GRANTS CONSULTANT SERVICES

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, through its Division of Procurement, is soliciting proposals for Grants Consultant Services. This competitive contract seeks a qualified consultant to significantly enhance the City's grants management capabilities and acquisition efforts across multiple critical areas. The comprehensive scope of work includes proactive identification and securing of various public and private grants, specifically targeting infrastructure investment, urban beautification initiatives, open space development projects, improvements to educational facilities, and the creation of new walkway/bikeway systems. Furthermore, the consultant will play a pivotal role in securing funding for key municipal departments such as Public Works, Recreation and Parks, Economic Development, the Police Department, and the Fire Department. The services are divided into Grant Research and Consultant Services, involving the identification of potential funding sources, tracking state and federal opportunities, conducting on-site needs assessments, and attending necessary meetings; and Grant Writing Services, encompassing the preparation of grant proposals, narratives, statistical gathering, budget development, final submissions, and reporting requirements. This initiative aims to address the current limitations in human capital dedicated to grant procurement, ensuring no funding opportunities are overlooked. Prospective contractors must submit a detailed Qualification Statement outlining their firm's principal activities, personnel strength, and operational location. This statement should also include the identity and credentials of key personnel designated for the project, emphasizing their areas of responsibility. A crucial requirement is demonstrating relevant experience through a list of at least three government agency clients for whom similar services were provided, detailing contact information, dates, costs, scope of service, and project status. The City of East Orange requires firms to exhibit proven expertise in identifying grant opportunities, a successful track record in securing public and private funding for New Jersey municipalities, and the demonstrated ability to foster effective funding relationships and collaborations with public and private partners. All professional service contractors must comply with New Jersey statutes, including N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. (Affirmative Action), N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2 (Disclosure of Ownership), and possess a valid N.J. Business Registration Certificate. No mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are mentioned in the provided text. Sealed RFP responses are due to the Purchasing Agent by Friday, November 20, 2020, at 11:00 AM, in the Municipal Council Chamber, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. Submissions must comprise one original, four copies, and one compact disk (CD) set, with the envelope clearly marked “GRANTS CONSULTANT SERVICES” and the bidder's name. Essential forms required for submission include the Proposal Cost/Signature Form, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Stockholder Disclosure, Affirmative Action Statement, and Acknowledgement of Receipt of Addenda, as specified in the comprehensive checklist. Proposals must remain valid for a period of sixty (60) days following the submission deadline. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 is applicable for RFP packets picked up on-site. All inquiries regarding this solicitation should be directed to Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, via telephone at (973) 266-5162, or fax at (862) 444-0101.