University of Kansas - Outside Counsel Services - Request for Proposal 3261134 (2026)
University Of KansasHigher Ed · Lawrence, KS- Due
- Oct 29, 2026
- 2 days left
- Posted
- Oct 8, 2026
- Contract term
- 2 years
- Primary contact
- Ben Lizak
- (785) 864-0923
The 30-second brief
The University of Kansas seeks proposals from qualified law firms to provide as-needed legal services across fourteen practice areas, including general higher education advising, research compliance, athletics and NCAA compliance, employment law, labor relations, civil rights, intellectual property, general business and transactional matters, real estate and construction, personal injury and tort defense, law enforcement defense, health law, privacy and data, and FCC and communications compliance. Services will support the Office of the General Counsel and controlled affiliates such as Kansas Athletics and the KU Medical Center. The initial contract term is two years, with three optional one-year renewals. Proposals are due by October 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST, with questions due by October 12, 2026. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for October 13, 2026. Bidders must submit hourly rate cards, qualifications statements, a State of Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate, and a W-9 form.
As-needed legal services across 14 practice areas including general higher education advising, Research compliance, Athletics/NCAA compliance, Employment law, Labor relations, Civil rights, Intellectual property, Business/transactional matters, Real estate/construction, Tort defense, Law enforcement defense, Health law, Privacy/data, And FCC/communications compliance.
Knowledge of higher education-specific legal issues, Experience representing and advising public universities or state agencies, Capacity to provide services and meet deadlines for urgent matters, Proposed rates
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Summary
The University of Kansas seeks proposals from qualified law firms to provide as-needed legal services across fourteen practice areas, including general higher education advising, research compliance, athletics and NCAA compliance, employment law, labor relations, civil rights, intellectual property, general business and transactional matters, real estate and construction, personal injury and tort defense, law enforcement defense, health law, privacy and data, and FCC and communications compliance.
Services will support the Office of the General Counsel and controlled affiliates such as Kansas Athletics and the KU Medical Center. The initial contract term is two years, with three optional one-year renewals. Proposals are due by October 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST, with questions due by October 12, 2026. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for October 13, 2026. Bidders must submit hourly rate cards, qualifications statements, a State of Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate, and a W-9 form.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
4- Knowledge of higher education-specific legal issues
- Experience representing and advising public universities or state agencies
- Capacity to provide services and meet deadlines for urgent matters
- Proposed rates
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
As-needed legal services across 14 practice areas including general higher education advising, Research compliance, Athletics/NCAA compliance, Employment law, Labor relations, Civil rights, Intellectual property, Business/transactional matters, Real estate/construction, Tort defense, Law enforcement defense, Health law, Privacy/data, And FCC/communications compliance.
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
4- Practice Area Qualifications Statement(s)
- Hourly Rate Sheet
- State of Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate
- W-9
REQUIRED STAFFING
7- Submit to
- https://kuebids.ionwave.net/Login.aspx
- Duration
- 60 months
- Scope location
- Lawrence, KS
- Reported agency
- University of Kansas
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from University Of Kansas?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is October 29, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: https://kuebids.ionwave.net/Login.aspx. For questions, contact Ben Lizak.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including University Of Kansas in KS, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Ben Lizak at (785) 864-0923. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What staffing is required for this project?
This solicitation outlines specific staffing requirements. The required roles include: Relationship Partner, Partner, Senior Counsel, Mid-Level Associate, Junior Associate, Law Clerk/Paralegal, eDiscovery/Litigation Support. Proposers should demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience for each required role.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: As-needed legal services across 14 practice areas including general higher education advising, Research compliance, Athletics/NCAA compliance, Employment law, Labor relations, Civil rights, Intellectual property, Business/transactional matters, Real estate/construction, Tort defense, Law enforcement. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Knowledge of higher education-specific legal issues, Experience representing and advising public universities or state agencies, Capacity to provide services and meet deadlines for urgent matters, Pro..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from University Of Kansas?
All active and historical solicitations from University Of Kansas are tracked and searchable. As a higher ed agency, University Of Kansas regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 2 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of October 29, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Practice Area Qualifications Statement(s), Hourly Rate Sheet, State of Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate, W-9. Additionally, proposals should address staffing requirements as outlined in the solicitation. Review the full document from University Of Kansas for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Lawrence, KS. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.