City of Union City Requests Proposals from Law Firms Interested in
Serving as “Substitute Municipal Court Prosecutor to the City of
Union City” for the period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021

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 serve as substitute Municipal Court Prosecutor to the City of Union City for a contract period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.  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 annexed hereto).  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.  The successful firm must have significant experience in the prosecution of cases in municipal courts in New Jersey.  The successful firm will perform the following duties relating to, but not necessarily limited to:

1.    All necessary and desirable legal counsel and advice for the preparation and prosecution of cases as needed to substitute for the municipal court prosecutor;

2.    Conducting the prosecution of such cases except such crimes and offenses as it may be the duty of the County or State officials to prosecute;

3.    Attend, schedule, and conduct such meetings with the Union City Police Department and its police officers as are necessary to the successful prosecution of cases; and

4.    Any other matters as directed by the Municipal Court.

5.    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 requirements contained at N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (See Exhibit A attached hereto).

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.  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 serve in the position of substitute Municipal Court Prosecutor;

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 positions similar to those described above;

5.    Experience related to the prosecution of cases in  Municipal Court in an urban environment in New Jersey which is substantially similar to the City of Union City;
 
6.    At least four (4) references, three (3) of which must have knowledge of your municipal court and criminal law practice;

7.    The firm’s ability to provide the services in a timely fashion (including staffing, familiarity and location of key staff);

8.    The City shall pay the substitute municipal prosecutor $300.00 per court session;

9.    Statement of corporate ownership (c.52:25-24.2) (form provided);

10.    Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran Form (c. 52:32-55, et seq.) (form provided);

11.     Business Registration Certificate (prior to the award of contract but preferably with the proposal);

12.    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

13.    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.    Ability to perform the task in a timely fashion, including staffing and familiarity with the subject matter;

3.    Ability to be available with the appropriate personnel at all times necessary to accomplish the representation;

4.    The cost and expense that will be necessary to familiarize the attorney with the
 legal issues arising in the prosecution of municipal offenses; and

5.    Cost competitiveness in light of all of the above factors.


Submission Requirements

Sealed proposals will be publicly opened by the Union City Clerk in her offices at Union City Hall, 3715 Palisade Avenue, Union City, at 10:30 AM on July 24, 2020.  Sealed proposals must be received no later than 10:30 AM on July 24, 2020 by:

Erin M. Knoedler, 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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