About this opportunity
AI summaryRochesterWorks, Inc. is soliciting proposals for legal consultation and startup services for a new 501(c)(3) connected to the Finger Lakes One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships initiative. The selected law firm will handle entity formation, bylaws preparation, tax-exempt status filings, compliance registrations, and startup governance consultation, followed by up to six months of post-filing support. Work will be performed offsite, and the contract term is for one year. Eligibility is limited to onshore vendors in the USA. Proposals must not exceed six narrative pages and must detail a flat fee by deliverable along with hourly rates for ongoing support. Questions are due by October 28, 2026, and final proposals must be submitted electronically to Jeanette Koncikowski by November 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET. Evaluation will be based on relevant experience (30%), key personnel and capacity (20%), and cost reasonableness (15%).
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- RochesterWorks, Inc.
Scope of work
- Preparing and filing Articles of Incorporation
- Preparation of bylaws for adoption by the authorized governing body
- Preparing and filing IRS Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ for 501(c)(3) status
- Preparing and filing state charitable solicitation registration, state tax exemptions, and initial business licensing
- Obtaining an EIN
- Post-filing support for up to six months built into cost proposal at an hourly rate
- Reviewing initial organizational policies including Conflict of Interest, Whistleblower, Nepotism, and Non-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment
- Preparing a fiscal sponsorship/pass through agreement between RochesterWorks, Inc. and FLX ON-RAMP
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Relevant experience | 30% |
| Project understanding and approach | 20% |
| Key personnel, qualifications, and organizational capacity | 20% |
| Cost reasonableness and pricing transparency | 15% |
| M/WBE and SDVOB participation plan | 15% |
Minimum qualifications
- Legally eligible to contract and not suspended or debarred
- Experience in nonprofit and/or startup launch development and 501(c)(3) federal and state tax codes
- Expertise in drafting bylaws, managing board conflicts of interest, fiduciary duties, and legal structures
- Knowledge of state charitable solicitation registration laws, commercial co-ventures, and federal/private grant compliance
- Experience in employment and labor law, discrimination protections, risk management, and volunteer liability
Documents to include with your response
- Organization legal name, address, telephone, website, leadership, and contact details
- Confirmation of legal eligibility to contract (not suspended or debarred)
- Resumes/bios of key project personnel
- Proposed services narrative, approach, and timeline (max 6 narrative pages)
- Budget proposal and pricing rate sheet
- Three references, preferably for other nonprofit clients
- Conflict of Interest check
- MWBE/SDVOB Participation Plan
Key dates
- RFP released
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Questions due
- Wednesday, October 28, 2026
- Proposals due
- Friday, November 6, 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET
- Staff recommendation to the Board
- Tuesday, December 1, 2026
- Anticipated award announcement
- Thursday, December 3, 2026
- Anticipated contract execution
- Tuesday, December 15, 2026
- Service start
- Thursday, December 17, 2026
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Submit electronically to Jeanette Koncikowski at [email protected] with subject line 'Nonprofit Legal Services RFP Response'. Narrative limit is six pages.
Contract details
- Term
- December 15, 2026 through September 30, 2027, with potential separate contract for up to four one-year renewals for ongoing legal services.
- Place of performance
- Finger Lakes Region / Upstate New York
- Funding
- New York State Empire State Development (ESD) grant through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development