Answers to Questions-RFR Tax and Technical Legal Counsel.xlsx

This is a Q&A document for the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (MTRS) Request for Responses (RFR) for Tax and Technical Legal Counsel services. The RFR seeks Special Tax Counsel and/or Technical Legal Counsel to provide services under a Small Business Purchasing Program set-aside, with an estimated maximum budget of $30,000 per year. Special Tax Counsel will evaluate proposed state and federal legislation, assist in federal filings, and provide legal advice on tax laws applicable to qualified governmental defined benefit and contribution plans. Technical Legal Counsel will negotiate, draft, interpret, and enforce software licensing and service subscription agreements related to MTRS's MyTRS pension administration system update. The initial contract term is two years with two options to renew for two years each, for a maximum total duration of six years, with an estimated start date of October 20, 2026.

Compensation is based on hourly rates for personnel performing work plus reasonable expenses, with rates fixed for the contract term and capped at 15% year-over-year increases for renewals. SBPP-registered participants receive award preference if they meet best-value evaluation criteria; non-SBPP bidders are evaluated only if no qualified SBPP bidder is identified. Respondents must submit the Consultant Contractor Mandatory Form, a Supplier Diversity Program Plan Form (with a minimum one percent spending commitment to certified diverse businesses, though non-mandatory for this contract and may be submitted as a fixed dollar amount), a Massachusetts Form W-9, three business references directly related to the scope of services, and a Prompt Pay Discount Form. Evaluation criteria include firm and individual attorney experience and qualifications, competitive cost, required business references, submission of required forms, and potential interviews with selected candidates. All responses must be submitted electronically via COMMBUYS.