Local Boards Legal Counsel Services

The City of Phoenix Retirement Office is seeking legal counsel services for the City of Phoenix Fire Pension Board and Police Pension Board of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System. This Request for Proposal (RFP RTM 25-002) invites qualified law firms and attorneys to provide independent legal services for a five-year contract beginning approximately November 1, 2025. The selected legal counsel will be responsible for attending board meetings, providing comprehensive legal advice, conducting litigation services, reviewing meeting materials, and ensuring compliance with open-meeting laws. Specific legal service requirements include advising on federal and state law compliance, drafting plan documents, handling disability retirement applications, addressing medical examinations, managing return to work issues, and providing legal support for death benefits and retirement options. The evaluation criteria will be points-based, with 500 points (50%) allocated to qualifications and experience, 400 points (40%) to method of approach, and 100 points (10%) to pricing proposal. Key qualifications include being authorized to practice law in Arizona, having at least ten years of experience representing Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Local Boards, and demonstrating extensive knowledge of Arizona Revised Statutes and retirement system rules. The solicitation was released on August 26, 2025, with a deadline for questions on September 5, 2025, and proposal responses due by September 19, 2025, at 2:00 pm.

The RFP includes specific provisions for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Participation, requiring contractors to track and report DBE and small business participation in procurement activities. Contractors must use good faith efforts to promote participation of DBE and small businesses, including sending outreach letters, encouraging DBE certification, and utilizing DBE business services. Monthly documentation must be entered into the City's Certification and Compliance System, with annual submissions of an updated Small Business Participation Plan. The solicitation allows for multiple contract awards and reserves the right to select vendors based on technical capability, demonstrated availability of manpower, safety record, and history of complaints and terminations. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the RFP includes a detailed compensation exhibit that allows for multiple attorneys to be billed at hourly rates, with firm associates permitted to work on research-related tasks at lower rates. Routine meeting preparation and attendance time is capped at six hours per board meeting. The boards will evaluate pricing proposals, with the understanding that they may award contracts to multiple legal firms to meet their comprehensive legal service needs.