BOND COUNSEL SERVICES REQUEST FOR INVITATION TO BID AND STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
The city of Arp (the “City”) is seeking to enter into a Bond Counsel services contract with a qualified professional firm. The City is in the process of applying for funding through the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Interested firms may submit an RFQ according to the following criteria. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals for any reason deemed to be in the best interest of the City.
Project Description: The existing WWTP will be decommissioned and the existing footprint will be either reused or reclaimed, based on the final plant design and the most efficient land use.
The replacement WWTP will be an activated sludge type, package treatment plant rated for 0.5 MGD. Because the flows of the City generally peak twice per day (8:00 am and 8:00 pm) an equalization basin/tank (100,000 gallon) will be used to provide a more constant flow through the plant. The lighting in the Plant will be replaced with energy efficient sources and two additional light poles will be necessary for the new plant configuration. The collection system has a significant I & I issue. Estimated line replacement is ~ 10,000 Ft. And impacting ~60 customers service lines (~1,800 Ft.). Additionally, one “Lift Station} will need to be replaced. Piping in the collection system will be replaced via “pipe-bursting” and service lines will be connected as appropriate. Approximately two miles of “permeable pavement” will be installed over the area of the pipe and line work.
I. Scope of Services: The Bond Counsel shall provide the following services, as necessary:
• Assist in preparing legal documents in connection with the Obligations and/or loan forgiveness funding.
• Render an objective legal opinion with respect to validity of any Obligations issued by the City.
• Examine applicable law.
• Prepare the Ordinance and other documents necessary to authorize any Obligations and/or loan forgiveness agreements with the TWDB.
• Consult with the parties to the transaction prior to the issuance of Obligations or entry into loan forgiveness agreement.
• Secure TWDB and Texas Attorney General approval of any Obligations and the registration of the Obligations by the Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Texas.
• Review certified proceedings.
• Undertake such additional duties as deemed necessary to render the opinion with respect to each issue of Obligations.

II. Statement of Qualifications: The proposer shall provide a description of the history and background of the firm. Identification of services currently being provided to municipalities in Texas and other information relevant to the provision of Bond Counsel Services.
• General information about the firm.
 Name, address, and telephone number of the firm.
 History of the firm.
 List names and title of officers of the firm who will be directly responsible for Bond Counsel Services.
 Information pertaining to the firm’s compliance with licensing and other requirements.
• References.
List of two (2) references.
• Identify personnel to be assigned responsibility for administering the account (provide resume and location for the individual representatives that the firm will assign to the account).
• List the experience of the individuals assigned to the account with the TWDB’s loan programs and placement of debt instruments with the TWDB. Please list the work performed, including the dollar amount of the debt issue or other financing. Please include the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of contact person.
• Additional services �" describe any other service or experience of the firm, which you deem beneficial in acting as Bond Counsel to the City.
• Attach a copy of bond counsel services contract proposed by your firm without fee information.

III. Dateline For Submission: If your firm is interested in being considered for this project, proposals must be received no later than 4:00 PM on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at the City Hall, 109 W. Longview Street, Arp Texas, 75750. One (1) copy of the proposal must be sealed and clearly marked on the face of the shipping material “TWDB BOND COUNSEL RFQ”.
Calendar of Events
June 11, 2023 Publish Invitation to Bid and Request For Qualifications
July 20, 2023 Receive Invitation to Bid and Request For Qualifications
July 25, 2023 Approve Selection
The City reserves the right to negotiate with any and all Applicants or firms that submit proposals, as per the Texas Professional Services Act. Qualified SBE, MBE and WBE firms are encouraged to submit proposals in response to this invitation. The City affords Affirmative Actions to qualified small, minority and women-owned businesses. Please note that the successful respondent is required to make a “good faith effort” toward affording opportunity for qualified SBE, MBE and WBE participation and submit, if required, supporting documentation to the TWDB.
IV. Additional Information
A. This contract is contingent upon release of funds from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).
B. Any contract or contracts awarded under this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) are expected to be funded in part by a loan from the TWDB. Neither the State of Texas nor any of its departments, agencies, or employees are or will be a part to this, RFQ, or any resulting contract.
C. This contract is subject to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, which includes EPA-approved fair share goals toward procurement of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) businesses. EPA rules require that applicants and prime contractors make a good faith effort to award a fair share of contracts, subcontracts, and procurements to M/WBEs through demonstration of the six affirmative steps. For more details of the DBE Program and the current, applicable fair share goals, please visit: www.twdb.texas.gov/dbe.
D. Equal Opportunity in Employment �" all qualified Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard for race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap or national origin. Bidders on this work will be required to comply with the President’s Executive Order No. 11246, as amended by Executive Order 11.375, and as supplemented in Department of Labor regulations 41 CFR, Part 60. The Authority is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Small, minority and women-owned firms are encouraged to submit proposals.

Licensed Bond Counsel in the state of Texas