A landmark number of law firms have responded to the city’s request for legal bids to advise on the possible sale of Philadelphia Gas Works, a sign that the city just might have a viable chance to shed itself of the largest municipally owned gas utility left in the country.

City officials would not provide The Legal with the names of the 18 law firms they confirmed responded to the request, but added that the city hoped to have a legal team in place by midsummer.