ATTORNEYS/LAW FIRMS INTERESTED IN SERVING AS “TENANT ADVOCATE”

THE TOWN OF GUTTENBERG (“TOWN”) REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS

FROM ATTORNEYS/LAW FIRMS INTERESTED IN SERVING AS

“TENANT ADVOCATE”

FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026

Introduction

Pursuant to the Fair and Open Process described under N.J.S.A. 19:44A-1, et seq., the Town seeks Requests for Qualifications (“RFQ”) from law firms licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey that wish to provide general counsel and litigation services to the, as directed by the Mayor and Council or other appropriate official within the Town for a contract period beginning July 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2026 in response to this Request for Qualifications.
All necessary documents can be downloaded from the official Guttenberg website, www.guttenbergnj.org . Copies of this standardized submission requirements and selection criteria are also on file and available from the Office of the Town Clerk.
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). 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 District but preferably with their proposal.
The successful attorney must have significant experience in representing residential tenants as a tenant advocate. The successful attorney among his/her other duties may be requested to do any or all of the following:
1. Provide and distribute information to tenants regarding federal, state and municipal laws affecting the rights and duties of landlords and tenants;

2. Distribute information specifically dealing with tenants’ legal rights;

3. Write and publish information pamphlets, leaflets or booklets providing information on tenant/landlord rights and duties;

4. Operate a hotline to provide advice to tenants;

5. Promote, sponsor and organize tenants’ rights workshops to disseminate information between tenants and tenant groups and assist tenants in organizing to protect tenants’ rights;

6. Receive and forward to appropriate agencies of the Town complaints from tenants relating to the administrative action or inaction of any department;

7. Give free advice and assistance to apartment dwellers in their dealings with the Town Rent Control Board or appeals before the Board;

8. Appear before state and federal tribunals on behalf of tenants as assigned by the Town Administration; and

9. Any other matters as directed by the appropriate Town official(s).

Professional Information and Qualifications

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 Town;

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 municipalities as a tenant advocate in an urban environment in New Jersey which is substantially similar to the Town of Guttenberg;

6. At least four (4) references, three (3) of which must have knowledge of your representation of municipalities as a tenant advocate;

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

8. 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 taking into account that the Town will not pay more than $150.00 per hour for the services of any attorney;

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

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

11. Letter of Qualification (form provided);

12. Letter of Intent (form provided);

13. Non-Collusion Affidavit (form provided);

14. Americans with Disabilities Act form (form provided);

15. Affirmative Action Compliance Notice (form provided);

16. Minority/Woman Business Enterprise form (form provided);

17. Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran form (form provided);

18. Statement, 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

19. State whether your company/firm is presently involved in a lawsuit and whether it has been sued in the last five (5) years. If so, provide a description of each matter.

Selection Criteria

The Town reserves the right to award a contract or contracts to the vendor(s) as determined to be in the best interests of the Town based upon the 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. Proven experience in representing municipalities as a tenant advocate in urban environments substantially similar to Town of Guttenberg and references;

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

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

5. The cost and expense that will be necessary to familiarize the attorney with the municipal issues pending before the Board; and

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

Submission Requirements

RFQ must be delivered no later than Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 10:00 am to:
Dr. Cosmo A. Cirillo, Town Clerk

Office of the Town Clerk

Guttenberg Town Hall

6808 Park Avenue

Guttenberg, New Jersey 07093
Please submit one (1) original and one (1) copy of the RFQ. Use white 8 ½” x 11” paper

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