Accountant and Financial Consulting Services

The East Orange Water Commission (EOWC) in the City of East Orange, New Jersey, is actively soliciting proposals for comprehensive Accountant and Financial Consulting Services. This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks qualified persons and/or firms to provide essential utility operational accounting and financial consulting, specifically for the EOWC’s financial records during the period of January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020. Key responsibilities encompass operational and financial advisory services aligned with utility industry standards, covering metered revenue capture, customer service billing and collection systems, work order utility practices, and capital project execution and monitoring at a financial level. Furthermore, the selected consultant will support capital financing and existing debt management in collaboration with bond counsel and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB), advise on legislative changes impacting recordkeeping, assist in annual budget preparation considering utility-specific variables, and provide crucial support to the City’s Chief Financial Officer, City Administrator, Auditors, NJIB, and other regulated third-party advisors. Prospective contractors must demonstrate robust professional, financial, and administrative capabilities, including profound knowledge of municipal auditing laws and regulations, alongside extensive experience in providing records compliance advice to municipal entities. A proven track record in supporting municipal budget development processes, labor negotiations, and other financially relevant tasks for municipalities comparable in size to East Orange is mandatory. Bidders are required to assign senior staff members with a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in audit services and the other specified consulting roles to the project. Maintaining a principal office within the State of New Jersey is an essential requirement. Firms must also comply with New Jersey statutes regarding Affirmative Action (N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq., N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq., N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq.), Business Registration for Public Contractors (N.J.S.A. 52:32-44), and Disclosure of Ownership (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2). Furthermore, mandatory Professional Liability Insurance coverage with limits of at least $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 aggregate per policy period is required upon contract award. All proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with the consultant's name and 'ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES,' addressed to the Purchasing Agent, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Submissions can be mailed, placed in the City’s 'Drop Box' in the City Hall’s rear parking lot, or presented at the public opening. To be considered, mailed or drop-box submissions must be received prior to the public opening on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. prevailing time, when proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud in the East Orange City Hall, Council Chamber. Required submission components include one (1) unbound original, four (4) additional physical copies, and one (1) compact disc (CD) set. Proposals must remain firm for sixty (60) days after the submission date. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 is required for RFP packets picked up on-site, payable to the East Orange Water Commission. For inquiries, contact Lisa L. Jackson, Q.P.A., Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.