Request for Proposals for 2026 Professional Services

Delran Township is soliciting proposals for its 2026 Professional Services Contracts, specifically seeking qualified legal professionals for the positions of Public Defender and Zoning Board Attorney. This Request for Proposals (RFP) is conducted through a fair and open process in accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5 et seq., aiming to select service providers based on qualifications, merit, and cost-effectiveness, with contracts for the full calendar year 2026. The comprehensive scope of work for the Public Defender involves representing indigent clients in municipal court for motor vehicle and criminal laws, municipal court rules, and local ordinance violations. For the Zoning Board Attorney, the role encompasses providing legal counsel to the Zoning Board on all aspects of planning, zoning, and municipal land use law, including extensive knowledge of the MLUL, Master Plans, and COAH experience, ensuring regulatory compliance and effective governance for the Township of Delran. Prospective Public Defender candidates must be New Jersey licensed attorneys with a minimum of six years of bar admission and four years of municipal public defender experience, demonstrating familiarity with relevant state and municipal laws and procedures. The Zoning Board Attorney requires a highly experienced individual, either as a firm member or an individual practitioner, with at least seven years of experience serving as a joint land use board, planning board, or zoning board attorney, or having regularly appeared before such boards for the same duration. This includes significant expertise in the Municipal Land Use Law, Master Plan development, and COAH matters, with a specific requirement of four years’ direct experience as a municipal, planning, or zoning board attorney or a practice primarily focused on zoning, planning, and development law. All proposers are required to comply with local pay-to-play ordinances and, upon award, furnish proof of professional liability/malpractice insurance with limits acceptable to the Township. Sealed proposals must be delivered to the Delran Township Municipal Clerk, Jamey Eggers, at 900 Chester Avenue, Delran, NJ 08075. The absolute deadline for submission is January 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with late submissions strictly prohibited. Each proposal package must be clearly labeled "RFP for (Name of Position)" on the exterior and include one physical copy for each position applied for, along with one copy on a flash drive or disk. Responding entities are mandated to comply with a suite of New Jersey regulations, including N.J.S.A 10:5-31 et seq. and P.L. 1975, c. 127 (Affirmative Action), N.J.A.C. 52:25-24.2 (Statement of Ownership), N.J.S.A 52:32-44 (New Jersey Business Registration), and the Disclosure of Investments in Iran (Public Law 2012, c.25). The Township retains the right to waive formalities, accept or reject any proposals, and may conduct interviews with selected proposers. No bid security or bonds are explicitly mentioned as required for submission, however, compliance with all legal and administrative forms is mandatory.