Legal Services for Municipal Finance Transactions

Background
The New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA), State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA), State of New York Municipal Bond Bank Agency (MBBA), and Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation (TSFC) are public benefit corporations of the State of New York. They are seeking proposals from qualified law firms to re-establish prequalified lists (PQLs) for potential bond counsel and disclosure counsel services related to various municipal finance matters, including issues of bonds, notes, and obligations.

The goal is to select firms that can provide legal services on an as-needed basis for the Agencies' bond issuances.

Work Details
The selected firms will serve as Bond Counsel and/or Disclosure Counsel, providing expertise in sophisticated financing structures, including single-family mortgage revenue bond indentures and tax-exempt/taxable bond financing. Responsibilities include:

- Advising on transaction structuring;
- Offering tax, compliance, and regulatory guidance;
- Rendering opinions on bond validity;
- Preparing necessary documents for bond issuance;
- Ensuring compliance with state and federal laws;
- Assisting in governmental approvals;
- Reviewing offering documents;
- Attending meetings with approval boards;
- Providing ongoing program compliance guidance.

Specific tasks include:
1. Rendering opinions regarding the validity and binding effect of bonds.
2. Preparing and reviewing documents necessary for authorization, issuance, sale, and delivery of bonds.
3. Assisting in seeking governmental approvals.
4. Reviewing legal issues related to bond structure.
5. Preparing Official Statements for bonds.

Period of Performance
The contract will be for a five-year period with two optional two-year renewals and one optional one-year renewal.

Place of Performance
The services will be performed primarily in New York City, where the Agencies are co-located.

Bidder Requirements
Proposers must demonstrate qualifications as either Minority/Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs) or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs). The Agencies have established goals of 15% MBE participation, 15% WBE participation, and 6% SDVOB participation. Proposers must submit evidence of their MWBE or SDVOB certification if applicable.