Amendment to Professional Legal Services Panel Counsel for General Matters and Litigation

The City of Bayonne is seeking an amendment to its Request for Proposals (RFP) for Professional Legal Services Panel Counsel, covering general matters and litigation. This amendment specifically revises the fee schedule for services provided by attorneys and paralegals across various legal domains. The scope of work for panel counsel includes comprehensive general legal representation and litigation support for the municipality, with specific provisions for the defense of City of Bayonne Police Officers and the handling of worker’s compensation cases. This vital service ensures the City has access to expert legal counsel for a broad spectrum of municipal legal requirements, maintaining operational efficiency and legal compliance by addressing complex legal challenges. While this amendment primarily addresses financial terms and deadlines, the original solicitation for "Professional Legal Services Panel Counsel" inherently requires vendors to comprise licensed attorneys and qualified paralegals. Responding firms must possess substantial experience in municipal law, general litigation, and specialized areas such as police defense and worker’s compensation. All proposed personnel must meet applicable state bar and professional licensing requirements. The document makes no mention of mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits, as it focuses solely on modifications to the existing RFP's terms. This amendment modifies the fee schedule as follows: $225.00 per hour for attorneys and $155.00 per hour for paralegals for general matters. For matters involving the defense of City of Bayonne Police Officers, the fee schedule is $175.00 per hour for attorneys and $105.00 per hour for paralegals. Worker’s compensation matters will be compensated at a flat fee of $1,500.00 per case. The submission deadline for proposals/responses has been amended to December 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. prevailing time. All proposals will be publicly opened at the City Law Department, Room 15, on December 16, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. prevailing time. The document does not specify requirements for bid security or performance bonds, nor does it provide a direct contact person for inquiries.