Special Redevelopment Counsel Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) from qualified legal counsel to provide Special Redevelopment Counsel Services. These professional legal services are crucial for representing the City in various municipal redevelopment matters, operating under the direct supervision and direction of the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel. The scope of work for the selected counsel is extensive, encompassing general litigation experience, specialized knowledge of the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, and proficiency in land use law, tax abatements, local public contracts, and zoning. Additionally, the counsel will be responsible for reviewing Contracts of Sale, drafting Redevelopment Agreements, Financial Agreements, and Escrow Agreements, and possessing specialized knowledge regarding bonds. Services will be provided on an "as needed" basis, with counsel potentially required to attend meetings and offer other specialized legal advice. Prospective contractors must demonstrate significant expertise and a proven record of litigation experience across Federal, Superior, Appellate, and Workers’ Compensation courts. Respondents are required to confirm appropriate federal and state licenses to perform legal activities and provide details regarding their malpractice insurance coverage limits. Compliance with New Jersey state statutes is mandatory, 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 in Public Contract), N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (Business Registration of Public Contractors), and N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2 (Disclosure of Ownership). The City will evaluate proposals based on experience, reputation, knowledge of municipal corporations, availability for meetings, litigation experience and results, and other factors deemed to be in the best interest of the City; one or more firms may be selected. Submissions for this Request for Qualifications must be received by the City of East Orange no later than 12:00 P.M. on November 28, 2023. Proposals must be mailed or hand-delivered to the East Orange Division of Procurement, attention Racquel Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, located 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 one original, three hard copies, and one electronic copy, individually submitted in a sealed envelope. Essential submission documents include, but are not limited to, a Business Entity Disclosure Certification, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance documents, a copy of the New Jersey Business Registration Certificate, Professional Service Entity Information Form, Qualification Affidavit, a detailed Submission Form outlining services and costs, and a Letter of Intent and Letter of Qualification. For further inquiries, Racquel Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, can be reached at (973) 266-5162 or via facsimile at (862) 444-0101.