Accountant and Financial Consulting Services

The East Orange Water Commission (EOWC) is soliciting comprehensive proposals from qualified firms for Utility Operational Accountant and Financial Consulting Services. This Request for Proposal (RFP) aims to secure expertise for managing and advising on the financial records for the period of January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020. The extensive scope of work includes providing operational and financial advisory support, ensuring alignment with utility industry standards for critical areas such as metered revenue capture, customer service billing, and meticulous capital project execution and monitoring. The selected consultant will also offer strategic support for capital financing and existing debt management, collaborating closely with bond counsel and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB), as well as the Commission’s engineers and financing advisors. Additionally, responsibilities cover accounting, budgetary, and long-term financial planning, preparing accurate monthly and year-end revenue/expense forecasts, inspecting financial transactions, and ensuring strict adherence to proper accounting procedures and state recordkeeping requirements. The firm must also provide a minimum of one part-time employee to assist the Commission’s Finance Team on-site for seven days a month, augmented by remote support for calls, meetings, and reporting, and attendance at EOBWC Monthly Commissioner’s meetings and relevant Committee Calls. Consultant duties include advising on legislative changes affecting recordkeeping and reviewing financial documents for tax-abated/exempt projects. Contractors must demonstrate substantial knowledge of municipal auditing laws, regulations, and a proven track record in advising municipal entities on records compliance issues. Essential qualifications include extensive experience in supporting municipalities through the budget development process, labor negotiations, and other financially pertinent tasks, specifically for a municipality of a similar scale to East Orange. Mandatory minimum requirements stipulate that respondents must possess relevant education, certifications, and direct work experience within the water utility industry. Firms are explicitly required to assign senior staff members as regular support, each having at least ten years of experience in providing audit and the other specialized services outlined in this RFP. Furthermore, maintaining a current principal office within the State of New Jersey is a strict requirement for eligibility. Proposals should detail any specific services tailored for municipal clients and include a comprehensive list of past and present municipal clients to validate the firm's expertise and successful track record, alongside resumes of key employees and descriptions of their education and experience. Proposals must be submitted to the Purchasing Committee in the East Orange City Hall, Council Chamber, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. The absolute deadline for submission is **Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. prevailing time**, at which time proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud. Detailed RFP packets are available for download from www.eastorange-nj.gov, or a hard copy can be obtained from the Division of Procurement, 1st floor, City Hall, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, for a non-refundable fee of $25.00 per packet, payable to the East Orange Water Commission. Submissions must be securely enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with the consultant's name and the title "ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES." All professional service contractors are mandated to comply with various New Jersey statutes, including Affirmative Action (N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq., 10:5-31 et seq., N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq.), Business Registration (N.J.S.A. 52:32-44), and Disclosure of Ownership (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2). For any inquiries regarding the RFP, potential bidders should contact Lisa L. Jackson, Q.P.A., Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5163.