The North Carolina League of Municipalities is seeking qualified attorneys and law firms in the following practice areas to include on our newly launched American Rescue Plan Counsel:
Consult with League staff concerning requirements of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds of H.R. 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, (commonly called Uniform Guidance).
Consult with North Carolina municipalities concerning requirements of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds of H.R. 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, (commonly called Uniform Guidance).
NCLM will select as many attorneys and law firms as it deems, in its sole discretion, to be well suited for this legal work. The League will coordinate with its member cities and towns as they consider selection of appropriate legal counsel for ARP issues.
Please submit applications by July 27, 2022. Questions may be directed to Tom Carruthers, 336-908-3022, tcarruthers@nclm.org. Applications can be found here, and below
Thank you for your interest in helping the League protect the interests of our member cities, towns, and villages!
View full RFP posting here.
NCLM Application for American Rescue Plan Counsel
Introduction
The North Carolina League of Municipalities is a member-driven organization representing the interests of over 550 cities and towns in this State. Through their collective efforts, League member cities and towns better serve their residents and improve quality of life.
For more than 100 years, the League has been one voice for cities and towns working for a better North Carolina. The purpose of the League has always been to promote excellence in municipal government, provide opportunities for officials to exchange ideas, to advocate for cities and towns, and to develop a "cooperative approach to all municipal problems of statewide import."
Background
The State Budget Act of 2021 (SL 2021-180, as amended by SL 2021-189, and SL 2022-6) provided to the League two separate grants from funds provided to the State of North Carolina by the U.S. Treasury pursuant the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds of H.R. 1319, American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP); As a result, the League received two Award Agreements from the Office of State Budget and Management (SOBM) and the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office (NCPRO). These funds are to be spent on governmental services. The terms of these grants dictate the disbursement of these funds by the League.
The first grant enables the League “to provide guidance and technical assistance to units of local government in the administration of funds from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, as established in Section 2.6 of S.L. 2021-25, and in the administration of projects funded through the State Fiscal Recovery Fund, as established in Section 2.2 of S.L. 2021-25." This grant is referred to as the Guidance and Technical Assistance Grant (NCLM-66). The second grant enables the League to provide “financial software and assistance programs for units of local government for expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.” This is referred to as and the Financial Software and Assistance Program Grant (NCLM-65). The League is working closely with NCPRO to comply with all funding requirements.
Firm’s Key Criteria
All Firm selected to be a member of NCLM ARP Counsel will have a balanced combination of valuable tangible and intangible capabilities and qualities. Below are the four key criteria:
Firm’s strategic understanding of NCLM’s mission and legal interests.
Firm’s overall knowledge and competency to advise with regard to the Federal and State requirements that arise from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds of H.R. 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) and 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance and Award Agreements from the Office of State Budget and Management (SOBM) and the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office (NCPRO).
Firm’s municipal experience, experience, competency, professionalism, and integrity.
Firm’s fee and cost structure.
Responsive proposals should address the following:
Provide a narrative of the history of your firm, including date experience with relevant North Carolina municipal, state and federal law and the firm’s experience providing services to North Carolina municipal entities.
Include name, address, telephone number, fax number and email address of firm and the individual attorneys who will provide these services. Include contact person and telephone number for purposes of following up on proposal.
Please provide a brief description of the educational and professional background for the attorney or attorneys and staff expected to provide legal services in connection with this request for proposal. You may include any other information you deem relevant.
State the size of the firm, the firm’s municipal law staff, the location of the office from which the work is to be performed, and the number and nature of the professional staff to be employed in this appointment.
Describe the firm’s overall knowledge and competency to advise with regard to the Federal and State requirements that arise from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds of H.R. 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) and 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance.
Describe the firm’s overall knowledge and competency to advise with regard to Award Agreements from the Office of State Budget and Management (SOBM) and the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office (NCPRO).
Have any members of the firm had any experience with various aspects of federal grant administration? Please describe the experience and duration.
Describe the level of coverage for malpractice insurance your firm carries. Provide documentation of malpractice insurance coverage.
Has the firm been disqualified or terminated by any municipal, county, state or federal government or other public agency? Is the firm included on the federally debarred bidder’s list? If so, please explain under what circumstances this disqualification or termination occurred.
List and explain your proposed rate schedule for work provided to the League or its member organizations. Please also include proposed hourly rates for partners, associates, other attorneys and paralegals who may be engaged to work on matters involving the City.
Please share any other information you feel would be useful to the evaluation of proposals for legal service.
All proposals should be delivered by 5:00 p.m. local time, July 27, 2022 via email regular mail, or designated delivery service to:
Thomas D. Carruthers
Senior Assistant General Counsel
434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1900, Raleigh, NC 27601
Email: tcarruthers@nclm.org; Phone: 336-908-3022