9-RFQ 25-013 Toxicology Services Specifications and Requirements.pdf

COUNTY OF BERGEN, NJ

The County of Bergen will consider Qualification Statements only from firms or organizations that have demonstrated the capability and willingness to provide high quality services in the manner described in this Request for Qualifications.

BC-RFQ-25-013

Request for Proposals of Qualifications for Toxicology Services

POSTED ON: October 20, 2025

QUESTIONS DUE DATE: November 3, 2025 10:00 AM

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: November 19, 2025 12:00 PM EST

All responses to be submitted online at www.bergenbids.com

GLOSSARY

The following definitions shall apply to and be used in this Request for Qualifications:

“County”- refers to the County of Bergen.

“Qualification Statement” – refers to the complete responses to this RFQ submitted by the Respondents.

“Qualified Respondent” – refers to those Respondent(s) who (in the sole judgement of the County) have satisfied the qualification criteria set forth in this RFQ.

“RFQ” – refers to this Request for Qualifications, including any amendments thereof or supplements thereto.

“Respondent” or “Respondents” – refers to the interested firm(s) that submit a Qualification Statement(s).

1.1. Procurement Process and Schedule.

The County of Bergen has structured a procurement process that seeks to obtain the desired results described above, while establishing a competitive process to assure that each firm is provided an equal opportunity to submit a Qualification Statement. Responses to the RFQ will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria set forth in later section(s) of this RFQ, which will be applied in the same manner to each Qualification Statement received. The selection of Qualified Respondents is not subject to the provisions of the Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq). The selection is, however, subject to the New Jersey Local Unit Pay-to-Play Law (N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq).

Qualification Statements will be reviewed and evaluated by the County of Bergen with assistance from its financial and legal advisors under no circumstances will a party reviewing or evaluating a qualification statement do so if their involvement would present conflict of interest as that term defined New Jersey’s Local Government Ethics law N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.1 et seq. The Qualification Statements will be reviewed to determine if the Respondent has met the minimum professional, administrative and financial criteria described in this RFQ. Based upon the totality of the information contained in the Qualification Statement, including information about the reputation and experience of each Respondent, the County of Bergen will (in its sole judgement) determine which Respondents are qualified (to perform the contemplated services). Each Respondent that meets the requirement of the RFQ (in the sole judgement of the County) will be designated as a Qualified Respondent and may be given the opportunity to submit a detailed Proposal in response to subsequent RFQ’s issued by the County of Bergen.

The RFQ process commences with the issuances of this RFQ. The steps involved in the process and the anticipated completion dates are set forth in Table 1, Procurement Schedule.

The County of Bergen reserves the right to, among other things, amend, modify, alter or cancel the Procurement Schedule upon notice to all potential Respondents.

All communications concerning this RFQ or the RFQ process shall be directed, in writing, to the County’s Designated Contact Person as set forth herein.

Subsequent to issuance of this RFQ, the County of Bergen may modify, supplement, amend or cancel the provisions of this RFQ in order to respond to inquiries received from prospective Respondents or as otherwise deemed necessary or appropriate by, and in the sole judgment of, the County.

TABLE 1

ANTICIPATED PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

1.0 ACTIVITY DATE

1. Issuance of Request for Qualifications October 20, 2025

2. Questions to be received no later than November 3, 2025

3. Submission deadline of Qualification Statements November 19, 2025

4. Qualification determination On or about February 2026

1.2. Conditions Applicable to RFQ.

Upon submission of a Qualification Statement in response to this RFQ, the Respondent acknowledges and consents to the following conditions relative to the submission and review and consideration of its Qualification Statement:

• This document is an RFQ and does not constitute a Request for Proposals

(“RFP”).

• This RFQ does not commit the County of Bergen to issue a RFP or to award a contract for the services contemplated by this RFQ.

• The County of Bergen reserves the right (in its sole judgement) to reject for any reason any and all responses and components thereof and to eliminate any and all Respondents responding to this RFQ from further consideration for the services contemplated by this RFQ.

• The County of Bergen reserves the right (in its sole judgement) to seek additional information, waive requirements or reject any Respondent that submits incomplete responses to this RFQ.

• The County of Bergen reserves the right (in its sole judgement) to determine those Respondents that are qualified to perform the services contemplated by this RFQ.

• The County of Bergen reserves the right, without prior notice, to supplement, amend, otherwise modify this RFQ, or otherwise request additional information.

• All Qualification Statements shall become the property of the County of

Bergen and will not be returned.

• All Qualification Statements will be made available to the public at the appropriate time, as determined by the County of Bergen (in the exercising of its sole discretion and in accordance with law).

• Responses to this RFQ are the property of the County of Bergen and will be

“public records.” Responses that are labeled “confidential”, or that contain information identified as “confidential”, will not be acceptable for consideration by the County of Bergen.

• The County of Bergen may request Respondents to send representatives to the

County of Bergen for interviews.

• All Qualification Statements not received on or before the time set herein for receipt may be rejected.

• Neither the County of Bergen, nor their respective staff, consultants or advisors shall be liable for any claims or damages resulting from the solicitation or preparation of the Qualifications Statement, nor will there be any reimbursement to Respondents for the cost of preparing and submitting a Qualifications Statement or for participating in this procurement process.

1.3. Rights of the County of Bergen

The County of Bergen reserves, holds and may exercise, at its sole discretion, the following rights and options regarding this RFQ and the procurement process in accordance with the provisions of applicable law:

• To determine that any Qualification Statement received complies or fails to comply with the terms of this RFQ.

• To supplement, amend or otherwise modify the RFQ through issuance of addenda to all prospective Respondents who have received a copy of this

RFQ.

• To waive any technical non-conformance with the terms of this RFQ.

• To change or alter the schedule for any events called for in this RFQ upon the issuance of notice to all prospective Respondents who have received a copy of this RFQ.

• To conduct investigations of any or all Respondents, as the County of Bergen deems necessary or convenient, to clarify the information provided as part of the Qualifications Statement and to request additional information to support the information included in any Qualification Statement.

• To suspend or terminate the procurement process described in the RFQ at any time (in its sole discretion.) If terminated, the County of Bergen may decide to commence a new procurement process or exercise any other rights provided under applicable law without any obligation to the Respondents.

• Pursuant to P.L. 2012 c.25 State and local public contracts are not permitted with persons or entitles engaging in certain investment activities in energy or finance sectors of Iran.

• Pursuant to P.L. 2022 c.3 State and local public contracts are not permitted to award, renewal or amend local public contracts for goods or services with persons or entities engaging in prohibited activities in Russia or Belarus.

The County of Bergen shall be under no obligation to complete all or any portion of the procurement process described in this RFQ.

1.4. Addenda or Amendments to RFQ.

During the period proved for the preparation of Qualification Statement, the County of Bergen may issue addenda, amendments or answers to written inquiries. Those addenda will be noticed by the County of Bergen and will constitute a part of the RFQ. All responses to the RFQ shall be prepared with full consideration of the addenda issued prior to the designated submission date.

1.5. Cost of Preparation.

Each Qualification Statement and all information required to be submitted pursuant to the RFQ shall be prepared at the sole cost and expense of the respondent. There shall be no claims whatsoever against the County of Bergen, its staff or consultants, for reimbursement for the payment of costs or expenses incurred in the preparation of the Qualification Statement or other information required by the RFQ.

1.6. Format.

Responses should cover all information requested in this RFQ. Responses which in the judgement of the County of Bergen fail to meet the requirement of the RFQ or which are in any way conditional, incomplete, obscure, contain additions or deletions from requested information, or contain errors may be rejected.

SECTION 2

Request for Qualifications

RFQ-25-013: TOXICOLOGY SERVICES REQUIRED BY THE BERGEN COUNTY, MEDICAL

EXAMINER’S OFFICE, PARAMUS, N.J.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Laboratory must be accredited by Society of Forensic Toxicology (SOFT), American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT), College of American Pathologists (CAP) or otherwise compliant with their guidelines.

Laboratory’s Chief Toxicologist must hold a doctoral degree from an accredited institution and be certified by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) or certified in toxicological chemistry by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry (ABCC) or the international equivalent.

SCOPE OF SERVICES:

To analyze specimens for drug and alcohol levels and special analysis according to each individual case.

Provide written specimen reports for each work order.

Provide specimen storage services for a minimum of one (1) year from date of submitted report of findings.

Provide litigation support packages: reported finding, chain of custody documents, specimen storage records, analytical data, etc. The County of Bergen estimates approximately less than five

(5) cases per twelve (12) month contract period require litigation support packages.

Provide supplies to the Bergen County Medical Examiner’s Office to routinely submit specimens to laboratory. Example: Order forms, Shipping supplies (including, but not limited to: Prepaid shipping labels, shipping containers, packaging materials, etc.) and collection supplies (including, but not limited to: Test tubes and containers for immediate testing and storage for future testing, tamper evident seals/labels, etc.)

Contract Termination:

Upon termination of the awarded contract, no specific materials will be returned to the Medical Examiner’s Office. If specimens need to be returned for any reason, they shall be requested prior to the specimen storage period expires. The contracted vendor would be permitted to retain a copy of data for auditing/ regulatory purposes only.

Firms and/or persons responding to this RFQ shall be able to demonstrate that they will have the continuing capabilities to perform these services.

It is the intent of the County to solicit Qualification Statements from Respondents that have expertise in the provision of professional services for performance Toxicology Services.

Examples of Panel Tests required:

Postmortem Panel Tests:

Postmortem, Basic, Blood (Forensic) Postmortem, Basic, Blood (Forensic) (CSA) Postmortem, Basic, Urine (Forensic) Postmortem, Expanded, Blood (Forensic) (CSA) Postmortem, Expanded, Blood (Forensic) Postmortem, Urine Screen Add-on (6-MAM Quantification only) (Forensic) Postmortem, Basic to Expanded Upgrade, Blood (Forensic) Postmortem, Basic, Fluid (Forensic) Postmortem, Basic, Tissue (Forensic) Postmortem, Expanded, Urine (Forensic) Postmortem, Basic, Serum/Plasma (Forensic) Postmortem, Prescription Drugs Screen, Blood (Forensic) Postmortem, Expanded, Fluid (Forensic)

Targeted Analysis Panel Tests:

Electrolytes and Glucose Panel (Vitreous), Fluid (Forensic) Carbon Monoxide Exposure Biouptake Screen, Blood Glucose (Vitreous), Fluid (Forensic) Special Request - Investigation Benzodiazepines Panel, Fluid Alcohol Screen, Blood (Forensic) Drug Screen (GC/MS), Blood Nitrous Oxide, Blood Amphetamines (D/L Differentiation), Blood Tetrafluoroethane and Difluoroethane Panel Add-On, Blood Ethylene Glycol, Blood Betahydroxybutyric Acid, Blood Propofol, Blood Valproic Acid, Blood Postmortem Designer Opioids Add-On, Blood (Forensic) Postmortem, Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) Screen, Blood

It is estimated that the Bergen County Medical Examiner’s office will request approximately 500 postmortem panels to be conducted within a twelve (12) month period.

It is estimated that the Bergen County Medical Examiner’s office requests approximately 50 targeted analyses panel tests to be conducted within a twelve (12) month period.

FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY UTILIZATION – JANUARY THROUGH AUGUST 2025

TEST DESCRIPTION Count (2025) Postmortem, Expanded, Blood (Forensic) 98.00 Postmortem, Basic, Blood (Forensic) 125.00 Postmortem, Expanded, Urine (Forensic) 77.00 Postmortem, Basic, Urine (Forensic) 80.00 Postmortem, Basic, Fluid (Forensic) 8.00 Postmortem, Expanded, Fluid (Forensic) 4.00 Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) Screen, Blood 3.00 Electrolytes and Glucose Panel (Vitreous), Fluid (Forensic) 12.00 Bromazolam, Blood 2.00 Carbon Monoxide Screen, Confirmation Separate Fee, Blood 7.00 Tetrafluoroethane and Difluoroethane Panel, Blood 1.00 NMS TotalTox™ Panel, Blood (Forensic) 1.00 Tramadol and Metabolite, Blood 1.00 Carbon Monoxide Exposure Biouptake Confirmation, Blood 5.00 Miscellaneous - work 12.00 Postmortem, Basic, Tissue (Forensic) 1.00 Morphine - Free (Unconjugated), Serum/Plasma 1.00 Cannabinoids Panel, Blood 1.00 Betahydroxybutyric Acid, Blood 1.00 Lidocaine and Metabolite (MEGX), Blood 1.00 Alcohol Panel, Blood 2.00 Carbon Monoxide Exposure, Blood 1.00 Lorazepam, Blood 1.00 Metoprolol, Blood 1.00 Alcohol Panel, Fluid 1.00 Glucose (Vitreous), Fluid (Forensic) 4.00 Acetaminophen Confirmation, Blood 5.00 Acetaminophen Confirmation, Urine 12.00 Salicylate Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Salicylate Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Amphetamines Confirmation, Blood 14.00 Amphetamines Confirmation, Fluid 6.00 Amphetamines Confirmation, Tissue 1.00 Amphetamines Confirmation, Urine 7.00 Barbiturates Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Benzodiazepines Confirmation, Blood 6.00 Benzodiazepines Confirmation, Fluid 2.00 Benzodiazepines Confirmation, Urine 7.00 Cannabinoids Confirmation, Fluid 1.00 Cannabinoids Confirmation, Urine 27.00 Cocaine and Metabolites Confirmation, Blood 22.00 Cocaine and Metabolites Confirmation, Fluid 1.00 Cocaine and Metabolites Confirmation, Urine 15.00

Methadone and Metabolite Confirmation, Blood 2.00 Methadone and Metabolite Confirmation, Urine 3.00 Opiates - Free (Unconjugated) Confirmation, Blood 25.00 Opiates - Free (Unconjugated) Confirmation, Urine 23.00 Nitazenes Panel Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Designer Benzodiazepines Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Bupropion and Metabolite Confirmation, Blood 3.00 Bupropion and Metabolite Confirmation, Urine 2.00 Carbamazepine and Metabolite Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Carbamazepine and Metabolite Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Donepezil Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Duloxetine Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Guaifenesin Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Ketamine and Metabolite Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Ketamine and Metabolite Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Lamotrigine Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Lamotrigine Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Olanzapine Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Oxcarbazepine/Eslicarbazepine Acetate as Metabolite Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Oxcarbazepine/Eslicarbazepine Acetate as Metabolite Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Quetiapine Confirmation, Blood 2.00 Quetiapine Confirmation, Urine 2.00 Sertraline and Desmethylsertraline Confirmation, Blood 5.00 Sertraline Confirmation, Urine 3.00 Tramadol and Metabolite Confirmation, Urine 2.00 Venlafaxine and Metabolite Confirmation, Blood 2.00 Venlafaxine and Metabolite Confirmation, Fluid 1.00 Venlafaxine and Metabolite Confirmation, Urine 2.00 Xylazine Confirmation, Blood 5.00 Xylazine Confirmation, Urine 7.00 Zolpidem Confirmation, Blood 2.00 Zolpidem Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Gabapentin Confirmation, Blood 11.00 Gabapentin Confirmation, Urine 29.00 Buprenorphine and Metabolite - Free (Unconjugated) Confirmation, Blood 6.00 Buprenorphine and Metabolite - Free (Unconjugated) Confirmation, Fluid 1.00 Buprenorphine and Metabolite - Total (Conjugated/Unconjugated) Confirmation, Urine 6.00 Cannabinoids Confirmation, Blood (Forensic) 43.00 O-Desmethylvenlafaxine Confirmation, Fluid 1.00 Alcohols and Acetone Confirmation, Blood (Forensic) 59.00 Alcohols and Acetone Confirmation, Fluid 10.00 Alcohols and Acetone Confirmation, Urine 60.00 Doxepin and Metabolite Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Doxepin and Metabolite Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Doxylamine Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Fluoxetine and Metabolite Confirmation, Blood 1.00

Fluoxetine and Metabolite Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Mirtazapine Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Mirtazapine Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Naproxen Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Aripiprazole Confirmation, Blood 2.00 Memantine Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Tadalafil Confirmation, Blood 3.00 Tetrahydrozoline Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Risperidone and Metabolite Confirmation, Blood 3.00 Risperidone and Metabolite Confirmation, Urine 2.00 Chlorpheniramine Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Chlorpheniramine Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Diphenhydramine Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Diphenhydramine Confirmation, Urine 3.00 Hydroxyzine Confirmation, Blood 2.00 Cyclobenzaprine Confirmation, Blood 2.00 Cyclobenzaprine Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Promethazine Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Prochlorperazine Confirmation, Blood 1.00 D/L Methorphan, Dextrorphan & Levorphanol Confirmation - Total, Urine 4.00 Citalopram Confirmation, Blood 5.00 Citalopram Confirmation, Urine 2.00 Fentanyl and Acetyl Fentanyl Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Fentanyl and Acetyl Fentanyl Confirmation, Urine 24.00 Fentanyl and 4-ANPP Confirmation, Blood 30.00 Mitragynine Confirmation (Qualitative), Urine 1.00 Mitragynine Confirmation, Blood 2.00 Loperamide and Metabolite Confirmation, Blood 3.00 Naltrexone and Metabolite - Free (Unconjugated) Confirmation, Blood 1.00 Naltrexone and Metabolite - Free (Unconjugated) Confirmation, Urine 1.00 Opiates - Free (Unconjugated) Confirmation, Fluid (Forensic) 3.00 Gabapentin Confirmation, Blood (Forensic) 1.00 Gabapentin Confirmation, Urine (Forensic) 1.00 Designer Benzodiazepines Confirmation (Qualitative), Urine (Forensic) 8.00 Benzodiazepines Confirmation, Blood (Forensic) 25.00 Benzodiazepines Confirmation, Urine (Forensic) 14.00 Carfentanil Confirmation, Blood (Forensic) 1.00 Amphetamines Confirmation, Blood (Forensic) 8.00 Amphetamines Confirmation, Urine (Forensic) 8.00 Benzodiazepines Confirmation, Blood (Forensic) 4.00 Benzodiazepines Confirmation, Fluid (Forensic) 1.00 Benzodiazepines Confirmation, Urine (Forensic) 2.00 Fentanyl and Acetyl Fentanyl Confirmation, Blood (Forensic) 3.00 Fentanyl and Acetyl Fentanyl Confirmation, Urine (Forensic) 1.00 Benzodiazepines Confirmation, Blood (Forensic) 1.00 Alcohol Screen, Blood (Forensic) 4.00

Test Cancellation 1.00 Acetone Review 2.00 Add-On - Amanda DOrazio 1.00 Add-On - Forensic CS (Call) 8.00 Add-On - Kristopher Graf 1.00 Add-On - Nicholas Laraia 2.00 Add-On - Toxicologist 2.00 Add-On - William Schroeder 1.00 Add-On - Toxicologist - TOF Out of Scope Finding 6.00 Homogenize in Parent Container 4.00 Clarify-Amanda DOrazio 1.00 Clarify-Danna Papsun 1.00 Clarify 1-Forensic Specimen Processing 44.00 Clarify Forensic - Forthcoming Sample 6.00 Clarify Forensic No 2.00 Clarify Forensic - Unverified Samples 5.00 Clarify 1-Forensic Specimen Processing Question 4.00 Clarify 1-Forensic Specimen Processing 8.00 Clarify-Victoria Hill 1.00 Carboxyhemoglobin Toxicology Review 1.00 Demographic Changes - ADMN 7.00 Demographic Changes - 2nd review 7.00 Ethanol Review 6.00 Forensic Login Review 6.00 Pending-Sample on Hold for Client Services 6.00 Pending-Sample on Hold for LC1 1.00 Pending-Sample on Hold for LC3 2.00 Pending-Sample on Hold for LC4 1.00 Pending-Sample on Hold for MSC 15.00 Pending-Sample on Hold for Specimen Processing-Major 1.00 Pending-Sample on Hold for Specimen Processing-Other 1.00 Pending-Sample on Hold for Specimen Processing 10.00 Internal Duplicate Check 6.00 Isopropanol Review 1.00 Leaking Samples 6.00 Move testing to make Homogenate 2.00 Move testing for Volume 1.00 Homogenate of a non-Tissue 5.00 Special Instructions - Forensic Specimen Processing 1.00 No testing-store container 267.00 Homogenate of a Tissue 1.00 Call Pending 1.00 Toxicologist Notation 1.00

SECTION 3

SUBMISSION REQUIRMENTS

3.1. General Requirements.

The Qualification Statement submitted by the Respondent must meet or exceed the professional, administrative, and financial qualifications set forth in Section 2 and shall incorporate the information requested below.

In addition to the information required as described below, a Respondent may submit supplemental information that it feels may be useful in evaluating its Qualification Statement. Respondents are encouraged to be clear, factual, and concise in their presentation of information.

3.2 Administrative Information Requirements.

The Respondent shall, as part of its Qualification Statement, provide the following information:

1. An executive summary (not to exceed two (2) pages) of the information contained in all the other parts of the Qualification Statement.

2. An executed Letter of Intent (see Appendix A to this RFQ).

3. An executed Certifications document (see Appendix B to this RFQ).

4. Name, address, and telephone number of the firm submitting the Qualification Statement pursuant to this RFQ and the name of the key contact person.

5. A description of the business organization (i.e., corporation, partnership, joint venture, etc.)

of each firm, its ownership, and its organizational structure.

a) Provide the names and business addresses of all Principals of the firm or firms submitting the Qualification Statement. For purposes of this RFQ, “Principals” means persons possessing an ownership interest in the Respondent. If the Respondent is a corporation, “Principals” shall include each investor who would have any amount of operational control over the Respondent and every stockholder having an ownership interest of 10% or more in the firm.

b) If a firm is a partially owned or a full-owned subsidiary of another firm, identify the parent company and describe the nature and extent of the parents’ approval rights over the activities of the firm submitting a Qualification Statement. Describe the approval process.

c) If the Respondent is a partnership or a joint venture or similar organization, provide comparable information as required in b) above for each member of the partnership, joint venture or similar organization.

d) A statement that the Respondent has complied with all applicable affirmative action (or similar) requirements with respect to its business activities, together with evidence of such compliance. Respondents are required (pursuant to Section 4 of this RFQ) to provide an Employee Information Report demonstrating compliance with the affirmative action requirements set forth at P.L. 1975, c. 127.

6. The number of years your organization has been operating and in business under the present name.

7. The number of years the business organization has been under the current management personnel.

8. Any judgments within the last three years in which Respondent has been adjudicated liable for professional malpractice. If yes, please explain.

9. Whether the business organization is now or has been involved in any bankruptcy or re-organization proceedings in the last ten (10) years. If yes, please explain.

10. Confirm appropriate federal and state licenses to perform activities.

11. Respondents must also submit a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate (pursuant to

N.J.S.A. 54A:7-1.2), a completed Ownership Disclosure Form, a copy of the State of NJ issued Employee Information Report (demonstrating compliance with the affirmative action requirements set forth at P.L. 1975, c. 127) and any other requirements set forth herein.

. 12. REQUIRED AFFIRMATIVE ACTIQN EVIDENCE: The Provisions of Chapter 127, Public Laws of 1975, (N.J.A.C. 17-27) are applicable to this contract. All successful vendors must submit within seven (7) days of the notice of intent to award or the signing of the contract, one of the following:

1. A photocopy of their Federal Letter of Affirmative Action Plan Approval

2. A photocopy of their Certificate of Employee Information Report or

3. A completed Affirmative Action Employee Information Report (AA302).

Section 3.3 Professional Information Requirements.

1. Respondent shall submit a description of its overall experience in providing the type of services sought in the RFQ. At a minimum, the following information on past experience should be included as appropriate to the RFQ:

a. Description and scope of work by Respondent

b. Name, address and contact information of at least three references

c. Explanation of perceived relevance of the experience to the RFQ.

2. Describe the services that Respondent would perform directly.

3. Describe those portions of the Respondent’s services, if any, that are sub-contracted. Identify all subcontractors the Respondent anticipates using in connection with this project.

4. Does the Respondent normally employ union or non-union employees?

5. Resumes of key employees (see specific requirements in Section 2 above).

6. A narrative statement of the Respondent’s understanding of the County’s needs and goals.

7. List all immediate relatives of Principal(s) of Respondent who are County employees or elected officials of the County. For purposes of the above, “immediate relative” means a spouse, parent, stepparent, brother, sister, child, stepchild, direct-line aunt or uncle, grandparent, grandchild, and in-laws by reason of relation.

SECTION 4

INSTRUCTIONS

Qualification Statements must be submitted and be received by the County of Bergen’s electronic submission portal www.bergenbids.com by 12:00 PM. prevailing time on set forth on page one Qualification Statements will not be accepted by facsimile transmission or e-mail.

With their Qualification Statement, respondents must submit a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate and an Ownership Disclosure Certificate (pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-23.2), the federal EIN of the entity they are conducting business under, and any other requirements set forth herein.

To be responsive, Qualification Statements must provide all requested information and shall conform to the instructions set forth herein. Qualification Statements and all related information must be bound, signed and acknowledged by the Respondent.

REQUIRED AFFIRMATIVE ACTIQN EVIDENCE: The Provisions of Chapter 127, Public Laws of 1975, (N.J.A.C. 17-27) are applicable to this contract. All successful vendors must submit within seven (7) days of the notice of intent to award or the signing of the contract one of the following:

1. A photocopy of their Federal Letter of Affirmative Action Plan Approval

2. A photocopy of their Certificate of Employee Information Report or

3. A completed Affirmative Action Employee Information Report (AA302).

SECTION 5

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The County of Bergen’s objective in soliciting Qualification Statements is to enable it to select a firm or organization (or multiple firms or organizations) that will provide high quality and cost-effective services to the citizens of Bergen County. The County will consider Qualification Statements only from firms or organizations that, in the County’s sole judgement, have demonstrated the capability and willingness to provide the services contemplated by this RFQ.

Proposals will be evaluated by the County based on the most advantageous submission; all relevant factors considered. The evaluation will consider:

1. Experience and reputation in the field

2. Knowledge of the County and the subject matter addressed under the contract.

3. Availability to accommodate the required meetings of the County, and

4. Other factors to be demonstrated to be in the best interest of the County.

APPENDIX A

LETTER OF INTENT

(Note: To be typed on Respondent’s Letterhead. No modifications may be made to this letter)

Respondents Federal EIN: ______________________

County of Bergen [insert date] Division of Purchasing One Bergen County Plaza, Room 370 Hackensack, NJ 07601

Attn: Peter J. Gerrity, QPA

Re: [insert title of RFQ]

Dear Mr. Gerrity, The undersigned, as Respondent, has submitted the attached Qualification Statement in response to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), issued by the County of Bergen (“County”), dated [insert date], in connection with the services set forth above.

(Name of Respondent) HEREBY STATES:

1. The Qualification Statement contains accurate, factual and complete information. We affirm that the contents of our Qualification Statement (which Qualification Statement is incorporated herein by reference) are accurate, factual and complete to the best of our knowledge and belief and that the Qualification Statement is submitted in good faith upon express understanding that any false statement may result in the disqualification of the undersigned Respondent.

2. The undersigned Respondent is interested in being invited to respond to the County of Bergen request for Qualifications (RFQ). It is the intent of Respondent to complete and submit a Qualification Statement for the provision of the services set forth above and to enter a contract for said services if selected and awarded a contract by the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

3. The undersigned Respondent agrees to participate in good faith in the procurement process as described in the RFQ and to adhere to the County of Bergen Procurement schedule.

4. The undersigned Respondent agrees that all costs incurred by it (them) in connection with the preparation and submission of the Qualification Statement submitted in response to the RFQ, or any negotiation which results there from shall be borne exclusively by the Respondent.

5. The undersigned Respondent hereby declares that the only persons participating in this Qualification Statements as Principals are named herein and that no person other than those herein mentioned has any participation in this Qualification Statement or in any contract to be entered into with respect thereto. Additional people may subsequently be included as participating principals, but only if acceptable to the County of Bergen. The undersigned Respondent further declares that this Qualification Statement is made without connection with any other person, firm or parties who has submitted a Qualification Statement, except as expressly set forth below and that it has been prepared and has been submitted in good faith and without collusion or fraud.

6. The undersigned Respondent acknowledges and agrees that the County of Bergen may modify, amend, suspend and/or terminate the procurement process (in its sole judgment). In any case, the County of Bergen shall not have any liability to the Respondent for any costs incurred by the Respondent with respect to the procurement activities described in this RFQ.

i.

7. The undersigned Respondent acknowledges that any contract executed with respect to the provision of the above referenced services must comply with all applicable affirmative action and similar laws. Respondent hereby agrees to take such actions as are required to comply with such applicable laws.

8. The undersigned Respondent acknowledges and agrees that it will be obligated to satisfy the requirements set forth in Section Two of this RFQ at the time of submission of its Qualification Statement. The Respondent hereby states that (as of the date hereof) it has a reasonable expectation that it will be able to satisfy such criteria and requirements as of the date of its submittal.

[Respondent shall sign and complete the space provided below. If a joint venture, appropriate officers of each company shall sign.]

(Signature of Chief Executive Officer)

(Typed name and Title)

Typed name and Firm.

Date

(If a joint venture, partnership or other formal organization is submitting a Qualification Statement, each participant shall execute this Letter of Intent.)

ii.

APPENDIX B

CERTIFICATIONS

In addition to responding to the foregoing items, the undersigned Respondent certifies that:

A. The firm’s participation in the matters contemplated by this RFQ will not create any conflict of interest for the firm or any of its officers or employees.

B. The firm is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, or ancestry.

C. The firm is not currently in violation of or under any investigation or review for a violation of any state or federal law or regulation that might have a material adverse impact on the firm’s ability to serve if selected.

D. The firm understands and agrees that during the time it is a member of the group of qualified firms it will not be eligible to serve as financial advisor to the County of Bergen, and that it does not, and will not during that time, have a financial interest in any firm providing financial advisory services to the County of Bergen.

Firm: ______________________

By: ________________________

Name: _____________________

Title: ______________________

Date: ______________________, 20___ i.