Request for Proposals from Law Firms Interested in Serving as
“Planning Board Attorney” for the City of Union City 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 law firms licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey that wish to provide legal counsel and litigation services to the City and its Planning (“Board”) as directed by the Corporation Counsel, the Board or other appropriate official within the City for a contract period from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.  The successful firm must have significant experience in representing New Jersey municipal planning boards in land use matters.  If awarded a contract, your company/firm 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 included herewith).  The successful firm will provide the City and/or the Board with legal guidance relating to, but not necessarily limited to:

1. Legal research and/or advisory opinions as needed in conflict matters;
    
2. Represent the City and/or the Board in land use matters in federal and state courts and administrative forums when there is a conflict with the planning board attorney;
    
3. Review, analyze and advise the Board on any applications before it when there are conflicts with the Planning Board attorney;
    
4. Review and/or draft land use resolutions and ordinances if there are conflicts;
    
5. Attend meetings of the Board when there are conflict matters;
    
6. Attend meetings of the City Commissioners and/or Board Committees upon request; and
    
7. Any other matters as directed by the City or the Board.
    
8. 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 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 requirements 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 New Jersey municipal planning boards;
    
6. At least four (4) references, three (3) of which must have knowledge of your representation of New Jersey municipal planning boards;
    
7. Examples of your record of success representing New Jersey municipal planning boards;
    
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 the 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; and
    
4. Cost competitiveness.

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 2:45 PM on November 26, 2024.  Sealed proposals must be received no later than 2:45 PM on November 26, 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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