Overview. The School Board of Alachua County, Florida ("School Board" or "District") is requesting information from qualified Firms regarding the availability, qualifications, experience, service models, and capabilities associated with providing legal services to the School Board. The information contained in this Request for Information ("RFI") is intended to assist the District in understanding available legal service options. This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal, Invitation to Bid, or contractual offer. This RFI does not obligate the School Board to reimburse any costs incurred in responding, or procure any services described herein.
Background. The Alachua County School District ("District") and its governing board were created pursuant to Section 4, Article IX of the Constitution of the State of Florida. The District is an independent taxing and reporting entity managed, controlled, operated, administered, and supervised by District school officials in accordance with relevant provisions of the Florida K-20 Education Code, Chapters 1000-1013, Florida Statutes. The School Board consists of five elected officials responsible for the adoption of policies, which govern the operation of District public schools. The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for the administration and management of the schools within the applicable parameters of state laws, State Board of Education Rules, and School Board policies.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements. Respondents should demonstrate their ability to satisfy the following minimum qualifications, which the District anticipates may be required under any future agreement:
a. Maintain an office within one hundred fifty (150) miles of 620 E University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601;
b. Have one or more of its members admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and in good standing of the bar with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida;
c. Have one or more of its members with active membership in the Florida School Board Attorneys Association; and
d. Maintain sufficient attorney and administrative support resources to provide the services described in the Potential Scope of Services.
Required Submittals. The District may request additional information, clarification, supplemental documentation, interviews, meetings, discussions, or oral presentations. Respondents should provide the following tabs and contents:
Tab 1 - Respondent Profile, Transmittal Letter, and RFI Acknowledgement (signed by authorized representative) including firm overview, organizational structure, legal entity, ownership disclosure, service territory and locations.
Tab 2 - Firm Qualifications, Capacity, and Experience: detailed description of background, Florida experience (including representing school districts/public entities), staffing resources (number of attorneys in Alachua and adjacent counties, paralegals/support, years in office), practice areas, litigation/claims in last five years, conflicts of interest disclosure.
Tab 3 - Key Personnel, Qualifications and Experience: identify Lead Counsel and day-to-day manager, detailed resume for Lead Counsel (education, experience, percentage of District work anticipated), up to three representative writing samples by Lead Counsel (redactions allowed for privilege), resumes for attorneys performing >=10% of work, professional distinctions, availability and estimated hours per month available to District.
Tab 4 - Approach and Methodology: approach to managing legal matters, limitations/exceptions to services, understanding of legal/regulatory issues for Florida school districts.
Tab 5 - Other Services: additional services not listed in scope that may benefit the District.
Tab 6 - References: up to five current/former clients (preferably governmental/public agencies/school districts) with contacts and brief description of services provided.
Tab 7 - Pricing and Billing Information: submit Attachment C - Pricing and Billing Information (non-binding), provide hourly rates for all personnel classifications and describe alternative fee arrangements and adjustments for future years.
Potential Scope of Services. The District anticipates general counsel services may include but are not limited to:
- Comprehensive general counsel support for constitutional, statutory, operational, governance responsibilities of the School Board.
- Legal advice and representation in contracts and business law, public procurement and bidding, construction law, employment and labor law, employee and student discipline, Sunshine Law and public records compliance, student privacy and FERPA, Exceptional Student Education (ESE) matters, student services and mental health mandates, constitutional/statutory/administrative law, Board policies and governance, insurance/risk management, real estate and facilities, collective bargaining, litigation management, alternative dispute resolution, legislative matters, and school district operations and governance.
- Specific services: contract review/preparation/negotiation; legal opinions; preparation of legal notices and advertisements; responding to correspondence on behalf of the Board; assistance with disciplinary matters (Superintendent retains independent counsel for formal prosecution of disciplinary actions); representation in collective bargaining, mediation, grievance, arbitration, and special master proceedings; advising on legislation; representing the Board in arbitration; assisting defense counsel retained by the Board's insurer; title examination, acquisition of real property, lease review, disposal of property; bond validation, financing, and other borrowing matters.
Responsiveness and Legal Guidance. The District anticipates counsel will respond to routine inquiries within 24 hours when practicable, provide ongoing legal consultation to Board members, the Superintendent, and designees, and be available to attend Board meetings, workshops, and discipline hearings as required.
Legal Risk Management, Policy Development, Negotiations, Meetings. Counsel may be asked to advise on risk management, policy adoption/revision, and to conduct or assist in negotiations and attend additional meetings requested by the Board or Superintendent.
Professional Competence and Authorization. Counsel must maintain competence across relevant areas of law (Florida Education Code, Sunshine Law, Public Records Law, FERPA, IDEA, Section 504, constitutional and administrative law, labor and employment, procurement, litigation, real estate). Counsel must obtain Board authorization before initiating legal actions except in emergencies; in such cases, counsel should consult with the Board Chair and Superintendent and report actions to the Board.
Budgeting, Billing and Records. The District may require matter-specific budgets for arbitrations or disputes expected to exceed ten billable hours. Counsel must maintain contemporaneous, detailed records and provide detailed monthly invoices. Anticipated billing rules (typical, non-binding guidance): travel time/mileage may not be reimbursable; lodging reimbursement limited and must be approved; meal expenses typically not reimbursable; black-and-white photocopying when authorized reimbursable up to $0.10/page; color copying generally not reimbursable; routine postage not reimbursable except certified/overnight when necessary and documented. Respondents should disclose any exceptions.
Attachment C - Pricing and Billing Information. The RFI includes a pricing form to indicate Monthly Retainer Fee and hourly rates for Lead Counsel, Associates, and Paralegals (requested for informational/planning purposes; non-binding).
