Board of Education
Brooklawn BOARD OF EDUCATION
NOTICE OF SOLICITATION
REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Notice of Solicitation
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20, New Jersey Pay to Play, and other legislative enactments, more specifically Chapter 271 of the laws of the State of New Jersey, the Brooklawn Board of Education located at 301 Haakon Road, Brooklawn, NJ 08030 is seeking RFP’s for professional services to be provided to the Board of Education as listed below for the period July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
Board of Education Solicitor
Bond Counsel
Board of Education Auditor
Board of Education Insurance Consultant
School Physician
Board of Education Architect
Requests for qualifications is on file at the Board Secretary/Business Administrator’s office.
All RFP ’s must be received by the Board of Education Board Secretary/Business
Administrator, no later than 4:00 P.M. on April 25, 2008 at the Board of
Education office.
All statements of qualifications for professional service contracts shall include at a minimum the following information.
1. Names of individuals who will perform required tasks as well as the listing
of their licenses.
A. Identify the person who will be primarily responsible for the services required by the Board of Education and provide a description of the experience of the primary person with projects and issues similar to those more specifically set forth in this proposal and on behalf of the Board of Education of Brooklawn.
B. Identify persons who will serve as back up to the primary person.
2. Describe ability to provide services in a timely fashion including a description of your staffing and a description of your familiarity with the services required by the Board of Education of Brooklawn.
Board of Education Solicitor
Scope of Services:
Specialized services required - The selected professional (solicitor) will be expected to provide specialized professional services to the Board of Education during the entire year on an as needed basis. Various issues arise during the normal course of business involving the need for professional services on matters that will require guidance and advice from the aforesaid professional. Because such services, at times, represent emergency situations, the solicitor will be expected to return a phone call to the Board of Education on the same day. The professional will also be expected to be available to provide advice to the Board of Education during non-business hours including the attendance at meetings when requested.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Solicitor’s firm shall have three or more licensed professionals on staff whose major focus and work has been and remains providing professional services to and advising public entities.
2. The firm shall have at least ten (10) years experience in representing public entities.
3. The firm shall designate one professional within the firm who will be assigned to represent the interest of the School District. This individual shall have been admitted and/or licensed in his/her profession and be in good standing.
4. The firm and individuals assigned to work with the School District shall be well versed in all aspects of the School District’s operations.
Bond Counsel
Scope of Services
The Board of Education desires to appoint an attorney or firm who will be the primary legal representative of the Board of Education in all matters relating to the issuance of bonds and bond anticipation notes of the Board. Applicant should demonstrate knowledge of municipal bond and finance law. Any experience or knowledge of matters that directly affect the Board of Education should be addressed.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey and eligible to appear before all state and federal courts and administrative offices of the State of New Jersey for a period of not less than ten (10) years preceding appointment.
2. Must have a minimum of ten (10) years experience representing school boards in connection with the issuance of school board bonds and/or notes.
Auditor
Scope of Services
The Board of Education desires to appoint a firm of certified public accountants to act as board auditors for the Board of Education. Applicant should demonstrate knowledge of board of education auditing laws and regulations and experience in providing advice to boards of education on records compliance issues. Any experience or knowledge of matters that directly affect the Board of Education should be addressed.
Minimum Requirements
1. The firm must employ a minimum of two (2) certified public accountants who have been licensed in that capacity for a period of not less than seven (7) years each prior to the date of appointment.
2. The firm must employ a minimum of two (2) registered school board accountants licensed and qualified in that capacity for a minimum of five (5) years each prior to the appointment.
3. Must have a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in providing auditing services to boards of education within the State of New Jersey.
4. Must maintain a current principal office within the State of New Jersey.
5. Must describe any special services available to school board clients.
6. Must list all part and present school board clients.
7. Must provide hourly billing rates for employees possibly assigned to service the Board of Education.
Insurance Consultant
Scope of Services:
Design cost-effective sales packages to meet the Brooklawn Education Association and the Brooklawn School Board’s benefit and rate structure. Services should include processing all enrollments and deletions, resolving billing and other carrier and provider errors and providing general information for the school administration as changes occur. The consultant should also assist employees in understanding their benefits and help employees to resolve complex health insurance-related issues, to include pharmacy and durable medical equipment issues. The consultant should not charge additional costs to use their services above the cost of the quoted services (commissions should be included in quoted rates).
School Physician
Scope of Services:
The school physician is responsible to provide students a school health program based upon adopted district goals and objectives. The school physician reports directly to the Superintendent and works with the school nurse. He/She coordinates his/her activities with the staff.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Valid New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners license to practice as a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy in the State of New Jersey
Major Responsibilities and Duties I ---School Health Service
1. Assesses the physical well being of the students in terms of development and
present health status.
2. Provides appropriate direct health care services to pupils and staff.
Provides health counseling for pupils, parents and staff (when needed)
3. Participates in the Chile Study Team process through interpreting
implications of significant findings of health history, physical assessment and
other medical consultants.
4. Makes suggestions to staff regarding modifications of change in the
educational environment necessitated by the pupil’s health and development
status.
5. Disseminates information on health issues (upon request).
Major Responsibilities and Duties II ---Miscellaneous
1. To conduct him/herself in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards in the performance of all responsibilities.
2. To effectively carry out all Board of Education policies and administrative
rules and regulations.
Architectural and Engineering Firm
Scope of Services
The Board of Education desires to appoint a firm to provide architectural services to the board. Applicants should demonstrate knowledge and experience with respect to all aspects of architectural services required by a school board. Any experience or knowledge of matters that directly affect the Board of Education should be addressed.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Must be certified to provide architectural services in the State of New Jersey.
2. Must have a minimum of ten (10) years experience in providing architectural services to boards of education.
3. Must be experienced in obtaining permits and approvals from various state, county and local regulatory agencies.
4. Must maintain a staff of New Jersey licensed or certified professionals sufficient to service the Board of Education.
5. Must maintain a principal office location in close proximity to the Board of Education so as to be able to respond to emergent matters promptly.
6. Must be experienced in the preparation of grant applications.
7. Must have project managers with at least ten (10) years of school board experience.
8. Must list past and present school boards served as architect.
9. Must provide hourly billing rates for employees possibly assigned to service the Board of Education.
Submission
Proposing firms shall provide evidence that the minimum qualifications are met. Proposal should also include cost details including hourly rates of the individuals who perform services and a list delineating the numbers and types of public clients represented by the solicitor and firm.
Evaluation of Proposals
The School District intends to award a professional services contract for the defined scope of work under the Fair and Open Process in accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq.
The proposals will be evaluated by the Board of Education based upon information supplied by each Professional in response to this RFP and the following criteria:
Ability to meet all minimum qualifications.
Overall knowledge and familiarity with the operations of the School District.
Experience of the firm in providing similar services to other public bodies, with special emphasis on experience in New Jersey.
Qualifications and experience of the professional.
Qualifications and experience of the other members of the professional’s firm.
The hourly rates proposed. The proposal shall identify whether clerical and other overhead costs will be billed separately or included in the hourly labor rate for professional services.
Please submit two (2) copies of the proposal to:
Brooklawn Board of Education
301 Haakon Road
Brooklawn, NJ 08030
856-456-4039