Ver. 3-15-13
Request for Proposals for Legal Services
Inquiries and Proposal Should Be Directed to:
Richard Weaver, Executive Director
Laconia Housing Authority
25 Union Avenue
Laconia, NH 03246
603-524-2112
I. General Information
A. Purpose. This request for proposals (RFP) is to contract for legal services to be provided to Laconia
Housing Authority for the period following acceptance of this proposal up to April 1, 2014. All subsequent annual
renewals will commence on April 1 of each year unless otherwise negotiated.
B. Who May Respond. Only attorneys licensed to practice law in New Hampshire or law firms including
such attorneys (the Submitter) may respond to this RFP. Although not required, an attorney or law firm with an
office in Laconia or the surrounding municipalities is desirable.
C. Instructions on Proposal Submission.
1. Closing Submission Date. Proposals shall be submitted no later than 3:00 PM on April 17,
2013.
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2. Inquiries. Inquiries concerning this RFP should be submitted in writing to the Executive
Director at the address above or by email at dick@laconiahousing.org.
3. Conditions of Proposal. All costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal responding to this
RFP will be the responsibility of the Submitter and will not be reimbursed by Laconia Housing Authority (LHA).
4. Instructions to Submitters. The Submitter’s proposal shall be addressed to the Executive
Director and mailed or otherwise delivered to the address above or emailed to dick@laconiahousing.org so that it
is received by LHA on or before the time indicated in the Closing Submission Date.
5. Right to Reject. LHA reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received in response to
this RFP. LHA may waive any informality, in its sole discretion, with regard to this RFP.
6. Notification of Award. It is expected that a decision selecting the successful Submitter will be
made within four (4) weeks of the Closing Submission Date.
7. Right to Know. All Submitters should be aware that all material included in their proposal may
be subject to Right to Know laws. It is the position of LHA that all such material submitted would be privacy
protected only until a decision on the selection has been made.
D. Description of Entity. LHA is a public body corporate and politic created by the City of Laconia in
accordance with New Hampshire RSA 203, the Housing Authorities Law, and is further operated in accordance with
the Housing Authorities Law. LHA administers a variety of programs subject to federal, state, and local laws and
regulations. Additional information available at: www.laconiahousing.org.
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E. Mission Statement. The mission of LHA is to:
Provide and maintain decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for low and very low-income families,
seniors, and disabled/handicapped individuals.
Assist families, elderly, and disabled/handicapped individuals in attaining self-sufficiency and independent
living through various program options.
Work closely with the City of Laconia and other agencies in evaluating local community needs, economic
development, and housing opportunities.
Contribute to the community with various staff expertise wherever possible.
II. Scope of Services and Form of Contract.
A. Scope of Services. The selected Submitter shall be readily available to perform a variety of legal
services including, but not limited to, the following:
1. Advise on corporate or tax exempt organization legal issues
2. Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, leases, and real estate security documents
3. Advise on labor and employment matters
4. Review personnel, fiscal, and other policies as well as corporate by-laws
5. Attend Board of Commissioners meetings as necessary
6. Advise on government funding and contract issues
7. Advise on responses to any legal orders and requests for information from third parties
8. Defend or assist in the defense of lawsuits or administrative claims
9. Advise on landlord/tenant issues and procedures
10. Conduct litigation as necessary.
B. Form of Contract. The form of contract will be negotiated with the selected Submitter. It is expected
that the contract will be based on the hourly rate of the attorney or other legal professional working on an
assignment broken down into time increments of no more than a quarter of an hour. The contract may also
include payment of a flat monthly fee for routine matters that can be handled by telephone and do not require
extensive legal research.
III. Proposal Contents.
A. Structure of the Submitter. Give a narrative overview of the Submitter including size, structure,
location, length of time in business, areas of practice, etc.
B. Legal Experience. Describe the Submitter’s experience in the following areas: experience advising
nonprofit organizations, experience with government programs, experience with affordable housing policy and
issues, familiarity with landlord/tenant law including federal fair housing requirements, familiarity with labor and
employment matters, and experience with real estate law.
C. Attorney Qualifications. LHA anticipates a primary point of contact if the Submitter is a law firm.
Please list that person along with his/her professional and educational background. If other attorneys are likely to
be assigned; list their names, areas of expertise, and professional and educational backgrounds.
D. References. List at three (3) clients and their contact information to which the Submitter has provided
services similar to those sought by LHA.
E. Pricing. Submit the hourly billing rates for the primary attorney as well as the hourly billing rates for
any other attorneys likely to be utilized. Also include the hourly billing rates for other legal staff including
paralegals that might be utilized. Out of pocket expenses such as mailing, copying, mileage, etc. are to be included
in the hourly rates and not billed separately.
IV. Proposal Evaluation
The LHA Executive Director and appropriate staff will evaluate proposals and make the selection.
Interviews with Submitters may be requested prior to final selection. Proposals will be reviewed considering the
following criteria:
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Responsiveness to this RFP
Qualifications of individuals identified
Relevant experience with similar clients and legal matters
Responses from references
Fee structure
Interview, if conducted.