Request For Proposal - Legal Services

The Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA), located in Youngstown, Ohio, within Mahoning County, is seeking legal services through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP #RFP2025-8) released on July 28, 2025. The procurement is specifically targeting comprehensive legal services, encompassing both General Counsel and Labor and Employment Services for a proposed three-year base contract with potential two-year extensions. Proposing law firms must demonstrate expertise in public transportation laws, FTA regulations, contract management, Board-related legal matters, labor relations, collective bargaining, and employment issues. The evaluation process will allocate 50 total points across three key criteria: Demonstrated Experience/Qualifications (20 points, 40%), Approach to Provision of Services (20 points, 40%), and Proposed Costs (10 points, 20%). Proposals are due by August 29, 2025, at 11:00 am, with a public bid opening scheduled in WRTA's boardroom, and final results to be posted on the OpenGov procurement portal. The pricing structure requires hourly rates for Partners (General Counsel and Labor Relations), Associates, and Paralegals, including clerical support.

The RFP includes a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal of 1.35% of the total contract amount, with DBE firms required to be certified under the Ohio Department of Transportation Unified Certification Program. Proposing firms must provide professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $1 million per occurrence, with WRTA named as both certificate holder and additional insured. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the hourly rate-based contract suggests flexibility in potential contract value depending on the scope and complexity of legal services required. The procurement appears open to qualified law firms with demonstrated expertise in public transportation and municipal legal services, with no explicit restrictions beyond the DBE participation goal and insurance requirements. The competitive nature of the RFP indicates that multiple firms may be considered, with the selection based on a comprehensive evaluation of qualifications, service approach, and proposed costs.