Bond Counsel Professional Services Solicitation

The City of East Orange, County of Essex, New Jersey, is actively seeking qualifications from experienced legal professionals to serve as its Bond Counsel through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). This vital professional service aims to secure highly specialized legal expertise for all municipal finance activities, encompassing the meticulous preparation and thorough review of Bond Ordinances, public finance resolutions, and the issuance of various debt instruments including Bond Anticipation Notes, Special Emergency Notes, Tax Anticipation Notes, and General Obligation Bonds. The successful Bond Counsel will also be instrumental in drafting and reviewing Preliminary Official Statements and Official Statements, managing applications to the Local Finance Board, and ensuring attendance at all pertinent board meetings. This critical role necessitates seamless collaboration with both the City’s Finance Department and Law Department to ensure legal compliance and the efficient management of public debt instruments. The anticipated contract term for this significant engagement is up to one year, specifically from January 2025 through December 2025. Prospective contractors must demonstrate extensive experience and qualifications in the specialized field of New Jersey Municipal Bond and Finance Law, requiring a documented minimum of five years of dedicated practice. Essential experience includes a proven track record of representing various New Jersey local government entities in connection with public financing initiatives and the preparation and adoption of bond ordinances for public projects. Mandatory submission components for professional services entities include a clear identification of the legal name and address of the individual or firm, a detailed account of years in business, comprehensive experience relevant to New Jersey municipal bond and finance law, resumes of all proposed personnel to be assigned as Bond Counsel, and the names and contact information for three current bond counsel clients as verifiable references. All respondents are also strictly required to comply with various New Jersey state statutes, including N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. concerning 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. Proposals for this crucial Bond Counsel RFQ are due no later than **Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM**. Submissions must be delivered to the Purchasing Committee in the East Orange City Hall, Council Chamber. Alternatively, proposals may be placed in the City’s secure “Drop Box” located in the City Hall’s rear parking lot, or submitted via mail to the Division of Procurement. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 applies for physical RFP packets obtained on-site, with checks made payable to the CITY OF EAST ORANGE. Each submission must be meticulously enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly bearing the consultant's name and the title “BOND COUNSEL” on the exterior, and addressed to the Purchasing Agent, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Required documentation includes, but is not limited to, a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, a valid Business Registration Certificate, and a Qualification Affidavit, among other specified forms. For any inquiries or clarification regarding the submission process, prospective bidders are encouraged to contact Racquel Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, directly at (973) 266-5162. Submitted proposals will remain firm and binding for a period of sixty (60) days following the public opening.