Legal Service

METRO RTA (Metro Regional Transit Authority), a regional transit authority in Akron, Ohio, is soliciting proposals to establish a prequalified pool of law firms and legal service providers under RFP 2026-11, with proposals due September 17, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. The solicitation is funded in part by Federal Transit Administration grants and therefore subject to FTA compliance requirements, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation requirements, Buy America certifications, civil rights compliance, and labor standards provisions.

METRO seeks firms with demonstrated expertise in one or more practice areas including general legal counsel, board governance, labor and employment, human resources, employee relations and negotiations, facilities and construction, real estate, public contracting, and litigation. The pool structure allows METRO to engage multiple firms as needed for various legal matters supporting the authority's governance responsibilities, business operations, and compliance obligations to the Governing Board. Respondents must demonstrate relevant experience serving public agencies, transit authorities, or similar governmental entities.

The contract term is three years with two optional years beginning after contract signing. METRO will award to the lowest and best overall bid meeting minimum requirements. Proposers must submit proof of Workers' Compensation Insurance with statutory coverage and Employers' Liability limits of $1 million per accident, as well as Comprehensive General Liability coverage of $1 million combined single limits. No bid bond or prepayment is required.

Questions are due September 7, 2026. No public proposal opening will be held. Proposals must be submitted through METRO's OpenGov portal. The solicitation was publicly advertised in the Akron Beacon Journal on August 6 and August 13, 2026.