LAUREL SPRINGS BOARD OF EDUCATIO

LAUREL SPRINGS 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 Laurel Springs Board of Education located at 623 Grand Avenue, Laurel Springs, New Jersey 08021 is seeking RFQ’s for professional services to be provided to the Board of Education as listed below for the period July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

Board of Education Solicitor,

Bond Counsel,

Board of Education Auditor,

Board of Education Insurance Consultant,

Board of Education Architect and

Consulting Engineers.

Requests for qualifications is on file at the Board Secretary/Business Administrator’s office at 623 Grand Avenue, Laurel Springs, New Jersey 08021 and may also be downloaded from the Board of Education’s website, www.laurelspringschool.org

All RFQ’s must be received by the Board of Education Board Secretary/Business Administrator no later than 4:00 PM on April 27, 2010 at the Board of Education office located at 623 Grand Avenue, Laurel Springs, New Jersey 08021. All questions concerning this notice should be addressed to the Board Secretary/Business Administrator, William Thompson, at 856-783-1086.

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 Laurel Springs.

B. Identify persons who will serve as back up to the primary person including resumes of all parties.

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 Laurel Springs.

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 Laurel Springs 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 Laurel Springs Board of Education should be addressed.

Minimum Requirements

1. The firm must employ a minimum of three (3) 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 three (3) 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 past and present School Board clients.

7. Must provide hourly billing rates for employees possibly assigned to service the Board of Education.

Architectural and Engineering Firm

Scope of Services

The Board of Education desires to appoint a firm to provide consulting engineering services to the board. Applicants should demonstrate knowledge and experience with respect to all aspects of engineering 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 engineering services in the State of New Jersey.

2. Must have a minimum of ten (10) years experience in providing consulting 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 including, but not limited to civil engineers, land surveyors, planners, environmental scientists and construction clerks.

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 consulting engineer.

9. Must provide hourly billing rates for employees possibly assigned to service the Board of Education.

School Physician

Scope of Services

1. Examines every pupil enrolled in kindergarten, second, fourth, seventh and tenth grades every year. The examination is to include the ears, throat, heart, lungs, head, and the recording of height and weight.

2. Examines all candidates for all athletic teams with special attention to the heart, blood pressure and lungs; excludes from athletics any pupil who may not appear physically fit. These physicals are to be done on school property by the school physician at no cost to the student. Each team will have a specific day and time to have the physical done. Any student that does not have a physical done with their team can schedule an appointment with the school physician at his/her office or their own Primary Care Physician at their own cost.

3. Completes physical examinations for all pupils who were referred for placement in any special education programs including re-evaluation requested by the Child Study Team or the administration.

4. Examines all questionable scoliosis cases.

5. Is available to the school district’s nursing staff during the school year as a medical consultant.

6. To meet, if requested, with athletic teams and advise students on the use of strength-enhancing medication and/or the effects that fluctuation of weight can have on the health of a student.

7. Performs drug and alcohol evaluations and testing of students/employees when requested. Cost to be covered by the Board of Education.

8. Mantoux testing for students or employees will be provided at a cost to the student/employee.

9. At cost to the Laurel Springs Board of Education, a Hepatitis-B shot will be given to new employees.

10. New employees who do not have a primary care physician can have their new employee health testing done by the school physician, at a cost to be paid by the employee.

11. Consult on the development of Board policies and procedures related to health, safety and emergency medical procedures.

12. Establish standards for care in emergency situations.

13. Review reports and orders by private physicians.

14. Authorize tuberculosis testing.

15. Review and approve DO NOT RESUSCITATE (DNR) orders and instructions to school staff.

16. Shall perform other such duties and responsibilities as requested by the Board of Education N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.1 (Approved May 7, 2001).

Minimum Qualifications

Must be licensed New Jersey Physician eligible to serve as School Physician.

Insurance Consultant

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 a committee of staff and Board Members of the School District based upon information supplied by each Proposer 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 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 the attorneys.

Any questions regarding this Request for Proposals should be directed to William Thompson, School Business Administrator of the Laurel Springs School District.

All Submissions must be received at the School District’s Administrative Office by 4:00 PM on April 27, 2010