PROPOSAL DUE: Thursday, December 3, 2026 by 11:00 a.m.
I. PURPOSE AND INTENT
Through this Request for Proposal \& Qualifications (RFP), the Township of Cinnaminson (hereinafter the "Township") seeks to engage a vendor as Municipal Public Defender for the year 2027. This contract will be awarded through a fair and open process pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq. and Chapter 41, Article II of the Code of the Township of Cinnaminson.
II. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
The Township requires the proposal be submitted in the following format:
One (1) original, hard copy, plus One (1) copy of the full proposal in PDF File Format on CD, shall be submitted in sealed envelopes and must be marked with the "Municipal Public Defender" and addressed to:
Lisa A. Passione, Township Clerk
Township of Cinnaminson
Township Municipal Building
1621 Riverton Road
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
Faxed proposals will NOT be accepted.
Any inquiry concerning this RFP should be directed in writing to:
Julia Edmondson
Interim Township Administrator
Township of Cinnaminson
1621 Riverton Road
Cinnaminson, New Jersey 08077
All documents/information submitted in response to this solicitation shall be available to the general public as required by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. The Township will not be responsible for any costs associated with the oral or written and/or presentation of the proposals. The Township reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, with or without cause, and waive any irregularities or informalities in the proposals. The Township further reserves the right to make such investigations as it deems necessary as to the qualifications of any and all vendors submitting proposals. In the event that all proposals are rejected, the Township reserves the right to re-solicit proposals.
III. GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE TOWNSHIP OF CINNAMINSON
The Township of Cinnaminson operates under a Township Committee Form of Government. The
Township is approximately 8 square miles, has a population of 18,000 +/-, an annual operating budget of $21 million, approximately 100 employees. The Township Committee meets the first and third Mondays of each month as well as special meetings on an as-needed basis.
IV. Minimum Qualifications
The successful applicant shall have a minimum of five (5) years' experience as a New Jersey licensed attorney.
The proposal shall provide a resume for all principals who will be assigned to work for the township or
appear at meetings on behalf of the township.
The applicant shall have the following capabilities and provide the following services:
• The Township's Public Defender shall have at least five (5) years' experience as Public Defender
in Municipal Court or five years (5) years' experience in a practice with significant criminal and
quasi-criminal and Municipal Court defense efforts.
• In addition, the Public Defender must have experience in all areas of Municipal Court
representation, including expert and lay direct and cross-examination, handling of discovery and
motions in municipal court, defense of both Title 39, Municipal Ordinance, and other violations
commonly considered by the Municipal Court.
• Public Defender may, in his/her discretion be assisted by employees of the Attorney's firm with
lesser levels of experience.
• Respond promptly to all legal questions.
• Attend all court sessions as requested
Proposal
Please attach a full and complete proposal demonstrating the way and manner in which the respondent
meets the requirements of this RFQ/RFP. At a minimum the Proposal shall (a) outline the services to be
provided, (b) attach a resume for the primary contact and all principal persons who will provide services to
the township, (c) provide a summary of the experience of the entity in providing legal services with
emphasis on experience with municipalities and other local government entities, (d) set forth the manner of
calculating, amount and method of payment of the fees1, and (e) provide a table of organization for the
entity.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the foregoing all respondents shall fully comply with the requirements of the New Jersey
Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq.). The proposal shall include (a) a statement of
ownership [stockholder disclosure certificate], (b) a list of any sub-contractors or contracted employees
who will be providing services, (c) a statement of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, (d)
a mandatory equal employment opportunity notice and statement, (e) a Certificate of Liability Insurance in
an amount not less than $2,000,000.00 single limit2. (f) copies of applicable producer insurance licenses for
all persons providing legal services, (g) a copy of the entity's N. J. Business Registration Certificate, (h) a
copy of the entity's N.J. Certificate of Employee Information Report pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:27-1.1 et seq.,
(i) a Non-Collusion Affidavit, (j) Iran Statement and (k) Russia Belarus Statement.
The proposal shall be certified as containing true and accurate information and that the entity has the
capability to provide all of the listed services.
1 Travel associate expenses, if any, shall only be compensated from the office or another job site, whichever is shorter in time and distance.
2 If awarded the contract, this certificate will be required to name Cinnaminson Township as an additional insured.
