What the buyer needs
AI summaryThe Florida Atlantic Research and Development Authority requires a qualified law firm or legal practitioner to serve as General Counsel and primary legal advisor to the Authority and President. The scope covers governance, meeting attendance, drafting resolutions, transactional and real estate matters, serving as a title agent when permitted, and advising on special district law, Sunshine Law, public records, compliance, intellectual property, labor, and pre-litigation disputes. Only onshore, USA organizations are eligible to submit offsite work proposals. Applicants must email electronic submissions to [email protected] by November 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST, and submit all questions by October 15, 2026. The Authority seeks fee proposals featuring a fixed monthly retainer fee, hourly billing rates for specialized services, or alternative fee structures. Evaluators score proposals based on firm experience and qualifications (35%), qualifications of assigned attorneys (25%), the fee proposal (25%), and client references and approach (15%). The Authority expects review and award on November 18, 2026, contract execution on January 20, 2027, and a contract effective date of February 1, 2027.
Scope of work
- Attendance at regular and special Board meetings, preparing legal activity reports, and drafting bylaws, resolutions, and policies
- Negotiating, drafting, and reviewing commercial leases, subleases, intergovernmental agreements, procurement contracts, and real property transactions
- Serving as title agent on transactions when permitted
- Advising on Florida Public Records Law, Sunshine Law, State and County Ethics Codes, and legislative enhancements to F.S. Chapter 159
- Counseling on intellectual property, labor/employment, bidding/RFPs, risk management, and pre-litigation disputes
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Experience & Qualifications: Track record in Florida public entity law, F.S. Chapter 159 districts, commercial real estate, and public university partnerships. | 35% |
| Qualifications of Assigned Attorney(s): Experience, accessibility, and reputation of designated primary counsel. | 25% |
| Fee Proposal: Structure, competitive pricing, value of monthly retainer, and hourly rate schedules. | 25% |
| Client References & Approach: Depth of experience with similar authorities and responsiveness of proposed client service model. | 15% |
Minimum qualifications
- Qualified law firms and legal practitioners
- Onshore (USA Organization Only)
Documents to include with your response
- Technical and financial package
- Firm Profile & Key Personnel overview with designation of a Primary Lead Attorney
- Pricing Structure including Fixed Retainer Fee, Hourly Rates, and Alternative Fee Structures
- Written certification of compliance with F.S. 287.133 (Public Entity Crimes)
- Written certification of compliance with F.S. 287.087 (Drug-Free Workplace)
- Written certification of absence of conflicting representations
- Client References
How to submit
- Method
- Digitally via Email or Online
- Instructions
- Submissions must be delivered electronically to the Authority's President at [email protected]