TOWNSHIP OF HILLSIDE
COUNTY OF UNION
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR VARIOUS
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL PLANNER SERVICES
FAIR AND OPEN PUBLIC SOLICITATION PROCESS
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 10, 2025 AT 11:00 A.M.
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TOWNSHIP OF HILLSIDE
PUBLIC NOTICE
FOR THE SOLICITATION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44-20.5 et seq. through a fair and open
process that sealed submissions will be received by the Township of Hillside, County of Union, State of New
Jersey December 10, 2025 at 11:00 am, prevailing time, in the Municipal Courtroom, located at the
Township of Hillside Municipal Building, 1409 Liberty Avenue, Hillside Township, NJ 07205 then
publicly opened and read aloud for the following:
1. Outside Legal Counsel (General Litigation/Appellate Practice, Labor/Employment and Human
Resources, Redevelopment, Bond/Public Finance, Environmental Law, Tax Appeal, Land Use
(Planning & Zoning) and Alcoholic Beverage Control)
2. Engineering Services (Township Engineer, Environmental Engineer and Land Use (Planning &
Zoning)
3. Professional Planner
4. Township Auditor
5. Grant Writing Services
6. Financial Advisor
7. Insurance Brokerage Services
8. Animal Control Officer and Shelter Services
9. Real Estate Appraisal Services
10. Title Insurance Services
Proposals/Submissions will be received by the Township Clerk’s Office on the date and time noted above. Firms
do not need to be present and may mail or deliver proposal package to the attention of Hope M. Smith, Business
Administrator at the above address prior to date and time above. Envelopes/packages must be
conspicuously marked RFP for “specify category.” Standardized submission requirements and selection
criteria are on file and available on the Township website www.hillsidenj.us and in the Clerk's Office during
regular business hours, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Addenda will also
be posted on the Township website.
All professional service contractors are required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 52:32-44
(Business Registration of Public Contractors), N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (Contract
Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunities in Public Contracts).
Submissions by Corporations and Partnerships shall include a completed Disclosure of Ownership form
(N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2) and shall include a completed Non-Collusion Affidavit.
The Township reserves the right to reject any or all submissions due to any defects or waive informalities and
accept any submissions that in their judgment will be in the best interest of the Township. The Township shall
award the contract or reject all submissions no later than 60 days from receipt of same.
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TOWNSHIP OF HILLSIDE
SOLICITATION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS
UNDER THE FAIR AND OPEN PROCESS
STANDARDIZED SUBMISSION RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS
1. The Township of Hillside is soliciting proposals for the provision of professional services to the
Township for the contract period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Proposals will
be accepted for the specific professional services set forth in the Public Notice, a copy of which
is attached hereto.
2. The applicant understands and agrees that its proposal is submitted on the basis of the
requirements prepared by the Township. The applicant accepts the obligation to become
familiar with these requirements.
3. Applicants are expected to examine the requirements with care. Ambiguities, errors or
omissions noted by applicants should be promptly reported in writing to the Township. In the
event the applicant fails to notify the Township of such ambiguities, errors or omissions, the
applicant shall be bound by its proposal.
4. No oral interpretation of the meaning of the specifications will be made to any applicant. Every
request for an interpretation shall be in writing, addressed to the Township Clerk. In order to be
given consideration, written requests for interpretation must be received at least five (5) days
prior to the date fixed for receipt of the proposals. Any and all such interpretations and any
supplemental instructions will be in the form of written addenda to the specifications and will be
distributed to all prospective applicants in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:11-23. All addenda so
issued shall become part of the contract documents and shall be acknowledged by the applicant
in the proposal. The Township's interpretations or corrections thereof shall be final.
5. The proposal shall be addressed to the Township Clerk’s Office at the Township of Hillside, 1409
Liberty Avenue, Hillside, New Jersey 07205 and shall be received in the Clerk’s Office no later
than December 10, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. Respondents must submit an ORIGINAL responsive
submission, ONE (1) unbound copy of the responsive submission and ONE (1) copy on CD in
pdf format.
6. The proposal form shall be submitted in a sealed envelope bearing the name and
address of the applicant written on the face of the envelope with the RFP category
listed.
7. It is the applicant's responsibility to see that proposals are presented to the Township on the
hour and at the place designated. Proposals may be hand delivered or mailed; however, the
Township disclaims any responsibility for proposals forwarded by regular or overnight mail. If
the proposal is sent by overnight mail, the designation in paragraph 6 above must also appear
on the outside of the delivery company envelope. PROPOSALS RECEIVED AFTER THE
DESIGNATED TIME AND DATE WILL BE RETURNED UNOPENED.
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8. All proposals shall include, at a minimum, the name, address and all contact information of the
person or firm making the proposal; a statement of qualifications, including all applicable
professional licenses held; a statement of experience in rendering such professional services
to public entities; references; and a proposal for compensation or a schedule of fees to be
charged for such professional services.
9. All proposals will be evaluated by the Evaluation Team of the Township of Hillside.
10. Proposals will be evaluated by the Evaluation Team of the Township of Hillside on the basis of
the proposals deemed to be most advantageous, price and other factors considered. The
evaluation may consider:
a) Experience and reputation in the field of professional services;
b) Knowledge and experience with the Township’s form of government which is Mayor-Council
Plan of the Optional Municipal Charter Law (N.J.S.A. 40:69A- 1 et seq.);
c) Knowledge of the Township of Hillside and the subject matter to be addressed under the
contract;
d) Availability to accommodate any required meetings;
e) Ability of the firm to perform the services on a timely basis, including staffing and familiarity
with the subject matter;
f) Compensation proposal;
g) References; and
h) Other factors, if determined to be in the best interest of the Township of Hillside and its
agencies.
11. Any applicant successfully awarded a contract must agree to indemnify and hold the Township
harmless from any liability to subcontractors and suppliers concerning payment for work
performed or goods supplied and must also add the Township of Hillside as a named insured to
any applicable insurance policies.
12. The successful respondent will be notified of the award of contract upon a favorable
decision by the governing body.
13. Certificate of Professional Liability Insurance in a minimum of $1,000,000 to be submitted
with the proposal submission.
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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES NEEDED
The following are brief descriptions of some of the requirements necessary and may include other
functions as may be directed by the Township of Hillside and their respective departments:
SCOPE OF SERVICE
1. To serve in an advisory capacity to the Township, the Board of Adjustment and
the Planning Board and render consultation and advice on matters submitted
for review, study, recommendation or comment.
2. To review development applications and planning and development issues
when requested to do so by the Township. The Consultant will assess such
applications and issues relative to the terms and conditions of the applicable
Township Ordinances, Land Development Ordinances, Master Plan documents,
State Plan, other pertinent State and County planning criteria. Site inspections
shall be undertaken as part of the planning review process.
3. To provide professional planning services in connection with any matters
relating to the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, Local Redevelopment and
Housing Law, COAH regulations, State Plan, and related planning statutes and
documents, and be available to prepare special planning studies at the request
of the Township, as well as be available to prepare and review documents and
offer testimony relating to court actions that the Township may be involved in.
4. To attend applicable Township Council meetings, Board of Adjustment
meetings, Planning Board meetings, committee and subcommittee meetings,
and upon the Township’s directive, other meetings and informal meetings and/or
discussions with applicants to review and discuss matters before the Board of
Adjustment or Planning Board.
5. To represent the Township, Board of Adjustment and Planning Board on
professional planning advice on matters resulting from, but not limited, to any
litigation, appeals of development applications or municipal planning
documents.
6. Attend meetings as needed.
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.