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PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 1 of 1 Trans ID: LCV20233053625
CLEARY | GIACOBBE | ALFIERI | JACOBS LLC
MARY ANNE GROH, Partner
mgroh@cgajlaw.com
Reply to: Oakland Office
October 5, 2023
Via email and Fed Ex
Honorable Rudolph A. Filko, A.J.S.C.
Superior Court of New Jersey
77 Hamilton Street, Floor 6
Paterson, New Jersey 07505
Re: Suburban Disposal, Inc. v. City of Paterson, et. al.
Docket No.: PAS-L-2447-23
OTSC Hearing: October 11, 2023
Dear Judge Filko:
This firm represents Defendant City of Paterson (“City”) in the above-referenced
matter. On September 22, 2023, I filed a Brief and Certification of the City’s
Certified Financial Officer (“CFO”) in Opposition to the Order to Show Cause.
Yesterday, upon review of the reply papers of Suburban Disposal, Inc., I
realized that the budget amount reflected in the CFO’s Certification and Brief
was mistyped. I immediately notified all counsel by email of the error and
noted that the correct amount was reflected in the City’s discovery responses
dated September 21, 2023. I also indicated that the error in the opposition
papers would be corrected in a filing today. I am hereby submitting a
Corrective Certification and another copy of the Brief showing the proper
amount of budgeted funds in the Statement of Facts and Point II.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Anne Groh
Mary Anne Groh, Esq.
Encl.
cc: Richard Trenk, Esq. (via email only)
David Cassidy, Esq. (via email only)
4887-9985-0372, v. 2
Oakland Office: 169 Ramapo Valley Road, UL 105, Oakland, NJ 07436 Tel 973 845-6700 Fax 201 644-7601
Somerville Office: 50 Division Street, Suite 501, Somerville, NJ 08876 Tel 732 583-7474 Fax 908 524-0096
Haddonfield Office: 255 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ 08033 Tel 732 583-7474 Fax 732 290-0753
Matawan Office: 955 State Route 34, Suite 200, Matawan, NJ 07747 Tel 732 583-7474 Fax 732 290-0753
www.cgajlaw.com
PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 1 of 5 Trans ID: LCV20233053625
CLEARY GIACOBBE ALFIERI JACOBS, LLC
169 Ramapo Valley Road, UL-105
Oakland, New Jersey 07436
(973) 845-6700
Mary Anne Groh, Esq. (Attorney ID No. 030531993)
Attorneys for Defendant City of Paterson
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
SUBURBAN DISPOSAL, INC., LAW DIVISION, CIVIL PART
PASSAIC COUNTY
Plaintiff, DOCKET NO. PAS-L-2447-23
Vv. Civil Action
CITY OF PATERSON; FILCO CARTING CORRECTIVE
CORP.; and E & B HAULING CERTIFICATION IN OPPOSITION TO
SERVICES, LLC, SUBURBAN DISPOSAL, INC.’S
REQUEST FOR AN AWARD OF THE
Defendants. CONTRACT FOR COLLECTION AND
HAULING OF SOLID WASTE
I, Javier Silva, being duly sworn upon my oath, do hereby certify as
follows:
1. I am the Certified Finance Officer for the City of Paterson (“City”).
2. I signed a Certification dated September 22, 2023 that included a
mistake as to the amount budgeted for collection of bulk and non-bulk items
for the calendar year of 2023. As I had informed the City’s counsel on
September 21, 2023, the City budgeted $7,800,000.00. That information was
shared in the City’s responses to Plaintiff's discovery requests on September
21, 2023. I overlooked the typographical error in the Certification when I
signed it.
3. All of the other figures reported therein, were true and accurate
namely that the City had expended $6,305,274.84 for the collection of solid
PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 2 of 5 Trans ID: LCV20233053625
waste for services through the end of September, leaving only $1,494,725.16
available in the budget for collection of bulk and non-bulk items in October,
November and December 2023.
4. Attached hereto is my Certification dated September 22, 2023 with
the correct budgeted amount.
I hereby certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true to the
best of my knowledge and belief. I am aware that if any of the foregoing
statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment.
ce,
Dated: October 5, 2023 By: fu
Javier Silva
4858-6265-3572, v. 1
PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 3 of 5 Trans ID: LCV20233053625
CLEARY GIACOBBE ALFIERI JACOBS, LLC
169 Ramapo Valley Road, UL-105
Oakland, New Jersey 07436
(973) 845-6700
Mary Anne Groh, Esq. (Attorney ID No. 030531993)
Attorneys for Defendant City of Paterson
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
SUBURBAN DISPOSAL, INC., LAW DIVISION, CIVIL PART
PASSAIC COUNTY
Plaintiff, DOCKET NO. PAS-L-2447-23
v. Civil Action
CITY OF PATERSON; FILCO CARTING
CORP.; and E & B HAULING CERTIFICATION IN OPPOSITION TO
SERVICES, LLC, SUBURBAN DISPOSAL, INC.’S
REQUEST FOR AN AWARD OF THE
Defendants. CONTRACT FOR COLLECTION AND
HAULING OF SOLID WASTE
I, Javier Silva, being duly sworn upon my oath, do hereby certify as
follows:
1. I am the Certified Finance Officer for the City of Paterson (“City”).
2. I make this Certification based on my personal knowledge in
opposition to the application by Suburban Disposal, Inc. (“Suburban”) for an
award of a contract pursuant to its bid to provide solid waste collection and
hauling of non-bulk items (“the services”) commencing October 1, 2023.
3. Suburban’s bid for the services for October, November and
December 2023 is at a cost of $1,911,000.00. (See Ex. A attached hereto.)
$7,800,000.00
$7,800,000.00
4.
4, The City budgeted $8=98"988"89
$8,400,000.00 for collection of bulk and non-
bulk items for the calendar year of 2023.
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5. Through September 19, 2023, the City expended $6,305,274.84 for
the collection of solid waste for services through the end of September leaving
only $1,494,725.16 available in the budget for collection of bulk and non-bulk
items in October, November and December 2023.
6. The remaining budget is not sufficient for the cost of Suburban’s
bid. Suburban’s bid is $416,274.84 or 28% more than the appropriated funds
and, thus, the City could rejected Suburban’s bid based on N.J.S.A. 40A:11-
13.2b, which provides that a bid that substantially exceeds the contracting
unit's appropriation for the goods or services may be rejected.
I hereby certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true to the
best of my knowledge and belief. I am aware that if any of the foregoing
statements made by me are willfully false, 1 am subjett to punishment.
Dated: September 22, 2023 By: Pix
Javier Silva
4878-4524-6337, v. 2
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BID SUMMARY
FILCO CARTING CORP., 197 SNEDIKER AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY 11207
CITY WIDE COLLECTION 5.3 COLLECTION FOR TOTAL COLLECTIONS
PUBLIC HOUSING 5.3.1 5.3 & 5.3.1
Yr. 1(3 Months) $ 1,381,785.30 | Yr. 1(3 Months) $ 28,199.70 | Yr. 1(3 Months) $ 1,409,985.00
Yr. 2 $ 5,527,141.20 Yr. 2 $ 112,798.80 Yr. 2 $ 5,639,940.00
Yr. 3 $ 5,706,773,29 Yr. 3 $ 116,464.76 Yr. 3 $ 5,823,238.05
Total 3 Yrs. $ 12,615,699.79 Total 3 Yrs. $ 257,463,26 Total 3 Yrs. $ 12,873,163.05
Option Yr. 1 $ 5,906,510.35 Option Yr. 1 $ 120,541.03 Option Yr. 1 $ 6,027,051.38
Option Yr. 2 $ 6,128,004.49 Option Yr. 2 $ 125,061.32 Option Yr. 2 $ 6,253,065.81
Total 5 Yrs. $ 24,650,214.63 Total 5 Yrs. $ 503,065.61 Total 5 Yrs. $ 25,153,280,24
SUBURBAN DISPOSAL, 54 MONTESANO ROAD, FAIRFIELD, NJ 07004
COLLECTION FOR TOTAL COLLECTIONS
CITY WIDE COLLECTION S3 | pypric HOUSING 53.1 53 & 531
Yr. 1(3 Months) $ 1,875,000.00 | Yr. 1(3 Months) $ 36.000,00 | Yr. 1(3 Months) $1,911,000,00
Yr. 2 $ 7,500,000,00 Yr. 2 $ 144,000.00 Yr. 2 $ 7,644,000.00
Yr. 3 $ 7,800,000.00 Yr. 3 $150,000,00 Yr. 3 $ 7,950.000,00
Total 3 Yrs. $17,175,000.00 “| Total 3 Yrs. $330,000,00 Total 3 Yrs. $17,505,000.00
Option Yr. 1 $ 8,424,000,00 Option Yr. 1 $ 162,000.00 Option Yr. 1 $ 8,586,000.00
Option Yr. 2 $ 9,098,000.00 Option Yr. 2 $ 175,000.00 Option Yr. 2 $ 9,273,000,00
Total 5 Yrs, $34,697,000,01 Total 5 Yrs. $667,000.00 Total 5 Yrs. $35.364,000.00
E & B HAULING NON-RESPONSIVE
24 PARK AVENUE (DID NOT PROVIDE CONSENT OF SURETY
WEST ORANGE, NJ 07052
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
THE PURPOSE OF THIS RESOLUTION IS TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO FILCO CARTING
CORP., FOR THE COLLECTION OF SOLID WASTE NO-BULK, RE-BID NO. 22.17.1, FOR THE
CITY OF PATERSON DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
SECONDED BY COUNCILPERSON ...SHAHIN, KHALIQUE ........
Do Not Use Space Below This Line
RECORD OF COUNCIL VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE AYE NAY ABSTAIN ABSENT
1. ABDELAZIZ, ALAA "AL" x
2. COTTON, RUBY N. X
ee ae
3. DAVILA, MARITZA x
5. x
6. MENDEZ, ALE x
7. MIMMS, LILISA x
8. UDDIN, MD FORID X
9. VELEZ, LUIS . X
Adopted at a meeting of the Municipal Council of the City of Paterson, N.J., .. .3 nYer 5», 2023 a wreiwls
"kE se fore GRS ARA JACÓDEL M RRAYACting’ cuy clk
Forms This Resolution whén adopted must remain in the custody of the City Clerk. ied copies are available.
Exhibit
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CLEARY
CLEARY GIACOBBE ALFIERI JACOBS,
GIACOBBE ALFIERI JACOBS, LLC
LLC
169
169 Ramapo Valley Road,
Ramapo Valley Road, UL-105
UL-105
Oakland,
Oakland, New Jersey 07436
New Jersey 07436
(973)
(973) 845-6700
845-6700
Mary
Mary Anne
Anne Groh,
Groh, Esq.
Esq. (Attorney
(Attorney ID
ID No.
No. 030531993)
030531993)
Attorneys for
Attorneys for Defendant
Defendant City
City of
of Paterson
Paterson
SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR COURT
COURT OF OF NEW
NEW JERSEY
JERSEY
SUBURBAN
SUBURBAN DISPOSAL,
DISPOSAL, INC.,
INC., LAW
LAW DIVISION,
DIVISION, CIVIL
CIVIL PART
PART
PASSAIC
PASSAIC COUNTY
COUNTY
Plaintiff,
Plaintiff, DOCKET
DOCKET NO.
NO. PAS-L-2447-23
PAS-L-2447-23
v.
v. Civil
Civil Action
Action
CITY
CITY OF
OF PATERSON;
PATERSON; FILCO
FILCO CARTING
CARTING
CORP.; and E & B HAULING
CORP.; and E & B HAULING
SERVICES,
SERVICES, LLC,
LLC,
Defendants.
Defendants.
CORRECTED
BRIEF
BRIEF IN
IN OPPOSITION
OPPOSITION TO
TO RELIEF
RELIEF SOUGHT
SOUGHT IN
IN ORDER
ORDER TO
TO SHOW
SHOW CAUSE
CAUSE
Mary
Mary Anne
Anne Groh,
Groh, Esq.
Esq.
Of
Of Counsel
Counsel and
and on
on the
the Brief
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page(s)
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ............................................................................ 1
STATEMENT OF FACTS .................................................................................. 2
LEGAL ARGUMENT ........................................................................................ 5
POINT I ..................................................................................................... 5
THE CITY’S AWARD OF THE CONTRACT TO FILCO WAS CONSISTENT
WITH NEW JERSEY REGULATIONS GOVERNING SOLID WASTE
CONTRACTS. ............................................................................................ 5
POINT II .................................................................................................... 9
THERE IS NO BASIS TO OVERTURN THE AWARD OF THE CONTRACT TO
FILCO. ...................................................................................................... 9
A.Filco’s Bid Bond Satisfies The Bid Specifications And The Legal
Requirements. ...................................................................................... 9
B.Filco’s Questionnaire Was Complete And Satisfied The Bid
Specifications And The Legal Requirements. ........................................ 15
POINT III ................................................................................................. 21
THE SUBURBAN BID FOR THE BALANCE OF 2023 MATERIALLY
EXCEEDS THE BUDGETED FUNDS FOR 2023 AND CAN BE REJECTED
BY THE CITY AND, THUS, THIS COURT CANNOT MAKE AN AWARD OF
THE CONTRACT TO SUBURBAN. ............................................................ 21
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................... 22
i
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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Page(s)
Cases
American Casualty Co. of Reading, Penn. v. Irvin, 426 F.2d 647
(5th Cir. 1970) ............................................................................................. 12
Blue Diamond Disposal, Inc. v. City of Vineland, 2010 WL 3419192
(App. Div. 2010) .......................................................................................... 14
Chubb Custom Ins. Co. v. Prudential Ins. Co. of America, 195 N.J. 231
(2008) ......................................................................................................... 10
City of Lake Geneva v. States Improvement Co., 45 Wis.2d 50 (1969) ............ 12
City of Merrill v. Wenzel Brothers, Inc., 88 Wis.2d 676 (1979) ........................ 12
IMO Contract for Route 280 Section 7U Exit Project, 179 N.J. Super. 280
(App. Div. 1981), certif. granted, 88 N.J. 473, dismissed, 89 NJ. 1 (1982) ...... 7
IMO Protest of Award of On-Line Games Prod’n & Oper. Services Contract,
279 N.J. Super. 566 (App. Div. 1995) ........................................................ 6, 7
J. Smentkowski, Inc. v. Lacey Twp., 2015 WL 6511656
(App. Div. 2015) .............................................................................. 13, 14, 18
Meadowbrook Carting Co. V. Borough of Island Heights, 138 N.J. 307 (1994) .. 7
National Waste Recycling, Inc. V. Middlesex County Improvement Auth.,
150 N.J. 209 (1997) .................................................................................... 19
Paterson Contracting Co. v. City of Hackensack, 99 N.J.L. 260
(E. & A. 1923) ............................................................................................. 18
Polk v. Plummer, 21 Tenn. 500 (1841) ........................................................... 12
Sellitto v. Cedar Grove Twp., 132 N.J.L. 29 (Supreme Ct. 1944) ..................... 18
Solid Waste Services, Inc. V. Morris County Municipal Util. Auth.,
2008 WL 5046715 (D.N.J 2008) ............................................................ 18, 19
Suburban Disposal, Inc. v. City of Camden, 2017 WL 3161083
(App. Div. 2017) .................................................................................... 18, 19
Templo Fuente De Vida Corp. v. National Union Fir Ins. Co.
of Pittsubrgh, P.A., 224 N.J. 189 (2016) ...................................................... 10
Terminal Constr. Corp. v. Atlantic City Sewerage Auth.,
67 N.J. 403 (1975) .................................................................................... 6, 7
Township of River Vale v. R. J. Longo Constr. Co., 127 N.J. Super. 207
(Law Div. 1974) ............................................................................................. 7
Waste Mgmt. of N.J., Inc. v. Mercer County Impvt. Auth.,
2014 WL 6390571 (App. Div. 2014) ......................................................... 8, 13
Statutes
N.J.S.A. 40A:11-2 ......................................................................................... 17
N.J.S.A. 40A:11-13.2 ................................................................................ 4, 21
N.J.S.A. 40A:11-13.2.b.................................................................................. 21
ii
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Regulations
Regulations
N.J.A.C.
NJ A.C. 7:26H-6.3
7:260H-6.3 ..............................................................................
.cooooconconcnncnconconcnncnconcononnoncnnrnnonconconcnnencnncnncnnenconcnnnns 9, 9,16,16, 17 17
N.J.A.C. 7:26H-6.5(d)2
N.J.A.C. 7:26H-6.5(d)2 oe .................................................................................. 15
ccc ec cec ree eee nee ee eee nee eee ee eee ee eee eee ee ee esa eea sense eee ees 15
N.J.A.C.
N.J.A.C. 7:26H-6.5(d)3
7:26H-6.5(d)3 ..............................................................................
...ooococcncnccnccncnncnncncnncnncnncncnncnncnnnncnnonncncnncnncnnoncnncnncnss 9, 9,1010
N.J.A.C.
N.J.A.C. 7:26 H-6.T(D).ocoococcoccnccncoconconcnncnconconcnnonconcononconconcnnoncnnconenconconencnnionennes 5
7:26H-6.7(b) ...................................................................................... 5
N.J.A.C.
N.J.A.C. 7:26H-6.7(d)
7:26H-6.7(d) ......................................................................................
...oococcncnncnccnconcnncnnoncnncnnoncnncnncnnoncnncnncncnncnncnnnncnncnncncnuroncnnos 5 5
N.J.A.C. 7:26H-6.8 ..........................................................................................
N.J.A.C. 7:26 H-6.B ..oooocococcncocononcncononcnnononcnnonononnnnonrnnononrnnnnonrnnonencnnonencnneneninnanes 5 5
N.J.A.C.
N.J.A.C. Chapter
Chapter 7, Appendix AA ....................................................................
7, Appendix .0oooconcnoncncncncncncncncncncnononcncnnonnnnnnnnncncncncncnenenens 17 17
Treatises
Treatises
12 Am.Jur.2d, Bonds
12 Am.Jur.2d, Bonds §26
826 (1964)
(1964) ...................................................................
...0.ococcoccnccncnccnconcnnonconconcnconconcnnonconconencnnconcnos 12
12
iii
111
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PRELIMINARY
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
STATEMENT
Plaintiff
Plaintiff Suburban
Suburban Disposal,
Disposal, Inc.
Inc. (“Suburban”)
(“Suburban”) asks
asks this
this court
court for
for
extraordinary
extraordinary relief
relief to
to set
set aside
aside an
an award
award of
of a
a contract
contract for
for solid
solid waste
waste collection
collection
services
services commencing
commencing on
on October
October 1,
1, 2023
2023 by
by the
the City
City of
of Paterson
Paterson (“City”)
(“City”) to
to the
the
lowest
lowest bidder
bidder Filco
Filco Carting
Carting Corp.
Corp. (“Filco”).
(“Filco”). Suburban, whose bid
Suburban, whose bid for
for the
the initial
initial
27
27 month
month term
term and
and two
two (2)
(2) one-year
one-year options
options was
was more
more than
than $10,000,000.00
$10,000,000.00
more
more than
than the
the bid
bid by
by Filco
Filco for
for that
that period,
period, argues
argues that
that Filco’s
Filco’s bid
bid was
was not
not
responsive
responsive because
because its
its Bid
Bid Bond
Bond was
was allegedly
allegedly defective
defective and
and its
its answers
answers to
to the
the
qualifications
qualifications questionnaire were allegedly
questionnaire were allegedly inaccurate.
inaccurate. Suburban
Suburban also
also asks
asks
this
this court
court to
to award
award the
the contract
contract to
to Suburban.
Suburban.
The City
The City opposes
opposes the
the application
application because
because the
the award
award of
of the
the contract
contract to
to
Filco was required
Filco was required by
by the
the law
law and
and the
the City
City and
and its
its taxpayers
taxpayers are
are entitled
entitled to
to the
the
services
services and
and savings
savings afforded
afforded by
by Filco’s
Filco’s bid.
bid. An
An award
award to
to Suburban would not
Suburban would not
be
be appropriate
appropriate in
in any
any event
event as
as its
its Bid
Bid was
was materially
materially in
in excess
excess of
of the
the funds
funds
appropriated
appropriated for
for the
the subject
subject services.
services.
1
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STATEMENT
STATEMENT OF
OF FACTS
FACTS
On June 5,
On June 5, 2023,
2023, the
the City
City issued
issued Bid
Bid Specifications
Specifications for
for the
the Collection
Collection of
of
Solid
Solid Waste
Waste —– No
No Bulk,
Bulk, bearing
bearing Re-bid
Re-bid No.
No. 22.17.1
22.17.1 (the
(the “Bid
“Bid Specifications”).
Specifications”).
(Verified
(Verified Complaint
Complaint at
at ¶16.)
$16.)
Section
Section 1.4
1.4 of
of the
the Bid
Bid Specifications
Specifications contained
contained a
a list
list of
of mandatory
mandatory
documents
documents to
to be
be submitted
submitted by
by each
each bidder,
bidder, including
including item
item #3:
#3: “A
“A Bid
Bid
Guarantee
Guarantee in
in the
the form
form of
of a
a bid
bid bond,
bond, certified
certified check
check or
or cashier’s
cashier’s check
check in
in the
the
amount
amount of
of 10%
10% of
of the
the total
total amount
amount of
of the
the bid
bid proposal,
proposal, not
not to
to exceed
exceed $20,000;
$20,000;
payable
payable to
to the
the City
City of
of Paterson.”
Paterson.” (Id.
(Id. at
at ¶18
918 and
and Ex.
Ex. B
B thereto.)
thereto.)
Section
Section 3.2
3.2 of
of the
the Bid
Bid Specifications
Specifications further
further provides:
provides:
AA Bid
Bid Guarantee
Guarantee inin the
the form
form of
of a
a Bid
Bid Bond,
Bond, Cashier’s
Cashier’s
Check
Check or Certified Check, made payable to the City
or Certified Check, made payable to the City of
of
Paterson
Paterson in
in the
the amount
amount of of 10%
10% ofof the
the bid,
bid, not
not to
to
exceed
exceed twenty
twenty thousand
thousand dollars
dollars ($20,000)
($20,000) must
must
accompany
accompany each
each Bid
Bid Proposal.
Proposal.
(Id. at
(Id. at ¶16
916 and
and Ex.
Ex. C
C thereto.) The Notice
thereto.) The Notice to
to Bidder
Bidder provided:
provided:
The City
The City of of Paterson
Paterson requires
requires that
that a a bidder
bidder must
must
submit with his
submit with his bid
bid aa Bid
Bid Guarantee
Guarantee in in the
the form
form of
of aa
bid
bid bond,
bond, certified
certified check,
check, oror cashier’s
cashier’s check
check inin the
the
amount
amount of of ten
ten percent
percent (10%)
(10%) ofof the
the bid,
bid, along with
along with
Consent
Consent of of Surety
Surety from
from a a Bonding
Bonding Company.
Company. In
In no
no
case
case shall
shall the
the Bid
Bid Guarantee
Guarantee exceed
exceed $20,000.
$20,000.
(Verified
(Verified Complaint
Complaint at
at Ex.
Ex. C.)
C.)
The Bid
The Bid Specifications
Specifications also
also included
included a
a mandatory
mandatory bidder
bidder questionnaire
questionnaire
(the
(the “Bidder
“Bidder Questionnaire”).
Questionnaire”). (Id.
(Id. at
at Ex.
Ex. D.)
D.) Question
Question #2
#2 of
of the
the Bidder
Bidder
Questionnaire
Questionnaire requires
requires that
that bidders:
bidders: “List
“List any
any other
other names
names under
under which
which the
2
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bidder, its partners or officers have conducted business in the past five years.”
(Id.) Question #6 of the Bidder Questionnaire reads as follows:
List the government Solid Waste and Service contract
that the bidder has completed in the last five years.
Give detailed answers to questions below relating to
this subject.
(a) Name of Contracting Unit;
(b) Approximate population of Contracting Unit;
(c) Term of contract from ____________ to __________
(d) How were the materials collected?
(e) Give the location of disposal sites and methods
used in the disposal of solid waste;
(f) Name and telephone number of Contract
Administrator or some other official in charge of
collection and disposal.
(Id.)
On August 8, 2023, Filco submitted a complete and fully-responsive bid
to the City, including a bid guarantee in the form of a bid bond that complied
with all requirements contained in the Bid Specifications and LPCL.
(Certification of Harry Cevallos at ¶¶4-8.) The City Council adopted a resolution
awarding the contract to Filco on September 5, 2023. (Id. at ¶9.)
Thereafter, Suburban filed the instant action challenging Filco’s bid on
the grounds that the Filco Bond was allegedly defective and that Filco allegedly
failed to properly respond to Questions #2 and #6 of the Questionnaire.
Suburban’s bid for the services for October, November and December
2023 is at a cost of $1,911,000.00. (See Certification of Javier Silva dated
$7,800,000.00
September 22, 2023 at ¶3.) The City budgeted $8,400,000.00 for collection of
bulk and non-bulk items for the calendar year of 2023. (Id. at ¶4.) Through
September 19, 2023, the City expended $6,305,274.84 for the collection of
3
PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 8 of 80 Trans ID: LCV20233053625
solid waste for
solid waste for services
services through
through the
the end
end of
of September
September leaving
leaving only
only
$1,494,725.16
$1,494,725.16 available
available in
in the
the budget
budget for
for collection
collection of
of bulk
bulk and
and non-bulk
non-bulk items
items
in
in October,
October, November
November and
and December
December 2023.
2023. (Id.
(Id. at
at ¶5.) The remaining
95.) The remaining budget
budget is
is
not
not sufficient
sufficient for
for the
the cost
cost of
of Suburban’s
Suburban’s bid.
bid. (Id.
(Id. at
at ¶6.)
96.) Suburban’s
Suburban’s bid
bid is
is
$416,274.84
$416,274.84 or
or 28%
28% more
more than
than the
the appropriated
appropriated funds
funds and,
and, thus,
thus, the
the City
City can
can
reject
reject Suburban’s
Suburban's bid
bid based
based on
on N.J.S.A.
N.J.S.A. 40A:11-13.2b,
40A:11-13.2b, which
which provides
Preview
PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 1 of 1 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 CLEARY | GIACOBBE | ALFIERI | JACOBS LLC MARY ANNE GROH, Partner mgroh@cgajlaw.com Reply to: Oakland Office October 5, 2023 Via email and Fed Ex Honorable Rudolph A. Filko, A.J.S.C. Superior Court of New Jersey 77 Hamilton Street, Floor 6 Paterson, New Jersey 07505 Re: Suburban Disposal, Inc. v. City of Paterson, et. al. Docket No.: PAS-L-2447-23 OTSC Hearing: October 11, 2023 Dear Judge Filko: This firm represents Defendant City of Paterson (“City”) in the above-referenced matter. On September 22, 2023, I filed a Brief and Certification of the City’s Certified Financial Officer (“CFO”) in Opposition to the Order to Show Cause. Yesterday, upon review of the reply papers of Suburban Disposal, Inc., I realized that the budget amount reflected in the CFO’s Certification and Brief was mistyped. I immediately notified all counsel by email of the error and noted that the correct amount was reflected in the City’s discovery responses dated September 21, 2023. I also indicated that the error in the opposition papers would be corrected in a filing today. I am hereby submitting a Corrective Certification and another copy of the Brief showing the proper amount of budgeted funds in the Statement of Facts and Point II. Respectfully Submitted, Mary Anne Groh Mary Anne Groh, Esq. Encl. cc: Richard Trenk, Esq. (via email only) David Cassidy, Esq. (via email only) 4887-9985-0372, v. 2 Oakland Office: 169 Ramapo Valley Road, UL 105, Oakland, NJ 07436 Tel 973 845-6700 Fax 201 644-7601 Somerville Office: 50 Division Street, Suite 501, Somerville, NJ 08876 Tel 732 583-7474 Fax 908 524-0096 Haddonfield Office: 255 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ 08033 Tel 732 583-7474 Fax 732 290-0753 Matawan Office: 955 State Route 34, Suite 200, Matawan, NJ 07747 Tel 732 583-7474 Fax 732 290-0753 www.cgajlaw.com PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 1 of 5 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 CLEARY GIACOBBE ALFIERI JACOBS, LLC 169 Ramapo Valley Road, UL-105 Oakland, New Jersey 07436 (973) 845-6700 Mary Anne Groh, Esq. (Attorney ID No. 030531993) Attorneys for Defendant City of Paterson SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY SUBURBAN DISPOSAL, INC., LAW DIVISION, CIVIL PART PASSAIC COUNTY Plaintiff, DOCKET NO. PAS-L-2447-23 Vv. Civil Action CITY OF PATERSON; FILCO CARTING CORRECTIVE CORP.; and E & B HAULING CERTIFICATION IN OPPOSITION TO SERVICES, LLC, SUBURBAN DISPOSAL, INC.’S REQUEST FOR AN AWARD OF THE Defendants. CONTRACT FOR COLLECTION AND HAULING OF SOLID WASTE I, Javier Silva, being duly sworn upon my oath, do hereby certify as follows: 1. I am the Certified Finance Officer for the City of Paterson (“City”). 2. I signed a Certification dated September 22, 2023 that included a mistake as to the amount budgeted for collection of bulk and non-bulk items for the calendar year of 2023. As I had informed the City’s counsel on September 21, 2023, the City budgeted $7,800,000.00. That information was shared in the City’s responses to Plaintiff's discovery requests on September 21, 2023. I overlooked the typographical error in the Certification when I signed it. 3. All of the other figures reported therein, were true and accurate namely that the City had expended $6,305,274.84 for the collection of solid PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 2 of 5 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 waste for services through the end of September, leaving only $1,494,725.16 available in the budget for collection of bulk and non-bulk items in October, November and December 2023. 4. Attached hereto is my Certification dated September 22, 2023 with the correct budgeted amount. I hereby certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment. ce, Dated: October 5, 2023 By: fu Javier Silva 4858-6265-3572, v. 1 PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 3 of 5 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 CLEARY GIACOBBE ALFIERI JACOBS, LLC 169 Ramapo Valley Road, UL-105 Oakland, New Jersey 07436 (973) 845-6700 Mary Anne Groh, Esq. (Attorney ID No. 030531993) Attorneys for Defendant City of Paterson SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY SUBURBAN DISPOSAL, INC., LAW DIVISION, CIVIL PART PASSAIC COUNTY Plaintiff, DOCKET NO. PAS-L-2447-23 v. Civil Action CITY OF PATERSON; FILCO CARTING CORP.; and E & B HAULING CERTIFICATION IN OPPOSITION TO SERVICES, LLC, SUBURBAN DISPOSAL, INC.’S REQUEST FOR AN AWARD OF THE Defendants. CONTRACT FOR COLLECTION AND HAULING OF SOLID WASTE I, Javier Silva, being duly sworn upon my oath, do hereby certify as follows: 1. I am the Certified Finance Officer for the City of Paterson (“City”). 2. I make this Certification based on my personal knowledge in opposition to the application by Suburban Disposal, Inc. (“Suburban”) for an award of a contract pursuant to its bid to provide solid waste collection and hauling of non-bulk items (“the services”) commencing October 1, 2023. 3. Suburban’s bid for the services for October, November and December 2023 is at a cost of $1,911,000.00. (See Ex. A attached hereto.) $7,800,000.00 $7,800,000.00 4. 4, The City budgeted $8=98"988"89 $8,400,000.00 for collection of bulk and non- bulk items for the calendar year of 2023. PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 4 of 5 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 5. Through September 19, 2023, the City expended $6,305,274.84 for the collection of solid waste for services through the end of September leaving only $1,494,725.16 available in the budget for collection of bulk and non-bulk items in October, November and December 2023. 6. The remaining budget is not sufficient for the cost of Suburban’s bid. Suburban’s bid is $416,274.84 or 28% more than the appropriated funds and, thus, the City could rejected Suburban’s bid based on N.J.S.A. 40A:11- 13.2b, which provides that a bid that substantially exceeds the contracting unit's appropriation for the goods or services may be rejected. I hereby certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, 1 am subjett to punishment. Dated: September 22, 2023 By: Pix Javier Silva 4878-4524-6337, v. 2 PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 5 of 5 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 BID SUMMARY FILCO CARTING CORP., 197 SNEDIKER AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY 11207 CITY WIDE COLLECTION 5.3 COLLECTION FOR TOTAL COLLECTIONS PUBLIC HOUSING 5.3.1 5.3 & 5.3.1 Yr. 1(3 Months) $ 1,381,785.30 | Yr. 1(3 Months) $ 28,199.70 | Yr. 1(3 Months) $ 1,409,985.00 Yr. 2 $ 5,527,141.20 Yr. 2 $ 112,798.80 Yr. 2 $ 5,639,940.00 Yr. 3 $ 5,706,773,29 Yr. 3 $ 116,464.76 Yr. 3 $ 5,823,238.05 Total 3 Yrs. $ 12,615,699.79 Total 3 Yrs. $ 257,463,26 Total 3 Yrs. $ 12,873,163.05 Option Yr. 1 $ 5,906,510.35 Option Yr. 1 $ 120,541.03 Option Yr. 1 $ 6,027,051.38 Option Yr. 2 $ 6,128,004.49 Option Yr. 2 $ 125,061.32 Option Yr. 2 $ 6,253,065.81 Total 5 Yrs. $ 24,650,214.63 Total 5 Yrs. $ 503,065.61 Total 5 Yrs. $ 25,153,280,24 SUBURBAN DISPOSAL, 54 MONTESANO ROAD, FAIRFIELD, NJ 07004 COLLECTION FOR TOTAL COLLECTIONS CITY WIDE COLLECTION S3 | pypric HOUSING 53.1 53 & 531 Yr. 1(3 Months) $ 1,875,000.00 | Yr. 1(3 Months) $ 36.000,00 | Yr. 1(3 Months) $1,911,000,00 Yr. 2 $ 7,500,000,00 Yr. 2 $ 144,000.00 Yr. 2 $ 7,644,000.00 Yr. 3 $ 7,800,000.00 Yr. 3 $150,000,00 Yr. 3 $ 7,950.000,00 Total 3 Yrs. $17,175,000.00 “| Total 3 Yrs. $330,000,00 Total 3 Yrs. $17,505,000.00 Option Yr. 1 $ 8,424,000,00 Option Yr. 1 $ 162,000.00 Option Yr. 1 $ 8,586,000.00 Option Yr. 2 $ 9,098,000.00 Option Yr. 2 $ 175,000.00 Option Yr. 2 $ 9,273,000,00 Total 5 Yrs, $34,697,000,01 Total 5 Yrs. $667,000.00 Total 5 Yrs. $35.364,000.00 E & B HAULING NON-RESPONSIVE 24 PARK AVENUE (DID NOT PROVIDE CONSENT OF SURETY WEST ORANGE, NJ 07052 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE THE PURPOSE OF THIS RESOLUTION IS TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO FILCO CARTING CORP., FOR THE COLLECTION OF SOLID WASTE NO-BULK, RE-BID NO. 22.17.1, FOR THE CITY OF PATERSON DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. SECONDED BY COUNCILPERSON ...SHAHIN, KHALIQUE ........ Do Not Use Space Below This Line RECORD OF COUNCIL VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE AYE NAY ABSTAIN ABSENT 1. ABDELAZIZ, ALAA "AL" x 2. COTTON, RUBY N. X ee ae 3. DAVILA, MARITZA x 5. x 6. MENDEZ, ALE x 7. MIMMS, LILISA x 8. UDDIN, MD FORID X 9. VELEZ, LUIS . X Adopted at a meeting of the Municipal Council of the City of Paterson, N.J., .. .3 nYer 5», 2023 a wreiwls "kE se fore GRS ARA JACÓDEL M RRAYACting’ cuy clk Forms This Resolution whén adopted must remain in the custody of the City Clerk. ied copies are available. Exhibit PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 1 of 80 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 CLEARY CLEARY GIACOBBE ALFIERI JACOBS, GIACOBBE ALFIERI JACOBS, LLC LLC 169 169 Ramapo Valley Road, Ramapo Valley Road, UL-105 UL-105 Oakland, Oakland, New Jersey 07436 New Jersey 07436 (973) (973) 845-6700 845-6700 Mary Mary Anne Anne Groh, Groh, Esq. Esq. (Attorney (Attorney ID ID No. No. 030531993) 030531993) Attorneys for Attorneys for Defendant Defendant City City of of Paterson Paterson SUPERIOR SUPERIOR COURT COURT OF OF NEW NEW JERSEY JERSEY SUBURBAN SUBURBAN DISPOSAL, DISPOSAL, INC., INC., LAW LAW DIVISION, DIVISION, CIVIL CIVIL PART PART PASSAIC PASSAIC COUNTY COUNTY Plaintiff, Plaintiff, DOCKET DOCKET NO. NO. PAS-L-2447-23 PAS-L-2447-23 v. v. Civil Civil Action Action CITY CITY OF OF PATERSON; PATERSON; FILCO FILCO CARTING CARTING CORP.; and E & B HAULING CORP.; and E & B HAULING SERVICES, SERVICES, LLC, LLC, Defendants. Defendants. CORRECTED BRIEF BRIEF IN IN OPPOSITION OPPOSITION TO TO RELIEF RELIEF SOUGHT SOUGHT IN IN ORDER ORDER TO TO SHOW SHOW CAUSE CAUSE Mary Mary Anne Anne Groh, Groh, Esq. Esq. Of Of Counsel Counsel and and on on the the Brief PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 2 of 80 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page(s) PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ............................................................................ 1 STATEMENT OF FACTS .................................................................................. 2 LEGAL ARGUMENT ........................................................................................ 5 POINT I ..................................................................................................... 5 THE CITY’S AWARD OF THE CONTRACT TO FILCO WAS CONSISTENT WITH NEW JERSEY REGULATIONS GOVERNING SOLID WASTE CONTRACTS. ............................................................................................ 5 POINT II .................................................................................................... 9 THERE IS NO BASIS TO OVERTURN THE AWARD OF THE CONTRACT TO FILCO. ...................................................................................................... 9 A.Filco’s Bid Bond Satisfies The Bid Specifications And The Legal Requirements. ...................................................................................... 9 B.Filco’s Questionnaire Was Complete And Satisfied The Bid Specifications And The Legal Requirements. ........................................ 15 POINT III ................................................................................................. 21 THE SUBURBAN BID FOR THE BALANCE OF 2023 MATERIALLY EXCEEDS THE BUDGETED FUNDS FOR 2023 AND CAN BE REJECTED BY THE CITY AND, THUS, THIS COURT CANNOT MAKE AN AWARD OF THE CONTRACT TO SUBURBAN. ............................................................ 21 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................... 22 i PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 3 of 80 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 TABLE OF AUTHORITIES Page(s) Cases American Casualty Co. of Reading, Penn. v. Irvin, 426 F.2d 647 (5th Cir. 1970) ............................................................................................. 12 Blue Diamond Disposal, Inc. v. City of Vineland, 2010 WL 3419192 (App. Div. 2010) .......................................................................................... 14 Chubb Custom Ins. Co. v. Prudential Ins. Co. of America, 195 N.J. 231 (2008) ......................................................................................................... 10 City of Lake Geneva v. States Improvement Co., 45 Wis.2d 50 (1969) ............ 12 City of Merrill v. Wenzel Brothers, Inc., 88 Wis.2d 676 (1979) ........................ 12 IMO Contract for Route 280 Section 7U Exit Project, 179 N.J. Super. 280 (App. Div. 1981), certif. granted, 88 N.J. 473, dismissed, 89 NJ. 1 (1982) ...... 7 IMO Protest of Award of On-Line Games Prod’n & Oper. Services Contract, 279 N.J. Super. 566 (App. Div. 1995) ........................................................ 6, 7 J. Smentkowski, Inc. v. Lacey Twp., 2015 WL 6511656 (App. Div. 2015) .............................................................................. 13, 14, 18 Meadowbrook Carting Co. V. Borough of Island Heights, 138 N.J. 307 (1994) .. 7 National Waste Recycling, Inc. V. Middlesex County Improvement Auth., 150 N.J. 209 (1997) .................................................................................... 19 Paterson Contracting Co. v. City of Hackensack, 99 N.J.L. 260 (E. & A. 1923) ............................................................................................. 18 Polk v. Plummer, 21 Tenn. 500 (1841) ........................................................... 12 Sellitto v. Cedar Grove Twp., 132 N.J.L. 29 (Supreme Ct. 1944) ..................... 18 Solid Waste Services, Inc. V. Morris County Municipal Util. Auth., 2008 WL 5046715 (D.N.J 2008) ............................................................ 18, 19 Suburban Disposal, Inc. v. City of Camden, 2017 WL 3161083 (App. Div. 2017) .................................................................................... 18, 19 Templo Fuente De Vida Corp. v. National Union Fir Ins. Co. of Pittsubrgh, P.A., 224 N.J. 189 (2016) ...................................................... 10 Terminal Constr. Corp. v. Atlantic City Sewerage Auth., 67 N.J. 403 (1975) .................................................................................... 6, 7 Township of River Vale v. R. J. Longo Constr. Co., 127 N.J. Super. 207 (Law Div. 1974) ............................................................................................. 7 Waste Mgmt. of N.J., Inc. v. Mercer County Impvt. Auth., 2014 WL 6390571 (App. Div. 2014) ......................................................... 8, 13 Statutes N.J.S.A. 40A:11-2 ......................................................................................... 17 N.J.S.A. 40A:11-13.2 ................................................................................ 4, 21 N.J.S.A. 40A:11-13.2.b.................................................................................. 21 ii PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 4 of 80 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 Regulations Regulations N.J.A.C. NJ A.C. 7:26H-6.3 7:260H-6.3 .............................................................................. .cooooconconcnncnconconcnncnconcononnoncnnrnnonconconcnnencnncnncnnenconcnnnns 9, 9,16,16, 17 17 N.J.A.C. 7:26H-6.5(d)2 N.J.A.C. 7:26H-6.5(d)2 oe .................................................................................. 15 ccc ec cec ree eee nee ee eee nee eee ee eee ee eee eee ee ee esa eea sense eee ees 15 N.J.A.C. N.J.A.C. 7:26H-6.5(d)3 7:26H-6.5(d)3 .............................................................................. ...ooococcncnccnccncnncnncncnncnncnncncnncnncnnnncnnonncncnncnncnnoncnncnncnss 9, 9,1010 N.J.A.C. N.J.A.C. 7:26 H-6.T(D).ocoococcoccnccncoconconcnncnconconcnnonconcononconconcnnoncnnconenconconencnnionennes 5 7:26H-6.7(b) ...................................................................................... 5 N.J.A.C. N.J.A.C. 7:26H-6.7(d) 7:26H-6.7(d) ...................................................................................... ...oococcncnncnccnconcnncnnoncnncnnoncnncnncnnoncnncnncncnncnncnnnncnncnncncnuroncnnos 5 5 N.J.A.C. 7:26H-6.8 .......................................................................................... N.J.A.C. 7:26 H-6.B ..oooocococcncocononcncononcnnononcnnonononnnnonrnnononrnnnnonrnnonencnnonencnneneninnanes 5 5 N.J.A.C. N.J.A.C. Chapter Chapter 7, Appendix AA .................................................................... 7, Appendix .0oooconcnoncncncncncncncncncncnononcncnnonnnnnnnnncncncncncnenenens 17 17 Treatises Treatises 12 Am.Jur.2d, Bonds 12 Am.Jur.2d, Bonds §26 826 (1964) (1964) ................................................................... ...0.ococcoccnccncnccnconcnnonconconcnconconcnnonconconencnnconcnos 12 12 iii 111 PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 5 of 80 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 PRELIMINARY PRELIMINARY STATEMENT STATEMENT Plaintiff Plaintiff Suburban Suburban Disposal, Disposal, Inc. Inc. (“Suburban”) (“Suburban”) asks asks this this court court for for extraordinary extraordinary relief relief to to set set aside aside an an award award of of a a contract contract for for solid solid waste waste collection collection services services commencing commencing on on October October 1, 1, 2023 2023 by by the the City City of of Paterson Paterson (“City”) (“City”) to to the the lowest lowest bidder bidder Filco Filco Carting Carting Corp. Corp. (“Filco”). (“Filco”). Suburban, whose bid Suburban, whose bid for for the the initial initial 27 27 month month term term and and two two (2) (2) one-year one-year options options was was more more than than $10,000,000.00 $10,000,000.00 more more than than the the bid bid by by Filco Filco for for that that period, period, argues argues that that Filco’s Filco’s bid bid was was not not responsive responsive because because its its Bid Bid Bond Bond was was allegedly allegedly defective defective and and its its answers answers to to the the qualifications qualifications questionnaire were allegedly questionnaire were allegedly inaccurate. inaccurate. Suburban Suburban also also asks asks this this court court to to award award the the contract contract to to Suburban. Suburban. The City The City opposes opposes the the application application because because the the award award of of the the contract contract to to Filco was required Filco was required by by the the law law and and the the City City and and its its taxpayers taxpayers are are entitled entitled to to the the services services and and savings savings afforded afforded by by Filco’s Filco’s bid. bid. An An award award to to Suburban would not Suburban would not be be appropriate appropriate in in any any event event as as its its Bid Bid was was materially materially in in excess excess of of the the funds funds appropriated appropriated for for the the subject subject services. services. 1 PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 6 of 80 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 STATEMENT STATEMENT OF OF FACTS FACTS On June 5, On June 5, 2023, 2023, the the City City issued issued Bid Bid Specifications Specifications for for the the Collection Collection of of Solid Solid Waste Waste —– No No Bulk, Bulk, bearing bearing Re-bid Re-bid No. No. 22.17.1 22.17.1 (the (the “Bid “Bid Specifications”). Specifications”). (Verified (Verified Complaint Complaint at at ¶16.) $16.) Section Section 1.4 1.4 of of the the Bid Bid Specifications Specifications contained contained a a list list of of mandatory mandatory documents documents to to be be submitted submitted by by each each bidder, bidder, including including item item #3: #3: “A “A Bid Bid Guarantee Guarantee in in the the form form of of a a bid bid bond, bond, certified certified check check or or cashier’s cashier’s check check in in the the amount amount of of 10% 10% of of the the total total amount amount of of the the bid bid proposal, proposal, not not to to exceed exceed $20,000; $20,000; payable payable to to the the City City of of Paterson.” Paterson.” (Id. (Id. at at ¶18 918 and and Ex. Ex. B B thereto.) thereto.) Section Section 3.2 3.2 of of the the Bid Bid Specifications Specifications further further provides: provides: AA Bid Bid Guarantee Guarantee inin the the form form of of a a Bid Bid Bond, Bond, Cashier’s Cashier’s Check Check or Certified Check, made payable to the City or Certified Check, made payable to the City of of Paterson Paterson in in the the amount amount of of 10% 10% ofof the the bid, bid, not not to to exceed exceed twenty twenty thousand thousand dollars dollars ($20,000) ($20,000) must must accompany accompany each each Bid Bid Proposal. Proposal. (Id. at (Id. at ¶16 916 and and Ex. Ex. C C thereto.) The Notice thereto.) The Notice to to Bidder Bidder provided: provided: The City The City of of Paterson Paterson requires requires that that a a bidder bidder must must submit with his submit with his bid bid aa Bid Bid Guarantee Guarantee in in the the form form of of aa bid bid bond, bond, certified certified check, check, oror cashier’s cashier’s check check inin the the amount amount of of ten ten percent percent (10%) (10%) ofof the the bid, bid, along with along with Consent Consent of of Surety Surety from from a a Bonding Bonding Company. Company. In In no no case case shall shall the the Bid Bid Guarantee Guarantee exceed exceed $20,000. $20,000. (Verified (Verified Complaint Complaint at at Ex. Ex. C.) C.) The Bid The Bid Specifications Specifications also also included included a a mandatory mandatory bidder bidder questionnaire questionnaire (the (the “Bidder “Bidder Questionnaire”). Questionnaire”). (Id. (Id. at at Ex. Ex. D.) D.) Question Question #2 #2 of of the the Bidder Bidder Questionnaire Questionnaire requires requires that that bidders: bidders: “List “List any any other other names names under under which which the 2 PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 7 of 80 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 bidder, its partners or officers have conducted business in the past five years.” (Id.) Question #6 of the Bidder Questionnaire reads as follows: List the government Solid Waste and Service contract that the bidder has completed in the last five years. Give detailed answers to questions below relating to this subject. (a) Name of Contracting Unit; (b) Approximate population of Contracting Unit; (c) Term of contract from ____________ to __________ (d) How were the materials collected? (e) Give the location of disposal sites and methods used in the disposal of solid waste; (f) Name and telephone number of Contract Administrator or some other official in charge of collection and disposal. (Id.) On August 8, 2023, Filco submitted a complete and fully-responsive bid to the City, including a bid guarantee in the form of a bid bond that complied with all requirements contained in the Bid Specifications and LPCL. (Certification of Harry Cevallos at ¶¶4-8.) The City Council adopted a resolution awarding the contract to Filco on September 5, 2023. (Id. at ¶9.) Thereafter, Suburban filed the instant action challenging Filco’s bid on the grounds that the Filco Bond was allegedly defective and that Filco allegedly failed to properly respond to Questions #2 and #6 of the Questionnaire. Suburban’s bid for the services for October, November and December 2023 is at a cost of $1,911,000.00. (See Certification of Javier Silva dated $7,800,000.00 September 22, 2023 at ¶3.) The City budgeted $8,400,000.00 for collection of bulk and non-bulk items for the calendar year of 2023. (Id. at ¶4.) Through September 19, 2023, the City expended $6,305,274.84 for the collection of 3 PAS-L-002447-23 10/05/2023 2:16:30 PM Pg 8 of 80 Trans ID: LCV20233053625 solid waste for solid waste for services services through through the the end end of of September September leaving leaving only only $1,494,725.16 $1,494,725.16 available available in in the the budget budget for for collection collection of of bulk bulk and and non-bulk non-bulk items items in in October, October, November November and and December December 2023. 2023. (Id. (Id. at at ¶5.) The remaining 95.) The remaining budget budget is is not not sufficient sufficient for for the the cost cost of of Suburban’s Suburban’s bid. bid. (Id. (Id. at at ¶6.) 96.) Suburban’s Suburban’s bid bid is is $416,274.84 $416,274.84 or or 28% 28% more more than than the the appropriated appropriated funds funds and, and, thus, thus, the the City City can can reject reject Suburban’s Suburban's bid bid based based on on N.J.S.A. N.J.S.A. 40A:11-13.2b, 40A:11-13.2b, which which provides