Request for Proposal - Utility and Telecommunications/Broadband Legal Assistance
| Agency: | Tanana Chiefs Conference |
|---|---|
| State: | Alaska |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Posted: | Apr 25, 2024 |
| Due: | May 13, 2024 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
Request for Proposal – Utility and Telecommunications/Broadband Legal Assistance
April 25, 2024April 23, 2024
Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) is soliciting proposals from qualified firms with experience and the ability to provide legal assistance specializing in utility services and broadband and telecommunications.
Questions regarding this solicitation shall be emailed to Olivia Karns at
olivia.karns@tananachiefs.org
.
All questions must be submitted prior to 5:00 P.M. AKDT on April 29th, 2024. The final Addendum responding to questions shall be released no later than May 3rd, 2024.
Proposals are required to be submitted no later than 2:00 P.M. AKDT on May 13th, 2024.
Attachment Preview
TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Utility and Telecommunications/Broadband Legal Assistance
April 22, 2024
Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3
II. Solicitation ............................................................................................................. 3
III. Scope of Work ........................................................................................................ 3
IV. Evaluation and Award Criteria ................................................................................ 4
V. Management .......................................................................................................... 4
VI. Term of Contract .................................................................................................... 4
VIII. Schedule ................................................................................................................. 5
IX. Terms and Conditions ............................................................................................. 5
X. Required Documents ............................................................................................ 10
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I. Introduction
Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), organized as Dena’ Nena’ Henash or “Our Land
Speaks,” is a sovereign tribal consortium with a board of directors consisting of 42 Tribal
communities across Interior Alaska, representing 37 federally recognized tribes. TCC is
an Alaska Native non-profit corporation that provides health and social services for the
more than 18,000 Alaska Native people in the Interior Alaska region. TCC was formed in
1962, but its history dates back over 100 years, when tribal chiefs from throughout the
region banded together to protect their Native land rights. TCC’s main office is in
Fairbanks, Alaska. TCC region covers 235,000 square miles of Interior Alaska, which is
equal to about 37 percent of the entire state, and just slightly smaller than the state of
Texas. The region is divided into six subregions: Yukon Koyukuk, Yukon Tanana, Lower
Yukon, Upper Kuskokwim, Yukon Flats, and Upper Tanana.
TCC has received over $200 million dollars to date of grant funds to build and support
energy and telecommunications and broadband projects in remote Interior Alaska.
Funds include grants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US
Department of Energy (DOE) to build out community scale solar projects to supplant
diesel generators as TCC promotes better energy efficiency, reliability and
independence for Tribes in remote villages in Interior Alaska. TCC has also received Two
(2) US Department of Agriculture (USDA) ReConnect grants and a National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) grant to build a fiber
broadband network to remote villages along the Yukon River. In addition, TCC has
applied for a grant from the EPA that would provide for the construction of a Seventy-
Five (75) mile electrical intertie transmission line.
II. Solicitation
TCC is soliciting to obtain proposals from qualified law firms to retain a legal team
specializing in utility services, specifically energy producing services, telecommunication,
broadband services, and related tax issues. Proposing law firms should be ready and
capable to partner with TCC’s Legal Division immediately upon award as projects are
currently under way.
Questions regarding this solicitation shall be emailed to Olivia Karns at
olivia.karns@tananachiefs.org. All questions must be submitted no later than 5 p.m.
AKDT on April 29, 2024. The final Addendum responding to questions shall be released
no later than close of business on May 3, 2024. Proposals should be submitted no later
than 2 p.m. AKDT on May 13, 2024.
III. Scope of Work
TCC is looking for a law firm to partner with it in-house counsel to provide legal
advice and support regarding energy services, telecommunication/broadband
regulatory issues, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requirements,
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3
related tax issues, budget and construction issues, grant/contract review and
negotiations, as well as other issues related to the grant awards. TCC Legal is also
looking for legal assistance regarding the evaluation and/or implementation of
any new business entities needed for these grants under TCC’s non-profit Tribal
status, or independent of TCC’s organizational structure.
Each bidder shall thoroughly examine the attached service contract documents.
The failure or neglect of a bidder to receive or examine any contract document or
any part thereof shall in no way relieve it from any obligations with respect to its
quote or to the service contract. No claim for additional compensation shall be
allowed which is based upon a lack of knowledge of any contract document.
IV. Evaluation and Award Criteria
TCC is not awarding this contract based on price alone. The selection criteria will include
all of the following:
1. Experience: The skill, experience, and training of the specified persons who will be
performing the services requested. Resumes to be included for all staff that will
perform tasks for this project Total available points for this: 35 Points.
2. Understanding: Has the offeror clearly demonstrated an understanding of the
project scope, identified pertinent issues and potential problems related to the
project. Total available points: 20 Points.
3. Methodology: How comprehensive is the methodology being used and does it
depict a logical approach to fulfilling the requirement of this RFP? Total available
points: 15 Points.
4. Management Plan: Does the management plan support the project requirements
and depict clear lines of communication and accountability of all tasks. Total
available points: 20 Points.
5. Cost: 10% preference (in evaluation only) shall be given to AN/AI owned businesses
Appendix A must be signed and submitted to receive preference. Total available
points: 10 Points.
V. Management
Robin Brown, TCC General Counsel will manage this contract for TCC. If a party changes
its contract manager, then the party will notify the other in writing of this change.
VI. Term of Contract
Subject to Section 7. Termination in the Terms and Conditions, the Services shall start
upon receiving a fully signed agreement (approximately June 1, 2024) and shall end
September 30, 2027, with the option to renew as agreed upon by the two parties, but
not to exceed a total of five (5) years.
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VII. Payment
Contractor shall submit a properly prepared invoice. Payment shall be made no later
than thirty (30) days after TCC determines that the Scope of Services agreed upon is
being adhered to, satisfactory progress made, and Contractor has furnished TCC with
Contractors Tax ID number and all required documents.
VIII. Schedule
The anticipated project schedule is as follows.
Deadline to submit Proposals
Issue Notice of Intent to Award (NOITA)
Execute Contract /Notice to Proceed
Contract End Date
May 13, 2024
May 17, 2024
June 1, 2024
September 30, 2027*
*TCC end of fiscal year.
All dates are approximate and contingent upon the completion of previous
activities.
IX. Terms and Conditions
1. Waiver of Minor Informalities.
TCC expressly reserves the right to waive minor informalities, negotiate changes or
reject any and all quotes and to not award the proposed contract, if in its best
interest. “Minor informalities” means matters of form rather than substance which
are evident from the submittal or are insignificant matters that have negligible effect
on price, quantity, quality, delivery or contractual conditions and can be waived or
corrected without prejudice to the other Proposers.
2. Proposals
TCC reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals. Proposals must be
signed (electronic signatures are acceptable) and dated in order to be valid.
Proposals are to be valid for Ninety (90) days from solicitation due date.
TCC will not pay any cost associated with the preparation, submittal, or presentation
of any proposal.
3. Insurance and Indemnification by Contractor
Before starting performance of the Services, the Contractor will provide to TCC proof
of all required insurance in connection with the Services or for the type of work,
including workers’ compensation insurance, in amounts acceptable to TCC. Except
for claims arising out of acts caused by the sole negligence of TCC or its employees,
the Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless TCC, its employees, agents,
officers, and directors for any claims arising out of an act or omission of any nature
whatsoever of the Contractor, or its employees, causing damage to any person or
property in performance of this contract. Required limits are listed below:
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