File #: 23-1931    Version: 1 Name: LITIGATION RFQ- MICHAEL A. ARMSTRONG
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
File created: 12/11/2023 In control: Law
On agenda: 12/20/2023 Final action: 12/20/2023
Title: Dept/ Agency: Law Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending Type of Service: Professional Services Contract Purpose: To provide legal services concerning Litigation Defense Matters. Entity Name: Michael A. Armstrong and Associates, LLC Entity Address: Willingboro, New Jersey 08046 Contract Amount: Not to exceed $125,000.00 Funding Source: 2024 Budget/Law Department Contract Period: January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 Contract Basis: ( ) Bid ( ) State Vendor (X) Prof. Ser. ( ) EUS (X) Fair & Open ( ) No Reportable Contributions ( ) RFP (X) RFQ ( ) Private Sale ( ) Grant ( ) Sub-recipient ( ) n/a Additional Information:

Title

Dept/ Agency:  Law

Action:  (   ) Ratifying     (X) Authorizing     (   ) Amending

Type of Service: Professional Services Contract

Purpose: To provide legal services concerning Litigation Defense Matters.

Entity Name: Michael A. Armstrong and Associates, LLC

Entity Address: Willingboro, New Jersey 08046

Contract Amount: Not to exceed $125,000.00

Funding Source: 2024 Budget/Law Department

Contract Period: January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024

Contract Basis: (   ) Bid   (   ) State Vendor   (X) Prof.  Ser.   (   ) EUS  

(X) Fair & Open   (   ) No Reportable Contributions   (   ) RFP   (X) RFQ

(   ) Private Sale   (   ) Grant   (   ) Sub-recipient   (   ) n/a

Additional Information:

body

 

WHEREAS, the City of Newark is involved in ongoing Legal Matters and therefore has a need to acquire Legal Services; and

 

WHEREAS, Legal Services are Professional Services, exempt from the requirement for public bidding, pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1)(a)(i); and

 

WHEREAS, the Corporation Counsel of the City of Newark caused to be published in the Star Ledger and on the City of Newark’s website a Notice of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for  Litigation Defense Counsel Services on or about September 6, 2023; and

 

WHEREAS, the City of Newark received a total of thirty (30) proposals in response to the RFQ for Litigation Defense Counsel Services; and

 

WHEREAS, Michael A. Armstrong & Associates, LLC submitted a proposal and it was found based upon price and other factors to be in the best interest of the City of Newark to accept the proposal for the purpose of providing Legal Services concerning Litigation Defense Counsel Services; and

 

                     WHEREAS, the City of Newark wishes to enter into a contract with Michael A. Armstrong & Associates, LLC, to provide Legal Services concerning Litigation Defense Matters, in an amount not to exceed One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($125,000.00), for a period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, which shall cover those existing matters currently being handled Michael A. Armstrong & Associates LLC, as well as new matters that may arise during the contract term; and

 

                     WHEREAS, the Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq.) requires that notice of the award of contracts for “Professional Services” without competitive bidding must be published in a local newspaper; and

 

                     WHEREAS, this contract is for an amount over $44,000.00 and is being awarded as a fair and open contract pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5 and is in compliance with the State Pay-to-Play Law and the City’s Pay-to-Play Ordinance.

 

                     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:

 

1.                     The Mayor of the City of Newark and/or his designee, the Corporation Counsel, are authorized on behalf of the City of Newark to execute a contract with Michael A. Armstrong & Associates LLC, 79 Mainbridge Lane. Willingboro, New Jersey 08046 to provide Legal Services concerning Litigation Defense Matters, in an amount not to exceed One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($125,000.00), for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, which shall cover those existing matters currently being handled by Michael A. Armstrong & Associates LLC, as well as new matters that may arise during the contract term.

 

2.                     This contract is being awarded pursuant to the fair and open procedures of the State Pay-to-Play Law (N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5) and pursuant to the provisions of the Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1)(a)(i) and is in compliance with the City’s Ordinance on Pay-to-Play.

 

3.                     This is a contract which shall be awarded in one (1) fiscal year although the date on which it properly takes effect falls in the next fiscal year.  Accordingly, this contract is subject to the availability and appropriation of sufficient funds in the year in which it takes effect pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:30-5.5(e).  Funds for this contract in the amount not to exceed One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($125,000.00), shall be provided from the City of Newark 2024 Budget, Law Department.

 

4.                     A copy of the executed Agreement herein authorized shall be filed in the Office of the City Clerk by the Corporation Counsel and same shall be made available for public inspection.

 

5.                     A notice of this action shall be published in the newspaper authorized by law to publish a legal advertisement and as required by law within ten (10) days of the adoption of this resolution.

                     

 

STATEMENT

 

This Resolution authorizes the Mayor of the City of Newark and/or his designee, the Corporation Counsel, to enter into a contract for Services for Litigation Defense Matters with Michael A. Armstrong & Associates LLC, 79 Mainbridge Lane, Willingboro, New Jersey 08046, in an amount not to exceed $125,000.00, for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.