Legal Counsel - SARA

PUBLIC NOTICE
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
SFY 2027
Notice is hereby given that the South Amboy Redevelopment Agency ("SARA" or the "Agency") will be
seeking qualifications for the provision of professional services. The qualifications are being sought as part
of a fair and open process being undertaken by the Agency pursuant to N.J.S.A 19:44-20.4 et seq. Pursuant
to the Agency's policy this Public Notice shall be advertised on the City of South Amboy's internet website
within ten (10) days of receipt of responses from interested parties. Submissions are required to comply
with requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27-1 et seq.
All interested parties should contact Kelly Wolff at wolffk@southamboynj.gov or 732.525.5929 to
request a submission packet.
Responses to provide the services will be received by the South Amboy Redevelopment Agency, Kristal
Manion, QPA, 140 N. Broadway, South Amboy, New Jersey until 1:00 p.m. prevailing time on Thursday,
May 28, 2026, at which time the responses will be publicly opened and the name of the responder shall be
read aloud.
LEGAL COUNSEL The Agency is seeking legal services as General Counsel for the redevelopment
activities of the Agency, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The minimum threshold criteria that
will be utilized for the evaluation for the responses shall be as follows:
a) Licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey for a minimum of ten (10) years;
b) Evidence of professional liability insurance;
c) Personal, direct representation of governmental entities in the field of redevelopment, with a
particular emphasis on Redevelopment authorities, for a minimum of five (5) years;
d) Knowledge of the City of South Amboy, the Agency and its redevelopment projects;
e) Ability to accommodate any required meetings of the Agency;
f) Compensation proposal;
g) Any other factors demonstrated to be in the best interest of the Agency.
In addition to the criteria set forth above, all responses must include the following:
a) Full name and business address.
b) List of licensed professionals employed.
c) Confirmation of authority to do business in the State of New Jersey
d) List of public entities served by business entity including dates of service.
Responses shall be reviewed by the Agency according to the above criteria. SARA will award the contract
pursuant to this fair and open process by Resolution at a public meeting.
The Agency (SARA) reserves the right to reject any and all submissions.
Individuals and/or firms are to submit one (1) original and one (1) USB of their responses in a sealed
envelope clearly marked with "RFQ Attorney" to: Kristal Manion, QPA, The South Amboy Redevelopment
Agency, 140 N. Broadway, South Amboy, New Jersey, 08879.
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GLOSSARY
The following definitions shall apply to and are used in this Request for Qualifications:
"Agency" - refers to the South Amboy Redevelopment Agency, its officers and elected and
appointed officials, employees and advisors and consultants.
"Due Date" - refers to the date and time by which Qualification Statements must be received by the
Redevelopment Agency in order to be considered for award of the contract or position.
"Qualification Statement" - refers to a Respondent's complete response to this RFQ.
"Qualified Respondent" - refers to those Respondents who (in the sole judgment of the
Redevelopment Agency) have satisfied the qualification criteria set forth in this RFQ.
"RFQ" - refers to this Request for Qualifications, including any amendments thereof or
supplements thereto.
"Respondent" or "Respondents" - refers to the interested individuals and firms that submit
Qualification Statements.
"Services" - refers to the professional services the Redevelopment Agency seeks in this RFQ
process.
"Successful Respondent" - refers to the Respondent selected by the Redevelopment Agency to
perform the Services.
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Introduction and Purpose.
The Redevelopment Agency is soliciting Qualification Statements from interested persons and/or
firms for the provision of the professional services described herein. Through a Request for Qualification
process, persons and/or firms interested in assisting the Redevelopment Agency with the provision of such
services must prepare and submit a Qualification Statement in accordance with the procedure and schedule
in this RFQ. The Redevelopment Agency will review only Qualification Statements that include all the
required information as described herein. The Redevelopment Agency intends to qualify persons and/or
firms that (a) possess the professional capabilities to provide the proposed services; (b) will agree to work
under the compensation terms and conditions set forth; and (c) have demonstrated the capability and
willingness to provide high quality services to the Redevelopment Agency.
1.2 Procurement Process and Schedule.
The selection of Qualified Respondents is subject to the New Jersey Local Unit Pay-to-Play Law,
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N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20A et seq. The Redevelopment Agency has structured a competitive procurement process
which insures that anyone interested in providing the services sought has an opportunity to submit a
Qualification Statement in response to this RFQ. The Redevelopment Agency will evaluate responses to
this RFQ in accordance with the criteria set forth in Section 5. Based upon the totality of the information
contained in the Qualification Statement, and from the Respondents' references, the Redevelopment
Agency will determine which Respondents are qualified. Each Respondent that meets the requirements of
the RFQ (in the sole judgment of the Redevelopment Agency) will be designated as a Qualified Respondent,
and will be considered for selection by the Redevelopment Agency.
The RFQ process commences with the issuance of this RFQ. The steps involved in the process and
the anticipated completion dates are stated in the Anticipated Procurement Schedule. The Redevelopment
Agency reserves the right to, among other things, amend, modify or alter the Procurement Schedule upon
notice to all potential Respondents who have provided contact information to the Agency upon receipt of
this RFQ.
Qualification Statements must be received by the Redevelopment Agency's Designated
Contact Person, via mail or hand delivery, by 1:00 PM prevailing time on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
Qualification Statements received after 1:00PM on Thursday, May 28, 2026 will be returned
unopened.
All communications concerning this RFQ or the RFQ process shall be directed to the
Redevelopment Agency's Designated Contact Person, in writing. The Designated Contact Person is:
Kelly Wolff at wolffk@southamboynj.gov or 732.525.5929.
ANTICIPATED PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE
ACTIVITY DATE
1. Issuance of Request for Qualifications May 28, 2026
2. Receipt of Qualification Statements/ Due Date May 28, 2026
3 Completion of Evaluation of Qualification Statements on or about June 4, 2026
4. Award of Professional Service Agreement June 4, 2026
1.3 Conditions Applicable to RFQ.
Upon submitting a Qualification Statement in response to this RFQ, the Respondent acknowledges
and consents to the following conditions:
* This document is an RFQ and does not constitute an RFP.
* This RFQ does not commit the Redevelopment Agency to issue an RFP.
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* All costs incurred by the Respondent in connection with responding to this RFQ shall be
borne solely by the Respondent. There shall be no claims whatsoever against the
Redevelopment Agency, its staff or consultants for reimbursement or payment of costs or
expenses incurred in the preparation of the Qualification Statement or other information
required by the RFQ.
* The Redevelopment Agency reserves the right to reject for any reason any and all responses
and components thereof.
* The Redevelopment Agency reserves the right to reject any Respondent that submits
incomplete responses to this RFQ, or a Qualification Statement that is not responsive to the
requirements of this RFQ.
* The Redevelopment Agency reserves the right, without prior notice, to supplement, amend,
or modify this RFQ, or to request additional information.
* All Qualification Statements shall become the property of the Redevelopment Agency and
will not be returned.
* All Qualification Statements will be made available to the public at the appropriate time,
as determined by the Redevelopment Agency in accordance with law.
* Any Qualification Statements not received by the Redevelopment Agency timely will be
rejected.
* The Redevelopment Agency shall not be liable for any claims or damages alleged to have
been incurred as a result of this RFQ process, including the Redevelopment Agency's
review of Qualification Statements and its award of contracts.
1.4 Rights of Redevelopment Agency.
The Redevelopment Agency reserves the following rights with regard to this RFQ and the
procurement process in accordance with the provisions of applicable law:
* To determine that any Qualification Statement received complies or fails to comply with
the terms of this RFQ.
* To supplement, amend or otherwise modify the RFQ through issuance of addenda to all
prospective Respondents who have received a copy of this RFQ.
* To waive any technical non-conformance with the terms of this RFQ.
* To change or alter the schedule for any events called for in this RFQ upon the issuance of
notice to all prospective Respondents who have received a copy of this RFQ.
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* To conduct investigations of any or all of the Respondents, as the Redevelopment Agency
deems necessary or convenient, to clarify the information provided as part of a
Qualification Statement, and to request additional information to support the information
included in any Qualification Statement.
* To suspend or terminate the procurement process described in this RFQ at any time,
commence a new procurement process, or exercise any other rights provided under
applicable law without any obligation to the Respondents.
The Redevelopment Agency shall be under no obligation to complete all or any portion of the
procurement process described in this RFQ.
1.5 Addenda or Amendments to RFQ.
After the issuance of the RFQ, but no later than five (5) business days prior to the Due Date, the
Redevelopment Agency may issue addenda, amendments or answers to written inquiries. Addenda will be
noticed by the Redevelopment Agency and will constitute a part of the RFQ. All responses to the RFQ
shall be prepared with full consideration of any addenda issued.
1.6 Proposal Format.
Responses should cover all information requested in Section 3 of this RFQ. Responses that do not
meet the requirements of the RFQ or which are in any way conditional, incomplete, obscure, contain
additions or deletions from requested information, or contain errors may be rejected.
SECTION 2
SCOPE OF SERVICES
The Agency seeks Qualification Statements from Respondents that have expertise in the provision
of Legal Counsel Services. Respondents must be able to demonstrate that they have and will continue to
have the capabilities to perform the Services.
The Agency shall expect the successful Respondent to:
a. Provide advice and prepare reports, presentations and research on redevelopment for the
Agency, commissioners and professionals as requested;
b. Assist the Agency on Redevelopment rules and regulations;
c. Represent the Agency as directed in meetings with state agencies, Middlesex County and
other municipalities;
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d. Have capacity to prepare reports and public presentations;
e. Provide Legal Counsel services and general advice to the Agency as it pertains to
commercial and residential redevelopment;
f. Such other services as the Redevelopment Agency shall request from time to time.
The Agency intends to qualify Respondents for the Redevelopment Agency at its June 4, 2026
Meeting or any substitute, adjourned or re-scheduled meeting, and the Redevelopment Agency will award
its own contract from the date of execution for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The
Agency will reserve the right to terminate the contract without cause on 15 days' notice.
SECTION 3
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
3.1 General Requirements.
Respondent's Qualification Statement must meet or exceed the professional,
administrative and financial qualifications set forth in this Section 3 and shall incorporate the
information requested below.
In addition to the information described below, Respondents are invited to submit supplemental
information that may be useful to the Redevelopment Agency in evaluating the Qualification Statement.
This information may include, for example, a firm profile or brochure. Respondents are encouraged to be
clear, factual, and concise in their presentation of information.
3.2 Administrative Information Requirements.
The Respondent shall, as part of its Qualification Statement, provide the following documentation
and information:
1. An executive summary (not to exceed two (2) pages) of the information contained in all
the other parts of the Qualification Statement.
2. An executed Letter of Intent (See Exhibit A).
3. Name, address and telephone number of the individual or firm submitting the
Qualification Statement and the name of the key contact person.
4. A statement that the Respondent has complied with all applicable affirmative action (or
similar) requirements with respect to its business activities (e.g. N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq.
and N.J.A.C. 17:27 as amended) and evidence of such compliance. (See Exhibit B)
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5. The number of years Respondent has been in practice.
6. Any judgments within the last three years in which Respondent has been adjudicated liable
for professional malpractice. If any, please provide the docket numbers.
7. Whether Respondent or its firm is now or has been involved in any bankruptcy or re-
organization proceedings in the last ten years. If so, please provide the docket
numbers.
8. A statement that principals have no immediate relatives who are Redevelopment Agency
employees or elected officials.
3.3 Professional Information Requirements.
1. Respondent shall submit a description of its overall experience in providing the same or
similar Services. At a minimum, the following information should be included as
appropriate:
a. Description and scope of Respondent's work experience.
b. Three business references, including contact information.
c. Explanation of perceived relevance of Respondent's experience to the RFQ.
2. Describe those portions of the Respondent's services, if any, that are sub-contracted.
Identify all subcontractors the Respondent anticipates using in connection with the
Services.
3. Resumes of key employees who will be assigned to provide the Services.
3.4 Services Fees.
1. Respondent shall specifically acknowledge agreement to provide services on an
hourly payment basis.
2. Respondents should take careful note of the following:
a. Respondent shall be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses that shall include, but
not be limited to:
(i). Faxes and conference calls;
(ii) Payment of filing, application fees, review fees and similar charges;
(iii) Outside printing, reproduction, binding, collating, graphic services;
(iv) Messenger service and overnight mail.
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Charges incurred under (iii) and (iv) must be pre-approved by the Redevelopment
Agency.
b. Respondent shall send monthly invoices to the Redevelopment Agency detailing
the Services performed.
c. The Redevelopment Agency shall require that upon performing Services totaling
70 percent of the encumbered amount, whether or not all Services have been
invoiced to the Redevelopment Agency, the Respondent shall provide the
Redevelopment Agency with an estimate of additional funds that may be necessary
to conclude the matter. Additional funds must be approved by resolution of the
Redevelopment Agency Council.
3. The Respondent shall include as part of its submission an hourly rate of payment.
4. The Respondent shall include an acknowledgement that the funds used to pay the
Respondent shall be from escrows established in connection with each project; that the
project escrows paid pursuant to agreements with the Redevelopment Agency shall be
the sole source of funding; that unless pursuant to a separate resolution neither the
Redevelopment Agency nor the City of South Amboy shall be responsible for any
payment to Respondent if sufficient escrow funds do not exist.
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SECTION 4
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS
4.1 Submission of Qualification Statements.
Respondents must submit an original, as well as a PDF copy on USB, of its Qualification
Statement to the Designated Contact Person:
South Amboy Redevelopment Agency
c/o Kristal Manion, QPA
140 North Broadway
South Amboy, New Jersey 08879
To be responsive, Qualification Statements must provide all requested information, and must be in
strict conformance with the instructions set forth herein:
1. Qualification Statements must be received by the Redevelopment Agency no later than
the Due Date and must be mailed or hand-delivered. Qualification Statements forwarded
by facsimile or email will not be considered. Qualification statements received after the
designated time on the Due Date will be returned, unopened, to the sender. The
Respondent is solely responsible for delays in delivery.
2. Qualification Statements and all Forms (Exhibits A, B, C, D, E and G) and other related
information must be stapled or bound and signed by the Respondent. If Respondent is other
than a natural person, the Qualification Statement must be signed by an individual with
power to bind the Respondent.
3. The name of the Respondent and the position or contract for which the submission is
being made must be printed on the outside of the package containing Respondent's
submission. The Redevelopment Agency will, in its sole discretion, determine whether
to qualify more than one Respondent for the Services.
4. Respondents are reminded that the forms attached to this RFP must be completed and
submitted with their Qualifications Statements. See also, Exhibit C for a list of documents
that must be submitted with the proposal and those that that successful Respondents must
present to the Redevelopment Agency prior to the Redevelopment Agency's executing a
contract for services with the Respondent.
4.2 Legislation Compliance
Respondents are to submit a Certification of Political Contribution pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-
20.4 et seq. with their proposals. A Certification form is provided as Exhibit G.
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SECTION 5
EVALUATION
The Redevelopment Agency's objective in soliciting Qualification Statements is to enable it to
select a firm, individual, or organization that will provide high quality and cost-effective services to the
taxpayers of the Redevelopment Agency. The Redevelopment Agency will consider Qualification
Statements only from firms, individuals, or organizations that, in the Redevelopment Agency's judgment,
have demonstrated the capability and willingness to provide high quality services to the taxpayers of the
Redevelopment Agency in the manner described in this RFQ. The Redevelopment Agency will consider
all relevant factors, including, but not limited to:
1. Experience similar to the Services requested in the RFQ
2. Persons who will provide the Services
3 Subject experts in Redevelopment and working on Redevelopment Projects.
4. Other factors determined to be in the best interest of the Redevelopment Agency.
5. Knowledge of the City of South Amboy.
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