Description
1. Organizational Background
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (LSEM) is a nonprofit law firm providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and vulnerable populations throughout Eastern Michigan. The firm employs approximately 50 staff members across multiple offices serving communities throughout Eastern Michigan.
LSEM seeks proposals from qualified firms or consultants to provide outsourced/fractional Human Resource services on an initial pilot basis. The organization operates within a unionized environment and administers multiple Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). LSEM currently does not employ dedicated in-house HR staff and seeks a responsive HR partner capable of supporting both strategic and operational HR functions.
The selected provider will serve as an extension of organizational leadership and provide practical, compliance-focused HR support tailored to nonprofit operations and unionized workplaces.
2. Purpose of the RFP
The purpose of this Request for Proposals is to identify an experienced provider capable of delivering comprehensive managed HR services within a defined budget and pilot engagement structure.
LSEM seeks a provider that can:
- Support day-to-day HR operations
- Advise leadership on labor and employment matters
- Improve consistency in personnel practices
- Strengthen recruitment and retention efforts
- Support administration of multiple collective bargaining agreements
- Assist with employee relations and workplace investigations
- Establish foundational HR infrastructure and processes
- Reduce organizational risk through proactive compliance support
This engagement is intended as a pilot contract with potential for renewal or expansion based on organizational needs and performance.
3. Scope of Services
The selected provider will provide strategic and operational HR services, including but not limited to the following:
A. Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining Support
B. Recruiting and Talent Acquisition
C. Compensation and Benefits
D. Training, Development, and Leadership Support
E. Culture, Engagement, and Retention
F. Employee Relations and Workplace Investigations
G. Leave Administration and Compliance
H. Personnel Records and HR Systems
I. Strategic HR Advisory Services
Proposers should clearly identify which services will be provided in an advisory capacity and which services may be directly administered by the provider, including leave administration, accommodation processes, workplace investigations, employee relations matters, and benefits-related support.
4. Evaluation Criteria
Nonprofit and Unionized Environment Experience: 30%
Breadth of HR and Labor Expertise: 25%
Responsiveness and Service Delivery Model: 20%
Cost Effectiveness: 15%
References and Qualifications: 10%
5. RFP Timeline
RFP Release Date: June 5, 2026
Questions Due: June 19, 2026
Responses to Questions Issued: June 24, 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline: July 3, 2026
Proposal Review Period: July 6–24, 2026
Follow-Up Questions and Interviews: July 20–31, 2026
Vendor Selection Notification: Week of August 3, 2026
Contract Finalization: August 2026
Pilot Implementation Begins: August/September 2026
6. Submissions Instructions
Submit proposals electronically in PDF format to:
humanresources@lsem-mi.org
Subject Line:
Proposal – Managed HR Services
Late submissions may not be considered.
7. Questions
Questions regarding this RFP should be submitted to:
Brian Smith
Chief Operating Officer
bsmith@lsem-mi.org
Responses may be distributed to all interested proposers.
Requirements
1. Desired Qualifications
LSEM seeks providers with demonstrated experience in:
- Nonprofit HR management
- Unionized workforce environments
- Administration of multiple collective bargaining agreements
- Labor relations and grievance processes
- Employment law compliance
- FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and accommodation administration
- Workplace investigations
- Compensation and benefits administration
- Wage-and-hour compliance and classification reviews
- Employee handbook and policy development
- Leadership coaching and development
- Fractional or outsourced HR services
- HR infrastructure development
Preferred qualifications include:
- SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or equivalent credentials
- Experience supporting nonprofit legal services, human services, or community-based organizations
- Familiarity with Michigan employment laws and regulations
- Experience supporting unionized nonprofit employers with multiple collective bargaining agreements
The selected provider will be expected to maintain the confidentiality of personnel, labor relations, and organizational information and comply with all applicable privacy and data security requirements.
2. Preferred Service Delivery Model
LSEM seeks a provider capable of delivering responsive support through:
- Telephone consultation
- Email support
- Virtual meetings
- Coaching sessions
- Training support
- Compensation and data reviews
- Policy and compliance consultation
Preference will be given to providers demonstrating responsiveness, accessibility, and practical consultation models appropriate for organizations without dedicated internal HR staff.
3. Proposal Requirements
Proposals should include:
A. Organizational Overview
- Firm history and background
- Organizational structure
- Relevant nonprofit and labor-relations experience
- Description of professional liability coverage
- Description of cybersecurity and confidentiality practices
- Disclosure of any actual or potential conflicts of interest
B. Proposed Service Model
Describe:
- Approach to fractional HR support
- Availability and responsiveness
- Communication methods and turnaround expectations
- Escalation procedures
- Methods for supporting unionized environments
C. Relevant Experience
Provide examples of comparable nonprofit and/or unionized clients supported.
D. Staffing Plan
Identify key personnel assigned to the engagement and provide resumes or biographies.
E. Pricing Proposal
Provide a complete fee proposal, including all anticipated costs.
F. References
Provide at least three client references.
