Local Legal Service - U.S. Embassy Jerusalem

Background
The Department of State is seeking local legal services in Jerusalem to facilitate real estate transactions related to the U.S. Government's site acquisition for the Allenby site and the Diplomat Hotel/Arnona site. This contract is essential for ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations as part of ongoing efforts to support the relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Work Details
Local legal services are required to:
1) Ensure the U.S. Government's site acquisition for the Allenby site is executed in accordance with a previously executed agreement with the Government of Israel (GOI).
2) Ensure compliance with local law regarding the Diplomat Hotel/Arnona site acquisition.
3) Facilitate completion of Town Plan (zoning) changes with various jurisdictions and committees in Israel. The estimated value for these services over the entire period of performance is $860,000.

Period of Performance
The contract will be performed over a multi-year period, following the expiration of the previous contract on January 14, 2026.

Place of Performance
Jerusalem, Israel.

Bidder Requirements
The contractor must have unique qualifications due to their long-term involvement in supporting U.S. Government site acquisitions in Jerusalem since 2002. The selected contractor, E.S. Shimron, I. Molho, Persky and Co., has acted as a liaison between the U.S. government and host government, providing necessary continuity in legal counsel services and local expertise.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
The prior contract 19GE5020C0019 awarded to E.S. Shimron, I. Molho, Persky & Co.: Law Office (value $898,134; 07/13/20–01/14/26) appears to be a confirmed incumbent effort for local legal services supporting the Department of State’s purchase of real estate in Israel. The described work for the current Local Legal Service - U.S. Embassy Jerusalem opportunity—facilitating site acquisition-related legal actions and ensuring compliance with Israeli requirements for specific embassy sites—reads as a continuation of the same transaction-focused legal support through the next phase following the prior contract’s expiration on January 14, 2026.