What the buyer needs
AI summaryThe City of Union City seeks proposals from New Jersey-licensed attorneys to provide tenant advocacy services to the general public from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027. The City may award a single contract or multiple contracts for duties including distributing legal information, operating an advice hotline, organizing workshops, forwarding tenant complaints, appearing before tribunals, and providing paralegal support. Eligible candidates must hold a New Jersey law license, have significant experience representing residential tenants, and comply with state affirmative action, business registration, and ownership disclosure requirements. Proposals must include attorney qualifications, municipal advocacy experience, at least four references, staffing plans, and cost details with hourly rates and a not-to-exceed amount. Applicants can submit responses digitally via email or online, and must also complete Iran and Russia/Belarus non-involvement certifications.
Scope of work
- Provide and distribute information to tenants on federal, state, and municipal laws.
- Write and publish informational pamphlets, leaflets, or booklets on tenant and landlord rights.
- Operate a hotline to provide legal advice to tenants.
- Promote, sponsor, and organize tenants' rights workshops and assist tenant organizing.
- Receive and forward tenant complaints regarding City department actions to appropriate agencies.
- Provide free advice and assistance to apartment dwellers before the rent control board.
- Appear before state and federal tribunals on behalf of tenants as assigned.
- Provide paralegal services, with bilingual paralegals preferred.
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Qualifications of the individuals who will perform the tasks and the amounts of their respective participation | Not specified |
| Proven experience in representing municipalities as a tenant's advocate in urban environments substantially similar to Union City and references | Not specified |
| Ability to perform the task in a timely fashion, including staffing and familiarity with the subject matter | Not specified |
| Ability to be available with the appropriate personnel at all times necessary to accomplish the representation | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey.
- Significant experience in representing residential tenants as a tenant's advocate.
- Experience representing municipalities as a tenant's advocate in a similar urban New Jersey environment.
- At least four (4) references, three (3) with knowledge of municipal tenant advocacy representation.
- Compliance with N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (Affirmative Action).
- Proof of business registration with the New Jersey Division of Taxation (P.L. 2004, C.57).
Documents to include with your response
- Attorney/firm name, principal and office addresses, and assigned attorney details
- Areas of practice, attorney education, experience, and qualifications
- At least four (4) references and record of success examples
- Cost details including hourly rates, time estimates, expenses, and not-to-exceed amount
- Statement of Ownership Disclosure (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2)
- Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran Form
- Certification of Non-Involvement in Prohibited Activities in Russia or Belarus
- Business Registration Certificate
- Statement Concerning Ethics Complaints
- List of paralegals and their qualifications
How to submit
- Method
- Sealed hard copy
- Instructions
- Submit one original and two (2) copies on white 8 1/2" x 11" paper to Hilda I. Rosario, City Clerk, City of Union City, 3715 Palisade Avenue, Union City, New Jersey 07087.