January 4, 2012

Re:      2012 Bid Acceptance Dates

Dear Mayor:

Municipalities are prohibited by law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-23(a)) from accepting bids on a Monday or any day directly following a State or federal holiday.  Local Finance Notice 2011-38 provides municipalities with a list of all 2012 Federal and State holidays to ensure compliance with the law.  In addition, the Division of Local Government Services advises that the law also applies to receipt of requests for proposals under competitive contracting.  However, the law does not apply to quotations or professional services, because the “10 days before receipt of bids” requirement does not apply.

Currently, all Federal holidays are also State holidays, and many of them fall on a Monday.  The law applies whether or not the municipality observes a given holiday.  Please note that Lincoln’s Birthday is no longer a State holiday.  The law supersedes local holiday observance. 

2012 Table of State and Federal Holiday Bid Acceptance Dates
In addition, bids may not be accepted on any Monday.

* State Holiday only (not federal)

Please share this notice with those individuals responsible for the development and preparation of specifications, and for the scheduling and receipt of bids and proposals.

Very truly yours,

William G. Dressel, Jr.
Executive Director