REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL - EOWC SPECIAL LEGAL COUNSEL SERVICES

The City of East Orange, on behalf of the East Orange Board of Water Commissioners (EOBWC), is soliciting proposals for Special Legal Counsel Services. This comprehensive engagement requires legal professionals with general litigation experience and specialized expertise in the functions of water utilities within municipal government, particularly environmental law. The scope encompasses environmental enforcement, permitting decisions (issuance and denial), penalty enforcement actions, administrative determinations, and environmental regulations. Counsel will be expected to assist in coordinating information with various governmental agencies, demonstrate familiarity with state and federal environmental agencies regulating municipal water supply, and represent the EOBWC and its personnel before diverse tribunals, boards, and panels. Additional responsibilities include advising on the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and Open Public Meetings Act, understanding new discovery rules including e-discovery, maintaining a close working relationship with the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel, and attending meetings as required to provide specialized legal services. Prospective contractors must demonstrate extensive knowledge, proven experience, and a sustained ability to provide the specified professional legal services. Key qualifications include a strong record of litigation experience in Federal, Superior, Appellate, and Workers’ Compensation courts. Respondents must confirm they possess appropriate federal and state licenses for legal activities and outline their professional, financial, and administrative capabilities. While no mandatory pre-bid meetings are indicated, successful respondents will be required, upon contract award, to maintain professional liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per claim and $1,000,000 in aggregate for each policy period. The procurement process adheres to a fair and open framework in accordance with New Jersey's Pay-to-Play Law, N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5 et seq. Proposals must be received by the City no later than 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. Submissions require one (1) unbound original, four (4) copies, and one (1) compact disk (CD) set, delivered via mail or hand to the City of East Orange Division of Procurement, Attention: Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. Proposals forwarded by facsimile or email will not be accepted. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 for the RFP packet is required if picked up on site, payable to the City of East Orange. No bid security or bonds are specified for submission. For inquiries, contact Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.