In-Rem Tax Foreclosure Special Legal Counsel Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting Qualification Statements for In-Rem Tax Foreclosure Special Legal Counsel Services. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks qualified individuals and firms to represent the City in all tax foreclosure-related matters. The comprehensive scope of work includes the prosecution and defense of municipal tax foreclosure cases before the Superior Court of New Jersey and the United States Bankruptcy Court. Services will be provided on an "as needed" basis, with coordination and supervision managed through the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel, ensuring seamless legal representation for the municipality. Prospective contractors must demonstrate extensive expertise in providing professional legal services, specifically highlighting a proven litigation record in Federal court, Superior court, Appellate court, and Workers’ Compensation cases. Mandatory qualifications include possession of all appropriate federal and state licenses to perform legal activities. Required submission components detail an executive summary, an executed Letter of Qualification, comprehensive business organization details including all principals with 10% or more ownership, evidence of compliance with affirmative action requirements, a history of years in business and under current management, disclosure of any professional malpractice judgments or bankruptcy proceedings within specified periods, detailed resumes of all key employees and attorneys assigned to the City’s cases, a narrative expressing the respondent’s understanding of the City’s needs and goals, and a statement on malpractice insurance coverage limits. No mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are specified. Qualification Statements must be submitted and received by the City no later than 12:00 P.M. on November 22, 2022. Submissions must be physically mailed or hand-delivered to the East Orange Office of Procurement, directed to the attention of Racquel Ferguson, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. Electronic submissions via facsimile or email will not be accepted. Respondents are required to provide one original (unbound), four copies, and one compact disk (CD) version of their Qualification Statement, enclosed individually in a sealed envelope. Key required forms include a Business Entity Disclosure Certification, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Acknowledgment, a copy of the New Jersey Business Registration Certificate, and a Letter of Qualification, among others. For inquiries or to obtain RFQ copies, interested parties may contact Lisa L. Jackson at the East Orange Office of Procurement via telephone at (973) 266-5162 or fax at (862) 444-0101. Racquel Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, is also listed as a contact with the same phone number for general questions.