Substitute Public Defender

City of Union City Request for Proposals from Attorneys Interested in Serving as “Substitute Public Defender” for the 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”) from attorneys licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey that wish to be appointed Substitute Public Defender for the 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 as amended.  (Affirmative Action, see Exhibit A included herewith).    The successful attorney must have significant experience in Municipal Court.  The successful attorney among his/her other duties may be requested to do any or all of the following:

1. Represent, as needed, when the public defender is unavailable, any defendant charged with an offense in the Municipal Court who is an indigent defendant entitled to representation pursuant to P.L. 1997, c.256 (N.J.S.A. 2B:24-1 et seq.);
   
   
2. Appear before the Municipal Court on behalf of defendants as assigned by the Municipal Court; and
   
   
3. Any other matters as directed by the Municipal Court.
   
   
4. 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, and must comply with the Affirmative Action requirements contained at N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (See Exhibit A included herewith).

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 these standardized submission requirements and selection criteria are on file and available from the Office of the City Clerk.  In addition to the forms included herewith, each interested attorney shall submit the following information:

1. Name of attorney/firm;
   
   
2. Address of principal place of business and all attorneys or firm’s offices and corresponding telephone and fax numbers.  Please note specifically which attorney will be assigned to the position of public defender;
   
   
3. Areas of Practice;
   
   
4. Description of attorneys’ education, experience, qualifications, number of years with the present law firm and a description of their experience with the position of public defender similar to those described above;
   
   
5. Experience related to representation of clients in Municipal Court in New Jersey and criminal law practice;
   
   
6. At least four (4) references, three (3) of which must have knowledge of your practice in municipal court;
   
   
7. The firm’s ability to provide the services in a timely fashion (including staffing, familiarity and location of key staff);
   
   
8. 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 or “not to exceed” amount;
   
   
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 amounts of their respective participation;
   
   
2. Proven experience in representing defendants in municipal court in urban environments substantially similar to Union City and references;
   
   
3. Ability to perform the task in a timely fashion, including staffing and familiarity with the subject matter; and
   
   
4. Ability to be available with the appropriate personnel at all times necessary to accomplish the representation.

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 9:45 am on March 27, 2026.  The sealed proposal must be received no later than 9:45 am on March 27, 2026 by:

Hilda I. Rosario, City Clerk

City of Union City

3715 Palisade Avenue

Union City, New Jersey 07087

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

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