To be the Delmarva chicken industry's voice as the premier membership association focusing on advocacy, education and member relations.
DCA is the 1,400-member trade association working for the common good of the meat chicken industry in Delaware, the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia's Eastern Shore. Our membership includes chicken growers, chicken processing companies and allied businesses that service the chicken industry. We are a non-profit association governed by a Board of Directors.
Proposal Overview
The association is seeking to engage with a qualified and experienced consultant or firm(s) to provide strategic government affairs, lobbying and public policy consultation, specifically in Maryland and/or Delaware. The selected consultant or firm will work closely with the Executive Director, Government Affairs Manager and Government Relations Committee as a key advisor on various legislative, regulatory and strategic matters impacting our chicken community. The ideal consultant or firm will have experience in both Maryland and Delaware.
Represent Delmarva Chicken Association before the Maryland and/or Delaware General Assemblies, Governors' offices and relevant state agencies (primarily agriculture and environment)
Assist in drafting proposals, letters or communications to policymakers and partners
Assist in coordinating meetings with key policymakers and partners
Monitor key legislation and provide real-time briefings/analyses
Coordinate with Executive Director to monitor relevant policy activity and ensure compliance with Maryland and/or Delaware lobbying and ethics rules.
Provide regulatory reports and updates to the Executive Director, Government Affairs Manager and appropriate Board committees
Strategic Advisory & Executive Consultation
Provide guidance to the Executive Director, Government Affairs Manager and appropriate Board committees on strategic policy decisions, legislation and executive actions.
Support or oppose legislation or budget negotiations that significantly impact the Delmarva chicken community via meetings and written and/or verbal testimony
Stakeholder Engagement & Coalition Building
Build and maintain relationships with key state policymakers and partners
Identify and facilitate opportunities to strengthen partnerships and coalition building aligned with DCA's mission
Qualifications
Registered lobbyist in the State of Maryland and/or State of Delaware
Proven success in lobbying at the state level
Extensive knowledge of Maryland's and/or Delaware's legislative and regulatory systems
Familiarity with the executive branch of government in Maryland and/or Delaware, including the Governors' offices and various state agencies, specifically agriculture and environment
Basic knowledge of the chicken community's impact and value to the states of Maryland and/or Delaware
Excellent communication, strategic planning and negotiation skills
Ability to mentor DCA's staff through relationship building and networking
Ability to serve with conflicts of interest while aligning with DCA's positions as the voice of our chicken community
Proposal Submission Process Proposal Due Date: September 30, 2026 Format: The proposal should be submitted via email to Executive Director, Holly Porter at porter@dcachicken.com as a Word or PDF file
Timeline (subject to change)
Issue Date: September 2, 2026
Proposal Deadline: October 2, 2026
Anticipated Award Date: October 23, 2026
Contract Start Date: December 1, 2026
Contract End Date: July 31, 2027
Review Process
Proposals will be evaluated immediately thereafter the proposal due date. DCA may require additional Zoom or follow-up meetings and presentations. You will be notified if this is requested.
A selection committee made up of DCA leadership, including the Government Relations Chairperson and Board President, will review the proposals.
