MIP3 Legal Services

Franklin County, New York is requesting proposals from licensed New York State attorneys or law firms to provide legal services for the County's Municipal Infrastructure Program Phase 3 broadband infrastructure project, with proposals due September 29, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. under RFP 26-0910-1. Addendum 3 extended the original September 10 deadline; Addendum 1 clarified that scope extends to telecommunications projects undertaken before, during, or after MIP3; and Addendum 2 required submission of a Vendor Reference Page form.

Respondents must hold a New York State law license and demonstrate a minimum of five years representing municipal or public authority clients in New York State. Required specialized experience spans at least two areas: telecommunications infrastructure, tribal law, operations and maintenance agreements, transfer of ownership agreements, or federal or state grant-funded capital projects. The RFP scope encompasses design, permitting, procurement, and construction of fiber optic and fixed wireless broadband infrastructure serving unserved and underserved areas throughout Franklin County, funded through the New York State ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program.

The contract term is one year from award with two optional one-year renewals at the County's sole discretion, maximum three years total. Services are provided on an as-needed hourly basis with no guaranteed minimum volume. Respondents must submit separate hourly rate schedules for senior partners/lead attorneys, associate attorneys, and paralegals for each contract year, expressed as whole-dollar amounts inclusive of routine overhead, research, and travel within Franklin County.

Evaluation criteria allocate 40 points for qualifications and relevant experience, 20 points for references from municipal or public authority clients, 30 points for proposed hourly rates, and 10 points for capacity and local/regional presence. Professional liability insurance of $1,000,000/$2,000,000 and commercial general liability of $1,000,000/$2,000,000 are required. No electronic submissions are accepted; sealed envelopes with one original and two copies must be delivered to or mailed to the Franklin County Manager's Office, 355 West Main Street, Suite 456, Malone, New York. Contact Donna Kissane, County Manager, at donna.kissane@franklincountyny.gov or (518) 481-1695.