Municipal Auditor and/or Financial Advisor Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting proposals for comprehensive Municipal Auditor and/or Financial Advisor Services. This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks qualified persons and firms to conduct the annual audit of the City's financial records for the calendar year spanning January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019. The extensive scope of work includes, but is not limited to, a statutory audit of accounts and records across all municipal funds, thorough testing of internal controls, and rigorous compliance with all statutory requirements, including OMB Circular A-133 and NJ OMB Circular 04-04. Additionally, the selected firm will be responsible for the preparation of the City’s audited statutory financial statements, a meticulous review of the annual budget, and providing ongoing accounting and tax guidance as needed throughout the year. The engagement also requires active participation, including meetings with the Mayor, Administration, and City Council, offering advice on legislative changes impacting record-keeping, and delivering financial and budgetary analysis. The anticipated contract term for these critical services is one year. Prospective contractors must demonstrate substantial professional, financial, and administrative capabilities essential for providing the outlined services. Key qualifications include a deep knowledge of municipal auditing laws and regulations specific to New Jersey, coupled with proven experience in advising municipal entities on records compliance issues. Firms must also possess experience in supporting municipalities through the budget development process, labor negotiations, and other financially relevant tasks comparable to a municipality the size of East Orange. Mandatory licensing requirements stipulate that all respondents must hold 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. A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in providing auditing services to New Jersey municipalities is required. Furthermore, senior staff members assigned to the City must each have at least ten (10) years of experience in audit services and other specialized services requested in this RFP. All firms must maintain a current principal office within the State of New Jersey to be considered. No mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are indicated in the solicitation. Proposals must be submitted as complete packets containing all required information and forms, including one (1) unbound original, four (4) additional hard copies, and one (1) compact disc (CD) of the entire submission. The sealed envelope must clearly bear the consultant’s name and the title "MUNICIPAL AUDITOR AND/OR FINANCIAL ADVISOR SERVICES" on the exterior. Submissions are to be addressed to the Purchasing Agent, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. The firm deadline for receipt of all proposals is TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. prevailing time, at which point they will be publicly opened and read aloud in the East Orange City Hall Council Chamber. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 is required for RFP packets picked up on-site, payable to the CITY OF EAST ORANGE. No bid security or performance bonds are explicitly required for submission, but Professional Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000.00 per claim and $1,000,000.00 aggregate is mandatory upon contract award. For any questions regarding the RFP, interested parties should contact Lisa L. Jackson, Q.P.A., Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.