Zoning Board Attorney Services

The City of Bayonne, New Jersey, is soliciting qualifications and proposals from experienced legal professionals for the role of Zoning Board Attorney. This Request for Qualifications/Proposals (RFQ/RFP) seeks to appoint an attorney to represent the City in all zoning-related matters, encompassing hearings held before the Zoning Board. The scope of work involves providing comprehensive legal and administrative duties associated with the function of a Board attorney, as well as handling potential litigation where the Zoning Board is involved. This procurement is being conducted through a "fair and open" contracting process, adhering to the New Jersey Local Unit Pay to Play Law (N.J.S.A. 19:44-20.4 et seq.), ensuring transparency and equitable opportunity for qualified service providers. The selected contractor will be pivotal in upholding the City's zoning ordinances and representing its interests effectively. Prospective contractors must demonstrate substantial qualifications, including being licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey for a minimum of ten (10) years prior to appointment and being eligible to appear before all state and federal courts and administrative agencies in New Jersey. A critical requirement is a minimum of ten (10) years of experience specifically in representing municipal governments on zoning issues, with applicants expected to list past and present municipal or government authorities served. Furthermore, the responding firm or entity must maintain a bona fide principal office within the State of New Jersey and possess sufficient support staff to competently provide all required legal services, including tracking, researching, litigating appeals, preparing legal documents, and coordinating with City personnel. Mandatory insurance coverages include Workers Compensation, General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate), Automotive Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate), and Professional Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), with the City of Bayonne named as an additional insured. Responses to this RFQ/RFP must be submitted as sealed proposals to the City Law Department, located at 630 Avenue C, 1st Floor, Room 15, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002. The firm deadline for submission is December 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. prevailing time. All proposals will be publicly opened at the City Council Chambers on December 11, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. prevailing time. Bidders are required to obtain the complete solicitation package, which includes "The Standardized Professional/Consulting/Extraordinary Unspecifiable Service RFQ/RFP SUBMISSION FORMS" and "General Instructions, Submission and Selection Criteria," available on the City of Bayonne website or from the City Law Department during business hours. Required enclosures include a signed Proposal, Qualifications and Costs Submission Form, a signed and notarized Non-Collusion Affidavit, a signed Disclosure of Ownership form, a Professional/Consulting/Extraordinary Unspecifiable Service Entity Information Form, a current NJ Business Registration Certificate, a NJ Certificate of Good Standing, and a Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran Form. For inquiries, John F. Coffey II, Esq., Law Director, is the designated contact.