RFP - Legal Services

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR LEGAL SERVICES

PROPOSAL DEADLINE: CONTACT PERSON:

E-MAIL PROPOSALS TO:

April 25, 2025 Page Paul (231) 534-7601

page.paul2@gtb-nsn.gov

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) is requesting proposals from qualified, licensed attorneys to provide contract legal services for the GTB Gaming Commission. GTB operates three gaming facilities, the Leelanau Sands Casino, Crystal Shores, and the Turtle Creek Casino. Experience in the field of Indian gaming and federal Indian law is preferred.

I. General Information

1. Form. Each proposer must submit to the Tribal Council one original and seven copies of their proposal. The proposal should not exceed 12 pages and should be printed on 8½ x 11-inch paper. Pages should be consecutively

1. Submittal deadline. Proposals must be received no later than 5:00 PM EST on

April 25, 2025. All written proposals received by the deadline will be considered.

1. Preference and Nondiscrimination. GTB does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or disability. The successful proposer must agree to comply with all applicable federal and tribal equal opportunity and tribal preference laws, directives, and

1. Description of Entity. The Gaming Commission consists of three to five commissioners exercising the delegated authority of the Tribal Council to regulate the GTB gaming facilities and their vendors, key employees, and primary management officials. The GTB Gaming Code and tribal gaming regulations define the Tribal Council delegated scope of the Gaming Commission's authority, which must be exercised consistent with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act; federal regulations; the Tribal Internal Control System; and other relevant tribal law, such as Tribal Resolutions and the Open Meetings

1. Term of Contract. The Council anticipates authorizing a term contract for Gaming Commission counsel services from the starting date of the contract until the completion of fiscal year of 2026 (9/30/2026) in the amount of $75,000-$125,000 per fiscal year.

1. Inquiries. All questions relating to this RFP, including all questions relating to clarifications or modifications of this RFP must be submitted in writing and directed to the attention of Page Paul (contact information above). Law firms submitting proposals are specifically requested not to make other contacts with the

Tribal Council regarding their proposals. The Tribal Council consists of Sandra L. Witherspoon, Tribal Chairperson; Jane Rohl, Vice Chair; Anna Miller, Secretary; Donna M. Swallows, Treasurer; Angelina Raphael, Councilor; Brian Napont, Councilor; Tina A. Frankenberger, Councilor.

1. Scope of Work. All contract legal services provided to the Gaming Commission will be provided pursuant to Tribal Council motion, ordinance, or resolution. The legal services sought under this RFP could include: attending monthly meetings; advising the Commission and Regulator on legal matters; drafting and/or reviewing of contracts; providing guidance to fulfill eligibility investigations in the areas of contractors/vendors, governmental employment, gaming licenses, and housing; advising the Gaming Commission and Regulatory staff as to their responsibilities under applicable law or compacts; drafting and revising correspondence, applications, forms, manuals, policies, procedures, opinions, laws, and regulations; advising the Gaming Commission as to disputes from applicants, licensees, and patrons; representing the Gaming Commission in court; ensuring compliance with tribal and applicable federal or state laws, regulations, and

II. Proposal Contents

The proposal must include the following elements:

1. Statement of Summarize the proposer's experience and background furnishing gaming regulatory counsel services, including: a list of Indian tribes or other governmental entities the proposer has represented; experience with Indian gaming regulatory bodies and tribal gaming regulations; experience issuing authoritative written opinions in gaming matters; gaming litigation experience; familiarity with the federal, state, and tribal laws as they relate to the regulation of gaming, online gaming, and sports betting.

1. Personnel and Staffing. Provide a detailed description of your firm's staff size and composition, including the number of partners, associates, law clerks and legal assistants. The proposal also should identify whether the proposer's clerical services are provided by in-house staff, through contract or through other arrangements. The proposal must identify specific attorneys and other staff likely to be assigned to perform the requested services on behalf of the Gaming Commission. The proposer should provide up-to-date detailed professional resumes, including all bar admissions, for these individuals. The proposer also should identify the individual who will be designated as the primary contact person for assignments, billings, and general contract

1. Responsiveness to Client Needs. Describe the proposer's ability to respond to the Gaming Commission's needs on short notice and to complete assignment within short timeframes. The statement should include a general description of the resources available to enable responses to requests in a timely

1. Fees. The proposal must outline a billing structure, including hourly rates, for counsel services. The proposal should indicate the proposer's willingness to negotiate a final fee schedule and hourly rates as part of the overall contract.

1. Billing Statements. The proposal must indicate the proposer's capability to provide detailed billing statements that clearly identify: (i) the file or matter and the attorneys and other staff assigned to that matter along with a list of hours they expended each day; (ii) the nature of the specific work performed; (iii) the commissioners or staff with whom the attorney or assigned staff worked; and (iv) all expenses incurred on the matter via an expense-to-date summary by file or project. The proposer should submit with its proposal an example of the actual billing format used by the proposer.

1. Reimbursable Costs and Expenses. The proposal should indicate the proposer's expense reimbursement policies. GTB will reimburse only actual out-of-pocket expenses and will not reimburse expenses on a cost-plus or similar basis.

1. Insurance. The proposal must describe the extent and nature of malpractice and other relevant insurance covering the proposer's performance of counsel services.

1. Disclosure of Actual or Potential Conflicts of Interest. The proposal must indicate whether the proposer or individual attorneys within the proposer's firm represent any clients or interests in lawsuits or other legal actions against GTB or the EDC. The proposal must disclose what Michigan tribes your firm or individuals within your firm represents on gaming matters and should make an affirmative statement as to whether any such representation potentially presents a conflict of interest with the proposer's potential representation of, or association with, the Gaming Commission. The proposer must immediately advise the Council in writing of any real or possible conflicts that arise after the submission of the proposal.

1. References. The proposal must provide appropriate references, including firm or agency names, contact persons and telephone numbers the Tribal Council or its designee may contact regarding representation by the proposer. References from Tribal governments should be included.

III. Selection

The Tribal Council or its designated review panel will review all conforming proposals. Reviewers will use the following criteria to determine which, if any, proposal is the most advantageous to the Tribal Council's needs:

Qualifications of Legal Team 25 points

Knowledge of and experience within Gaming Industry 20 points Quality of Proposal 20 points

Past working experience with Tribal Gaming Commissions 15 points

Financial factors 15 points

Indian Preference 5 points

Total Points 100 points

Indian-owned firms will receive a 5% scoring preference. Based on an application of these criteria and its review of the proposals, the Tribal Council may select some proposers for interviews and conduct interviews.

The Tribal Council reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any formalities or minor irregularities, to investigate the qualifications and experience of any proposer, or to proceed to do the work otherwise. Incomplete proposals and proposals not sufficiently detailed or not in acceptable form may be returned for completion or may be rejected.

Prior to entering into a legal services contract, the proposer may be required to provide certain certifications. The proposer may be required to sign GTB's standard Professional Services Contract. GTB in no way waives its sovereign immunity.

Current Openings for RFP Legal Services Jobs at Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians