SPECIAL REDEVELOPMENT COUNSEL SERVICES

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is actively seeking highly qualified legal counsel through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to provide specialized redevelopment counsel services for municipal redevelopment matters. This engagement involves representing the City in complex redevelopment initiatives, operating under the direct supervision and guidance of the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel. The comprehensive scope of work includes, but is not limited to, advising on general litigation experience, demonstrating specialized knowledge of the New Jersey Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, possessing expertise in land use law, navigating tax abatements, understanding local public contracts, and addressing zoning regulations. Furthermore, selected counsel will be responsible for reviewing Contracts of Sale, drafting crucial Redevelopment Agreements and Financial Agreements, preparing Escrow Agreements, and exhibiting specialized knowledge of various types of bonds pertinent to redevelopment projects. Services will be provided on an "as needed" basis, requiring attorneys to attend meetings and deliver other specialized legal support as directed by the Corporation Counsel's office. Prospective legal individuals and firms must demonstrate robust professional, financial, and administrative capabilities essential for providing these specialized services effectively. Mandatory compliance includes adherence to N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. Affirmative Action, N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 for Business Registration of Public Contractors, and N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2 for Disclosure of Ownership, along with maintaining appropriate federal and state licenses. Respondents are required to detail their extensive experience in similar legal services, particularly with municipal government clients over the past three years. Key personnel resumes must showcase proven litigation experience in Federal, Superior, Appellate, and Workers’ Compensation courts. Firms must also disclose any judgments for professional malpractice within the last three years, involvement in bankruptcy proceedings within ten years, and list all cases where they represented or sued the City of East Orange in the past five years. No mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are indicated; all communications must be directed in writing to the designated contact person. Submissions for the Request for Qualifications must be meticulously prepared, comprising one original, three hard copies, and one compact disk (CD) set of the complete proposal. All materials must be individually enclosed in a sealed envelope. Proposals must be hand-delivered or mailed to the East Orange Division of Procurement, attention Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, at East Orange City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. Crucially, submissions forwarded via facsimile or email will not be accepted and will be rejected. The absolute deadline for receipt of all Request for Qualifications is 12:00 P.M. on November 23, 2021. There is no specific bid security or performance bond requirement stated for the submission itself. For inquiries or to obtain RFQ copies, interested parties should contact Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162 or via fax at (862) 444-0101. The procurement process adheres to the "New Jersey Local Unit Pay-to-Play" Law and municipal ordinances.