USTIF Outside Counsel

The Governor’s Office of General Counsel, on behalf of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s Office of Liquidations, Rehabilitations and Special Funds, is seeking outside counsel to provide legal services for the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund (USTIF). The scope of work includes providing coverage opinions, defending the USTIF, the Tank Installers Indemnification Program (TIIP), and the USTIF Board against claims, representing the funds in administrative proceedings, and handling subrogation matters. The Commonwealth intends to make a limited multiple award to the highest evaluated law firms based on a weighted scoring system consisting of 75 percent for technical qualifications and 25 percent for cost. To be eligible for award, firms must score at least 75 percent on the technical evaluation. The contract is a requirements agreement with an initial one-year term and the possibility of two additional one-year renewals. A critical financial detail is that the Commonwealth and the Department are not responsible for payments; instead, the selected law firms must seek compensation directly from the insurance companies being examined. Proposals must include a technical submittal, a cost submittal based on an estimated 1,000 hours per year, and a participation submittal meeting a 16 percent Small Diverse Business or Veteran Business Enterprise goal. Selected firms must maintain malpractice insurance and adhere to the Office of General Counsel's conflict waiver policy.