Bond Counsel

The City of Pittsburgh Office of Management and Budget, on behalf of the Department of Finance, is soliciting proposals from qualified law firms to provide Bond Counsel services through Request for Proposal #2025-RFP-151. The selected firm will serve as an independent contractor delivering professional legal services related to bond issuances for the City's various capital projects, with an initial contract term of up to three years plus two one-year renewal options. Key deliverables and responsibilities include rendering legal opinions on bond validity and enforceability, preparing transaction documents, supervising bond proceedings, assisting in bond structuring, and serving as an advocate for the City throughout bond transactions. Proposers must demonstrate strong qualifications, including firm expertise and project team capabilities, and must present a comprehensive project approach with detailed implementation plans. The evaluation will utilize a point-based system across five categories: Firm's Qualifications (15 points), Project Team Qualifications (15 points), Project Approach and Plan (30 points), Cost Proposal (30 points), and MWDBE/VOSB Good Faith Effort (10 points). Critical dates include a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting on July 15, 2025, a question submission deadline of July 29, 2025, and a proposal response deadline of August 8, 2025, at 2:00 pm. The proposal effectiveness period extends for 120 days following submission, during which the City reserves the right to modify the scope of services, reject any proposals, and negotiate with respondents.

The procurement includes specific set-aside goals requiring good faith efforts to engage diverse businesses, with target participation levels of 18% for minority-owned enterprises, 7% for women-owned enterprises, 5% for veteran-owned small businesses, and 3% for LGBTQIA+-owned businesses. All proposers must complete and submit the MWDBE/Veteran-Owned/LGBTQIA+ Solicitation and Commitment Form demonstrating their commitment to achieving these diversity goals. No incumbent vendors, current contractors, or specific budget ranges are identified in the available documentation. The City maintains broad discretionary authority throughout the procurement process, including the ability to reject any or all proposals and to negotiate terms with selected respondents. While no specific award value is disclosed in the RFP summary, the three-year initial term with renewal options indicates a potentially significant contract value. Interested law firms should ensure they possess the necessary expertise in municipal bond transactions and are prepared to demonstrate both technical qualifications and commitment to diversity and inclusion objectives.