Real Estate Counsel Transaction Services

The City University of New York (CUNY) is seeking a law firm to provide Real Estate Counsel Transaction Services through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP). The primary objective is to secure legal representation for negotiating various real estate transactions involving properties in New York City, including leasehold condominiums, purchase and sale agreements, ground leases, and development agreements. Qualified law firms must demonstrate a verifiable operating history of at least ten years and propose a lead attorney with extensive experience, specifically ten years of complex real estate deal negotiations and three years of working with government entities. The procurement requires detailed proposal submissions via email, with a strict deadline of July 28, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. The initial contract term will be twelve months, commencing upon approval by the Attorney General and New York State Comptroller, with a potential one-year renewal option at CUNY's discretion. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on the firm's experience, proposed attorney qualifications, and the proposed pricing structure based on discounted hourly rates for different staff levels.

The solicitation includes specific set-aside and participation goals, mandating 30% participation for New York State certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) and 6% for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB). No specific incumbent vendors were identified in the documentation. The procurement is subject to the New York State Procurement Lobbying Act, with strict communication protocols requiring all vendor interactions to be channeled through the Office of University Controller's designated contact. Failure to comply with these communication restrictions may result in vendor disqualification. The total budget and exact award value will be determined during contract negotiations, with pricing based on a discounted hourly rate structure. Interested vendors must complete and submit specific compliance forms, including the "Offeror's Affirmation of Understanding" and "Offeror's Disclosure of Prior Non-Responsibility Determinations" as part of the procurement process.