Regional Housing Authority ("RHA") is requesting proposals from qualified and experienced law firms and individuals to provide legal services on an "as needed basis". The firm selected to provide these services will be awarded a two-year contract with RHA reserving the right to renew for three (3) additional years.
Proposals Due Date and Time
Proposals will be received by RHA at 1455 Butte House Road, Yuba City, CA 95993 until 12:00 PM December 16, 2026. It is the responsibility of the Consultant to ensure that the proposal is received by RHA, by the date and time specified. Late proposals will not be considered. Proposal will not be opened publicly.
Contact Person and Address for Submission of Proposals
Interested, qualified firms and persons (collectively referred to as "Consultants") are invited to submit proposals or questions to the following person and address:
Jennifer Ruiz, Executive Assistant/HR Coordinator Regional Housing Authority 1455 Butte House Road, Yuba City, CA 95993 Tel: (530) 671-0220 ext. 122 Fax: (530) 673-1194 j.ruiz@regionalha.org
Sealed Envelope, Clearly Marked
Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope, addressed to the contact indicated above, with the words clearly printed: PROPOSAL FOR LEGAL SERVICES.
Questions from Proposers
Proposers must submit questions by e-mail, to be received by the Housing Authority no later than 5:00, p.m. PST, December 1, 2026 at j.ruiz@regionalha.org.
If it becomes necessary for RHA to revise any part of the RFP, or to provide clarification or additional information after the RFP documents are released, a written addendum will be posted on RHA website at www.regionalha.org. It shall be the responsibility of the proposers to check the website as to any addenda issued. All addenda issued shall become part of the RFP.
Scope of Work
The Scope of Work may include (but not be limited to) assignments in the following areas as requested by the Executive Director and/or Board of Commissioners:
• Provide general counsel to the Board of Commissioners and RHA management
• Provide counsel on matters relating to organizational operations and management, including reviewing RHA's policies and procedures to determine compliance with applicable Federal, state and local law.
• Provide counsel regarding Employment Law, including
o Employment discrimination
o Wrongful termination
o Harassment, discrimination, retaliation
o Hostile work environment
o Compliance with OSHA requirements
o Workplace policies and other related issues.
o Disciplinary actions, including Skelly procedures and hearings.
o Wage and hour issues.
o Workers Compensation and Leave of Absence issues. (Note: RHA's Workers Comp issues are handled by outside counsel through RHA's insurance pool.)
o Unemployment issues.
o Proactive labor law updates.
• Work with RHA management to resolve issues relating to RHA's lease documents, resident lease violations and eviction procedures,
• Work with RHA management to resolve issues relating to risk management and other operational issues.
• Provide Legal representative including, but not limited to, facilitate the competent legal representation of RHA in the following matters:
o Appearance for and representation of RHA at judicial proceedings involving workplace and employment issues, tenant issues including evictions.
o Defending RHA in or initiating on its behalf, breach of contract actions that will not require or involve complex litigation.
o Referring legal matters to RHA's insurance carrier for resolution and/or defense.
o Appearance for and representation of RHA at administrative tribunals on the Federal, state and local levels. These tribunals may include meetings with HUD or State officials, as well as quasi-judicial forums.
• Prepare, review and/or modify of legal documents utilized by RHA in the course of business to ensure and/or determine compliance with applicable Federal, state and local law. These documents may include Board or Commission resolutions and meeting minutes, employment applications/forms and housing program forms and notices.
• Attend all Board of Commissioners meetings.
• Attend and participate at meetings about and/or with entities having legal business with RHA.
• Provide counsel on conflicts of interest.
• Provide legal opinions on various Labor and Employment law subjects.
• Review, draft and negotiate contracts and leases
• Advise on corporate and tax-exempt organization legal issues.
• Advise on government grant, funding, financing and contract issues.
• Advise on responses to subpoenas, court orders, and request for information from third parties.
• Defend lawsuits, administrative claims, or other legal claims.
• Conduct litigation as necessary.
• Review real estate documents as needed (promissory notes, deeds of trust, loan agreements, etc.)
• Other legal services as needed.
Other Issues as Directed
RHA realizes that certain firms may not possess all the in-house expertise that may be needed by RHA. It is not the intent of RHA to have counsel review complex legal documents, or to advise on complex issues, for which Counsel has no or limited expertise. RHA requires assurance that the qualified respondent can access other firms that may have experience and expertise required to supplement in-house capability.
Selection Criteria
RHA will evaluate the proposals based upon the following criteria:
• Experience working with Housing Authorities including experience with operations issues like personnel management and risk management
• Availability during business hours for questions, assistance, and advice or provide services of an alternate attorney suitable to RHA.
• Experience with HUD subsidy programs including but not limited to Public Housing and Section 8.
• Experience with federal, California and local housing laws and regulations.
• Experience with California and local eviction process for rental housing and in the preparation and litigation of cases.
• Quality of references.
• Hourly rates for the provision of services in relation to the scope of services.
Policies Regarding Submission of Proposals
1. RHA will not reimburse Consultants for costs that they incur in preparing their proposals.
2. RHA reserves the right to request additional information from the Consultants to make a fully informed decision regarding selection of the Consultant.
3. RHA reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.
4. Consultants hired by RHA as a result of this RFP will be independent contractors and not employees of RHA.
5. Consultant will be required to list RHA as additional insured on, and provide proof of, General Liability insurance with endorsement in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 general aggregate limit; Auto insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per accident; Worker's Compensation in the amount of $1,000,000 per accident; and Errors and Omissions Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence.
Required Proposal Format and Content
One (1) original proposal shall be submitted on 8 ½" by 11" paper, single-sided with consecutive page numbers. Sections of the proposal should be divided by labeled tabs. All text should be in a clear, legible font. Language should be clear, concise, and economical. Judicious use of relevant, clearly identified photos is acceptable.
The proposals should contain the following sections in the order presented below:
Section 1 - Letter of Interest
Section 2 - Table of Contents
Section 3 - Consultant Firm Data (required items: name, address, contact, years in business, number of employees, type of business organization, organization chart, statement of qualifications and experience including five years of relevant work, name of person who will sign agreement)
Section 4 - Legal Experience (including at least three client references and experience categories)
Section 5 - Current Workload and Availability
Section 6 - Personnel Resumes
Section 7 - Proposed Cost of Services (hourly billing rates, charges for expenses, identify exclusions, identify RHA involvement, alternative fee proposals)
Section 8 - Philosophy, Approach & Technical Capabilities
Section 9 - Equal Employment Opportunity
Attachments
Consultants shall include fully executed copies of the following attachments that are included in this RFP:
a. HUD-5369-B Instructions to Offerors Non-Construction
b. HUD-5369-C Certifications and Representations of Offerors
c. HUD Table 5.1 Mandatory Contract Clauses for Small Purchases other than Construction
d. Insurance Requirements for Consultants
e. W-9
Additional information in the RFP includes HUD forms and mandatory contract clauses, insurance requirements (minimum limits and endorsements), W-9 guidance, and instructions regarding amendments, offer submission procedures, and protest and withdrawal processes. The RFP specifies that consultants must provide required insurance verification and that maintenance of proper insurance is a material element of the contract.
