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Consultant - American Samoa (Request for Proposals)

Description: 

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is seeking a short-term engagement with a consultant to provide expertise and technical assistance in the development of a legal services provider in American Samoa. About the Legal Services Corporation: LSC is the country’s largest single funder of civil legal aid to low-income Americans. LSC awards competitive grants to 134 independent legal aid organizations with more than 800 offices serving every county in every state and the U.S. territories. LSC staff conducts compliance reviews and program visits to ensure that grantees are providing high-quality legal services in accordance with LSC’s Performance Criteria; and are compliant with the LSC Act, LSC regulations, and other requirements; and to ensure that grantees are fiscally responsible. LSC also provides training and technical assistance to grantees regarding best practices and systems to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of their services. LSC has approximately 100 employees.

Requirements: 

LSC has not had a grantee in the AS-1 service area since 2007. Only one organization has applied in the last four competition years (2011-2014), however, it has yet to qualify as an organization eligible for LSC funding. The organization has an approved charter to function as a non-profit corporation in American Samoa. It has a board, but no staff or office. It applied to the IRS for 501(c)(3) status on September 9, 2012 and the IRS acknowledged receipt of the application on September 19, 2012. The application has been pending since that time. American Samoa, the only U.S. territory south of the equator, consists of five islands and two atolls, with a total land area of 76 square miles. The largest island, Tutuila, is approximately 25 miles long and contains most of the territory’s population, which numbers about 55,000. The poverty population is estimated at 35,000. The bar consists of approximately 20 lawyers. Island infrastructure is severely limited. In particular, telecommunications with the mainland U.S. and the rest of the world is hampered by the fact that the territory is not connected to the trans-Pacific cable that connects Australia and Hawaii. Transmissions from the island are limited to satellite links with limited bandwidth. The difficulty of re-establishing service in American Samoa is matched by the need for a provider there. Familial violence is much more tolerated in the culture, and spousal abuse is a severe problem. Scope of Services LSC is seeking a part-time engagement lasting up to six months of a subject matter expert in the development of a legal services provider and in the provision of legal services in a remote environment. The Consultant will provide expert advice to LSC staff regarding the development of a provider in American Samoa and will provide technical assistance to ASLA to help it become a viable applicant for LSC grant funds. The Consultant will provide technical assistance in the following areas and documentation of them to LSC: 1. Documentation/Completion of Status A. Approval of 501(c)(3) B. Proof of Charter filed with and approved by government of American Samoa C. Development of the organization’s Bylaws D. Provision of list of elected officers E. Provision of board minutes reflecting enactment of Bylaws and election of officers F. Provision of list of all board members (names, addresses, phone numbers, email) G. Board minutes of any meetings other than those specified above 2. Development and implementation of a new program start-up plan with clearly delineated mileposts and a six-month completion goal. A start-up plan would cover these elements: A. Staffing 1) Time frame for interviewing staff (executive director, attorneys, paralegals, and support staff) 2) Identifying the positions, salary rate, and anticipated start dates B. Financial management 1) Development of budget 2) Contract with CPA or other person with financial expertise 3) Development of fiscal controls 4) Adoption of an accounting guide 5) Development of board oversight policies and procedures C. Office plan 1) Choosing best area 2) Identifying space requirements 3) Selecting location 4) Acquiring supplies and furnishings D. Compliance 1) Provision of training in LSC regulations and requirements to board and staff 2) Coordination with OCE E. Communication / Technology 1) Engage a technology consultant to determine what can maximize communications with LSC 2) Assistance with selection and startup of a case management system 3) Assistance with selection of a phone system Proposal Questionnaire 1. State your name, address and contact information. 2. What is your availability to travel to American Samoa? 3. Describe your familiarity and expertise with establishing a new legal services provider or program, LSC regulations and requirements, and the provision of legal services in a remote location, preferably island locations, or other environments with unique cultural, systemic, and governmental challenges to delivering legal services. 4. What are your rates for the indicated scope of service (provide a rate chart if you offer a variety of consulting levels)? 5. Please provide three references for your services.

To Apply: 

Proposals should be delivered on or before Thursday, May 8, 2014. Email submissions are preferred; paper versions are optional. Send proposals to: Janet LaBella, Director Office of Program Performance Legal Services Corporation labellaj@lsc.gov 3333 K St. NW, 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20007 Clarification and Information Requests Requests for further information or clarification of the information in this RFP should be submitted by email to Janet LaBella (labellaj@lsc.gov). Answers to these requests will be copied to all RFP participants. RFP Evaluation Criteria The proposals will be evaluated and the contract will be awarded based primarily on the following criteria (not necessarily in ranked order): 1. The degree of responsiveness to the RFP and evidence of an understanding of the objectives of LSC and expertise in the development of a legal services provider, understanding of LSC regulations and requirements, and expertise in the provision of legal services in a remote island environment. 2. Demonstrated competence and experience in performing work of similar nature and scope. 3. Contract price and terms. LSC will weigh all aspects of the service and select the best service for the price, not necessarily the lowest cost proposal. LSC will factor in any discounted pricing that can be negotiated in light of its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. 4. Overall reputation and integrity of the vendor/consultant within the legal services community. Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated on a rolling basis, and LSC may select a successful candidate prior to the close of the application period. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Notification of Selection All participants (those submitting proposals) will be notified of the results of the selection process. Acceptance of Proposals This is only an RFP to be submitted to potential vendors and consultants. LSC may accept or reject any or all proposals submitted in response to this RFP. Confidentiality LSC and the RFP participants acknowledge that, in the course of fulfilling their respective obligations under this RFP, LSC and the respondents may be given access to the other party’s confidential or proprietary information. Neither party shall use such proprietary information for the benefit of any third party, whether or not for consideration, and shall not sell, rent, loan, copy or make available any of the other party’s proprietary information to any person. Neither party shall disclose or otherwise communicate any of the other party’s proprietary information to others, in whole or in part, except to such limited number of that party’s employees, agents and consultants and only to the extent that is reasonably necessary to enable that party to fulfill its obligations and exercise its rights under this RFP until such time as the proprietary information becomes available to the public as non-confidential information through no act or fault of that party.

Information

Submission Deadline: 
May 8, 2014
Organization Information: 
Legal Services Corporation
United States