Request for Qualifications Legal Services

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper (BNW), a nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding and restoring Western New York’s water resources for over 35 years, is seeking qualified legal service providers through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The organization aims to establish an ongoing legal counsel relationship with licensed New York State attorneys or law firms capable of handling a broad range of legal matters, including contract review and negotiation, risk management, employment and environmental law, nonprofit compliance, corporate governance, and dispute resolution. The RFQ emphasizes the importance of relevant experience, particularly with environmental issues and professional service firms, and requires applicants to submit detailed information about their firm’s qualifications, key personnel, approach, references, fee structure, and insurance coverage. The contract, valued between $50,000 and $200,000, is set for an initial one-year period with potential renewal, and responses are due by October 15, 2025. The organization maintains flexibility to modify or withdraw the RFQ and is not obligated to award a contract, ensuring a competitive and transparent selection process. The contract will serve all counties within New York State, with the primary location at 721 Main Street, Buffalo, NY. The procurement reflects BNW’s ongoing commitment to leveraging legal expertise to support its mission of water protection and ecosystem restoration.