Legal Services

Background
Bedford County Public Schools (BCPS) is a medium-sized school district located in Virginia, serving approximately 1,500 employees and 8,500 students across 25 instructional and non-instructional facilities. The district is seeking qualifications for legal services from certified and competent law firms with proven experience in various legal disciplines relevant to educational institutions. The goal of this contract is to establish a one-year agreement with two additional one-year options for continued legal support upon approval by the School Board.

Work Details
The selected law firm will provide professional legal services on an as-needed basis throughout the year, including attendance at School Board meetings. Services may include but are not limited to:

- Guidance on Virginia school law, student discipline law, and Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Advising on compliance with the Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), subpoenas, and court orders.
- Assistance with governance issues including development of Board policies and administrative regulations.
- In-service education for Board members and staff on pertinent areas of school law.
- Legal advice on school finance issues, intergovernmental contracts, competitive bidding processes, and procurement laws.
- Employment-related legal services including contracts and compliance with discrimination laws.
- Litigation support for all areas listed above at state and federal levels. The firm must demonstrate capability in providing these services effectively.

Period of Performance
The contract will commence upon approval by the School Board and will last for one year, with the possibility of two additional one-year extensions based on performance.

Place of Performance
Legal services will be performed primarily at Bedford County Public Schools located at 311 South Bridge Street, Bedford, VA 24523.

Bidder Requirements
Firms must demonstrate their qualifications through a comprehensive profile that includes establishment date, admission to Virginia State and Federal courts, organizational structure, history of relevant experience with public school districts in Virginia, financial stability, and a commitment to no conflict of interest in representing BCPS. Additionally, firms must provide evidence of insurance coverage as specified in the solicitation.