Bond Counsel RFP - 2026

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

BOND COUNSEL SERVICES

MONROE TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Monroe Township Board of Education is seeking proposals for Bond Counsel Services from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, which may be renewed annually at the Board’s option. The understanding of the parties with respect to the services and fee arrangements are to be set forth in a formal agreement.

Proposals should be addressed to:

Jo Ann Matienko, Business Administrator/Board Secretary

Monroe Township Board of Education

RFP For Bond Counsel Services

128 Saybrook Avenue

Williamstown, NJ 08094

Proposals are due in the business office by 10:00 am, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026

Please provide one original, one copy and one electronic submission to proposal@monroetwp.k12.nj.us

A. BACKGROUND

The Monroe Township Board of Education is a Gloucester County based Prek-12 school district. It consists of four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one administration building. The current enrollment is approximately 5,781 students with a current workforce of approximately 905 employees and a total budget of $141,277,119. Further information may be obtained by visiting the school district’s website at www.monroetwp.k12.nj.us.

To be considered, the respondent must submit a response to this RFP addressing the criteria described in the technical specifications section as well as the submission of all required documents. Price quotations stated in the rate proposal will not be subject to any price increase from the date on which the proposal is opened for the term of the initial contract. Fees other than those stated in the rate proposal will not be allowed unless authorized by contract.

Proposers are advised that for any specific matter the Monroe Township Board or Education may retain the services of another Attorney.

B. SERVICES SPECIFICATIONS

Scope of Service:

The Board of Education desires to appoint an attorney or firm who will be the primary legal representative of the Monroe Township Board of Education in all matters relating to the issuance of public debt instruments including bonds and bond anticipation notes of the Board. Applicant should demonstrate knowledge of municipal bond and finance law. Any experience or knowledge of matters that directly affect the Board of Education should be addressed.

Mandatory Minimum Qualifications:

1. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey and eligible to appear before all state and federal courts and administrative offices of the State of New Jersey for a period of not less than five (5) years preceding appointment

2. Must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience representing school boards in connection with the approval issuance of school board bonds and/or notes.

3. All statements of proposals for professional service contracts shall include at a minimum the following information.

a) Names of individuals who will perform required tasks as well as the listing of their licenses

i) Identify the person who will be primarily responsible for the services required by the Monroe Township Board of Education and provide a description of the experience of the primary person with projects and issues similar to those more specifically set forth in this RFP’s and on behalf of the Board of Education.

ii) Identify persons who will serve as back up to the primary person including resumes of all parties.

b) Describe ability to provide services in a timely fashion including a description of your staffing and a description of your familiarity with the services required by the Monroe Township Board of Education.

Services to be included in the service areas:

1. Legal Bond Counsel and advice to the Board and Administration.

2. Timely advice and counsel on emergent matters. Counsel response is expected, at least verbally to be followed in writing, within a maximum of 24 hours upon inquiry made by the Board or Administration.

3. Written legal opinions upon request.

4. Prepare all necessary legal documents.

5. Work cooperatively with legal counsel of insurance companies, consortiums or other collectives with whom the Board may be affiliated.

6. Fulfill other legal duties as are commonly accepted and assigned.

C. PROPOSAL

The Monroe Township Board of Education seeks, from all participating respondents, information that will assist the district in selecting the respondent who will provide the highest quality services at a fair and competitive price in a prompt and professional manner.

All respondents shall prepare a presentation package to be submitted with the RFP.

An elaborate proposal is not required, nor desired. The proposal should be simple and straightforward.

The presentation package shall include, at a minimum, the following:

1. Technical Criteria

Description of Services

Respondents should list all services to be rendered with their explanation in detail on how they will provide the services. Respondents shall also provide evidence of how services of similar type were provided to other public/private schools in New Jersey. Respondents, by submitting a proposal, acknowledge that they fully understand the scope of service, work and activity to be performed. Respondents are to provide evidence of any innovation and/or successful approach on providing the services requested.

2. Management Criteria

Business Organization

The respondent shall submit a full description of the business organization to include, but not be limited to:

• Name, address, phone, fax, website, e-mail address and other information of the professional firm or individual;

• An organizational chart noting the names of all principals and partners;

• Resumes of key staff members; and

• Other information concerning individuals of the professional firm that would assist the school district in the evaluation process.

3. Qualifications; Relevant Experience

The respondent must provide documentation that he/she has experience as a Solicitor as follows:

• Three (3) letters of recommendation from public/private school districts in New Jersey.

• Evidence of providing services as listed in the specifications to public/private school districts.

• Copies of all professional or educational licenses that are required to perform the services as listed in the specifications.

• List of any judgments within the last three (3) years and/or a list of bankruptcy or organization proceeding within the last ten (10) years; and

• Other information concerning the firm and /or individuals of the firm that would assist the school district in the evaluation process.

• Availability of personnel, facilities, equipment and other resources to provide the services requested.

• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience representing New Jersey School districts as a school attorney.

• License to practice law in New Jersey.

• Demonstrated experience in school law and knowledge of Title 18A (including student disciplinary laws, residency laws, school board powers and duties), Open Public Meeting Act, Open Public Records Act, Civil Service Laws, Public School Contract Act and Public School Property Act; experience in Commissioner matters before Office of Administrative Law.

• Personal and professional integrity.

• Strong oral and written communications skills.

• Strong technology literacy.

4. Cost Criteria

Fee Proposal

The proposal should include a schedule of potential fees charged to the district.

Contract Expenses

Respondents are to note the following as it pertains to expenses related to the contract:

Expenses Not Related to the Contract: District Procedures

There may be a circumstance where a request is made for the respondent to provide services not directly related to the contract. These services not related to the contract are not to be provided by the respondent. The district will procure these services separately.

Extraordinary Expenses

Extraordinary expenses to be incurred by the respondent in the performance of his/her duties may be brought to the Board prior to the actual expenditure. The board, upon recommendation of the appropriate administrator, may consider reimbursing the expense, or the Board may procure the services separately.

D. EVALUATION PROCESS: METHODOLOGY OF AWARDING CONTRACT

All RFP responses are to be evaluated on the basis of whose response is the most advantageous to the district, price and other factors considered, and whose response will provide the highest quality of service at fair and competitive prices.

The Monroe Township Board of Education will use a one hundred (100) point system in evaluating all proposals. The criteria to be evaluated are identified below:

	Category	Value Points
I.	Management Criteria	40
	A. Business Management B. Qualifications & experience of agency C. Responsiveness and completeness of the proposal.
II.	Technical Criteria	40
	A. Description of services
III.	Cost Criteria	20
	A. Fee Proposal

E. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

The proposals will be evaluated and a decision on whether the contract will be awarded and to whom it will be awarded shall be made within sixty (60) days from the date the proposals are opened.

F. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1. Ownership Disclosure Statement

2. Non-Collusion Affidavit

3. C. 271 Political Contribution Disclosure Form

4. Contractor/Vendor Questionnaire/Certification

5. Affirmative Action Questionnaire, Affidavit and Exhibit A

6. New Jersey Business Registration Certificate

7. Certificate of Employee Information Report

8. Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran

9. Disclosure of Investment Activities in Russia or Belarus

10. Certification of Non-Debarment (Prior to Award of Contract)

G. INTERVIEW

The Board of Education reserves the right to interview any or all of the applicants submitting a proposal. Although interviews may take place, the proposal should be comprehensive and complete on its face. The Board reserves the right to request clarifying information subsequent to the submission of the proposal.

H. CONTRACT TERM

The term of the contract for services shall be from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 and may be renewed annually at the Board’s option.

I. AWARD OF CONTRACT

It is the intention of the Monroe Township Board of Education to award the contract to the respondent whose response is the most advantageous to the Monroe Township Board of Education, price and other factors considered; and who will provide the highest quality service at fair and competitive prices.

It is the intention of the Monroe Township Board of Education to award the contract for Bond Counsel at the May or June 2026 regular meeting of the Monroe Township Board of Education.

J. SUBMISSION DEADLINE

The deadline to submit proposals is:

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Jo Ann Matienko, Business Administrator/Board Secretary

MONROE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

RFP For Bond Counsel Services

128 Saybrook Avenue

Williamstown, NJ 08094

Please provide one original, one copy, and one electronic copy to proposal@monroetwp.k12.nj.us

The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals in whole and waive any informality in the process.