Legal Services for the New Haven Civilian Review Board

The City of New Haven, Connecticut, Bureau of Purchases is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for comprehensive legal services to support the New Haven Civilian Review Board (CRB), an independent review board established to investigate complaints against police officers and make recommendations for policy improvements. The procurement seeks qualified legal service providers admitted to practice law in Connecticut to deliver advisory services, representation during hearings, legal drafting, ongoing legal advice regarding policies and procedures, review and analysis of citizen complaints, training for CRB members on civil rights and legal issues, drafting of reports and findings, public engagement support, and litigation support for CRB operations. Required qualifications include expertise in civil rights law, police oversight, and relevant state and federal regulations, with applicants expected to demonstrate at least three similar projects completed within the past five years. The contract duration is one year with two optional one-year renewal periods, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability. The evaluation will be conducted on a pass/fail basis regarding qualifications, with the CRB forming the selection committee and assessing criteria including scientific and technological merit, technical approach, and technical and management capabilities. The question submission deadline is May 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM, with responses due electronically through the City's eProcurement Portal by 11:00 AM on May 19, 2026. Contractors must provide monthly written reports summarizing activities and legal updates, submit monthly invoices with supporting documentation, attend monthly pre-meeting meetings with the CRB Chair, and maintain professional liability insurance with a minimum $1,000,000 limit.

No specific budget or contract value is disclosed in the RFQ solicitation documents, as this is a qualifications-based procurement without a stated price range. The City applies standard contract requirements including compliance with the Living Wage Ordinance for contracts exceeding $25,000 annually, equal employment opportunity standards, ban-the-box policies, and non-discrimination protections under the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act and the City's Equal Opportunities Ordinance. All responses must include notarized disclosure forms, workforce demographic information, and confirmation of acceptance of the City's standard terms and conditions. The contract may be funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, which would require contractors to register their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) at SAM.gov and comply with federal Uniform Guidance requirements (2 CFR Part 200), with all expenditures obligated by December 31, 2024, and expended by December 31, 2026, and indirect costs capped at 10 percent of the total award. Subcontracting of legal services requires prior written approval from both the City and the CRB. The City retains the right to reject all proposals without obligation to provide reasons and may terminate the agreement for any reason upon twenty-one days' written notice, with monthly payment made within 30 days of receipt of a complete invoice.