The East Orange Board of Education is seeking proposals for Legal Services Special Education Counsel for the **** school year. Proposals are due by Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Services include reviewing special education issues, providing guidance, representing the district in mediation and legal proceedings, and reviewing special education contracts. Respondents must submit a presentation package including technical criteria, management criteria, and a fee proposal. All respondents are required to comply with New Jersey state laws and regulations, including affirmative action and business registration requirements. Electronic submissions are not accepted.
The bid submission due date is Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
The bid notice states that every effort will be made to pay vendors and contractors within thirty (30) to sixty (60) days, provided the board of education receives the appropriate documentation. Pursuant to the New Jersey Prompt Payment Law, the required payment date shall be ninety (90) calendar days from the date specified in the contract or from the receipt of a properly executed invoice or goods/services, whichever is later. Interest shall not be paid unless goods and/or services have been rendered. All payments are subject to approval by the board of education at a public meeting.
The award of the contract will be made to the respondent whose response is the most advantageous to the board, price and other factors considered, and who will provide the highest quality service at fair and competitive prices.
Respondents must submit documentation highlighting qualifications and experience, including evidence of providing similar services to public school districts in New Jersey, experience with SDA districts (preferred), letters of recommendation from three public school districts in New Jersey, copies of professional licenses, and a list of New Jersey public school clients within the past ten years.
The bid notice mentions penalties for violations of registration requirements, stating that a business organization that fails to provide a copy of a business registration as required shall be liable for a penalty of $25 for each day of violation, not to exceed $50,000 for each business registration copy not properly provided. It also states that for antidiscrimination provisions, there may be deducted from the amount payable to the contractor a penalty of **** for each person for each calendar day during which such person is discriminated against or intimidated in violation of the provisions of the contract.
The bid notice states that requests for interpretations should be made in writing at least ten (10) days, not including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, prior to the date fixed for the opening of proposals. It also mentions that a written request from a respondent to withdraw a proposal may be considered if received by the interim school business administrator within five (5) business days after the proposal opening.
