City of Clifton - Special Counsel Services for Affordable Housing Litigation - RFP 26-116
- Due
- Apr 30, 2026
- Deadline passed
- Posted
- Apr 16, 2026
- Contract term
- 1 year
- Primary contact
- Amisha Jariwala
- (973) 470-5800
The 30-second brief
The City of Clifton is seeking proposals from qualified law firms for special counsel services in connection with affordable housing litigation and COAH matters for a one-year contract term. The scope includes legal research, drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, and stipulations, representing the City in federal and state courts and administrative forums, attending Municipal Council meetings, and drafting ordinances and resolutions. Minimum qualifications require five consecutive years of experience as affordable housing litigation counsel representing a New Jersey governmental entity, knowledge of COAH and Municipal Land Use Law, professional liability insurance of $1,000,000, and no conflicts of interest for the past five years. Proposals are due by April 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with written questions due by April 23, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
Responsiveness to the scope of services, Organization of Proposal, Experience and qualifications of principal assigned and firm principals, History and experience with similar types of government entities, References, Reputation in legal community, Technical expertise in brief writing and appellate practice, Hourly rates and fees, Communication skills
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Summary
The City of Clifton is seeking proposals from qualified law firms for special counsel services in connection with affordable housing litigation and COAH matters for a one-year contract term.
The scope includes legal research, drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, and stipulations, representing the City in federal and state courts and administrative forums, attending Municipal Council meetings, and drafting ordinances and resolutions. Minimum qualifications require five consecutive years of experience as affordable housing litigation counsel representing a New Jersey governmental entity, knowledge of COAH and Municipal Land Use Law, professional liability insurance of $1,000,000, and no conflicts of interest for the past five years. Proposals are due by April 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with written questions due by April 23, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
9- Responsiveness to the scope of services
- Organization of Proposal
- Experience and qualifications of principal assigned and firm principals
- History and experience with similar types of government entities
- References
- Reputation in legal community
- Technical expertise in brief writing and appellate practice
- Hourly rates and fees
- Communication skills
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
Affirmative Action Employee Information Report or Certificate of Employee Information Report, Acknowledgment of Receipt of Addenda, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Investment Activities in Iran Certification, Prohibited Activities in Russia and Belarus Certification, Stockholder Disclosure Certification, Proposal Form, New Jersey Business Registration Certificate, IRS W-9 Form, Pay to Play Advisory Form
REQUIRED STAFFING
Partners, Associates
- Submit to
- Finance Office, 2nd Floor, 900 Clifton Ave, Clifton, NJ 07013
- Scope location
- Clifton, NJ
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from City of Clifton?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is April 30, 2026. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: Finance Office, 2nd Floor, 900 Clifton Ave, Clifton, NJ 07013. For questions, contact Amisha Jariwala.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including City of Clifton in NJ, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Amisha Jariwala at (973) 470-5800. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What staffing is required for this project?
This solicitation outlines specific staffing requirements. The required roles include: Partners, Associates. Proposers should demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience for each required role.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Responsiveness to the scope of services, Organization of Proposal, Experience and qualifications of principal assigned and firm principals, History and experience with similar types of government enti..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from City of Clifton?
All active and historical solicitations from City of Clifton are tracked and searchable. As a city agency, City of Clifton regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 1 year. Contract terms may include renewal options.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Affirmative Action Employee Information Report or Certificate of Employee Information Report, Acknowledgment of Receipt of Addenda, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Investment Activities in Iran Certification. Additionally, proposals should address staffing requirements as outlined in the solicitation. Review the full document from City of Clifton for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Clifton, NJ. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.