Request for Qualifications - Rent Control Counsel Services

The City of East Orange, located in Essex County, New Jersey, is soliciting Qualifications from experienced firms and individuals to provide Rent Control Counsel Services. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks to establish a pool of qualified attorneys to offer comprehensive legal support to the City's Rent Control Board and City Counsel. The scope of work for the selected Rent Control Counsel includes providing legal research and advisory opinions, representing the Board in federal and state courts and administrative forums, reviewing and analyzing applications submitted to the Board, drafting resolutions and ordinances as required, and attending meetings of both the Rent Control Board and the City Council upon request. Additionally, the counsel will be responsible for notifying the City and the Board of any pertinent changes in law, regulations, or court decisions that could impact their operations, alongside addressing any other legal matters as directed by the City or the Board. The contract resulting from this RFQ will span a period of one year, specifically from January 2025 through December 2025, with an anticipated aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $50,000, billed at an hourly rate of $165.00. Prospective contractors must demonstrate significant experience in representing New Jersey municipalities concerning Rent Control issues. Mandatory minimum requirements for submission include providing the legal name and address of the individual or firm, detailing years in business with specific experience in New Jersey Municipal Rent Control Law, and submitting resumes for all persons proposed to be assigned as Rent Control Counsel. Additionally, applicants must furnish the names and contact information for three current Rent Control Counsel clients. All professional service contractors are mandated to comply with specific 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). Furthermore, successful respondents will be required to maintain Professional Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per claim and $2,000,000 aggregate per policy period, with original certificates of insurance due upon contract award. Qualification Statements must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked "RENT CONTROL COUNSEL" on the outside, bearing the consultant's name. Submissions are to be addressed to the Purchasing Agent, City of East Orange, and delivered to the East Orange City Hall, Council Chamber, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. The absolute deadline for receipt of Qualification Statements is Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. (local time), with proposals publicly opened and read aloud at that time. Each submission package must include one unbound original, two additional copies, and one electronic copy of the Qualification Statement. While proposals can be mailed, they must be received prior to the stipulated deadline; late submissions will be rejected. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 is required for physical RFQ packets obtained on-site, payable to the CITY OF EAST ORANGE. All inquiries regarding this RFQ should be directed to Racquel Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162, as direct contact with other City officials concerning the RFQ is prohibited. No bid security or bonds are explicitly requested for this RFQ process.