Professional Services Solicitation: Bond Counsel

The City of East Orange, County of Essex, New Jersey, is soliciting Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for Professional Services from qualified entities to serve as Bond Counsel. The selected Bond Counsel will provide essential legal services related to municipal finance, including the preparation and review of Bond Ordinances, adoption proceedings, public finance resolutions, and the issuance of various debt instruments such as Bond Anticipation Notes, Special Emergency Notes, Tax Anticipation Notes, and General Obligation Bonds. This role also encompasses the preparation and review of Preliminary Official Statements and Official Statements, applications to the Local Finance Board, and attendance at relevant board meetings. The successful respondent will be expected to demonstrate a deep understanding of New Jersey municipal finance law, provide legal representation for public debt instrument issuance, draft and approve all bond documents, and collaborate closely with the City’s Finance and Law Departments. The contract term for this critical professional service will be for a period of up to one year, specifically from January 2024 through December 2024. Prospective professional services entities must meet specific qualifications to be considered for this vital role. A mandatory minimum of five years of experience in New Jersey Municipal Bond and Finance Law is required, along with demonstrated experience representing New Jersey local government entities in public financing and bond ordinances. Proposals must include the legal name and address of the individual or firm, years in business, a detailed resume of the person(s) assigned as Bond Counsel, and the names and contact information for three current bond counsel clients. All contractors are required to comply with New Jersey statutes including N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. (Affirmative Action), N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (Contract Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunities), N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (Business Registration of Public Contractors), and N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2 (Disclosure of Ownership). Additionally, the selected firm must carry Professional Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per claim and $2,000,000 aggregate per policy period. Submission instructions stipulate that proposals must be received by the City of East Orange Purchasing Committee in the East Orange City Hall, Council Chamber, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 12:00 PM, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. Detailed Request for Proposals packets are available for a non-refundable cost of $25.00 at the Division of Procurement, City Hall, 1st floor, or can be downloaded from www.eastorange-nj.gov. Submissions must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly bearing the consultant’s name and the title “BOND COUNSEL” on the outside, addressed to Racquel Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Required submission documents include a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, Business Registration Certificate, Qualification Affidavit, Submission Form, Acknowledgment of Corrections, Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran, Statement of Indebtedness, Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service, Letter of Intent, and Letter of Qualification. For any questions, prospective proposers may contact Racquel Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.