RFP - HAICO CORPORATE LEGAL SERVICES
Closing Date and time: 5pm March 5, 2025.
Proposals received after the Closing Date may be rejected. Proponents are requested to deliver and ensure proposals are received and time/date stamped.
1.0 Introduction
Haida Enterprises Corporation (the “Company”) requests proposals from qualified law firms to provide legal services for Haida Enterprises Corporation and the related companies under its ownership:
The corporate lawyer will be responsible for the following services:
Provide ongoing legal advice and representation for the Company on corporate governance, compliance, and regulatory issues.
Advise on legal matters related to business contracts, partnerships, and transactions.
Assist in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and legal agreements.
Represent the Company in any legal proceedings or disputes that arise.
Provide guidance on risk management and legal compliance for all entities listed above.
Attend meetings with the Company’s management and Board of Directors as required.
Maintain the company’s corporate records
The appointment of the corporate lawyer is subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors.
For further details refer to:
Appendix A – Scope of Services
Appendix B – Organizational Chart
2.0 Definitions
“Company” means Haida Enterprises Corporation
“Agreement” “Contract” means the contract for services
“Lawyer” and/or “attorney” means the individual or firm appointed by the Company to carry out all duties, obligations, work, and services described in this Request for Proposal and all associated documentation, which may also include mutually agreed revisions.
“Contract Manager” means the Company’s staff member responsible for coordination of the Services on behalf of the Company being provided by the Legal Firm.
“Proponent” means responder to this Request for Proposal.
“Proposal” means the submission by the Proponent.
“RFP” “Request for Proposals” shall mean and include the complete set of documents, specifications, drawings and addenda incorporated herein, and included in this Request for Proposal.
“Services” means and includes the provision by the successful Proponent of all services, work, duties and expectations as further described in this RFP. This will also mean the whole of the work, tools, materials, labour, equipment, travel, and all that is required to be completed and furnished by the Auditor.
4.0 Instructions to Proponents
4.1 Cost of Proposal
The Company will not assume any responsibility or liability for any costs incurred by the Proponent in the preparation of a Proposal.
4.2 No Claim
Except as expressly and specifically permitted in this RFP, no Proponent shall have any claim for any compensation of any kind whatsoever, as a result of participating in this RFP including accepting a non-compliant bid, and by submitting a Proposal, each Proponent shall be deemed to have agreed that it has no claim.
No contractual, tort, or other legal obligations are created or imposed on the Company, or any other individual, officer, or employee of the Company with respect to the RFP documentation or by submission or consideration by the Company of any Proposal.
4.3 Closing Date
Proposals will be received by the Company on or before 5pm March 5, 2025 local time.
4.4 Instructions for Proposal Submission
Proposal submissions are to be consolidated into one (1) .pdf file and emailed to rfp@haico.ca
1. In the “Subject” field enter: RFP 2025 – Corporate Legal Services
2. Add files in .pdf format and Send
Proposals submitted shall be deemed to be successfully received when displayed as new email in the in-box of the Company email address. The Company will not be liable for any delay for any reason including technological delays, or issues by either party’s network or email program, and the Company will not be liable for any damages associated with Proposals not received.
The Company reserves the right to accept Proposals received after the closing date and time but is under no obligation to evaluate.
Proposals will not be opened in public.
Proposals may be withdrawn upon request sent to email: rfp@haico.ca prior to time set as closing time for receiving Proposals.
4.5 Acceptance Period for Proposals
The Company requests that Proposals received as a result of the RFP be open for acceptance for a period of 30 days from the Closing Date. Proponents are requested to confirm the period for acceptance.
4.6 No Binding Contract
The Company may, after reviewing the Proposals received, enter into discussions with one or more of the Proponents, without any such discussions in any way creating a binding contract between the Company and any Proponent. There will be no binding agreement with the Company until a formal, written agreement has been negotiated with a Proponent and/or a Company purchase order has been issued.
4.7 Enquiries
Questions are to be submitted 5 business days prior to the Closing Date quoting the RFP name and number sent to email: rfp@haico.ca
If a change or additional information is warranted, the Company’s response will be communicated to all Proponents by means of written Addenda issued prior to the closing date and will be issued by posting on the Company’s website.
4.8 Deliverables
The Section outlines the specifics of the Form of Proposal. Proposals must include the information outlined in this section. At a minimum, proposals shall contain the following:
a. Letter of introduction
One page, introducing the proponent and signed by the person(s) authorized to sign on behalf of and bind the proponent to statements made in response to this RFP.
b. Executive Summary
A one or two page summary highlighting the key features of the proposal.
c. Staff Qualifications
Identify all of the key personnel assigned to the engagements. Describe each staff member’s role and his or her qualifications and experience. The personnel identified should be individuals that will be working directly with the organization.
d. Firm Qualifications and Experience
Provide a brief history, size and background of your firm, including how it differentiates from the competition, provide evidence of long-term strength, variability, and flexibility to react to the needs of a First Nations owned enterprise, while also having the ability to anticipate future needs. Please describe your organization’s capability to respond to changing legislation and reporting requirements, while identifying innovative and cost saving solutions.
e. Legal Services and Responsibilities
Describe your firm’s approach to providing legal services, outlining the specific services included and their associated timelines. Highlight how your services differentiate from others. The services should cover, but not be limited to, corporate governance and regulatory compliance, joint ventures, corporate structure for subsidiaries, business deal negotiation and agreement drafting, lease agreements, franchising, intellectual property and trademark protection, assistance with legal disputes and litigation, as well as updates and development of corporate documents such as corporate bylaws and shareholder agreements.
f. References
Provide references from clients with similar needs and services.
g. Additional Firm Services
Please describe other services that your Firm provides that may benefit the companies listed in this RFP.
h. Fees, Rates, Charges and Other Financial Considerations
Provide detailed costs associated with providing corporate legal services. Please break down the costs and provide an hourly rate for each staff member assigned to the project.
5.0 General Conditions
The following general conditions will apply to this contract.
5.1 Notification of Award
The Company will notify the successful Proponent (the ‘Lawyer’) in writing of its decision to award the services by issue of a Company Purchase Order (PO) or Purchase Contract (PC) that will incorporate this RFP documentation including all addenda issued, and the accepted Proposal.
The PC will form the contract and the following general conditions will apply to this contract.
Proponents are to include with their proposal submission a full description of any deviations if they are unable to comply with any of these general conditions.
5.2 Terms and Conditions of Purchase
The Company's Terms and Conditions of Purchase would apply to this contract.
5.3 Liability Insurance
The Lawyer will maintain Professional Liability Insurance and Commercial General Liability insurance, naming the Company as ‘additional insured’ in the amounts specified.
Intellectual Property Rights: The Company will become the owner of any legal documents or deliverables provided by the Lawyer.
5.4 Cancellation
The contract for services may be cancelled by either party for any reason without cause or penalty upon 30 days written notice and the ‘lawyer’ would be compensated for services and deliverables provided at the date of notice.
6.0 Evaluation Criteria
The Proponent is required to propose a team with the appropriate skill sets and expertise to carry out the services outlined in this RFP.
Proposals will be evaluated by Company staff according to the following criteria.
Corporate – Qualifications, Experience and References
a) Experience and Success - successful contracts with similar first nations clients and/or Governments (35 pts);
b) Capacity – sufficient capacity and resources to serve the Company (25 pts).
c) Management of the work (20 pts)
Financial and Value- Added Benefits
a) Price (25 pts)
b) Quality of price quote (e.g. detailed breakdown, value-added services, etc.) (5 pts)
7.0 Selection Process
The criteria above will be scored and based on the results, one or more of the highest ranked Proponents may be invited for an interview to confirm expectations of the Company will be met; and:
a) Interview(s) will be scored if meeting with more than one proponent;
b) References may be verified.
The Evaluation Committee may, at its discretion, request clarifications or additional information from a Proponent with respect to any Proposal, and the Evaluation Committee may make such requests to only selected Proponents. The Evaluation Committee may consider such clarifications or additional information in evaluating a Proposal.
If the Company selects a preferred Proponent, then it will enter into discussions with the preferred Proponent to clarify any outstanding issues and attempt to finalize the terms of a Contract, including negotiation of scope of services and financial terms to meet with budget.
The Company reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, cancel this RFP, or accept the proposal deemed most favourable in the interests of the Company.
Proponents agree that by submission of their proposal, they agree the Company may disclose the name of their company. However, no totals, weights, prices or scores will be provided to any Proponent.
The appointment of the ‘Lawyer’ is subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
Appendix A – Scope of Services
1.0 Corporate Legal Services
The selected ‘lawyer’ will be required to provide legal advice and services to Haida Enterprises Corporation administration and leadership. The successful proponent would be responsible for the following:
· Corporate governance and regulatory compliance
· Joint ventures and corporate structure for subsidiaries reflecting changes to the Shareholder structure
· Business deal negotiation and agreement drafting
· Lease agreements, franchising, and intellectual property/trademark protection
· Assistance with legal disputes and litigation
· Updates and development of corporate documents such as corporate bylaws and shareholder agreements
· Providing accurate, relevant, and timely legal advice to leadership and staff on various topics
· Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and agreements
· Managing and mitigating legal risks by designing and implementing policies, acts, and procedures
· Ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
· Promoting legal, compliance, and risk management best practices
· Communicating with and managing third-party bodies such as external counsel or auditors
· Designing and delivering legal training to leadership and staff
· Staying up-to-date with changes to legislation and Haida governance that affect the company
· Support changes from Haida governance that will affect the company
· Liaising with senior staff members as needed