Special Redevelopment Counsel Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) from highly qualified legal counsel and firms to provide Special Redevelopment Counsel Services. This encompasses comprehensive legal representation for the City in various municipal redevelopment matters, operating under the direct supervision and guidance of the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel. The extensive scope of work includes, but is not limited to, possessing specialized knowledge of New Jersey's Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, land use law, tax abatements, local public contracts, and zoning regulations. Counsel will be responsible for reviewing Contracts of Sale, drafting crucial legal documents such as Redevelopment Agreements, Financial Agreements, and Escrow Agreements, and demonstrating specialized knowledge of bonds. These services will be provided on an "as needed" basis, requiring attorneys to be available for meetings and potentially other specialized legal tasks as directed by the Corporation Counsel. Qualified respondents must demonstrate substantial professional, financial, and administrative capabilities to deliver the required legal services effectively. Essential qualifications include a proven record of litigation experience across Federal, Superior, Appellate, and Workers’ Compensation courts, showcasing their ability to handle complex municipal legal challenges. Firms must confirm appropriate federal and state licenses to perform legal activities and maintain professional liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000.00 per claim and $1,000,000.00 in aggregate per policy period. Adherence to New Jersey's affirmative action, business registration, and ownership disclosure laws (N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq., N.J.S.A. 52:32-44, N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2) is mandatory for all professional service contractors, ensuring compliance with state and municipal ordinances governing public contracts. Submissions for the Request for Qualifications must be meticulously prepared and received by the City of East Orange no later than 12:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 28, 2018. Proposals must be mailed or hand-delivered to the East Orange Division of Procurement, directed to the attention of Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, at East Orange City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. Submissions via facsimile or email will not be accepted. Each proposal must be submitted individually in a sealed envelope and must include one (1) original, three (3) copies, and one (1) compact disk (CD) set of all required documents, including various certifications, affidavits, and forms such as the Business Entity Disclosure, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance, and a Letter of Qualification and Letter of Intent. Inquiries regarding this RFQ should be directed to Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, via telephone at (973) 266-5162 or fax at (862) 444-0101.