MUNICIPAL AUDITOR AND/OR FINANCIAL ADVISOR SERVICES

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting proposals for Municipal Auditor and/or Financial Advisor Services to conduct a comprehensive annual audit and provide financial expertise. This critical engagement covers the audit of the City's financial records for the full calendar year from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. The extensive scope of work encompasses a statutory audit of all fund accounts and records, detailed testing of internal controls, and verification of compliance with all applicable statutory requirements. The selected firm will also perform federal and state single audits, adhering strictly to OMB Circular A-133 and NJ OMB Circular 04-04, and prepare the City's official audited statutory financial statements. Additional responsibilities include a thorough annual budget review, provision of accounting and tax guidance throughout the year, meeting with the Mayor, Administration, and City Council as needed, offering advice on legislative changes impacting financial records, and providing strategic financial and budgetary analysis. The anticipated contract term for these essential professional services is one year, supporting the financial integrity and transparency of the City of East Orange. Prospective contractors must demonstrate exceptional professional, financial, and administrative capabilities. Mandatory qualifications include a valid Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and a valid Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA) license, both issued by the appropriate authority of the State of New Jersey. Bidders are required to have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in providing auditing services specifically to municipalities within New Jersey. Furthermore, proposals must assign senior staff members as regular support for the City, with each senior staff member possessing at least ten (10) years of experience in audit services and other specialized services outlined in the RFP. Respondents should exhibit profound knowledge of municipal auditing laws and regulations, coupled with proven experience in advising municipal entities on records compliance issues. Experience in supporting municipalities with budget development processes, labor negotiations, and other financially relevant tasks for entities comparable in size to East Orange is highly valued. A current principal office within the State of New Jersey must be maintained. No mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are specified in this solicitation. Detailed submission instructions mandate that proposals be enclosed in a sealed envelope clearly labeled with the consultant's name and the project title, "MUNICIPAL AUDITOR AND/OR FINANCIAL ADVISOR SERVICES." The envelope must be addressed to the PURCHASING AGENT, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Submissions can be delivered via mail, placed in the City’s designated 'Drop Box' in the City Hall's rear parking lot, or presented in person at the specified opening time and location. Each submission package must include one (1) unbound original, four (4) additional hard copies, and one (1) compact disc (CD) containing the sealed submission. Comprehensive Request for Proposal packets are available for download from the City of East Orange’s website, www.eastorange-nj.org, or can be acquired physically from the Division of Procurement, City Hall, 1st floor, for a non-refundable fee of $25.00. The absolute deadline for proposal submission is TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. prevailing time, when proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud in the East Orange City Hall Council Chamber. While no bid bond is required, successful professional service entities will need to file Certificates of Insurance upon contract award, including Professional Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 aggregate per policy period. For any inquiries regarding the RFP, prospective bidders should contact Lisa L. Jackson, Q.P.A., Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.