Labor Consultation and Representation Services (Target Market)

Cook County Government's Office of the Chief Procurement Officer is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Labor Consultation and Representation Services under a Target Market program. The county seeks to establish a pre-qualified vendor pool of law firms to provide legal services across six specific practice categories: Union Contract Negotiations, Collective Bargaining Agreement Interpretation and Implementation, Labor Relations Board Matters, Employment Law, Employee Benefits and Pension, and Employment of Foreign Nationals. The RFQ was posted on January 7, 2026, with a non-mandatory pre-submittal conference scheduled for January 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Chicago local time via Microsoft Teams. Respondent inquiries are due by January 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with responses anticipated by January 30, 2026. The final proposal submission deadline is February 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. through the Bonfire Vendor Portal. Evaluation criteria will focus on respondent qualifications (30%), key personnel qualifications (30%), client experience (25%), and financial stability (15%), with the county anticipating pre-qualifying up to five firms per category.

The procurement is specifically designated as a Target Market opportunity, requiring all respondents to be certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) or Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), with a participation goal of 51 percent. Respondents must document their MBE/WBE commitment through utilization plans, letters of intent, and current certification from Cook County or the City of Chicago. The selected law firm(s) will enter into a Professional Services Agreement with a contract term from June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2027, including three optional one-year renewal periods. Pricing will be submitted on an hourly rate basis for partners, associates, and paralegals, with optional all-inclusive monthly retainer amounts. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the county reserves the right to negotiate rates and will consider hourly costs alongside firm experience when selecting firms for specific projects. Respondents must submit comprehensive documentation including resumes, references, conflict of interest disclosures, insurance certificates, financial statements, and Economic Disclosure Statements.