congressional offices and committees, briefed and
advised Members of Congress, prepared for House floor action, and negotiated with the Senate during
House-Senate conferences. In carrying out these duties, he coordinated regularly with Members of
Congress, government agencies, professional associations, and other subject matter experts and policy
makers.
Mr. Anderson began his professional life as a high school biology teacher before spending 26 years with
the civil works program of the Army Corps of Engineers. He served in Memphis and Savannah Districts
before joining the Corps Headquarters staff in 1985. In the Corps districts, he worked in the planning
offices addressing the environmental impacts of proposed projects and permit actions. At Corps
Headquarters, he served in the Legislative Initiative Branch where he helped prepare the agency’s annual
legislative agenda and draft agency positions on bills before Congress. In addition, he served as a point of
contact for congressional staff, advised senior leaders on congressional affairs, developed a congressional
relations strategy for the agency, and prepared agency witnesses for congressional testimony.
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
Mr. Anderson is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina. He holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He and his wife Guiomar make their home in northern
Virginia and have three sons.
H. Stewart “Stu” Van Scoyoc is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Van Scoyoc Companies. He has built his companies into Washington’s foremost
lobbying and consulting organization. The firm typically ranks third in lobbying
revenue among Washington companies.
Along the way, Mr. Van Scoyoc and his companies earned a reputation for care,
results, and ethical behavior. Only a few years after the firm opened its doors, The
National Journal noticed that “colleagues consider Van Scoyoc a brainy
Washington insider who sweats the details.”
Mr. Van Scoyoc is regularly interviewed by leading publications for his insights into politics,
Congressional activities, and lobbying. Journalists have come to value his candor and ability to
communicate complex ideas simply.
Mr. Van Scoyoc’s business formula is built on “hiring smart, entrepreneurial people with plenty of
energy, and then getting out of their way,” he said. His staff’s professional development tends to parallel
his own evolution, starting with mastery of one technical field, and then expanding from there.
Mr. Van Scoyoc earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University in 1969,
where he also received the Alpha Phi Omega Award for Leadership and Outstanding Service to the
University. For several years, he worked as an engineer for the DuPont Company, while earning a law
degree at night from the University of Maryland.
Mr. Van Scoyoc came to Washington and joined DuPont's government affairs office handling legislative
and regulatory issues. He then spent eight years as Vice President at Charls Walker Associates, a wellknown lobbying company, where he focused on tax, energy, insurance, and environment. Striking out on
his own, he became a founder of the Winburn, Van Scoyoc & Hooper government relations firm.
In 1990, Mr. Van Scoyoc created Van Scoyoc Associates Inc., with a focus on Congressional
appropriations and taxation. That company quickly developed more than 20 practice areas, ranging from
agriculture, biotechnology, defense and foreign affairs, and education, to financial services, energy,
homeland security, transportation, and telecommunications.
Sarah Hanson joined Van Scoyoc Associates in March 2014 as Manager,
Government Relations. In this position, Ms. Hanson assists clients with their
policy, funding, and regulatory goals related to issues such as economic and
community development, public safety, water resources, transportation, and
healthcare. Her responsibilities include researching and analyzing policy, drafting
legislative and regulatory correspondence, and cultivating relationships with
Congressional and agency staff.
Prior to joining VSA, Ms. Hanson spent a year representing local governments,
national associations, and non-profits with the Washington, DC lobbying firm of
Marlowe & Company, including the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. During her
time with M&C, Ms. Hanson successfully worked for the inclusion of key policy changes within water
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
resources legislation. She was also responsible for assisting clients with funding needs, grant
applications, and political correspondence.
Ms. Hanson began her career in DC in 2007 with the government relations firm of Madison Government
Affairs. She spent over five years with MGA, rising quickly through the firm from her first position as
Legislative Assistant to Senior Legislative Director. During this time, Ms. Hanson worked with
healthcare and public sector clients on appropriations needs and policy goals.
Ms. Hanson, who was born and raised in Bradenton, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from
the University of Florida and a Master’s Degree in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington
University in DC. She is also a member of the professional association Women in Government Relations.
Nate Potter, who has been with Van Scoyoc Associates for three years, serves as
Manager, Government Relations, where he assists clients on such issues as
appropriations funding, public infrastructure, transportation, public transit, energy,
defense, and water resources.
Mr. Potter has more than a decade of bipartisan experience in public policy, both at
the national and local levels. Before joining VSA, Nate represented a number of
local governments, water districts, public utilities, and transportation entities for
five years for the Washington, D.C., lobbying firm of Gordon Thomas Honeywell
– Government Affairs.
Mr. Potter’s history in our nation’s capital began in 1989 when he served as a page in the House of
Representatives for former Congressman Al Swift from the state of Washington. Born and raised in the
Seattle area, Mr. Potter received his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington. He went
on to earn a master’s degree in public administration from the Daniel J. Evans’ School of Public Affairs at
the University of Washington, with a focus on transportation, urban planning, and housing.
After working on Rep. Jay Inslee’s successful 1998 campaign, Mr. Potter returned to Washington, D.C.,
to work as a Legislative Aide for both Rep. Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray, both Washington State
Democrats. However, Mr. Potter has also proven his ability to work effectively across party lines. For
example, he served as an aide to a conservative member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors
after graduate school, handling such diverse issues as Indian affairs and community revitalization.
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
2. Provide a brief description of 2 contracts performed by the firm that is similar to this engagement,
whether ongoing or completed in the last three years, excluding Broward County. The descriptions
should include the following information:
Example 1
a) Client Name: Martin County, Florida
b) Description of work performed: In March 2012, Martin County was notified by the South Atlantic
Jacksonville office of the Army Corps of Engineers that they owed the Corps roughly $1.9 million
for past due balances from as far back as 1992 on the Martin County shore protection project that
were revealed by a Corps internal audit. Obviously, this was surprising news to Martin County. The
Corps told the County that they had eight days to remit the $1.9 million or work on their fall 2012
scheduled nourishment of the beach project would be halted.
Given the finances of the County, as well as the sheer difficulty of transmitting that much money
during a short period, we determined with the County they would simply not pay the Corps back
immediately. Further, the Corps’ financial data seemed to shift on a near daily basis, at times
adjusting what the County may have owed by thousands of dollars at a time. Clearly, payment under
these circumstances was not an option.
Immediately, we began to work with all levels of the Corps of Engineers, particularly Corps
Headquarters, as well as the Assistant Secretary of the Army’s (ASA) office and the offices of
Congressmen Rooney and West (both of whom represented the County at the time) in order to
protest this action. Through our efforts, we were able to convince Corps HQ to essentially override
the Jacksonville District and allow the critical work for the fall beach nourishment to continue while
we hashed out the perceived debt over the next several months. This was particularly important
because environmental windows would have meant that the project would be delayed a full year with
even a slight slowdown.
We then supported the County in their efforts to reconcile their data with that of the Corps audit to
better understand how they may owe such sums that were never before requested, and some of which
were from as long as 20 years ago.
We also began to plan for a trip by County officials to DC to meet with Corps HQ, the ASA’s office,
and Congress regarding the situation. Prior to the trip we worked with Corps HQ on a resolution to
the matter so that when the County arrived, the answer to their situation was essentially resolved.
That was critical, because without that preparatory effort, the meeting could have gone sideways due
to emotions and frustration, and the Corps could have simply said the County had days to pay the
debt.
c) Approximate per month contract dollar value: $5,000
d) Dates covering the term of the contract: Ongoing (the example took place March 2012 – June
2012) ; have represented the County since 2003
e) Name of primary contact and phone number: Kathy FitzPatrick, Coastal Engineer; (772) 2885429
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
f) Results of the services/project performed: Ultimately, the County was given 4 years to repay the
debt with no interest. The Corps even apologized for their mistakes unearthed during the audit. In
all, even though the County ultimately owed the money, the repayment terms were such that it
became a much less significant issue.
Equally important, the County’s beach project was constructed that fall. And since then, we have
worked with the Corps to provide additional funding for the dredging of the St. Lucie Inlet, another
high-priority County Corps project. Ultimately, our efforts helped strengthen relationships with the
Corps at all levels.
Example 2
a) Client Name: St. Lucie County, Florida
b) Description of work performed: In the summer of 2012, St. Lucie County was nearing initiation of
a local beach nourishment project along the southern portion of the County’s shoreline which they
had been planning for several years. Using County and State funding for the roughly $9 million
project, the County had put a bid on the street for the construction.
In July, after more than 2 years of consultation with Federal agencies, the Corps of Engineers
retracted a “no effect” determination for the project based upon a one-day observation in the field by
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) staff, thus putting the project in jeopardy. NMFS
indicated to the Corps that the project could inflict up to 4 turtle takes and that up to 3 acres of hard
bottom would be negatively impacted.
This estimate of turtle takes was unacceptable and would surely stop the project given the number of
takes allowed for the entire South Atlantic region per fiscal year under a previous biological opinion
for the species. Meanwhile, the estimation of hard bottom impacts would cost the County roughly $5
million to mitigate with artificial reefs, a cost that was simply too expensive.
At the request of the County, we immediately engaged our Federal agency contacts at the Corps of
Engineers and the National Marie Fisheries Service to discuss the situation. We pointed out that
these estimates were unreasonable for two reasons:
1. Over the prior 15-20 years, St. Lucie and Martin counties constructed 10 similar beach
projects in this general area with the Corps and have had zero turtle takes.
2. NMFS used very questionable methods to estimate hard bottom impacts and the County had
excellent data and research showing actual impacts to significantly less hard bottom.
We also worked very closely with the County’s Congressional delegation at the time, including
both in the House and the Senate to also engage with the Corps and NMFS. If the County did
not receive its permit within weeks, environmental windows would have caused the project to
lapse for a year.
c) Approximate per month contract dollar value: $5,500
d) Dates covering the term of the contract: Ongoing (the example took place June 2012 – July 2012);
have represented the County since 2002
e) Name of primary contact and phone number: Richard Bouchard, Senior Coastal Engineer, (772)
462-1710
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
f) Results of the services/project performed: Our engagement resulted in a meeting between NMFS,
the County, and representatives from various Congressional offices. During that meeting, resolution
was reached, something our extensive and active engagement with the agencies and Congress had
nearly predetermined.
Ultimately, within one month of our initial engagement, the County received its permit from the
Corps of Engineers and was able to construct the project. The turtle take issue was resolved and no
turtle fatalities occurred during the project. Meanwhile, the County and NMFS agreed upon impacts
to less than one acre of hard bottom, resulting in the County agreeing to construct 1.89 acres of reef
as mitigation, only slightly more than the County had originally proposed to construct prior to the
retraction of the “no effect” determination.
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
3. Attach a complete list of the firm’s clients during the past three (3) years, including clients represented
before the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, regardless whether the firm was the prime
contractor or a subcontractor. Indicate whether the firm has represented clients in front of the Broward
County Board of County Commissioners.
VSA’s representation of a variety of public entities throughout the country, and especially Florida, has
proven to be one of the greatest strengths of the firm. Our clients have an array of needs and concerns,
are geographically and politically diverse, and run the spectrum from some of the largest local
governments to some of the smallest. Currently, VSA represents more than 30 million Americans in
nearly every state in the country.
Many of our public entity clients have been with the firm for a decade or more; others, including several
government entities, switched to VSA after using other advocacy firms for many years. These clients
wanted a fresh approach to their Washington representation, particularly as times have changed and
earmarks are no longer available. They have chosen VSA due to our breadth and depth of knowledge and
experience, as well as the results we continue to deliver for our clients.
A high percentage of our clients have active Corps of Engineers projects in their communities. Whether
they are beach nourishment projects in Florida or California, small inlets that need maintenance or
improvements throughout the country, major port facilities such as those that exist in Galveston County
and the City of Long Beach, massive flood control projects in the west, or major environmental
restoration projects such as the Everglades, our active engagement with the Corps is frequent, substantial,
and helps achieve significant victories for our clients.
Van Scoyoc Associates and its sister companies currently represent more than 250 clients, including
roughly 50 government entities, several of which are in Florida. Below is a list of all of our public entity
clients. Van Scoyoc Associates has not represented any clients before the Broward County Board of
County Commissioners. A complete list of all VSA clients can be found at the end of this proposal.
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Alabama State Port Authority
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District,
California
Antelope Valley Transit Authority,
California
Baldwin County Commission, Alabama
Borough of Spring Lake, New Jersey
Charlotte County, Florida
City of Akron, Ohio
City of Baltimore, Maryland
City of Beaverton, Oregon
City of Calera, Alabama
City of Clearwater, Florida
City of Coconut Creek, Florida
City of Dana Point, California
City of Elk Grove, California
City of Gadsden, Alabama
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City of Galt, California
City of Gulf Shores, Alabama
City of Gulfport, Florida
City of Huntington Beach, California
City of Iola, Kansas
City of Irvine, California
City of Long Beach, California
City of Manteca, California
City of Newport Beach, California
City of Norwalk, California
City of Orange Beach, Alabama
City of Palo Alto, California
City of Pismo Beach, California
City of Portsmouth, Virginia
City of Rancho Cucamonga, California
City of Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
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City of Rocklin, California
City of Santa Maria, California
City of Stockton, California
City of Thousand Oaks, California
City of Visalia, California
City of Westminster, California
Clark County Public Transportation,
Washington
Clean Water Services, Oregon
Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Texas
Del Norte County, California
Eastern Municipal Water District,
California
Galveston County, Texas
Galveston Park Board of Trustees,
Texas
Hillsborough County Aviation
Authority, Florida
Martin County, Florida
Mission Springs Water District,
California
Mobile County, Alabama
Montgomery Area Chamber of
Commerce, Alabama
Montgomery County, Maryland
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Monroe County, Florida
Napa County, California
Pinellas County, Florida
Rural County Representatives of
California
San Bernardino Associated
Governments, California
San Diego County, California
San Joaquin Area Flood Control
Agency, California
Santa Clara Valley Transportation
Authority, California
Sonoma County, California
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit
District, California
Suburban Mobility Authority for
Regional Transportation, Michigan
St. Clair County, Alabama
St. Lucie County, Florida
Washington County, Oregon
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority
Wayne County Airport Authority,
Michigan
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
4. Describe the firm’s understanding of, and experience with, major port dredging and beach
nourishment projects and what unique quality the firm can provide which makes the firm different than
other potential proposers.
The VSA-Broward County team has excellent experience working on Corps of Engineers issues from
three different but equally important viewpoints – legislative, Federal agency, and local. We have insider
experience working with Headquarters and District Offices of the Army Corps of Engineers, both on
behalf of our clients as well as former career professionals within the Corps. Our team understands the
processes, personalities, and policies of the Corps through all its bureaucratic levels. The VSA team has a
proven record of working successfully with a variety of Army Corps of Engineers Districts, including
Jacksonville, the South Atlantic Division offices in Atlanta, Headquarters in Washington, and the
Assistant Secretary of the Army’s office in the Pentagon.
VSA’s team also works closely with the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittees, the House
Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committees on a
frequent basis. Our team members possess direct knowledge and experience in handling the funding and
policy issues associated with Corps projects. We understand the legislative processes, planning, and
budgeting behind funding decisions – an interrelationship of heightened importance because of
Congress’s increasing dependence on work plans and continuing resolutions for the Corps.
Greg Burns has an intimate knowledge of Florida coastal issues. He currently represents more Florida
communities with Federal beach nourishment projects than any other firm in Washington. He also works
closely with the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association and is honored to have received the
recommendation of the association’s Executive Director, Debbie Flack, on a number of occasions. To
further emphasize VSA’s deep understanding and success with regard to Federal beach projects, VSA
team members have secured more than $200 million in Federal funding over the past decade.
John Anderson rounds out the team with his intimate knowledge of the Corps, having served as Staff
Director of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Water Resources
for nine years and within the Corps itself for 26 years.
Most recently, Mr. Anderson was instrumental in the development and passage of the Water Resources
Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA), which contains a number of reforms to the Corps of
Engineers programs and processes. John Anderson’s knowledge of these reforms as well as the entire
Corps of Engineers program, together with his personal relationships with leaders at the Corps and Office
of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, makes him invaluable to clients who seek to develop, expedite, or
modify a Corps project.
A number of new requirements and opportunities are in WRRDA that Mr. Anderson helped write. To
comply with the earmark moratorium, there is a new method by which proposals must come to the
Congress for consideration in a future Water Resources Development Act. There are provisions to
encourage greater use of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. The new law creates a process by which
beach nourishment projects that are nearing the end of their authorization may seek reauthorization in an
expedited manner. In addition, changes were made in law to facilitate project sponsors’ efforts to carry
out all or parts of Corps studies or projects on their own as long as certain requirements are met.
Attention now turns to the Implementation Guidance that the Corps develops to execute the law. Mr.
Anderson’s relationship with Corps leaders and his knowledge of the law makes him a key figure in the
effort to assure proper implementation of the statute.
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
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Funding of Federal water programs is always a challenge. The VSA team understands the new dynamics
for funding that have entered the Federal process in recent years and has the relationships in the agencies
and on Capitol Hill to achieve success whether a project or program is in the President’s Budget, the
Appropriation Acts, or the agency Work Plans.
Together, VSA’s team can work closely with the County on the finer details of the Corps’ and other
agencies’ processes to ensure appropriate funding for Corps initiatives, as well as harmonic regulatory
and policy decisions. VSA’s integrated approach, both internal and external to Federal agencies, will be
critical to securing positive outcomes for both funding and policy issues related to the County’s projects.
The team not only secures Federal funding for Corps of Engineers projects or studies, but also works
directly with the Corps of Engineers to solve problems with projects or studies, encourages the Corps’ to
take quick action on studies, and works proactively with the Corps to address potential problems. The
team has dealt with the details of many Corps projects and studies, including reimbursable construction
projects, feasibility studies, General Reevaluation Reports, Limited Reevaluation Reports, Design
Deficiency Reports, Project Cooperation Agreements, Project Implementation Reports, Dredged Material
Management Studies, and Continuing Authorities Program studies and projects.
Meanwhile, with regard specifically to port interests, Mr. Burns and the VSA team have represented a
number of the largest port authorities throughout the country.
For example, from 2004 through 2008, VSA served as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s
Washington representative. VSA successfully advocated for the Port Authority’s Federal agenda,
including securing funds for the $1.6-billion New York harbor deepening project, modernizing the PATH
rail system, infrastructure development and security issues at LaGuardia, JFK, Newark, Stewart, and
Teterboro airports, and the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site. Most of VSA’s work
representing the Port Authority was with the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Transportation,
and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as assisting the Port Authority with funding,
regulatory, and administrative issues. In 2008, the Port Authority decided to reopen their own, internal
Washington office.
Similarly, the Cleveland Port Authority was a VSA client from 2003 to 2009, during which time VSA
worked on a variety of authorization and appropriations issues for the Port, advocating for their interests
in the Water Resources and Development Act, SAFETEA-LU, and numerous other measures. VSA
assisted the Port with the Army Corps of Engineers and Congress in support of the Port’s plan for a major
relocation and the need for a new confined disposal facility, working to find beneficial uses of dredged
material and innovative methods of financing for the project including adjusting existing cost-sharing
ratios.
In another instance, Mr. Burns represented the Sabine-Neches Navigation District in Texas, which is the
local sponsor for maintenance of the waterway that provides access to the Ports of Beaumont, Port Arthur,
and Orange, thereby making the waterway one which carries the fourth most tonnage in the United States.
Between 2004 and 2006, Mr. Burns secured more than $30 million for maintenance dredging of the
waterway plus additional funding to study the feasibility of widening and deepening the waterway.
With regard to smaller port issues, Greg Burns assisted Del Norte County, California and the Crescent
City Harbor District in securing $5,735,000 in Federal funding over two years to allow the Corps of
Engineers to complete a full dredging of the Federal Channel of the Crescent City Harbor, which was
nearly closed due to shoaling prior to the engagement of VSA. Mr. Burns worked with Congress to
appropriate the majority of the funding for the dredging, but also worked closely with the Corps at all
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
levels (San Francisco District, San Francisco Division, and Corps HQ in Washington) to secure
supplemental appropriations for the project directly from the Corps to ensure a complete dredging. Since
that dredging was completed, Mr. Burns has worked on a number of regulatory issues related to the
disposal of dredged materials, the exploration of new disposal areas, and maintaining a continued focus
on the future needs of the Harbor.
Closer to Broward County, but representative of his work on smaller inlet issues, Mr. Burns has helped
Martin County secure more than $15 million for the Corps of Engineers to construct improvements to the
St. Lucie Inlet and dredge the Inlet, and is currently working closely with the Corps of Engineers to
codify a long-term contributed funds agreement for future dredging of the Inlet, saving the County both
time and money in future dredging cycles if the agreement is necessary.
Differentiating Factors
Van Scoyoc Associates is unique in Washington. We are a top-5, bipartisan firm that offers our clients
unparalleled resources, particularly with regard to personnel, that cannot be matched by smaller
firms. However, we provide an extremely high level of personalized service to our clients because of the
way we are organized.
In the case of Broward County, we will retain the human touch of a small entrepreneurial firm by
assigning Greg Burns and John Anderson as your main points of contact. However, the County will gain
the resources and knowledge of the entire firm. If there is an issue for the County that may demand the
expertise of other members of the firm, we will bring those experts to bear on the County’s behalf.
However, your day to day points of contact within VSA will always remain the same.
VSA remains successful on behalf of our clients even in these changing times. Long before the end of
earmarks, we recognized that relevant policy issues, Federal agency programs, relationship development,
and agency grant and programmatic funding can have a bigger effect on a community than a simple
Federal earmark. While we sought earmarks in the past with considerable success, this new era has truly
highlighted our strengths in the trenches, where legwork leads to real results for our clients.
Greg Burns possess a unique understanding of Florida issues, particularly with regards to water resources
and the Corps of Engineers. Mr. Burns represents more communities with Federal beach nourishment
projects in Florida than any other firm in Washington. He has personally secured more than $200 million
in funding for Federal beach nourishment projects in the past decade, including tens of millions in
funding from the Corps of Engineers through direct advocacy efforts with the agency. Mr. Burns is
honored to have received the recommendation of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association’s
Executive Director, Debbie Flack, on a number of occasions. Mr. Burns and VSA’s work on behalf of
major port authorities and entities with significant port operations in their communities will also ensure
the team is well-positioned to handle Corps of Engineers advocacy on those issues as well.
As one of the top experts on Florida coastal issues, Mr. Burns is often approached by congressional
offices for assistance with difficult issues. For example, last July, Mr. Burns received a request for
assistance from the staff of Senator Nelson when that office was being asked by Broward County to assist
with challenges related to environmental impacts to hard bottom by a local truck-haul beach nourishment
project. We were able to offer the office suggestions with how to proceed to the benefit of the County,
particularly with regard to whom they should engage, what information they should provide, and what
outcome may be expected.
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
Another way in which Mr. Burns frequently engages with the Corps of Engineers in a positive way is on
Everglades restoration, generally on behalf of local government clients, such as the more than half-billion
authorization for the C-43 Reservoir in Lee County which was provided in WRRDA 2014 and all the
close coordination and preparation with the Corps that went into getting that project its Chiefs Report.
This work, among others, has helped strengthen and further deepen already excellent relationships in
Jacksonville, Atlanta, and Washington.
Meanwhile, Mr. Anderson’s professional experience is unmatched for the work Broward County is
seeking. He has 26 years of experience working for the Corps of Engineers and 15 years working on the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment. For nine years he was Staff Director for the Subcommittee. Current Committee Chairman
Bill Shuster called John Anderson, “one of Congress’ foremost staff experts on our Nation’s ports and
waterways infrastructure and federal water resources programs.” While working as Staff Director, Mr.
Anderson was instrumental in crafting the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of
2014, which will allow him to find ways to make the new provisions work in the best interest of Broward
County.
Mr. Anderson has personal relationships with key congressional staff, Corps leaders, and water resources
associations, including the American Association of Port Authorities, American Shore and Beach
Preservation Association, and National Waterways Conference. He is also a recipient of several
professional awards including the Congressional Staffer of the Year Award presented by the American
Shore and Beach Preservation Association.
Finally, VSA is an honest and ethical firm that does not embarrass itself or clients. We strictly abide by
the provisions of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 and other laws, including
prohibitions on gifts, meals, and travel for elected officials and staff.
Client Testimonials Related to Work with the Corps of Engineers
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“I want to again thank you for coordinating the meeting [with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and
Congressman Patrick Murphy]. It is incredible to see the vast degree of progress that was made. The
cooperation from the Army Corps is great to see and to be able to move things along in an expedited
fashion is unprecedented. We really appreciate your efforts.” – Faye W. Outlaw, MPA, former
County Administrator, St. Lucie County, Fla.
“Big kudos to you. We met today with the new Colonel from the [Galveston District of the] U.S.
Army Corps [of Engineers]. He told us we were the only project to have gotten approval for funding
and asked what are secret was. I told him we have a secret weapon in DC.” – Kelly de Schaun,
Executive Director, Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees, Texas
I have “some exciting information. Based on our meeting in Washington with the Corps [of
Engineers], they [the Galveston District] have moved forward with the beneficial use [of dredged
material] idea, admittedly because of the pressure they have been getting from the upper echelon [of
the Corps], and they put in front of us a plan to nourish our beach with 1 million cubic yards of sand.
I am giddy with excitement and I attribute the success to your efforts and your leadership and I so
much appreciate it.” – Kelly de Schaun, Executive Director, Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees,
Texas
“The City’s successes with the Federal government and the Corps of Engineers related to the Santa
Maria River Levee construction can be directly attributable to the efforts of Mr. Burns.” – Rick
Sweet, former Director of Utilities, City of Santa Maria, Calif.
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
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“Without having [Greg Burns] there, more than likely, the Harbor isn’t dredged, [other projects]
aren’t moving forward. I think this has been one of the best returns on investment the County has
made, by contracting with you.” – Supervisor Mike Sullivan, Del Norte County, Calif.
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM
5. List the legal name of the firm, principal business address, Federal Employment ID number,
telephone/fax numbers and email addresses for key personnel, type of business, and authorized contacts
for the firm.
1) Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc.
2) 101 Constitution Ave. NW, Suite 600 West
Washington, DC 20001
3) Tax ID #: 52-1710923
4) Greg Burns:
a. (202) 737-8162 – direct phone
b. (202) 638-7714 – fax
c. [email protected]
John Anderson:
a. (202) 737-8933– direct phone
b. (202) 638-7714 – fax
c. [email protected]
5) Van Scoyoc Associates is an S Corporation.
6) Greg Burns and John Anderson will serve as authorized contacts for the firm for the purposes of
this proposal.
Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. | 101 Constitution Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20001
T: 202.638.1950 | F: 202.638.7714 | WWW.VSADC.COM