Legal ServicesREQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
PLANNING BOARD
Notice is hereby given that Town of Wappinger Planning Board is requesting sealed proposals
from qualified firms to perform Legal Services. The Town of Wappinger is located in Southern
Dutchess County, New York. For general information about the Town of Wappinger, please visit
the Town's website at www.TownofWappinger.us.
Proposals must be received no later than April 4, 2013 and addressed to the attention of Mr. Robert
Valdati, Chairman Town of Wappinger Planning Board 20 Middlebush Road Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
To request a copy of the request for proposals document call, write or a-mail:
Susan Rose
Planning Board Secretary
E-Mail: srose@TownofWappin~er.us
Phone 845-297-6256 X122
20 Middlebush Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
THE TOWN OF WAPPINGER PLANNING BOARD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL
PROPOSALS AND TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL INFORMALITIES IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TOWN
PLANNING BOARD.
******Eight (8) copies of each proposal should be submitted******
***Proposals received after the designated time and date will be returned unopened***
TOWN OF
WAPPINGER
OUTLINE FOR
LEGAL
SERVICES
Overview:
The Town of Wappinger is a historic community experiencing a renaissance in
southern Dutchess County. For general information about Town of Wappinger
visit the Town's website at ~~,~~.~.~.."[~v~~ni~l~\~__>>i~~s~er_u>
The Town of Wappinger Planning Board is seeking proposals from Legal firms to
assist the Town Planning Board in providing Legal services.
The Legal Consultants chosen for interviews should be prepared to provide a brief
description of the approach they will use, references, and relevant examples of their
work.
Scope of Services:
Town Planning Board Attorney is responsible for maintaining his/her professional standing as a
member of the New York State Bar Association.
The firm acknowledges that it serves at the pleasure of the Town Planning Board.
The firm acknowledges its appointment is solely as independent contractor.
Town of Wappinger requirements for Planning Board Attorney services include but are not limited to the
following:
There shall be one main contact from the firm who wi Il oversee The Town o f W a p p i n g e r
Planning Board account and who will perform most of the work. We understand that portions of
work will be done by other attorneys on the staff; however, we expect the contact to be through
one attorney who will understand all legal issues facing our community.
Provide such legal services as are normally and usually provided under similar circumstances
and comparable agreements including but not limited to: (a) application and contractual
reviews and application proposals for development, (b) assistance with escrow and bonding
procurement, (c) assistance with FOIL responses and education, (d) oversight of litigation, (e)
preparation and/or review of Planning Board resolutions and ordinances, (t) Town Code
interpretations and amendments, as necessary, (g) legal guidance to staff and Planning Board
members and other consultants on various matters as needed, (h) legal support and
guidance at Planning Board meetings on such things as Roberts Rules of Order compliance,
SEQR process, procedural issues, and (i)]egal guidance and enforcement cases.
Keep Town P 1 an n i n g Board appraised on legal issues that impact municipal operations
and provide related advice and guidance and related services as required
The firm shall work directly with the Planning Board members in the performance of all duties.
FFF SCHEDULE FOR SERVICE
The Town P 1 an n i n g Board requires a proposal for both a straight hourly fee and schedule that includes
costs, tasks and services covered and any additional rates for those services not covered under the general
scope of work. Please submit this cost portion of the proposal in a separate sealed letter in your
submittal package.
SUBMISSION REQUIltEMENTS & SELECTION CRITERIA
General information about the firm, including depth of experience in municipal matters of firm partners
and staff.
Names and roles of individual(s) who will be assigned to perform tl~e tasks and a description of their
professional experience with Town of Wappinger Planning Board and/or experience with other
municipalities.
Professional licenses and/or certifications held by the individuals} to be assigned to the work required.
Educational background and experience of the individual(s) to be assigned to the work required,
Including resumes.
List of Professional References, including addresses, email addresses and telephone contact numbers.
Description of the support staff available to the individual(s) to be assigned.
The hourly rates of each of the individuals who will be performing services, and all expenses.
Services billed at this rate shall encompass the standard costs of operation which shall include, but not
be limited to, telephone calls, standard mileage and travel charges, faxes, copying charges,
correspondence, legal research, preparation of ordinances, preparation of resolutions, preparation of
contracts, negotiations, meetings, hearings, and any other services rendered on behalf of the Town of
Wappinger, unless extraordinary in nature. The Town Planning Board reserves the right to approve
all extraordinary costs in advance. Any additional charges not included above must be so noted and
must accompany this submission.
Please include a fee schedule of standard hourly rates for each staff member. Hourly rates
charged shall be for professional staff time and will not include secretarial and administrative staff time.
Hourly rates shall be inclusive of all secretarial, clerical and administrative services, local telephone, postage
and other customary overhead expenses.
Rating and Selection Criteria:
The Contract will be awarded to responsible consultant whose proposal is within a competitive range and
determined to be the most qualified to work with the Town of Wappinger.
Qualifications of all individuals who will perform the tasks and the amounts of their respective
participation
Experience and reputation in the field.
Ability to perform the task(s) in a timely fashion, including staffing and familiarity with the subject
matter.
Availability of the firm's personnel, facilities and other resources.
Cost consideration including, but not limited to, standardized submission requirements, historical costs for
similar services, expertise involved.
Responsiveness to the Public Notice and Specifications; submission demonstrates a clear understanding of
tl~e scope of work related objectives.
Compliance with the submission documents.
The Town reserves the right to obtain clarification of any point in a firm's proposal or to obtain
additional information necessary to properly evaluate a particular proposal. Failure of a firm to respond
to such a request for additional information or clarification could result in rejection of the firm's proposal.
Insurance and Indemnification:
Insurance Requirements
Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability Insurance
This insurance shall be maintained in force during the life of this contract by the firm covering
al] employees engaged in performance of this contract period. Minimum Employers liability
$1,000,000.00.
General Liability Insurance (including products and completed operations)
This insurance shall have limits of not less then $1,000,000.00 any one person and $
1,000,000.00 accident for bodily injure and $2,000,000.00 for aggregate for property damage,
and shall be maintained and in force during the life of this contract by the firm. The Town
shall be listed as an additional insured on the firm's policy and the policy shall state that their
policy is primary and non-contributory.
Professional Liability Insurance
Limits shall be a minimum of $ 1,000,000.00 for each claim and $1,000,000.00 aggregate for
each policy period.
Umbrella Liability
Limits shall be a minimum of $ 5,000,000.00 including coverage for General Liability,
Employer's Liability and Professional Liability.
Certificates of the Required Insurance:
Certificates of Insurance for those policies required above shall be submitted after
appointment. Such coverage shall be with an Insurance Company to do business in the State
of New York and Insurance Company rated A-VII or better by AM Best. Al certificated shall
name the OWNER as an additional insured.
Indemnification;
The Planning Board Attorney shall indemnify and hold harmless the Planning Board members
from all claims, suits, or actions and damages or costs of every name and description to which
the Planning Board may be subjected.
Please forward all proposals to the attention of Mr. Robert Valdati, Chairman Town of
Wappinger Planning Board 20 Middlebush Road Wappinger Falls, N.Y. 12590