Legal Consultant- Federal Grant Services

The Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) is soliciting a Legal Consultant for Federal Grant Services through a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) procurement method. This is a new acquisition opportunity posted on May 4, 2026, with a proposal due date of May 18, 2026. The procuring agency seeks legal consulting services to support the development and implementation of IFA's federally funded grant programs, with primary focus on federal tax credit advice and related legal services. Key deliverables include providing legal opinions on credit eligibility for elective pay and Individual Retirement Account (IRA) tax incentives, preparing materials for incentive filing, and offering advice on eligibility matters critical to completing projects currently in IFA's pipeline. The contract encompasses 400 billable hours of consulting services at a rate of $250 per hour, with monthly payment cycles. The vendor must maintain general commercial liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, along with auto liability and worker's compensation insurance as required by law. The contract is valued at $100,000 and is contingent upon appropriation of funds, with termination provisions allowing the State to terminate for convenience with 30 days' written notice or for cause immediately.

This procurement does not identify specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organizational types that may respond. However, all vendors must comply with the Standard Illinois Certifications requirements, which constitute 33 distinct mandatory compliance obligations covering eligibility, legal standing, ethical conduct, and operational standards applicable throughout the contract term and any renewal periods. These certifications address compliance with state and federal laws regarding educational loan defaults, pension incentives, collective bargaining obligations, criminal convictions, environmental violations, drug-free workplace standards, equal employment opportunity, prevailing wage requirements, cybersecurity directives, Illinois use tax remittance, political contribution restrictions, information technology accessibility standards, and prohibitions against discriminatory practices and international boycotts. The contract does not identify an incumbent vendor, and Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), a Washington, D.C.-based legal services firm, appears to be the selected or proposed contractor based on the executed BOA documentation. The State retains sole and exclusive ownership of all work product created under the contract, and contractors face substantial penalties for false certifications or non-compliance, including contract voidance, suspension, debarment, denial of payment, civil fines, and criminal penalties.