Revere committee approves hiring tax attorneys to pursue federal geothermal rebates

The Revere City School Building Committee voted to hire MA Bailey to help the city document and pursue federal Inflation Reduction Act rebates tied to the school’s geothermal heating and cooling system.

Linda, introduced as a resident expert on the project, told the committee that IRA rebate rules require tracking domestic content, apprenticeship participation and wage data across subcontractors. “This is really tricky information to gather,” she said, explaining that the tax attorneys will review bid and construction documents, set up ongoing documentation practices and assist with filing after the system is fully installed.

Linda provided a rough estimate: if the system cost is about $18 million and the project meets IRA criteria, rebates could be “up to as much as 40% of the total cost of a system.” She and staff emphasized that rebates arrive post-construction and would be issued as a check to the city, separate from MSBA reimbursements.

The committee’s recommended contract with MA Bailey was presented as a direct city contract with a not-to-exceed fee of $155,000 to be charged to the project’s “other project costs” line; roughly $350,000 remained uncommitted in that budget line. Committee members voted by roll call to approve the contract; members noted that attorney fees are procurement-exempt and not subject to MSBA reimbursement.

Project staff said the work is time-sensitive because geothermal wells are already being drilled and accurate documentation will be needed from early in the construction process. Staff will return with contract execution and ongoing status updates as MA Bailey begins document review and recordkeeping.

The authorization does not guarantee a specific rebate amount; it funds professional work to increase the city’s chances of meeting IRA compliance requirements and securing any eligible federal payments.