REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR THE BOROUGH OF GLEN ROCK

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICAT IONS

FOR T HE POSIT ION OF PUBLIC DEFENDER
FOR T HE BOROUGH OF GLEN ROCK

ISSUE DAT E: De ce mbe r 1, 2025



RET URN DAT E & T IME: De ce mbe r 16, 2025 at 10:00 A.M.





Is s ue d by:

Borough of Gle n Rock

GLOSSARY

The following definitions shall apply to and are used in this Request for
Qualifications:

"Borough" - refers to the Borough of Glen Rock.

"Qualification Statement" - refers to the complete responses to this RFQ
submitted by the Respondents.

"Qualified Respondent" - refers to those Respondents who have satisfied the
qualification criteria set forth in this RFQ.

"RFQ" - refers to this Request for Qualifications, including any amendments
thereof or supplements thereto.

"Respondent" or "Respondents" - refers to the interested firm(s) that submit
a Qualification Statement.

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SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION



1.1. Introduction and Purpose.

The Borough is soliciting Qualification Statements from interested persons
and/or firms for the provision of legal services as Borough Public Defender, as
more particularly described herein. Through a Request for Qualification process
described herein, persons and/or firms interested in assisting the Borough with the
provision of such services must prepare and submit a Qualification Statement in
accordance with the procedure and schedule in this RFQ. The Borough reserves
the right to review Qualification Statements only from those firms that submit a
Qualification Statement which includes all the information required to be
included as described herein. The Borough intends to qualify person(s) and/or
firm(s) that (a) possesses the professional, financial and administrative capabilities
to provide the proposed services, and (b) will agree to work under the
compensation terms and conditions determined by the Borough to provide the
greatest benefit to the taxpayers of Glen Rock.

1.2. Procurement Process and Schedule.

The selection of Qualified Respondents is not subject to the provisions of the
Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq. The selection is subject to the
“New Jersey Local Unit Pay-to-Play” Law, N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq.. However,
the Borough has structured a procurement process that seeks to obtain the
desired results described above, while establishing a competitive process to
assure that each person and/or firm is provided an equal opportunity to submit a
Qualification Statement. The RFQ Qualification Statements will be evaluated in
accordance with the criteria set forth in Section 2 of this RFQ, which will be applied
in the same manner to each Qualification Statement received.

Qualification Statements will be reviewed and evaluated by the Borough
and its legal and/or financial advisors (collectively, the "Evaluation Committee").
The Qualification Statements will be reviewed to determine if the Respondent has
met the minimum professional, administrative and financial areas described in this
RFQ. Under no circumstances will a member of the review team review responses
to an RFQ for a job which they or their firm submitted a response. Based upon the
totality of the information contained in the Qualification Statement, including
information about the reputation and experience of each Respondent, the

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Borough will determine which Respondents are qualified (from professional,
administrative and financial standpoints). Each Respondent that meets the
requirements of the RFQ will be designated as a Qualified Respondent and will be
given the opportunity to participate in the selection process determined by the
Borough.

The RFQ process commences with the issuance of this RFQ. The steps
involved in the process and the anticipated completion dates are set forth in
Table 1, Procurement Schedule. The Borough reserves the right to, among other
things, amend, modify or alter the Procurement Schedule upon notice to all
potential Respondents.

All communications concerning this RFQ or the RFQ process shall be

directed to the Borough’s Designated Contact Person, in writing.

Designated Contact Person:

Ms. Jackie Scalia
Borough Clerk
Glen Rock Borough Hall
1 Harding Plaza
Glen Rock, NJ 07452
(201) 670-3955
jscalia@glenrocknj.net



Qualification Statements must be submitted to, and be received by, the

Borough, via mail or hand delivery, by 10:00 A.M. Prevailing Time on December
12, 2025. Qualification Statements will not be accepted by facsimile transmission
or e-mail.

Subsequent to issuance of this RFQ, the Borough (through the issuance of
addenda to all firms that have received a copy of the RFQ) may modify,
supplement or amend the provisions of this RFQ in order to respond to inquiries
received from prospective Respondents or as otherwise deemed necessary or
appropriate by the Borough.

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TABLE 1

ANTICIPATED PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

ACTIVITY DATE

1. Issuance of Request for Qualifications December 1, 2025

2. Receipt of Qualification Statements December 16, 2025

3. Opening of Qualification Statements December 16, 2025

4. Begin Evaluation Committee Analysis of Qualification
Statements December 16, 2025

5. Anticipated Appointment of Qualified Respondents January 2026



Section 1.3. Conditions Applicable to RFQ.

Upon submission of a Qualification Statement in response to this RFQ, the
Respondent acknowledges and consents to the following conditions relative to
the submission and review and consideration of its Qualification Statement:

• This document is an RFQ and does not constitute an RFP.
  

• This RFQ does not commit the Borough to issue an RFP.
  

• All costs incurred by the Respondent in connection with responding

responses and components thereof and to eliminate any and all
Respondents responding to this RFQ from further consideration for this
procurement.

incomplete responses to this RFQ, or a Qualification Statement that is
not responsive to the requirements of this RFQ.

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amend, or otherwise modify this RFQ, or otherwise request additional
information.

Borough and will not be returned.

• All Qualification Statements will be made available to the public at

Borough for interviews.

• Any and all Qualification Statements not received by the Borough by

advisors (including but not limited to the Evaluation Committee) shall
be liable for any claims or damages resulting from the solicitation or
preparation of the Qualification Statement, nor will there be any
reimbursement to Respondents for the cost of preparing and
submitting a Qualification Statement or for participating in this
procurement process.

Section 1.4. Rights of Borough.

The Borough reserves, holds and may exercise the following rights and
options with regard to this RFQ and the procurement process in accordance with
the provisions of applicable law:

• To determine that any Qualification Statement received complies or

of addenda to all prospective Respondents who have received a
copy of this RFQ.

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upon the issuance of notice to all prospective Respondents who
have received a copy of this RFQ.

Borough deems necessary or convenient, to clarify the information
provided as part of the Qualification Statement and to request
additional information to support the information included in any
Qualification Statement.

RFQ at any time. If terminated, the Borough may determine to
commence a new procurement process or exercise any other rights
provided under applicable law without any obligation to the
Respondents.

The Borough shall be under no obligation to complete all or any portion of

the procurement process described in this RFQ.

1.5 Addenda or Amendments to RFQ.

During the period provided for the preparation of responses to the RFQ, the
Borough may issue addenda, amendments or answers to written inquiries. Those
addenda will be noticed by the Borough and will constitute a part of the RFQ. All
responses to the RFQ shall be prepared with full consideration of the addenda
issued prior to the proposal submission date.

1.6 Cost of Proposal Preparation.

Each proposal and all information required to be submitted pursuant to the
RFQ shall be prepared at the sole cost and expense of the respondent. There
shall be no claims whatsoever against the Borough, its staff or consultants for
reimbursement for the payment of costs or expenses incurred in the preparation
of the Qualification Statement or other information required by the RFQ.

1.7 Proposal Format.

Responses should cover all information requested in the Questions to be
answered in this RFQ.

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Responses fail to meet the requirements of the RFQ, or which are in any way

conditional, incomplete, obscure, contain additions or deletions from requested
information, or contain errors may be rejected.




SECTION 2

SCOPE OF SERVICES



The Public Defender shall perform the following minimum duties as well as
those prescribed by applicable law, subject to the review and approval of the
Mayor and Council:

A. Perform such duties as are prescribed by general law and ordinance;

B. Represent indigent defendants in proceeding by general law and ordinance;

C. Request discovery as necessary;

D. Pretrial and post-trial hearings;

E. Motions;

F. Dismissals;

SECTION 3

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Section 3.1 General Requirements.

The Qualification Statement submitted by the Respondent must meet or
exceed the professional, administrative and financial qualifications set forth in this
Section 3 and shall incorporate the information requested below.

In addition to the information required as described below, a Respondent
may submit supplemental information that it feels may be useful in evaluating its

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Qualification Statement. Respondents are encouraged to be clear, factual, and
concise in their presentation of information.

Section 3.2 Administrative Information Requirements.

The Respondent shall, as part of its Qualification Statement, provide the
following information:

1. An executive summary (not to exceed two (2) pages) of the
information contained in all the other parts of the Qualification
Statement.

2. An executed Letter of Qualification (See Appendix A to this RFQ).

3. Name, address and telephone number of the firm or firms submitting

the Qualification Statement pursuant to this RFQ, and the name of
the key contact person.

4. A description of the business organization (i.e., corporation,

partnership, joint venture, etc.) of each firm, its ownership and its
organizational structure.

(a) Provide the names and business addresses of all Principals of

the firm or firms submitting the Qualification Statement. For
purposes of this RFQ, "Principals" means persons possessing an
ownership interest in the Respondent. If the Respondent is a
corporation, "Principals" shall include each investor who would
have any amount of operational control over the Respondent
and every stockholder having an ownership interest of 10% or
more in the firm.

(b) If a firm is a partially owned or a fully owned subsidiary of

another firm, identify the parent company and describe the
nature and extent of the parents' approval rights over the
activities of the firm submitting a Qualification Statement.
Describe the approval process.

(c) If the Respondent is a partnership or a joint venture or similar

organization, provide comparable information as required in
(b) above for each member of the partnership, joint venture or
similar organization.

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(d) A statement that the Respondent has complied with all
applicable affirmative action (or similar) requirements with
respect to its business activities, together with evidence of such
compliance

5. An executed Letter of Intent (See Appendix B).

6. The number of years your organization has been in business under the

present name.

7. The number of years the business organization has been under the
current management.

8. A statement that the Respondent is in compliance with all applicable

affirmative action (or similar) requirements with respect to its business
activities, together with evidence of such compliance.

9. Any judgments within the last three years in which Respondent has

been adjudicated liable for professional malpractice. If yes, please
explain.

10. Whether the business organization is now or has been involved in any

bankruptcy or re-organization proceedings in the last ten (10) years.
If yes, please explain.

11. Confirm appropriate federal and state licenses to perform activities.

12. A certification that the business organization has not contributed in

violation of Pay to Play. (see Appendix C to this RFQ)

13. A compensation proposal. (see Appendix D to this RFQ)

Section 3.4 Professional Information Requirements.

a. Respondent shall submit a description of its overall experience
in providing the type of services sought in the RFQ. At a minimum, the following
information on past experience should be included as appropriate to the RFQ:

1. Description and scope of work by Respondent
2. Name, address and contact information of references

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3. Explanation of perceived relevance of the experience
to the RFQ

b. Describe the services that Respondent would perform directly.

c. Describe those portions of the Respondent’s services, if any,
that are sub-contracted out. Identify all subcontractors the Respondent
anticipates using in connection with this project.

d. Does the Respondent normally employ union or non-union
employees?

e. Resumes of key employees

f. A narrative statement of the Respondent’s understanding of
the Borough’s needs and goals.

g. List all immediate relatives of Principal(s) of Respondent who
are Borough employees or elected officials of the Borough. For purposes of the
above, “immediate relative” means a spouse, parent, stepparent, brother, sister,
child, stepchild, direct-line aunt or uncle, grandparent, grandchild, and in-laws
by reason of relation.

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SECTION 4

INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS

4.1 Submission of Qualification Statements.

Respondents must submit an original and four (4) copies of their
Qualification Statement to the Designated Contact Person:

Ms. Jackie Scalia
Borough Clerk
Glen Rock Borough Hall
1 Harding Plaza
Glen Rock, NJ 07452
(201) 670-3955

Qualification Statements must be received by the Borough no later than

10:00 A.M. (prevailing time) on December 12, 2023, and must be mailed or hand
delivered. Qualification Statements forwarded by facsimile or e-mail will not be
accepted. Qualification statements received after this time will not be
considered. The Borough will not bear responsibility for delays in delivery for any
reason.

To be responsive, Qualification Statements must provide all requested
information, and must be in strict conformance with the instructions set forth
herein. Qualification Statements and all related information must be bound and
signed and acknowledged by the Respondent.

SECTION 5

EVALUATION

The Borough’s objective in soliciting Qualification Statements is to enable it
to select a firm or organization that will provide high quality and cost-effective
services to the citizens of Glen Rock. The Borough will consider Qualification
Statements only from firms or organizations that have demonstrated the
capability and willingness to provide high quality services to the citizens of the
Borough in the manner described in this RFQ.



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Proposals will be evaluated by the Borough on the basis of the most
advantageous submission, all relevant factors considered. The evaluation will
consider:

1. Experience and reputation in the field.
2. Knowledge of the Borough and the subject matter addressed under

the contract.
3. Compensation proposal.

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APPENDIX A

LETTER OF QUALIFICATION

(Note: To be typed on Respondent's Letterhead. No modifications
may be made to this letter)

[insert date]

Attn: Ms. Jackie Scalia
Borough Clerk
Glen Rock Borough Hall
1 Harding Plaza
Glen Rock, NJ 07452
(201) 670-3955

Dear Ms. Scalia:

The undersigned has/have reviewed my/our Qualification Statement
submitted in response to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued by the
Borough of Glen Rock ("Borough"), dated November 21, 2025, in connection with
the Borough’s need for Public Defender.

I/We affirm that the contents of my/our Qualification Statement (which
Qualification Statement is incorporated herein by reference) is accurate, factual
and complete to the best of our knowledge and belief and that the Qualification
Statement is submitted in good faith upon express understanding that any false
statement may result in the disqualification of (Name of Respondent).

(Respondent shall sign and complete the spaces provided below. If a joint
venture, appropriate officers of each company shall sign.)

(Signature of Chief (Signature of Chief
Executive Officer) Financial Officer)

(Typed Name and Title) (Typed name and Title)

(Type Name of Firm)* (Type Name of Firm)*

Dated: ___________________ Dated: ______________________

Statement, each participant shall execute this Letter of Qualification.

APPENDIX B

LETTER OF INTENT

(Note: To be typed on Respondent's Letterhead. No modifications
may be made to this letter)

[insert date]

Attn: Ms. Jackie Scalia
Borough Clerk
Glen Rock Borough Hall
1 Harding Plaza
Glen Rock, NJ 07452
(201) 670-3955

Dear Ms. Scalia:

The undersigned, as Respondent, has (have) submitted the attached
Qualification Statement in response to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), issued
by the Borough of Glen Rock ("Borough"), dated December 1, 2025, in connection
with the Borough’s need for Public Defender.

(Name of Respondent) HEREBY STATES:

1. The Qualification Statement contains accurate, factual and

complete information.

2. (Name of Respondent) agrees (agrees) to participate in good faith
in the procurement process as described in the RFQ and to adhere to the
Borough's procurement schedule.

3. (Name of Respondent) acknowledges (acknowledge) that all costs
incurred by it (them) in connection with the preparation and submission of the
Qualification Statement and any proposal prepared and submitted in response
to the RFP, or any negotiation which results therefrom shall be borne exclusively
by the Respondent.

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4. (Name of Respondent) hereby declares (declare) that the only

persons participating in this Qualification Statement as Principals are named
herein and that no person other than those herein mentioned has any
participation in this Qualification Statement or in any contract to be entered into
with respect thereto. Additional persons may subsequently be included as
participating Principals, but only if acceptable to the Borough. (Name of
Respondent) declares that this Qualification Statement is made without
connection with any other person, firm or parties who has submitted a
Qualification Statement, except as expressly set forth below and that it has been
prepared and has been submitted in good faith and without collusion or fraud.

5. (Name of Respondent) acknowledges and agrees that the Borough
may modify, amend, suspend and/or terminate the procurement process (in its
sole judgment). In any case, the Borough shall not have any liability to the
Respondent for any costs incurred by the Respondent with respect to the
procurement activities described in this RFQ.

6. (Name of Respondent) acknowledges that any contract executed
with respect to the provision of [insert services] must comply with all applicable
affirmative action and similar laws. Respondent hereby agrees to take such
actions as are required in order to comply with such applicable laws.

(Respondent shall sign and complete the space provided below. If a joint
venture, appropriate officers of each company shall sign.)

(Signature of Chief Executive Officer)

(Typed Name and Title)

(Type Name of Firm)*

Statement, each participant shall execute this Letter of Intent.

APPENDIX C

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned, being the Respondent to an RFQ by the Borough of

Glen Rock, or being an officer of ______________, an entity that has responded to

an RFQ from the Borough of Glen Rock, hereby certifies, under penalty of

perjury, that the Respondent has not made a contribution in violation of the

municipal Pay to Play law and/or any other applicable Pay to Play law.

I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware

that if the statements above are knowingly false, I am subject to prosecution

and penalty.

DATE:__________ _____________________________
Signature of Respondent or

Officer of Respondent

APPENDIX D

COMPENSATION PROPOSAL

The Respondent proposes that the services to be provided by the

Respondent be compensated on the following basis:

1. Retainer: Describe any proposal for payment of a fixed amount and

specify the services the fixed amount would cover or include.

2. Hourly Rate or Rates: Set forth the hourly rate or rates that the

Respondent proposes services be billed at.

3. Miscellaneous: Set forth any other terms Respondent proposes be

included in the compensation to be paid to Respondent. Attach additional

sheets if necessary.

DATE: _____________ ____________________________________
Signature of Respondent or Officer of
Respondent