CITY OF ANNONA, TEXAS

BOND COUNSEL

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

AND

STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

 

 

 

To provide assistance with possible loan and to provide objective legal opinion with respect to the validity of authorizing and issuing evidence of indebtedness (the “Obligations”) by the City of Annona, Texas (City) for capital financing and provide assistance with possible loan, grant or disadvantaged funding through the Texas Water Development Board (“TWDB”).

 

A. INTENT OF PROPOSAL

 

The City is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFP) and Statement of Qualifications from interested qualified professionals to provide the following:  assist in obtaining loan and to provide legal opinion with respect to assessing the viability of authorizing and issuing evidence of indebtedness by the City for capital financing or refinancing; preparation of resolution, indenture or other authorizing and securing the Bonds (the “Resolution”) and other authorizing documents as necessary.  The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals for any reason it finds to be in the best interest of the City.

 

The City seeks to afford the opportunity for qualified SBE, MBE and WBE firms to propose to provide the services described herein.

 

B. SCOPE OF SERVICES

 

The services to be provided by the Bond Counsel shall include the following duties, as necessary:

 

Assist in preparing legal documents in connection with the financing program.

Render an objective legal opinion with respect to assessing the viability of authorizing and issuing evidence

of indebtedness.

Examine applicable law.

Prepare the Resolution and other authorizing documents.

Consult with the parties to the transaction prior to the issuance of the Bonds.

Secure TWDB and Texas Attorney General approval of the bonds and the registration of the Bonds 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 Bond issue.

 

C. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

 

The Proposer shall provide a description of the history and background of the firm, identification of the services currently being provided to municipalities in Texas and other information relevant to the provision of Bond Counsel Services.

 

1.General information about the firm.

 

A.Name, address, and telephone number of the firm

B.History of the firm.

C.List names and titles of officers of the firm who will be directly responsible for Bond Counsel services.

D.Information pertaining to the firm’s compliance with licensing and other requirements.

 

2.References — List of three (3) references of clients for which similar services have been provided.

 

3.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).  Identify any individuals with specific

water law experience that will be a resource to the City.

 

4. Additional services – describe any other service or experience of the firm, which you deem beneficial in acting

as Bond Counsel to the City.

 

5.Attach a copy of bond counsel services contract proposed by your firm without fee information.

 

D. RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS

 

If your firm is interested in being considered as Bond Counsel for the City, please submit proposals in electronic pdf format. A Copy of the response should be submitted by 5:00 P.M. (Local Time), November 6th, 2026, via email to Pennye Hobbs, City Secretary at cityofannona@gmail.com with the subject heading “Response to Bond Counsel Services RFQ”

 

E. SELECTION CRITERIA

 

The following criteria will be used as a basis for the selection of the Bond Counsel:

 

EXPERIENCE OF PERSONNEL To assess the background and experience of the personnel in working with Texas Public Finance Entities and applicable water law.	45 POINTS
TEAM MEMBERS To identify the personnel the firm proposes to commit on a day-to-day basis and evaluate the specific qualifications of these individuals.	25 POINTS
REFERENCES To demonstrate client satisfaction and the candidate’s familiarity with public finance and water law issues.	15 POINTS
FINANCIAL CONDITION To demonstrate the firm’s financial condition.	15 POINTS
TOTAL	100 POINTS

 

 

 

 

 

F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

1.This contract is contingent upon release of funds from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).

 

2.Any contract or contracts awarded under this Invitation for Bid (IFB) or Request for Proposals (RFP) 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 party to this IFB, RFP, or any resulting contract.

 

3.This contract is subject to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “fair share policy”, which includes EPA approved “fair share goals” for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) & Women Business Enterprise (WBE), firms in the Construction, Supplies, Equipment; and Services procurement categories.  EPA’s policy requires that applicants and prime contractors make a good faith effort to award a fair share of contracts, subcontracts, and procurements to SMWBE’s. Although EPA’s policy does not mandate that the fair share goals be achieved, it does require applicants and prime contractors to demonstrate use of the six affirmative steps.  The current fair share goals for the State of Texas are as follows:

 

MBE WBE

Construction 19.44% 9.17%

Supplies 25.34% 8.82%

Equipment 16.28% 11.45%

Services 20.41% 13.66%

 

4.Equal Opportunity in Employment — All qualified Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to 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 11375, and as supplemented in Department of Labor regulations 41 CFR, Part 60.  Small, minority and women-owned firms are encouraged to submit proposals.

 

• COA Bond Counsel RFQ docx (21kb) [ download ]