Request for Proposals for Certified Court Reporter/Stenographer Services
for the Union City Boards from January 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 individuals who wish to provide certified court reporter/stenographer (“transcription”) (the court reporter/stenographer shall also be called “transcriber” for purposes of this RFP) services as directed by the Corporation Counsel, the Board of Commissioners or other appropriate official within the City for a contract period from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. The position may be subject to Department of Community Affairs approval. The successful applicant must have significant experience with transcription services and have all required licenses and training. All proposers shall be certified by the Authority Board of Court Reporting, Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. This is a biannual certification given by the Authority. The contractor will be required to provide proof of certification. If awarded a contract, the individual/company shall be required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 10.5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 (See Exhibit A attached hereto). The successful applicant will engage in/be responsible for, but not be limited to, the following activities:

1. Shall transcribe regularly scheduled sessions and special meetings as scheduled of the Union City Board of Commissioners, Union City Zoning Board, Union City Planning Board and Union City Redevelopment Agency. A list of the regularly scheduled meetings is attached. The schedule of these meetings is subject to change.

The aforesaid times are approximate and may change subject to the board calendar. The transcriber must attend the complete meeting.

In the event of vacation or unavailability, the transcriber is permitted to utilize a substitute for a limited period, with the approval of the appropriate board.

The transcriber SHALL:
1. Set up and transcribe each meeting. The vendor shall provide the transcript of the meeting as requested by the specific Board.
2. Any other service necessary to transcribe the meetings for the City of Union City.
3. The transcriber shall be required to travel to the various locations throughout the City of Union City as set by the annual meeting schedule, as amended, and accommodate any changes in venue or schedule as may be required by the City.
4. Proceedings shall be logged for speaker identification and changes.
5. The transcriber shall produce the verbatim transcript from current and previous years’ meeting tapes with the provision that the contract amount not be exceeded.
6. 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.

Payment Timing
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 candidate shall submit the following information:

1. Name of firm or individual;
2. Address of principal place of business and all other offices and corresponding telephone and fax numbers. Please note specifically which transcriber will be assigned to work with the City;
3. Description of candidate’s education, experience, qualifications, number of years with the firm and a description of their experience with projects similar to those described above. Provide a copy of your court reporting certification;
4. Experience related to providing transcription services for other public entities;
5. At least four (4) references, three (3) of which must have knowledge of your service to public entities;
6. The candidate’s ability to provide the services in a timely fashion (including staffing, familiarity and location of key staff);
7. Cost details of attendance of a monitor at each meeting for three (3) hours including set up time and overtime per hour, verbatim transcript per page (regular turnaround), expedited transcription per page, daily copy turnaround per page, electronic disc, duplication of tapes per tape, reformatting of tapes per tape and any other cost associated with the performance of this service in its entirety; and
8. Any other information which the interested firm deems relevant;
9. Statement of Ownership Disclosure (c.52:25-24.2) (form provided);
10. 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;
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. 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
14. 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 for professional services as described herein shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Education, as described in the transcription services job description.
2. Experience, as described in the transcription services job description.
3. Professional and personal references.
4. Requested costs for services.

Submission Requirements
Sealed proposals will be publicly opened by the Acting Union City Clerk in her offices at Union City Hall, 3715 Palisade Ave., Union City at 11:45 AM on November 27, 2024. Sealed Proposals must be received no later than 11:45 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 your proposal on white 8 ½ “x 11” paper and one list of your references.

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