RFP 26-730 Bond Counsel Legal Services

DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is soliciting proposals through RFP 26-730 to procure bond counsel legal services for the DeKalb County Board of Education. The District seeks qualified law firms capable of providing comprehensive legal services including legal opinions on bond validity and tax-exempt status, transaction formation analysis, document preparation (bond resolutions, trust indentures, and official statements), procedural compliance with securities laws and SEC regulations, voter referendum assistance, bond closing oversight, post-issuance compliance duties, and risk management advice related to general obligation bonds and lease-purchase financing. The procurement is open to all qualified vendors, with an optional virtual pre-proposal conference scheduled for March 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM EST. The deadline for submitting written questions is March 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM EST, with responses posted by March 20, 2026 at 4:30 PM EST. Proposals must be submitted electronically by March 26, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST, followed by a virtual public acknowledgement at 3:30 PM EST. Evaluation will be conducted using a 100-point scale encompassing firm overview (20 points), scope of services methodology (35 points), relevant experience and expertise (20 points), professional references (10 points), and cost proposal (15 points). Prospective vendors must submit audited financial statements for 2023 and 2024, copies of professional licenses, background check clearance, a Certificate of Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, and compliance certifications addressing non-collusion, conflict of interest, immigration and security compliance, suspension and debarment status, and confidentiality obligations.

The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to particular categories of organizations. Pricing shall be submitted using the provided Cost Proposal Form and may include hourly rates for partner, senior attorney, associate, and paralegal positions; a monthly flat rate; or other alternate fee arrangements, with the contract price remaining firm for the entire term and only one price change permitted during any 12-month period at renewal or extension anniversaries. The initial contract duration is one year from the final execution date, with up to four one-year extension options contingent upon DCSD's offer, the offeror's acceptance, and Board of Education approval. DCSD reserves the right to make multiple awards. Services are expected to commence in June 2026. No incumbent vendor or current contractor is listed in the available documentation. Funding is contingent upon DeKalb County Board of Education approval, and no contract shall be formed without such advance official approval; specific budget ranges or award values are not disclosed in the RFP materials.