What the buyer needs
AI summaryThe City of East Orange seeks qualification statements from US organizations to provide offsite litigation and defense counsel services on an as-needed basis. Outside counsel will defend and represent the city, its officers, and its employees in matters including Tort Claims Act, Conscientious Employee Protection Act, Laws Against Discrimination, Section 1983 actions, contract disputes, and challenges to government actions. Appointed counsel will handle all aspects of litigation, including drafting pleadings, managing discovery and depositions, and attending settlement conferences, pre-trial motions, and trials. Applicants must submit questions by November 30, 2026. Respondents must submit electronic proposals through the PlanetBids procurement portal by 11:00 AM prevailing local time on December 9, 2026. The city will evaluate qualification statements to identify the most advantageous offerors based on experience and reputation in the field, availability for required city meetings, litigation experience and results in the relevant legal areas, and pertinent government experience.
Scope of work
- Provide outside legal counsel for the defense and representation of the City, officers, and employees on an as-needed basis
- Handle Tort Claims Act matters (N.J.S.A. 59:1-1 et seq.)
- Handle Conscientious Employee Protection Act claims (N.J.S.A. 34:19-1 et seq.)
- Handle Laws Against Discrimination claims (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.)
- Handle 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983 actions
- Handle contract matters and challenges to government actions
- Prepare pleadings, motions, and discovery documents, and attend all depositions
- Participate in and attend settlement conferences, pre-trial motions, and trials
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Experience and reputation in the field | Not specified |
| Availability to accommodate the required meetings of the City | Not specified |
| Litigation experience and results in the areas of law described in Section 2 of this RFQ | Not specified |
| Pertinent government experience | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Compliance with N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. Affirmative Action and N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq.
- Possession of a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:32-44
- Demonstrated proven record of litigation experience in Federal court, New Jersey courts, or administrative agencies
- Listing of similar services provided within the past five (5) years, including municipal and other levels of government
- Identification of names and resumes of attorneys assigned to provide legal services
Documents to include with your response
- Business Entity Disclosure Certification
- Non-Collusion Affidavit
- Disclosure of Ownership Form
- Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form
- Mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity Notice Acknowledgement
- Professional Service Entity Information Form
- Qualification Affidavit
- Submission Form
- Acknowledgement of Corrections, Additions or Deletions Form
- Certification of Non-Involvement in Prohibited Activities in Russia or Belarus
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via Procurement Portal
- Instructions
- Submitted electronically via Procurement Portal at https://vendors.planetbids.com/portal/85923/bo/bo-detail/147303. Only electronic proposals shall be accepted.