Legal Services

The issuing agency, a government authority located in Washington, DC, requires comprehensive legal services to support and protect rail-trail conversions and manage its corporate legal needs. The agency is seeking a legal partner to identify and monitor court and administrative proceedings that affect the legal and policy framework for rail-trail conversions. This partner will selectively participate in litigation with the potential to set significant precedents or impact core agency priorities. The scope of work includes developing and overseeing a network of pro-bono lawyers to assist with litigation, draft legal briefs, and present arguments in court. The selected provider must advise and support agency policy staff in responding to proposed actions in Congress, state legislatures, and federal agencies regarding railbanking and other policy priorities. Additionally, the role involves selectively advocating before the Surface Transportation Board and other federal agencies to ensure administrative decisions and proposed rules encourage and protect rail-trail conversions. The agency also requires the provider to deliver training to program staff and partners, develop resource materials, and provide corporate general counsel services, including contract reviews and advice on nonprofit matters. Only onshore organizations based in the United States are eligible to bid on this opportunity. Bidders must submit their proposals digitally via email or through the online portal, and the agency is currently looking for budget proposals to determine the cost of these services.