Planning Consultant for Affordable Housing Matters

City of Union City Request for Proposals from Individuals/Firms

Interested in Serving as “Planning Consultant for Affordable

Housing Matters” to the City of Union City for the Period

January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026

Introduction

Pursuant to the Fair and Open Process described under N.J.S.A. 19:44A-1, et seq., the City of Union City (“City”) seeks proposals in response to this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to serve as the Planning Consultant for Affordable Housing Matters for the City of Union City for a contract period from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.  All candidates are required to comply with N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. as amended.  (Affirmative Action, see Exhibit A included herewith).  The successful candidate must have significant experience and expertise in developing a Housing Element and Fair Share plan to the Council on Affordable Housing. The candidate shall demonstrate a familiarity in dealing with the Council on Affordable Housing (“COAH”) on behalf of municipalities. They shall demonstrate experience with municipalities in seeking substantive certification from either the Council on Affordable Housing or Superior Court. A candidate shall have at least 10 years’ experience as a licensed professional planner in the state of New Jersey.  The successful candidate will provide the City with services related, but not necessarily limited to:

1. Providing technical assistance in the implementation of a Housing Element and Fair Share Plan to submit to COAH;
   
   
2. Attending regular and special meetings of the Commissioners with regard to COAH matters;
   
   
3. Assist the City in applications for affordable housing developments; and
   
   
4. Any other matters as directed by the City.
   
   
5. The vendor shall provide monthly billing statements that include a brief statement showing the original amount of the Contract, any increases established by amendment to the Contract, the amount previously billed under the Contract, and the total amount of unbilled funds remaining available under the Contract, and the total amount of unbilled funds remaining available under the Contract after deduction of the most recent amount billed.  A copy of each billing statement shall be made available to the State Fiscal Oversight Officer upon request.

Each candidate shall submit proof of business registration with the New Jersey Division of Taxation (P.L. 2004, C.57) prior to the award of contract but preferably with their proposal.

Proposers are advised that the contract with the successful proposer will permit the City to make payments to the successful proposer for approved services in accordance with, and within the time permitted by, the law governing prompt payment of public contracts for the purchase of goods and services.

Professional Information and Qualifications

Copies of this standardized submission requirements and selection criteria are on file and available from the Office of the City Clerk.  In addition to the information requested herein, each interested candidate shall submit the following information:

1. Name of firm or individual;
   
   
2. Address of principal place of business and all other offices and corresponding telephone and fax numbers.  Please note specifically which consultants will be assigned to work with the City;
   
   
3. Description of candidate’s education, experience, qualifications, number of years with the firm and a description of their experience with projects similar to those described above;
   
   
4. Experience related to municipal planning;
   
   
5. At least four (4) references, three (3) of which must have knowledge of your service to public entities;
   
   
6. The candidate’s ability to provide the services in a timely fashion (including staffing, familiarity and location of key staff);
   
   
7. Cost details, including the hourly rates of each of the individuals who will perform the services and the time estimates for each individual, all expenses, and where appropriate, total cost of “not to exceed” amount;
   
   
8. Any other information which the interested firm deems relevant;
   
   
9. Statement of ownership disclosure (c.52:25-24.2) (form provided);
   
   
10. Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran Form (prior to the award of contract but preferably with the proposal. Form provided);
    
    
11. Certification of Non-Involvement in Prohibited Activities in Russia or Belarus (Prior to the award of contract but preferably with the proposal. Form provided);
    
    
12. Business Registration Certificate (prior to the award of contract but preferably with the proposal);
    
    
13. Statement, see attached, executed by a corporate officer, member, partner or   sole proprietor certifying that there are no prior or pending ethics complaints against them or their company; and
    
    
14. The successful proposer must comply with the requirements set forth in the Mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity language included herewith (Exhibit A).

Selection Criteria

The selection criteria used in awarding a contract or agreement for professional services as described herein shall include:

1. Qualifications of the individuals who will perform the tasks and the degree of their respective participation;
   
   
2. Experience and references;
   
   
3. Ability to perform the task in a timely fashion, including staffing and familiarity with the subject matter; and
   
   
4. Cost competitiveness.

Submission Requirements

Sealed proposals will be publicly opened by the Union City Clerk in her offices at Union City Hall, 3715 Palisade Avenue, Union City, at 11:30 a.m. on November 25, 2025.  Sealed proposals must be received no later than 11:30 a.m. on  November 25, 2025 by:

Hilda I. Rosario, City Clerk

City of Union City

3715 Palisade Avenue

Union City, New Jersey 07086

Please submit one original and two (2) copies of the RFP.  Use white 8 ½” x 11” paper.

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