Nonprofit Legal Services for Finger Lakes ON-RAMP

ROCHESTERWORKS, INC.
Request for Proposal
Nonprofit Legal Services for Finger Lakes ON-RAMP (One Network for Regional
Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships)
Issued October 21, 2026
Procurement milestone Date /time
RFP released Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Questions due Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Friday, November 6, 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Proposals due
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
PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE ABOVE.
Submit electronically to Jeanette Koncikowski, Project Management Consultant, at
jeanette@thrivecommunityconsulting.com
1. Background and Purpose
Background
RochesterWorks, Inc. (RWI), a nonprofit organization, is seeking proposals for legal
consultation for the startup and launch of a new 501(c)(3) connected to the Finger
Lakes One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships ("FLX
ON-RAMP") initiative. RWI is located at 100 College Ave., Suite 200, Rochester, New
York 14607. Additional information is available at https://rochesterworks.org.
Purpose
The One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships ("ON-RAMP")
program is a $200 million investment to help fund and realize a network of four new
workforce development centers in strategic, high-impact locations in Upstate New York.
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The primary goal of ON-RAMP is to connect diverse and skilled New Yorkers with
careers in dynamic, high-growth advanced manufacturing industries.
With a flagship location in Syracuse, New York State is funding three additional
ON-RAMP initiatives. In February, 2025, the Finger Lakes Region (comprised of nine
counties in the Greater Rochester, NY, region) was awarded a planning development
grant from New York State Empire State Development ("ESD"). Throughout 2025, a
coalition led by Monroe Community College and RochesterWorks engaged in a
strategic planning effort to develop an FLX ON-RAMP Business Plan that was centered
on using the Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center (FWD Center) at Monroe
Community College's ("MCC") downtown campus as the region's main training hub for
careers in advanced manufacturing, with RochesterWorks being responsible for
participant recruitment, career navigation, and supportive services. RochesterWorks
recently received an implementation award from ESD through the Office of Strategic
Workforce Development to support capital and operating activities associated with the
initiative.
The FLX ON-RAMP initiative will serve as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing
workforce development in the Finger Lakes region. The initiative intends to:
Increase access to advanced manufacturing careers;
Coordinate workforce training and supportive services;
Build partnerships with employers and training providers;
Support underrepresented populations entering manufacturing careers;
Coordinate implementation of startup activities, facilities buildout, staffing,
branding, operations, and reporting;
Establish a new independent FLX ON-RAMP 501(c)(3) organization to ultimately
govern and operate the initiative, with RochesterWorks and the MCC FWD
Center as primary partners.
The goal is for the new 501(c)(3) to file all necessary paperwork with the New York
State Charities Bureau and the Internal Revenue Service by the end of March 2027.
2. Organizational Structure and Mission
FLX ON-RAMP will fulfill its mission as a regional gateway to advanced manufacturing
career pathways by assessing job seekers' skills and needs and connecting them with
the opportunities and resources they need to succeed.
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To do this, FLX ON-RAMP will be governed by an independent 501(c)(3) organization,
led by a board of directors with industry, community, and workforce development
expertise. At least 50% of the board will be comprised of industry representatives.
RochesterWorks is currently the fiscal sponsor for FLX ON-RAMP until it establishes its
independent nonprofit and builds the necessary organizational infrastructure and
capacity to implement the Empire State Development grant award. A FLX ON-RAMP
advisory board currently exists and will transition some members to the 501(c)(3) board
when it is established. The advisory board will collaborate with the project management
team (comprised of RochesterWorks and MCC personnel and project consultants) and
the selected law firm to ensure all 501(c)(3) startup requirements are met, including
drafting and approving the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and meeting the filing
requirements for EIN and tax-exempt status promptly.
FLX ON-RAMP will hire a full-time Executive Director and additional staff (initially as
employees of RochesterWorks) to collaborate with workforce development partners as
well as industry and community representatives to ensure outreach, awareness, and
relevant offerings. The FWD Center will be the physical home of FLX ON-RAMP's
training programs through a to-be-negotiated space and equipment sharing lease
agreement with MCC. The FWD Center will serve as the primary training partner, with
additional specialized courses and training supports provided by external partners.
RochesterWorks will be co-located on-site beginning in 2027. They will work with FLX
ON-RAMP to create recruitment pathways and coordinate social and supportive
services for FLX ON-RAMP program participants from training through career success.
3. Scope of Services
The selected law firm will work closely with RochesterWorks leadership, their project
management consultants, MCC, Empire State Development, and other stakeholders to
support the establishment of the FLX ON-RAMP 501(c)(3) as a New York State
nonprofit organization.
Services may include, but are not limited to:
Entity formation: Drafting, reviewing, amending, and ultimately filing the
organization's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. RochesterWorks and its
project management team, along with the FLX ON-RAMP advisory board, will be
consulted and will collaborate to complete all required paperwork.
Compliance and registration: State charitable solicitation registration, state tax
exemptions, and initial business licensing.
Tax-exempt status: Prepare and file IRS Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ (if counsel
can document eligibility for the streamlined form) for establishment of 501(c)(3)
status.
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Startup governance consultation: Provide consultation as requested to the initial
board of directors or project management team on required NYS charitable
policies to ensure they meet all legal requirements and best practice standards
(e.g., conflict of interest policy, whistleblower policy, sexual harassment policy,
etc.)
Fiscal Sponsorship/Pass through agreement: Consulting with the FLX ON-RAMP
board of directors and RochesterWorks, Inc. staff and leadership and drafting
and revising, as needed, a fiscal sponsorship/pass through agreement that
outlines the working relationship of the parties and the timeline/conditions
needed for a change of status to a fully independent 501(c)(3). These terms and
conditions may include direction and/or approval from Empire State Development
as the initiative's primary funding source.
4. Contractor Responsibilities, Deliverables, and Desired Qualifications
Contractor Responsibilities
In addition to the contracted services, the selected contractor will be required to:
Maintain internal procedures that ensure budget control, prompt billing, and
quality control, including but not limited to auditing invoices.
Provide regular status reports as agreed upon to provide timely updates
regarding the progress on all projects.
Deliverables
Expected deliverables include:
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 (if counsel can document
eligibility for the streamlined form) 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 the cost proposal at an hourly
rate.
Reviewing initial organizational policies including but not limited to Conflict of
Interest, Whistleblower Policy, Nepotism, and Non-Discrimination and
Anti-Harassment Policy.
Preparing a fiscal sponsorship/ pass though agreement between
RochesterWorks, Inc. and FLX ON-RAMP.
Desired Qualifications
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The ideal law firm will demonstrate experience in:
Nonprofit and/or startup launch development, including strong working
knowledge of federal and state tax codes governing 501(c)(3) organizations.
Expertise in drafting bylaws, managing board conflicts of interest, establishing
fiduciary duties, and organizing appropriate legal structures.
Knowledge of state charitable solicitation registration laws, commercial
co-ventures, and federal or private grant compliance.
Employment and labor law, discrimination protections, risk management, and
volunteer liability.
Familiarity with the Finger Lakes nonprofit sector and/or workforce development
systems.
RochesterWorks is committed to promoting economic growth through the inclusion and
utilization of diverse businesses. We strongly encourage proposals from certified
Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) and Service-Disabled
Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs). Each respondent must submit an
MWBE/SDVOB Participation Plan identifying its own applicable New York State
certifications and each proposed certified subcontractor or supplier. For each
participating firm, identify its certification number, proposed scope, dollar amount,
percentage of the proposed award, and evidence of its agreement to participate.
Separately identify M/WBE and SDVOB participation and distinguish prime-contractor
self-performance from subcontracted work and third-party purchases.
Participation credit is subject to ESD verification and applicable counting requirements.
The selected contractor's approved commitments will be incorporated into the contract.
The contractor must provide monthly participation and payment information, supporting
documentation, and advance notice of proposed substitutions or reductions in
committed participation.
5. Contract Term, Budgets, Procurement Schedule, and RFP Conditions
Contract Term
The initial contract term is expected to run from December 15, 2026 through September
30, 2027. A separate contract for up to four one-year renewals for ongoing legal
services may be released later. It will be based on funding availability, satisfactory
contractor performance, and successful negotiation of contract terms. An award does
not guarantee a minimum expenditure amount.
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Budget
The budget for this project is negotiable. Propose a flat fee by required deliverable,
along with 1) filing fees and other disbursements, 2) hourly rates by assigned personnel
for authorized additional work, including post-filing support (if needed) for up to six
months, and 3) hourly rates for future legal consultation.
RochesterWorks reserves the right to negotiate final scope, deliverables, timeline, and
compensation with the selected proposer.
Questions, Clarifications, and Addenda
Questions must be submitted to Jeanette Koncikowski, Project Management
Consultant, via email to jeanette@thrivecommunityconsulting.com no later than
Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Only written responses or addenda issued by RWI are
official. Respondents are responsible for reviewing all issued addenda, which become
part of this RFP. Responses will be posted at
https://rochesterworks.org/request-for-proposals/.
RFP Conditions and Reservations
RWI reserves the right to amend, suspend, reissue, or cancel this RFP; reject any or all
proposals; waive minor irregularities; request clarifications, references, demonstrations,
or interviews; negotiate with one or more respondents; and make one or multiple
awards by population, geography, industry, or service capacity. This RFP does not
obligate RWI to award a contract or reimburse proposal preparation costs.
The RFP, issued addenda, the successful proposal, and negotiated contract will form
the agreement. Respondents must identify material exceptions to the RFP or
anticipated contract terms. Proposals missing material required information will be
considered nonresponsive and will not be evaluated.
6. Proposal Requirements
Submit one proposal of no more than six narrative pages. The cover page, rate sheet,
certifications, references, resumes, or bios are excluded from the narrative page limit.
1. Organization, contacts, and eligibility. Provide the organization's legal name, address,
telephone number, website, President/CEO, contract manager, and authorized
representative empowered to negotiate and bind the organization. Identify office
locations and regional service capacity, any subcontractors, and the prime respondent
responsible for all performance. Confirm the organization is legally eligible to contract
and is not suspended or debarred.
2. Experience, qualifications, and capacity. Describe relevant experience, including
nonprofit incorporation, work with public workforce programs, manufacturing,
professional and business services, etc. Include resumes/bios of key project
personnel in addenda.
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3. Approach and implementation. Describe your proposed services, approach, and
timeline of activities.
4. Budget proposal and pricing. Detail your flat fee by required deliverable, along with 1)
filing fees and other disbursements, 2) hourly rates by assigned personnel for
authorized additional work, including post-filing support (if needed) for up to six
months, and 3) hourly rates for future general legal consultation.
5. References and Conflict of Interests. Provide three references, preferably for other
nonprofit clients. Also provide a Conflict of Interest check.
6. MWBE/SDVOB participation plan. Identify your own applicable New York State
M/WBE and/or SDVOB certifications and those of each proposed certified
subcontractor or supplier. For each firm (including your own) with a certification,
identify the certification number, proposed scope, dollar amount, percentage of the
proposed award, and evidence of its agreement to participate. M/WBE and SDVOB
participation should be identified separately. Although RWI's M/WBE and SDVOB
goals for this project are 30% and 6%, respectively, points will be awarded for plans
utilizing up to 100% participation between the two categories.
7. Evaluation and Award
Proposals will first be reviewed for responsiveness and completeness. Responsive
proposals will be evaluated using the criteria below. RWI may verify references, request
clarifications, or conduct finalist interviews before award. Awards are subject to approval
by the Monroe County/Rochester Workforce Development Board. Grievances related to
this procurement must be emailed to Lee Koslow, Director of Workforce System
Performance, at Lkoslow@rochesterworks.org with the subject line "Nonprofit Legal
RFP Grievance" by December 29, 2026, or 14 days after the date of the occurrence of
the cause for complaint, whichever is later.
Evaluation criterion Weight
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%
RWI may select multiple contractors based on capacity, proposed services, service
quality, and/or price. Final award is subject to successful negotiation and execution of a
contract.
The selected consultant must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local
requirements, including M/WBE and SDVOB participation requirements established by
Empire State Development.
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8. Submission Instructions
Proposals must be received electronically by 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time on Friday,
November 6, 2026.
Submit to: Jeanette Koncikowski, Project Management Consultant, at
jeanette@thrivecommunityconsulting.com
The email subject line should read: "Nonprofit Legal Services RFP Response." Late
proposals will not be considered. Ms. Koncikowski, on behalf of RWI, will acknowledge
receipt by email.
RochesterWorks, Inc. is committed to equal opportunity in its contracting process.
Reasonable accommodations and accessible proposal materials are available upon
request.
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