About this opportunity
AI summaryThe Town of Middletown seeks proposals to retain a Town Solicitor and obtain comprehensive municipal legal services. The selected contractor will deliver timely, practical, and cost-effective legal counsel to the Town Council, Town Administrator, municipal departments, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Review, and other municipal bodies. Responsibilities include interpreting the Town Charter, local ordinances, policies, regulations, and state and federal laws, as well as drafting and reviewing legal opinions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and policies. The proposed solicitor must hold substantial Rhode Island municipal or governmental law experience, litigation and advisory background, and familiarity with counseling elected or appointed governmental bodies. Only onshore USA organizations are eligible to submit proposals for offsite performance. Applicants can submit their responses digitally by email or online, and must direct any questions by November 10, 2026. The buyer will evaluate proposals based on Rhode Island municipal law experience, the solicitor's qualifications, planning and zoning expertise, and past performance references.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN, RI
- Solicitation No.
- MIDD-027-009
Scope of work
- Serve as principal legal counsel and Town Solicitor to Town Council, Town Administrator, and municipal departments
- Attend Town Council meetings and executive sessions when legal counsel is required
- Provide legal counsel to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Review
- Interpret and advise regarding Town Charter, Code of Ordinances, policies, regulations, and state/federal law
- Prepare and review legal opinions, ordinances, resolutions, agreements, policies, and legal documents
- Provide routine employment-law and labor relations legal advice
- Advise regarding municipal taxation, assessments, collections, and municipal procurement and contract administration
- Provide optional alternate municipal court prosecution services if proposed
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island municipal law experience | Not specified |
| Qualifications and experience of the proposed Town Solicitor | Not specified |
| Planning, zoning and land-use experience | Not specified |
| Relevant references and past performance | Not specified |
| Town Prosecutor alternate qualifications, experience, courtroom/prosecution background, and proposed fees (if submitted) | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Skilled and regularly engaged in the type of work required by the specifications
- Be an attorney in good standing admitted to practice before the Rhode Island Supreme Court
- Have substantial experience in Rhode Island municipal or governmental law
- Have experience advising elected or appointed governmental bodies
- Have appropriate litigation and advisory experience
- Attorney principally responsible for Planning and Zoning must demonstrate substantial experience with Rhode Island land-use law and practice
- Attorney proposed for optional Town Prosecutor alternate must demonstrate appropriate courtroom and prosecution, criminal-law, or comparable trial experience
Documents to include with your response
- Proposal Form
- Non-Collusion Affidavit
- Proposer’s Statement Regarding Insurance Coverage
- Proposer Statement of Relevant Experience
- Cost Proposal (in a separate sealed envelope)
- Company profile / Proposer's Background
- At least three (3) client references
- Attorney résumés and experience descriptions
- Conflict of interest disclosures and management process description
- Exceptions to Specifications (if taking exceptions)
Key dates
- Questions due
- 4:00 pm on Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Answers available as addendum
- on or before Thursday, November 12, 2026
- Proposals due
- 10:00 am Tuesday, November 17, 2026
- Proposal opening
- 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 17, 2026
How to submit
- Method
- Sealed hard copy envelope or box
- Instructions
- Deliver to Town Finance Director, Finance Office, 350 East Main Rd, Middletown, RI 02842. Submit one (1) original marked 'MASTER' and fifteen (15) copies, with Cost Proposals submitted in a separate sealed envelope; labeled MIDD-027-009.
Contract details
- Place of performance
- Middletown, RI
- Insurance and bonding
- Workmen’s Compensation and Unemployment Liability; Comprehensive General Liability; Professional Liability Insurance with a limit of $1,000,000 per claim and in the aggregate; Automobile Liability Insurance including non-owned and hired automobiles; duty to defend the Town.