PUBLIC NOTICE FOR THE SOLICITATION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
PLEASE INSERT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION GLOBALLY:
Township of West Orange
66 Main Street,
West Orange, New Jersey 07052 Essex County
Panayiota Reynolds,
Purchasing Agent
973-325-4056
Submission Date: April 22, 2026 at 1:00PM
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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a fair and open process in accordance with N.J.S.A.
19:44A-20.5, qualifications are being solicited by the Township of West Orange for the following
professional services for the 2026 calendar year. The submission date is April 22, 2026 at 1:00PM
at which time submissions will be opened and read out loud in the Council Chambers located at
the address below. No proposal will be accepted after that time. Proposal packages are
available via email to: preynolds@westorange.org or on the Township website
www.westorange.org/bids .
Professional Services Requested: Arborist Services – Planning Board
Please submit sealed request for qualifications no later than April 22, 2026 at 1:00PM to the
Township of West Orange, 66 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052, Attn: Panayiota Reynolds,
QPA. Envelopes should be clearly marked with title of RFQ, name and address of party
submitting, at the address mentioned above and should be mailed or hand delivery will be
accepted at in the Purchasing Office, room 111 at the above address. Submissions by
Corporations, Partnerships and sole proprietors must include a completed Disclosure of
Ownership (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2), a valid NJ Business Registration Certificate P.L. 2004, c57, and
must comply with the Equal Employment Opportunity requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq.
and N.J.A.C. 17:27. Additional Pay to Play Requirements Contractors are advised of the
responsibility to file an annual disclosure statement on political contributions with the New
Jersey Election Enforcement Commission, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44-20.13(P.L. 2005, c, 271, s.3),
if the contractor receives contracts in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate from public entities
during the calendar year. It is the contractor’s responsibility to determine if filing is necessary.
Additional information on this requirement is available from ELEC at 888-313-3532 or at
www.elec.state.nj.us .
As of March 1, 2026, pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 2025, c.72, all Township of West Orange current
legal notices will be published on the Township’s official website for at least one week, or other time
period as required by law, before transferring the publication to the Legal Notice Archive. Notices shall
be published at the following link: https://westorange.org/2141/Current-Legal-Notices
The NJ Secretary of State will create a centralized portal linking to the public notice pages of all public
entities. Once completed, the hyperlink will be shared on all Township of West Orange legal notices:
https://nj.gov/state/statewide-legal-notices-list.shtml
Panayiota Reynolds
Purchasing Agent, R.P.P. S, QPA
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GENERAL INFORMATION SUMMARY ORGANIZATION REQUESTING QUALIFICATIONS
Township of West Orange
66 Main St.
West Orange, NJ 07052
CONTACT PERSON
Panayiota Reynolds
Purchasing Agent, R.P.P.S, QPA
preynolds@westorange.org
Telephone (973) 325-4056
FAX
(973) 736-8380
PURPOSE OF REQUEST
The Township of West Orange will be in need of a variety of Professional Service Contracts during
the calendar year of 2026. This Request for Qualification “RFQ” will serve as a source of reference
for the Township regarding the hire of an individual and or a company for a particular
professional service during this contract period. Submissions will be evaluated in accordance
with the criteria set forth in this RFQ. One or more individuals/firms may be selected to provide
services. Submission of the RFQ does not guarantee the Township will hire your company during
the contract year. The RFQ process allows the Township to be compliant with the "Pay to Play"
rules and regulations of the State of New Jersey. This RFQ represents a "Fair and Open" process
in which we can secure professional services throughout a 12-month time period.
PERIOD OF CONTRACT
In the event respondent’s services are chosen during this 12-month contract period. The
successful respondent shall be required to execute the Township's form contract, which includes
the indemnification, insurance, termination and licensing provisions. The Township Mayor and
Council shall approval such contracts through resolution.
It is also agreed and understood that the acceptance of the final payment by a contractor shall
be considered a release in full of all claims against the Township arising out of, or by reason of, the
work done and material furnished under this contract.
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GLOSSARY
The following definitions shall apply to and are used in this Request for Qualification:
"Township" - refers to the Township of West Orange.
“Board” – refers to the West Orange Planning Board
"Qualification Statement" - refers to the complete response to this RFQ submitted by the
Respondents.
"Qualified Respondent" - refers to those Respondents who (in the sole judgment of the.
(Township)) has satisfied the qualification criteria set forth in this RFQ.
"RFQ" --- refers to this Request for Qualification, including any amendments thereof or
supplement thereto.
'Respondent" or 'Respondents"- refers to the interested party that submitted a Qualification
Statement.
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SECTION 1.
It is the intent of the township to hire a person/company to provide the services below for our
planning board.
Arborist Services
SECTION 2
INTRODUCTION OF GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 Introduction and Purpose
The Township of West Orange is soliciting Qualification Statements from interested persons
and/or Firms for the provision of various Professional Services for the Township of West Orange.
Through a Request for Qualification (RFQ) process described herein, the Township will create a
prequalified list of professionals that can provide such services. The Township will first consider
companies for such services that respond to this RFQ. The Qualification Statement submission
shall include all the information required to be include as described herein. The Township intends
to qualify respondents professional and administrative capabilities to provide proposed services,
and will agree to work under the compensation terms and conditions determined by the
Township.
2.2 Procurement Process and Schedule
The selection of Qualified Respondents is not subject to the bidding provisions of the Local Public
Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq. The selection is subject to the New Jersey Local Unit Pay
to Play Law, N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq. The Township has structured a procurement process to
assure that each person and/or firm is provided an equal opportunity to submit a Qualification
Statement in response to the RFQ. Qualification statements will be evaluated in accordance with
criteria set forth in section 2 of this RFQ, which will be applied in the same manner to each
Qualification Statement received. Respondents agree to at all times to abide by all requirements
of the New Jersey law, including, but not limited to the aforementioned “Pay to Play” laws, as
well as any and all relevant Executive Orders and the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement
Commission disclosure requirements.
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.
