As I understand the process; based on
New York: http://www.ruscon.org/visa_dep_ENG.html#touristvisa
San Francisco: http://www.consulrussia.org/eng/visadepartment.html
Seattle: http://www.netconsul.org/touristvisa/
DC: Does not accept mail in visa requests

In this order:
1 -Fee (Money Order)
The Visa Fee is $131 for 6-10 day service, or $150 for 3-5 day service

2 -Passport,
valid 6 months yadda yadda

3 -Letter of Permission
One needs a letter of permission from your hotel (Free) or from a service ($30)
example: http://www.netconsul.org/docs/tur.jpg

4 -Cover Letter
State your bidness in visiting our great nuclear power state IE:
applicant's name or alphabetical list of the group of participants;
passport number and its expiration date;
dates and points of arrival in and departure from Russia as well as means of transportation
cities to be visited in Russia;

5a -Application http://www.consulrussia.org/docs/Vis...eng_letter.pdf
The application is straight forward

5b -Attach 1 photo per instructions

6 -Color Copy of passport vital page

7 -Addressed and Paid envelope
Mail via Fedex and have post paid return envelope (2day costs $20-30 return)

Worst case turn around window. Departing April 21 (16 working days)
Ship 2day each way + 10 day service = 14 working days (too tight)
Ship 2day each way + 5 day service = 9 working days (decent)
And with average luck both would work, but it appears that the expedite fee of 19 is necessary, as is 2day fedex, which maybe you can push through D.'s mail centre

Total cost: $131+Fees (19rush+30letter+30shipping) Max $210
Here is what 210 will buy you: http://www.rusonline.com/images/misc/Visa-Russian.jpg
If we pick a hotel, and can get a letter within 1-2 days we can skip the 30 fee.

Most of their draconian visa requirements and fees are a direct punishment (aka reciprocity) for what USA charges russians
A ... question is "List all countries you have visited in the last ten years and indicate
the year of visit" and they give you 2 lines.