The Maryland Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Assistant Counsel services specializing in federal and Maryland securities law, specifically to support the Office of Social Equity (OSE) within the Maryland Cannabis Administration. The primary objective is to provide legal assistance to cannabis licensees in becoming operational and addressing funding challenges stemming from federal cannabis prohibition. The selected counsel will be responsible for advising on securities law matters, including registration, reporting requirements, compliance, and potential representation before administrative agencies and courts. Proposals are due by 5:00 PM ET on July 23, 2025, with an anticipated contract start date of August 15, 2025. The contract will continue until completed, and key qualifications include having at least one Maryland-admitted attorney (partner-level) and carrying professional liability insurance of at least $1 million. Evaluation will be based on the "most advantageous offer," with a strict cost limitation that proposals exceeding $100,000 over the contract term will be automatically disqualified. The RFP explicitly encourages participation from small businesses, Minority-owned, Women-owned, and Veteran-owned businesses. Proposing firms must complete and submit executed Bid Proposal and Conflict of Interest Affidavits, with full disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest. Successful contractors will be required to register with the State Department of Assessment Taxation and establish an account on the state's online procurement website (emma). While no specific incumbent vendor is mentioned, the opportunity appears designed to provide targeted legal support for the emerging cannabis industry's complex regulatory and financial landscape. Although a precise budget range is not specified, the $100,000 contract term limit suggests a moderate-scale engagement focused on providing specialized legal expertise to support the OSE's strategic objectives in facilitating cannabis business operations within Maryland's regulatory framework.
Name | Description | Size | Type (Click to sort descending) | Posted (Click to sort descending) |
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RFP.AssistantCounsel.SP.071825.pdf | 364KB | 7/18/25 |