Request for proposal - Legal Services for Lenoir County Department of Social Services

Lenoir County Department of Social Services is seeking a contract attorney or law firm to provide comprehensive legal representation for juvenile and adult services matters. The procurement is structured as a Request for Proposals (RFP) for legal services, with a contract start date of December 1, 2025, and an initial duration of one year, potentially renewable in subsequent fiscal years. Primary responsibilities include representing DSS in juvenile abuse, neglect, and dependency court proceedings, which occur one full court day every two weeks. The attorney will be required to prepare court orders, conduct court staffing, draft petitions, and occasionally handle termination of parental rights and appellate court cases. Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on November 10, 2025, to Brittany Naylor, the Lenoir County DSS Director. Evaluation criteria will encompass proposed work approach, individual and firm experience, reference responses, and cost structure. The position requires approximately 37.5 hours per week and is limited to North Carolina-licensed attorneys or law firms with demonstrable expertise in child and adult protective services legal representation.

The RFP demonstrates a preference for small and minority-owned businesses, suggesting potential set-aside considerations for disadvantaged enterprises. Proposers must submit an original and three hard copies of their proposal, including detailed information about legal experience, firm structure, and billing rates. The Lenoir County Social Services Board reserves the right to conduct meetings with qualified offerors and negotiate billing structures before making a final selection. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the contract will be awarded within three weeks of the proposal closing date. The county maintains discretion to reject any proposals that do not meet their requirements. The procurement process emphasizes comprehensive legal support capabilities, with a focus on attorneys or firms that can provide robust representation across juvenile and adult protective services legal domains.