RFP_CPED_Minneapolis Tenant Legal Services

The City of Minneapolis Community Planning & Economic Development Department is requesting proposals for legal services to low- and moderate-income Minneapolis tenants, with proposals due September 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM CT and a pre-proposal conference on August 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM via Microsoft Teams. This is a single-award procurement funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars, which subjects the contract to federal Section 3 employment provisions, Davis-Bacon wage requirements where applicable, and non-discrimination requirements.

The scope requires providing legal representation and advocacy to approximately 120 tenants annually across unsafe housing conditions, landlord-tenant disputes, Tenant Remedies Actions, and Rent Escrow Actions under Minnesota law, with a performance goal of achieving positive outcomes in 80% of cases. All selected consultants must be licensed attorneys in good standing to practice law in Minnesota. Proposers must demonstrate organizational experience and capacity, staffing qualifications, community engagement strategies emphasizing culturally responsive service delivery and language accessibility, and performance metrics. Eligible expenses include personnel costs for attorneys, paralegals, and legal advocates; contracted professional services; outreach and community engagement; translation and interpretation services; office supplies and technology; facility costs; and training. Administrative and indirect costs are capped at 15% of direct project costs. Ineligible expenses include lobbying activities, costs incurred outside the contract period, and capital expenditures unrelated to service delivery.

The contract carries a one-year initial term with options to extend annually for two additional one-year periods, for a maximum term not to exceed five years, subject to City Council funding approval. The City anticipates consultant selection by September 30, 2026, with service start January 1, 2027. The City will not necessarily accept the lowest-cost proposal. Proposals must include a cover sheet, project narrative not exceeding ten pages, experience and capacity forms, detailed itemized budget with line-item justification, references, and supporting financial documentation. Questions are due August 13, 2026, at 4:00 PM CT, with responses posted by August 18. Submissions must be made through the City's eSupplier Portal as a single PDF. Contact: Stephine D Holloway, Stephine.Holloway@minneapolismn.gov.