bergen FarmlandAppraiserRFQ.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Farmland Easement Appraisal Services

From two (2) independent qualified appraisers/firms to appraise an anticipated farmland easement purchase for preservation purposes. Appraisers and firms must be on the most recent State Agriculture Development Committee (hereinafter, “SADC”) list of approved appraisers. Appraisals must follow the guidelines outlined in the most current version of the SADC Appraiser Handbook and the SADC Appraisal Handbook Checklist.

Requirements:

Be on the most current SADC list of Approved Appraisers

Be on the most current NJDEP Green Acres Approved Appraisers list

Be a NJ State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser (NJ-SCGREA)

Conduct appraisal following all requirements and guidelines in the most current version of the SADC Appraiser Handbook and accompanying Appraisal Handbook Checklist

ISSUE DATE: August 14, 2026

DUE DATE: September 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Issued by:

Peter Gerrity, QPA Purchasing Agent, County of Bergen One Bergen County Plaza, 4th Floor

Hackensack, NJ 07601

GLOSSARY

The following definitions shall apply to and are 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 Respondents who, in the sole judgment 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 appraisers/firms that submit a Qualification Statement.

SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. Introduction and Purpose.

The County is soliciting Qualification Statements from two (2) independent appraisers/firms for the provision of an appraisal of an anticipated farmland easement purchase for preservation purposes, as more particularly described herein. Through an RFQ process described herein, appraisers/firms interested in assisting the County with the provision of such services must prepare and submit a Qualification Statement in accordance with the procedure and schedule in this RFQ. The County will review Qualification Statements only from those firms that submit a Qualification Statement which includes all the information required to be included as described herein. The County intends to qualify appraisers/firms that possess the professional, financial, and administrative capabilities to provide the proposed services, and will agree to work under the terms and conditions determined to provide the greatest benefit to the taxpayers of County of Bergen.

1.2. Procurement Process and Schedule.

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. However, the selection is subject to the “New Jersey Local Unit Pay-to-Play” Law, N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq. The County has structured a procurement process that seeks to obtain the desired results described above, while establishing a competitive process to ensure that each appraiser/firm is provided with an equal opportunity to submit a Qualification Statement in response to the RFQ. Qualification Statements will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria set forth in Section 2 of this RFQ, which will be applied in the same manner to each Qualification Statement received.

Qualification Statements will be reviewed and evaluated by the County and its legal and/or financial advisors (collectively, the "Review Team"). The Qualification Statements will be reviewed to determine if the Respondent has met the minimum professional, administrative and financial areas described in this RFQ. Under no circumstances will a member of the review team review responses to an RFQ for a job which they or their firm submitted a response. Based upon the totality of the information contained in the Qualification Statement, including information about the reputation and experience of each Respondent, the County will, in its sole judgment, determine which Respondents are qualified from professional, administrative, and financial standpoints. Each Respondent that meets the requirements of the RFQ, in the sole judgment of the County, will be designated as a Qualified Respondent and will be given the opportunity to participate in the selection process determined by the County.

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

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

County of Bergen Fair and Open Process Request for Proposals of Qualifications Sealed Qualifications will be received Electronically by the County of Bergen on Friday, August 21st at 4:30 PM. prevailing time: RF Farmland Easement Appraisal Services.

Proposals must be submitted electronically through the County e-procurement platform which may be accessed through www.BergenBids.com. All Addenda will be issued on the website. Therefore, all interested respondents should check the website from now through bid opening. It is the sole responsibility of the respondent to be knowledgeable of all addenda related to this procurement. Potential respondents should follow all applicable instructions as prompted to or directed by the Bonfire platform. Bidders shall comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A 10:5-31 and N.J.A.C. 17-27 et seq.

Subsequent to issuance of this RFQ, the County (through the issuance of addenda to all firms that have received a copy of the RFQ) may modify, supplement or amend 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

ACTIVITY DATE

1. Issuance of Request for Qualifications August 14, 2026

2. RFI Deadline August 25, 2026

3. Receipt of Qualification Statements September 15, 2026

Section 1.3. 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 an RFP.

• This RFQ does not commit the County to issue an RFP.

• All costs incurred by the Respondent in connection with responding to this RFQ shall be borne solely by the Respondent.

• The County reserves the right 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 this procurement.

• The County reserves the right to reject any Respondent that submits incomplete responses to this RFQ, or a Qualification Statement that is not responsive to the requirements of this RFQ.

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

• All Qualification Statements shall become the property of the County and will not be returned.

• All Qualification Statements will be made available to the public at the appropriate time, as determined by the County and in accordance with law.

• Any and all Qualification Statements not received by the County by 12:00 PM

Eastern Standard Time on September 15, 2026, will be rejected.

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

Section 1.4. Rights of County.

The County reserves, holds and may exercise, at its sole discretion, the following rights and options with regard to 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 of the Respondents, as the County deems necessary or convenient, to clarify the information provided as part of the Qualification Statement and to request additional information to support the information included in any Qualification Statement.

• To suspend or terminate the procurement process described in this RFQ at any time. If terminated, the County may determine to commence a new procurement process or exercise any other rights provided under applicable law without any obligation to the Respondents. The County shall be under no obligation to complete all or any portion of the procurement process described in this RFQ.

Section 1.5 Addenda or Amendments to RFQ.

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

Section 1.6 Cost of Proposal Preparation.

Each proposal 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, 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 this RFQ.

Section 1.7 Proposal Format.

Responses should cover all information requested in the questions to be answered in this RFQ. Responses which in the judgment of the County fail to meet the requirements 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

SCOPE OF SERVICES

It is the intent of the County to solicit Qualification Statements from Respondents that have expertise and meet the State Agriculture Development Committee’s qualifications in the provision of an appraisal of an anticipated farmland easement purchase for preservation purposes. Appraisers/firms responding to this RFQ shall be able to demonstrate their experience in appraisal of farmland easements for preservation purposes and that they will have the continuing capabilities to perform these services.

SECTION 3

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Section 3.1 General Requirements.

The Qualification Statement submitted by the Respondent must meet or exceed the professional, administrative and financial qualifications set forth in this Section 3 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 and concise in their presentation of information.

Section 3.2 Administrative Information Requirements.

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

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

b. An executed Letter of Qualification (See Appendix A to this RFQ).

c. An executed Letter of Intent (See Appendix B to this RFQ).

d. Name, address and telephone number of the appraiser or firm submitting the

Qualification Statement pursuant to this RFQ and the name of a key contact person.

e. A description of the business organization (i.e., corporation, partnership, joint venture, etc.) of each appraiser/firm, its ownership and organizational structure:

i. Provide the names and addresses of all Principals of the firm 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.

ii. If a firm is a partially owned or a fully-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.

iii. 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.

iv. 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 to provide an Employee Information Report demonstrating compliance with the affirmative action requirements set forth at P.L. 1975,

c. 127.

f. The number of years your organization has been in business under the present name; and the number of years the business organization has been under the current management.

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

h. Any judgments within the last three (3) years in which Respondent has been adjudicated liable for professional malpractice. If yes, please explain.

i. 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.

j. Confirm appropriate Federal and State licenses to perform activities.

k. Respondents shall submit with qualification statement:

• New Jersey Business Registration Certificate (pursuant to N.J.S.A. 54A:7-1.2)

• Ownership Disclosure Certificate

• Employee Information Report (demonstrating compliance with the affirmative action requirements set forth at P.L. 1975, c. 127)

• W-9 with Federal EIN

• any other requirements set forth herein.

l. REQUIRED AFFIRMATIVE ACTION 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:

• A photocopy of their Federal Letter of Affirmative Action Plan Approval

• A photocopy of their Certificate of Employee Information Report or

• A completed Affirmative Action Employee Information Report (AA302)

Section 3.3 Professional Information Requirements.

a. 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:

• Description of projects and scopes of work

• Names, addresses and contact information of references

• Explanation of perceived relevance of the experience to the RFQ

b. Describe the services that Respondent would perform directly.

c. Describe those portions of the Respondent’s services, if any, that may be sub-contracted out.

d. Identify all subcontractors the Respondent anticipates using in connection with this project.

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

f. Resumes of key employees.

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

g. 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 3.4 Insurance

a. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

i. Workers Compensation and Employer’s Liability Insurance:

Worker’s Compensations Insurance in the statutory limits including Employer’s Liability in an amount no less than $500,000.00.

ii. General Liability Insurance:

General liability insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000.00 combined single limit including broad form comprehensive general liability endorsement and shall include provisions for thirty (30) days written notice of cancellation and/or modification of coverage. The County of Bergen shall be included as an additional insured.

b. CERTIFICATES OF THE REQUIRED INSURANCE

i. Certificates as listed above shall be submitted along with the contract as evidence covering Comprehensive General Liability, and necessary Worker’s Compensation and Employer’s Liability Insurance. Such coverage shall be with acceptable insurance companies operating on an admitted basis in the State of New Jersey and shall name the OWNER as an additional insured.

ii. Self-insured contractors shall submit an affidavit attesting to their self-insured coverage and shall name the OWNER as an additional insured.

c. INDEMNIFICATION

i. Successful respondent shall indemnify and hold harmless the OWNER from all claims, suits or actions and damages or costs of every name and description to which the OWNER may be subjected or put by reason of injury to the person or property of another, or the property of the OWNER, resulting from negligent acts or omissions on the part of the bidder, the bidder’s agents, servants or subcontractors in the delivery of goods and services, or in the performance of the work under the contract.

ii. Bergen County will not accept Mutual Limitation of Liability terms.

d. The General Liability policy maintained shall name the County of Bergen, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ as an additional insured and shall provide for thirty (30) days written notice to the County of cancellation and/or modifications of such policies, except for non-payment which would be ten (10) days, and the contractor/vendor shall provide the Office of County Counsel with certificates of insurance evidencing such policies and provisions.

e. All insurance coverage must be in effect no later than 12:01 A.M. EST at the start of the day of the contract and remain in effect for the duration of the contract, including any extensions.

Section 3.5 Other Terms and Conditions

a. Non-Discrimination: There shall be no discrimination against any employee engaged in the work required to produce the commodities covered by any contract resulting from this bid, or against any applicant to such employment because of race, religion, sex, national origin, creed, color, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, familial status, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the Unites States, or nationality. This provision shall include but not be limited to the following: employment upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including apprenticeship. The contractor shall insert a similar provision in all subcontracts for services to be covered by any contract resulting from this bid.

b. STATEMENT OF CORPORATE OWNERSHIP In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2, no corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation, limited liability partnership, Subchapter S corporation or sole proprietorship, shall be awarded a contract, unless prior to the receipt of the bid or accompanying the bid of the corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation, limited liability partnership, subchapter S corporation or sole proprietorship, there is submitted to the County a statement setting forth the names and addresses of all stockholders who own 10% or more of the stock, of any class or of all individual partners who own a 10% or greater interest in the corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation, limited liability partnership, Subchapter S corporation or sole proprietorship. If one or more such stockholder or partner is itself a corporation or partnership, the stockholders holding 10% or more of that corporation’s stock, or the individual partners owning 10% or greater interest in that partnership shall also be listed. The disclosure shall be continued until names and addresses of every non-corporate stockholder and individual partner, exceeding the 10% ownership criteria established in this act have been listed.

This form shall be signed and submitted with the bid/proposal whether a stockholder or partner owns less than 10% of the business submitting the bid.

Failure to comply requires mandatory rejection of the bid/proposal

c. OWNERSHIP OF MATERIAL

i. The owner shall retain all of its rights and interest in any and all documents and property, both hard copy and digital furnished by the owner to the contractor for the purpose of assisting the contractor in the performance of this contract. All such items shall be returned immediately to the owner at the expiration or termination of the contract or completion of any related services, pursuant thereto, whichever comes first. None of the documents and/or property shall, without the written consent of the owner, be disclosed to others or used by the contractor or permitted by the contractor to be used by their parties at any time except in the performance of the resulting contract.

ii. Ownership of all data, materials and documentation originated and prepared for the owner pursuant to this contract shall belong exclusively to the owner.

All data, reports, computerized information, programs and materials related to this project shall be delivered to and become the property of the owner upon completion of the project. The contractor shall not have the right to use, sell, or disclose the total of the interim or final work products, or make them available to third parties, without the prior written consent of the owner. All information supplied to the owner may be required to be supplied on CD- ROM or other media compatible with the owner’s computer operating system, windows based, Microsoft Office Suite 2000.

d. HIPAA (If Applicable)

i. Both parties agree to comply with all requirements of the Federal Health

Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPPA”) as maybe amended from time to time, and the corresponding HIPPA regulations for the confidentiality and security of medical information.

ii. The Contractor shall Not use or disclose protected health information other than as permitted or required by law; use appropriate safeguards to protect the confidentiality of the information; and report any use or disclosure not permitted.

iii. The Contractor, by execution of the contract, shall thereby indemnify and hold the County harmless from any and all liabilities, claims, actions, costs and penalties which may be incurred as the result of the failure of the contractor to comply with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) or any other statute or case law protecting the privacy of persons using its services

SECTION 4

INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS

4.1 Submission of Qualification Statements.

Respondents must submit their Qualification Statement to the Designated Contact Person electronically through the County e-procurement platform which may be accessed through www.BergenBids.com:

Qualification Statements must be submitted to and be received by the County of Bergen on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM, prevailing time. Qualification statements received after this time will not be considered. The County will not bear responsibility for delays in delivery for any reason. All Qualifications must be submitted electronically through the County e-procurement platform which may be accessed through www.BergenBids.com.

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 doing business under and any other requirements set forth herein.

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

SECTION 5

EVALUATION

The County’s objective in soliciting Qualification Statements is to enable it to select an appraiser or firm that will provide high quality and cost-effective services to the citizens of County of Bergen. The County will consider Qualification Statements only from appraisers or firms that, in the County’s judgment, have demonstrated the capability and willingness to provide high quality services to the citizens of the County in the manner described in this RFQ.

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

• Experience and reputation in the field;

• Knowledge of the subject matter addressed under the contract;

• Availability to accommodate the required schedule of the County; and

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

APPENDIX A

LETTER OF QUALIFICATION

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

[insert date]

One Bergen County Plaza

Dear Mr. Gerrity:

The undersigned has/have reviewed my/our Qualification Statement submitted in response to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued by the County of Bergen ("County"), dated [insert date] in connection with the County’s need for organizations that are qualified in provision of an appraisal of an anticipated farmland easement purchase for preservation purposes. I/We affirm that the contents of my/our Qualification Statement (which Qualification Statement is incorporated herein by reference) is 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 [Name of Respondent].

(Respondent shall sign and complete the spaces provided below. If a joint venture, appropriate officers of each company shall sign.)

(Signature of Chief (Signature of Chief Executive Officer) _ Financial Officer)___

(Typed Name and Title) __(Typed name and Title)__

(Type Name of Firm)* __(Type Name of Firm)*__

Dated: ______________ Dated: ______________

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

APPENDIX B

LETTER OF INTENT

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

[insert date]

One Bergen County Plaza

Dear Mr. Gerrity:

The undersigned, as Respondent(s), has (have) submitted the attached Qualification Statement in response to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), issued by the County of Bergen ("County"), dated July 31st, 2026, in connection with the County’s need for an appraisal of an anticipated farmland easement purchase for preservation purposes.

[Name of Respondent] HEREBY STATES:

1. The Qualification Statement contains accurate, factual and complete information.

2. [Name of Respondent(s)] agrees (agree) to participate in good faith in the procurement process as described in the RFQ and to adhere to the County's procurement schedule.

3. [Name of Respondent(s)] acknowledges (acknowledge) that all costs incurred by them in connection with the preparation and submission of the Qualification Statement and any proposal prepared and submitted in response to the RFQ, or any negotiation which results therefrom shall be borne exclusively by the Respondent.

4. [Name of Respondent(s)] hereby declares (declare) that the only persons participating in this Qualification Statement 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 persons may subsequently be included as participating Principals, but only if acceptable to the County.

5. [Name of Respondent(s)] declares (declare) 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. [Name of Respondent(s)] acknowledges (acknowledge) and agrees (agree) that the County may modify, amend, suspend and/or terminate the procurement process (in its sole judgment). In any case, the County 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.

7. [Name of Respondent(s)] acknowledges (acknowledge) that any contract executed with respect to the provision of [insert services] must comply with all applicable affirmative action and similar laws. Respondent hereby agrees to take such actions as are required in order to comply with such applicable laws.

(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)_____

_(Type Name of Firm)*______

Dated: ________________

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