City of Union City Request for Proposals for Special Tax Appeal Counsel for the
City of Union City fromJanuary 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025

Introduction
Pursuant to the Fair and Open Process described under N.J.S.A. 19:44A-1, et seq., the City of Union City (“City”) seeks proposals in response to this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) from law firms licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey that wish to provide legal and litigation services to the City with regard to tax appeals, as directed by the Corporation Counsel, the Board of Commissioners of Commissioners of other appropriate official within the City for a contract period from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. All candidates are required to comply with N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. as amended. (Affirmative Action. See Exhibit A included herewith). The successful firm must have significant experience in representing New Jersey municipalities in Tax Court and County Boards of Taxation. The successful firm will provide the City with legal guidance relating to tax appeals, but not necessarily limited to:

1. Legal research and/or advisory opinions as needed;
2. Draft pleadings and stipulations of settlement related to tax appeals.
3. Represent the City in litigation in federal and state courts and administrative forums with regard to tax appeal issues;
4. Attend meetings of the Board of Commissioners and/or Committees upon request;
5. Conduct programs on specified legal issues for appropriate elected officials and/or city employees upon request;
6. Any other matters as directed by the City.
7. The vendor shall provide monthly billing statements that include a brief statement showing the original amount of the Contract, any increases established by amendment to the Contract, the amount previously billed under the Contract, and the total amount of unbilled funds remaining available under the Contract, and the total amount of unbilled funds remaining available under the Contract after deduction of the most recent amount billed. A copy of each billing statement shall be made available to the State Fiscal Oversight Officer upon request.

Each candidate shall submit proof of business registration with the New Jersey Division of Taxation (P.L. 2004, C.57) prior to the award of contract but preferably with their proposal, and must comply with the Affirmative Action requirement contained at N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (See Exhibit A included herewith).

Proposers are advised that the contract with the successful proposer will permit the City to make payments to the successful proposer for approved services in accordance with, and within the time permitted by, the law governing prompt payment of public contracts for the purchase of goods and services.

Professional Information and Qualifications
Copies of this standardized submission requirements and selection criteria are on file and available from the Office of the City Clerk. In addition to the forms included herewith, each interested firm shall submit the following information:
1. Name of Firm;
2. Address of principal place of business and all attorneys or firm’s offices and corresponding telephone and fax numbers. Please note specifically which attorneys will be assigned to work with the City;
3. Areas of Practice;
4. Description of firm’s attorneys’ education, experience, qualifications, number of years with the firm and a description of their experience with projects similar to those described above;
5. Experience related to representation of public entities with regard to tax appeal issues;
6. At least four (4) references, three (3) of which must have knowledge of your representation of a public entity on tax appeal issues;
7. Examples of your record of success representing public entities on tax appeal issues;
8. The firm’s ability to provide the services in a timely fashion (including staffing, familiarity and location of key staff);
9. Cost details, including the hourly rates of each of the individuals who will perform the services and the time estimates for each individual, all expenses, and where appropriate, total cost of “not to exceed” amount;
10. Statement of Ownership Disclosure (c.52:25-24.2) (form provided);
11. Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran Form (prior to the award of contract but preferably with the proposal. Form provided);
12. Certification of Non-Involvement in Prohibited Activities in Russia or Belarus (Prior to the award of contract but preferably with the proposal. Form provided);
13. Business Registration Certificate (prior to award of contract but preferably with the proposal);
14. Statement, see attached, executed by a corporate officer, member, partner or sole proprietor certifying that there are no prior or pending ethics complaints against them or their company; and
15. The successful proposer must comply with the requirements set forth in the Mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity language included herewith (Exhibit A).

Selection Criteria
The selection criteria used in awarding a contract or agreement for professional services as described herein shall include:

1. Qualifications of the individuals who will perform the tasks and the amounts of their respective participation;
2. Experience and references;
3. Ability to perform the task in a timely fashion, including staffing and familiarity with the subject matter;
4. Cost competitiveness; and
5. Due consideration will be given to familiarity with pending tax appeal litigation against the City and its officials.

Submission Requirements
Sealed proposals will be publicly opened by the Acting Union City Clerk in her offices at Union City Hall, 3715 Palisade Avenue, Union City, at 11:15 AM on November 27, 2024. The sealed proposal must be received no later than 11:15 AM on November 27, 2024 by:

Hilda I. Rosario, Acting City Clerk
City of Union City
3715 Palisade Avenue
Union City, New Jersey 07087

Please submit one original and two (2) copies of the RFP. Use white 8 ½” x 11” paper.

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