SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION
PURCHASING DIVISION
MELISSA A. KOSENSKY, QPA,
CCPO, RPPO
Purchasing Agent
PO BOX 3000 – 20 GROVE STREET
SOMERSET COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
SOMERVILLE, NJ 08876 - 1262
PHONE: (908) 231-7043
Fax: (908) 575-3917
NOTICE OF RFP
Professional and Exempt Services
The Somerset County Park Commission is soliciting proposals through a fair and open process in
accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq.
Sealed responses will be received by the Purchasing Agent for the Somerset County Park
Commission on February 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM prevailing time in the Purchasing Division,
Somerset County Administration Building, 20 Grove St., Somerville, NJ 08876 at which time and
place responses will be opened and read in public for:
Somerset County Park Commission
Entertainment Consulting Services &
Sound Production For 2026 Summer
Concerts at Duke Island Park
Contract #: PC-XS-0005-26
We value the integrity of the procurement process, and in full transparency, the RFP opening will
be conducted via Live-Stream from the County Commissioners Meeting room. You can access the
Live-Stream from the County’s homepage at the prevailing date and time stated in this Notice of
RFP. During the RFP opening process, the respondents will be announced as well as RFP
amounts.
RFP responses must be made on the standard proposal forms, be enclosed in a sealed package
bearing the name and address of the respondent and the “RFP TITLE NAME & CONTRACT #”
on the outside, addressed to Melissa A. Kosensky, Purchasing Agent, at the address above.
Specifications and instruction to bidders may be obtained at the County Purchasing Office or the
Somerset County Park Commission website at www.somersetcountyparks.org and on the
Somerset County website www.somersetcountynj.gov.
Any RFP Addenda will be issued on the website, and processed in accordance with N.J.S.A.
40A:11-23(c)(1). All interested respondents should check the website from now through RFP
opening. It is the sole responsibility of the respondent to be knowledgeable of all addenda related
to this procurement.
Respondents are required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C
17:27 et seq.
Melissa A. Kosensky, QPA, CCPO, RPPO
Purchasing Agent – Somerset County
Legal Publication Date: February 3, 2026
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1.
Introduction
This contract is to furnish and deliver artist talent and sound production for a series of up to six free
public concerts to be held in the summer of 2026. Five concerts are to be held on Sunday evenings in
July and August at Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, New Jersey, and one concert at the Fourth of July
Festival at North Branch Park, Bridgewater, New Jersey held on Saturday, July 4, 2026 through a fair and
open process in accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq.
2. Administrative Conditions and Requirements
The following items express the conditions and requirements of this RFP. Together with the other RFP
sections, they apply to the RFP process, the subsequent contract, and project production. Any proposed
change, modification, or exception to these conditions and requirements may be the basis for the owner to
determine the proposal as non-responsive to the RFP and will be a factor in the determination of an award
of a contract. The contents of the proposal of the successful respondent, as accepted by the owner, will
become part of any contract awarded as a result of this RFP.
2.1 Schedule
The dates established for respondent proposals, proposal review, contractor selection and
project initiation are:
1. Release of RFP
February 3, 2026
2. Proposal Due Date
February 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM
3. Evaluation Completed
March 2026
4. Governing Body Action
March 2026
2.2 Proposal Submission Information
Submission Date and Time:
February 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM
One (1) Original signed in ink & three (3) copies and One (1) copy on CD or USB Flash Drive
.pdf format of the RFP response. The owner is storing all responses electronically; therefore
submit all pages of the RFP response on a CD or USB Flash Drive in addition to the printed
three (3) copies.
Three (3) ring binders or elaborate binding is unnecessary.
Submission Office:
Office of the Purchasing Agent
Administration Building – 3rd Floor
20 Grove Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
Clearly mark the submittal package with the title of this RFP and the name of the responding
firm, addressed to the Purchasing Agent. The original proposal shall be signed in ink and
marked to distinguish it from the three (3) copies. Faxed or emailed proposals will NOT be
accepted.
Only those RFP responses received prior to or on the submission date and time will be
considered. Responses delivered before the submission date and time specified above may be
withdrawn upon written application of the respondent who shall be required to produce
evidence showing that the individual is or represents the principal or principals involved in the
proposal. After the submission date and time specified above, responses must remain firm for
a period of sixty (60) days.
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2.3 Using Department Information
Somerset County Park Commission
Recreation
355 Milltown Road
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
2.4 Park Commission Representative for this Solicitation
Please direct all questions in writing to:
Melissa A. Kosensky, QPA, CCPO, RPPO
Purchasing Agent
Voice: 908-231-7043
Fax:
908 575-3917
Email: PurchasingDiv@somersetcountynj.gov
Questions by prospective respondents concerning this RFP may be addressed to Melissa A.
Kosensky, QPA, CCPO, RPPO Purchasing Agent for the Somerset County Park Commission in
writing via fax at 908-575-3917 or by email: PurchasingDiv@somersetcountynj.gov. Please
note the aforementioned contact is authorized only to direct the attention of prospective
respondents to various portions of the requirements so that they may read and interpret each
portion for themselves. NO employee of the Somerset County Park Commission is authorized
to give interpretations of any portion of this RFP or to give information as to the requirements
for the RFP in addition to that already contained in the RFP unless as a formal addenda.
Interpretations of the RFP or additional information as to its requirements, when necessary,
shall be communicated to prospective respondents only by written addendum issued by the
Purchasing Agent of the Somerset County Park Commission.
Please identify the contract name, number and note Request for Information as the subject line
when submitting a request by fax or email.
2.5 Interpretations and Addenda
Respondents are expected to examine the RFP with care and observe all its requirements. All
questions about the meaning or intent of this RFP, all interpretations and clarifications
considered necessary by the owner’s representative in response to such comments and
questions will be issued by Addenda mailed or delivered to all parties recorded as having
received the RFP package. Only comments and questions responded to by formal written
Addenda will be binding. Oral interpretations, statements or clarifications are without legal
effect.
2.6 Quantities of Estimate
Wherever the estimated quantities of work to be done are shown in any section of this RFP,
including the Proposal Cost Form, they are given for use in comparing proposals. The owner
especially reserves the right (except as herein otherwise specifically limited) to increase or
diminish the quantities as may be deemed reasonably necessary or desirable by the owner to
complete the work detailed by the contract. Such increase or diminution shall in no way violate
this contract, nor shall any such increase or diminution give cause for claims or liability for
damages.
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2.7 Cost Liability and Additional Costs
The owner assumes no responsibility and liability for costs incurred by the Respondents prior to
the issuance of an agreement. The liability of the owner shall be limited to the terms and
conditions of the contract.
Respondents will assume responsibility for all costs not stated in their proposals. All unit rates
either stated in the proposal or used as a basis for its pricing are required to be all-inclusive.
Additional charges, unless incurred for additional work performed by request of the owner as
noted in 2.6, are not to be billed and will not be paid.
2.8 Statutory and Other Requirements
2.8.1 Compliance with Laws
Any contract entered into between the contractor and the owner must be in accordance with
and subject to compliance by both parties with the New Jersey Local Public Contracts Law. The
contractor must agree to comply with the non-discrimination provisions and all other laws and
regulations applicable to the performance of services there under. The respondent shall sign
and acknowledge such forms and certificates as may be required by this section.
2.8.2 MANDATORY EEO/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EVIDENCE – N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq.
and N.J.A.C. 17-27 et seq.
No firm may be issued a contract unless it complies with the affirmative action provisions of
N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27-1 et seq. as administered by the Division of
Purchase & Property Contract Compliance and Audit Unit (Division) and provided below. The
contract will include the language included as attachment A in this specification.
1. Goods, Professional Services and Service Contracts
Each contractor shall submit to the public agency, after notification of award but prior to
execution of a goods and services contract, one of the following three documents:
i. A Letter of Federal Approval indicating that the vendor is under an existing federally
approved or sanctioned affirmative action program. A copy of the letter must be
provided by the vendor to the Public Agency and Division. This approval letter is valid
for one year from the date of issuance.
ii. A Certificate of Employee Information Report (hereafter “Certificate”), issued in
accordance with N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. The vendor must provide a copy of the
Certificate to the Public Agency as evidence of its compliance with the regulations. The
Certificate represents the review and approval of the vendor’s Employee Information
Report, Form AA-302 by the Division
iii. The successful respondent shall complete an Initial Employee Report, Form AA-302 and
submit it to the Division with a check or money order for $150.00 made payable to
“Treasurer, State of New Jersey" www.state.nj.us/treasury/contract_compliance
2.8.3 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - 42 U.S.C. S121 01 et seq.
Discrimination on the basis of disability in contracting for the delivery of services is prohibited.
Respondents are required to read American with Disabilities language that is part of the
documents attached hereto and agree that the provisions of Title II of the Act are made part of
the contract. The contractor is obligated to comply with the Act and hold the owner harmless.
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2.8.4 Ownership Disclosure - N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2 (P.L. 1977 c.33)
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2, no corporation, partnership, limited partnership,
limited liability corporation, limited liability partnership, Subchapter S corporation or sole
proprietorship, shall be awarded a contract, unless prior to the receipt of the RFP response/bid
or accompanying the RFP response/bid of the corporation, partnership, limited partnership,
limited liability corporation, limited liability partnership, subchapter S corporation or sole
proprietorship, there is submitted to the Somerset County Park Commission a statement setting
forth the names and addresses of all stockholders who own 10% or more of the stock, of any
class or of all individual partners who own a 10% or greater interest in the corporation,
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation, limited liability partnership,
Subchapter S corporation or sole proprietorship. If one or more such stockholder or partner is
itself a corporation or partnership, the stockholders holding 10% or more of that corporation’s
stock, or the individual partners owning 10% or greater interest in that partnership, as the case
may be, shall also be listed. The disclosure shall be continued until names and addresses of
every non-corporate stockholder and individual partner, exceeding the 10% ownership criteria
established in this act has been listed. The form shall be signed and submitted with the RFP
proposal/bid whether or not a stockholder or partner owns less than 10% of the business
submitting the RFP proposal/bid. Failure to comply requires mandatory rejection of the RFP
proposal/bid. The Respondent shall complete and submit the form of statement that is included
in this RFP.
2.8.5 Non-Collusion Affidavit - N.J.S.A. 52:34-15
The Non-Collusion Affidavit, which is part of this RFP, shall be properly executed and submitted
with the RFP response.
2.8.6 Proof of N.J. Business Registration Certificate - N.J.S.A. 52:32-44
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:32-44, Somerset County (“Contracting Agency”) is prohibited from
entering into a contract with an entity unless the bidder/proposer/contractor, and each
subcontractor that is required by law to be named in a bid/proposal/contract has a valid
Business Registration Certificate on file with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
within the Department of the Treasury.
Prior to contract award or authorization, the contractor shall provide the Contracting Agency
with its proof of business registration and that of any named subcontractor(s).
Subcontractors named in a bid or proposal shall provide proof of business registration to the
bidder, who in turn, shall provide it to the Contracting Agency prior to the time of contract,
purchase order, or other contracting document is awarded or authorized.
During the course of contract performance:
(1) The contractor shall not enter into a contract with a subcontractor unless the
subcontractor first provides the contractor with a valid proof of business registration.
(2) The contractor shall maintain and submit to the Contracting Agency a list of
subcontractors and their addresses that may be updated from time to time.
(3) The contractor and any subcontractor providing goods or performing services under the
contract, and each of their affiliates, shall collect and remit to the Director of the
Division of Taxation in the Department of Treasury, the use tax due pursuant to the
Sales and Use Tax Act, (N.J.S.A. 54:32B-1 et seq.) on all sales of tangible personal
property delivered in the State. Any questions in this regard can be directed to the
Division of Taxation at (609) 292-6400. Form NJ-REG can be filed online at
www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/busregcert.shtml.
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.