Title
Real Estate Legal Services
Action
Action:
A. Approve a contract with Pierson Ferdinand LLP for real estate legal services for a term of three years, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract for up to one, two-year term with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Phil Reiger, General Services
Ashleigh Price, General Services
Gregory Crawford, General Services
Explanation
§ Real estate legal services are necessary to support property acquisition and related transactions for projects included in the city’s Capital Investment Plan.
§ This contract will include services such as title searches, closings, and related services to facilitate timely and legally compliant property transactions.
§ On May 1, 2026, the city issued a Request for Proposals (RFP); one response was received.
§ Pierson Ferdinand LLP meets the city’s needs in terms of qualifications, experience, cost, and responsiveness to RFP requirements.
§ At renewal, potential price adjustments may be considered based on legitimate and justified increases in the cost of doing business. The ability to consider price adjustments also allows the city to accept decreases, if warranted.
§ Annual expenditures are estimated to be $300,000.
Charlotte Business INClusion
Effective July 1, 2026, Session Law 2026-41 eliminated the authority of North Carolina local governments to use race-conscious and gender-conscious contracting requirements. In compliance with the new law, no MBE/WBE/MWBE/MSBE/WSBE/MWSBE goals or compliance requirements will be included in city contracts. SBE goals are not affected and shall continue to be used in compliance with the CBI program and applicable law.
Small Business Participation
This contract is for specialized legal services. Contracts for legal services on behalf of the city, its employees, or elected officials are exempt from all aspects of the CBI Program unless otherwise elected by the Department.
Fiscal Note
Funding: General Capital Investment Plan and CATS Capital Investment Plan