Special Redevelopment Counsel Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Special Redevelopment Counsel Services to represent the City in municipal redevelopment matters. These critical legal services will be provided under the direct guidance and supervision of the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel. The comprehensive scope of work for the successful contractor includes demonstrating general litigation experience, specialized knowledge of Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, and expertise in land use law, tax abatements, local public contracts, and zoning regulations. Furthermore, counsel will be responsible for reviewing Contracts of Sale, drafting Redevelopment Agreements, Financial Agreements, and Escrow Agreements, alongside possessing specialized knowledge of Bonds. Services will be assigned on an "as needed" basis, encompassing representation in all necessary aspects, including mandatory attendance at meetings and potential provision of other specialized legal services. This RFQ represents a significant opportunity for legal firms experienced in municipal development to partner with a New Jersey municipality. Qualified individuals and firms must possess robust professional, financial, and administrative capabilities to deliver the required services effectively. Key contractor qualifications include a proven track record of litigation experience in Federal, Superior, Appellate, and Workers’ Compensation courts, along with demonstrated relevant experience serving municipal government clients within the last three years. Respondents are mandated to submit detailed resumes of all key employees and attorneys proposed for assignment to the City. Adherence to New Jersey legal requirements is paramount, including compliance with N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. (Affirmative Action), 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, all professional service entities must maintain Professional Liability Insurance with minimum coverage limits of $1,000,000 per claim and a $2,000,000 aggregate per policy period. There are no mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits specified for this RFQ. Submissions for this Request for Qualifications must be meticulously prepared and received by the City of East Orange no later than 11:00 A.M. on November 14, 2024. Proposals must be exclusively mailed or hand-delivered to the East Orange Division of Procurement, addressed to Racquel Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, at East Orange City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018; facsimile or email transmissions will not be accepted. Each submission requires an original, two (2) copies, and one (1) thumb-drive set of the sealed proposal. Required documents include an executed Letter of Qualification, Letter of Intent, Business Entity Disclosure Certification, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, Mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity Notice Acknowledgement, Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 compliance forms, a copy of the Certificate of Employee Information Report, a copy of the Business Registration Certificate, Professional Service Entity Information Form, Qualification Affidavit, Submission Form, Acknowledgement of Corrections, Additions or Deletions Form, Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran, Certification of Non-Involvement in Prohibited Activities in Russia or Belarus, Statement of Indebtedness Form, and Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service Form. For inquiries or to obtain RFQ copies, contact Racquel Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162 or via fax at (862) 444-0101.