Project Information

Bid Title

RFQ Professional Services - Affordable Housing Counsel

Issuing Agency

Township of West Orange

Location

New Jersey

Published Date

Feb 10, 2026

Closing Date

Feb 25, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Title:	RFQ Professional Services - Affordable Housing Counsel
Category:	Professional Services
Status:	Open
Bid Recipient:	Panayiota Reynolds, QPA

Description: REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a fair and open process in accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5, qualifications are being solicited by the Township of West Orange for the following professional services for the 2026 calendar year. The submission date is February 25, 2026 at 11:00AM. Proposal packages are available via email to: For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. or on the Township website www.westorange.org/bids . Professional Services Requested: AFFORDABLE HOUSING COUNSEL Please submit sealed request for qualifications no later than February 25, 2026 at 11:00AM to the Township of West Orange, 66 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052, Attn: Panayiota Reynolds, QPA. Envelopes should be clearly marked with title of RFQ, name and address of party submitting, at the address mentioned above and should be mailed or hand delivery will be accepted at in the Purchasing Office, room 111 at the above address. Bid opening will be held at the above address in the Council Chambers. Submissions by Corporations, Partnerships and sole proprietors must include a completed Disclosure of Ownership (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2), a valid NJ Business Registration Certificate P.L. 2004, c57, and must comply with the Equal Employment Opportunity requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27. Additional Pay to Play Requirements Contractors are advised of the responsibility to file an annual disclosure statement on political contributions with the New Jersey Election Enforcement Commission, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44-20.13(P.L. 2005, c, 271, s.3), if the contractor receives contracts in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate from public entities during the calendar year. It is the contractor’s responsibility to determine if filing is necessary. Additional information on this requirement is available from ELEC at 888-313-3532 or at www.elec.state.nj.us . Panayiota Reynolds Purchasing Agent, R.P.P. S, QPA Publication Date/Time: 2/10/2026 8:30 AM Publication Information: Website and Star Ledger Closing Date/Time: 2/25/2026 11:00 AM Submittal Information: see below Bid Opening Information: SEE BELOW Contact Person: Panayiota Reynolds - preynolds@westorange.org Download Available: yes Fee: no Business Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Fax Number: 973-736-8380 Plan Holders List: This information is provided AFTER the opening Related Documents: RFQ 2026 affordable housing counsel

Attachment Preview

PUBLIC NOTICE FOR THE SOLICITATION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

PLEASE INSERT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION GLOBALLY:

Township of West Orange

66 Main Street,

West Orange, New Jersey 07052 Essex County

Panayiota Reynolds,

Purchasing Agent

973-325-4056

Submission Date: February 25, 2026 at 11:00AM

Page | 1

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a fair and open process in accordance with N.J.S.A.

19:44A-20.5, qualifications are being solicited by the Township of West Orange for the following

professional services for the 2026 calendar year. The submission date is February 25, 2026 at

11:00AM. Proposal packages are available via email to: preynolds@westorange.org or on the

Township website www.westorange.org/bids .

Professional Services Requested: AFFORDABLE HOUSING COUNSEL

Please submit sealed request for qualifications no later than February 25, 2026 at 11:00AM to

the Township of West Orange, 66 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052, Attn: Panayiota

Reynolds, QPA. Envelopes should be clearly marked with title of RFQ, name and address of party

submitting, at the address mentioned above and should be mailed or hand delivery will be

accepted at in the Purchasing Office, room 111 at the above address. Bid opening will be held

at the above address in the Council Chambers. Submissions by Corporations, Partnerships and

sole proprietors must include a completed Disclosure of Ownership (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2), a valid

NJ Business Registration Certificate P.L. 2004, c57, and must comply with the Equal Employment

Opportunity requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27. Additional Pay to Play

Requirements Contractors are advised of the responsibility to file an annual disclosure statement

on political contributions with the New Jersey Election Enforcement Commission, pursuant to

N.J.S.A. 19:44-20.13(P.L. 2005, c, 271, s.3), if the contractor receives contracts in excess of

$50,000 in the aggregate from public entities during the calendar year. It is the contractor’s

responsibility to determine if filing is necessary. Additional information on this requirement is

available from ELEC at 888-313-3532 or at www.elec.state.nj.us .

Panayiota Reynolds

Purchasing Agent, R.P.P. S, QPA

Page | 2

GENERAL INFORMATION SUMMARY ORGANIZATION REQUESTING QUALIFICATIONS

Township of West Orange

66 Main St.

West Orange, NJ 07052

CONTACT PERSON

Panayiota Reynolds

Purchasing Agent, R.P.P.S, QPA

preynolds@westorange.org

Telephone (973) 325-4056

FAX

(973) 736-8380

PURPOSE OF REQUEST

The Township of West Orange will be in need of a variety of Professional Service Contracts during

the calendar year of 2026. This Request for Qualification “RFQ” will serve as a source of reference

for the Township regarding the hire of an individual and or a company for a particular

professional service during this contract period. Submissions will be evaluated in accordance

with the criteria set forth in this RFQ. One or more individuals/firms may be selected to provide

services. Submission of the RFQ does not guarantee the Township will hire your company during

the contract year. The RFQ process allows the Township to be compliant with the "Pay to Play"

rules and regulations of the State of New Jersey. This RFQ represents a "Fair and Open" process

in which we can secure professional services throughout a 12-month time period.

PERIOD OF CONTRACT

In the event respondent’s services are chosen during this 12-month contract period. The

successful respondent shall be required to execute the Township's form contract, which includes

the indemnification, insurance, termination and licensing provisions. A complete copy of a draft

Township form contract is available upon request. The Township Mayor and Council shall

approval such contracts through resolution.

It is also agreed and understood that the acceptance of the final payment by a contractor shall

be considered a release in full of all claims against the Township arising out of, or by reason of, the

work done and material furnished under this contract.

GLOSSARY

Page | 3

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

"Township" - refers to the Township of West Orange.

"Qualification Statement" - refers to the complete response to this RFQ submitted by the

Respondents.

"Qualified Respondent" - refers to those Respondents who (in the sole judgment of the.

(Township)) has satisfied the qualification criteria set forth in this RFQ.

"RFQ" --- refers to this Request for Qualification, including any amendments thereof or

supplement thereto.

'Respondent" or 'Respondents"- refers to the interested party that submitted a Qualification

Statement.

Township of West Orange: The Township of West Orange, New Jersey, is the fifth largest

municipality in Essex County, with an area of 12.1 square miles and a population of

approximately 49,000. Due to the Urban Rim District that exists along the border of West

Orange and Orange, the Township considers itself a suburban/urban community that serves as

the County’s transition from a largely depressed urban environment to a middle-class suburban

community. Originally developed as a series of neighborhoods nestled within the Watchung

Mountains, the town still maintains the feel of a collection of distinct communities, each with

its own history and unique challenges. West Orange is also economically and demographically

diverse, with a racial/ethnic composition of approximately 43% White/Non-Hispanic, 27%

Black/African American, 6% Asian, 9% Two or More Races, 0.3% American Indian and Native

Alaskan Alone, and 20% Hispanic/Latino. Additionally, 21.4% of the population is under 18

years old, while 18.6% are aged 65 or older.

Page | 4

SECTION 1.

The following is a brief description of the professional services needed, including, were

appropriate, a description of tasks involved. Services are not limited to what is described here.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING COUNSEL

Represent the townships interests in establishing and implementing a fourth-round affordable

housing plan, and engaging in related litigation with respect to objectors to said plan and/or

defending the township from builder’s remedy lawsuits. This attorney will serve as Co-counsel

to the Township attorney and work with the township's affordable housing planner and other

professionals associated with the same.

The Affordable Housing Counsel shall be a New Jersey licensed firm or individual with

substantive experience in all aspects of municipal planning including extensive work with

and knowledge of the Fair Housing Act, COAH, affordable housing issues, Master Plans,

Affordable Housing Element of Master Plan, and familiarity with titles 40 & 40A of

The individual primarily assigned shall have at least ten (10) years of experience In Municipal Land Use

Law with extensive experience with affordable housing and shall be a licensed Attorney in the State

of New Jersey.

SECTION 2

INTRODUCTION OF GENERAL INFORMATION

2.1 Introduction and Purpose

The Township of West Orange is soliciting Qualification Statements from interested persons

and/or Firms for the provision of various Professional Services for the Township of West Orange.

Through a Request for Qualification (RFQ) process described herein, the Township will create a

prequalified list of professionals that can provide such services. The Township will first consider

companies for such services that respond to this RFQ. The Qualification Statement submission

shall include all the information required to be include as described herein. The Township intends

to qualify respondents professional and administrative capabilities to provide proposed services,

and will agree to work under the compensation terms and conditions determined by the

Township.

2.2 Procurement Process and Schedule

Page | 5

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 541990All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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