Municipal Budget Consultant for City Administration

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to provide Municipal Budget Consultant services for its City Administration. This critical professional services engagement requires expertise in modern government budgeting problems, concepts, practices, and methods, along with their application to specific municipal financial situations. The comprehensive scope of work includes assisting the City in developing its 2021 budget, creating a 2020 and 2021 budget model, and formulating various analytical tools related to the 2020 budget. Furthermore, the selected consultant will provide essential support and guidance to the budget team, including the City Administrator, Chief Financial Officer (Finance Director), and Budget Director, to ensure seamless coordination among department directors and external advisors regarding both the 2020 and 2021 budgets. Key deliverables encompass reviewing and modifying the 2020 budget, developing new revenue strategies for the 2021 budget, and preparing an in-depth analysis of both the 2020 and 2021 budgets, coupled with strategic recommendations for the 2021 fiscal year. The contract term is specified for one year, from January 2021 through December 2021. Prospective contractors must demonstrate extensive qualifications, including a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the development, evaluation, analysis, and revision of budgetary control systems, as well as in budget preparation and presentation. Bidders are required to possess five years of experience with the New Jersey Calendar Year Municipal Budget and a deep understanding of New Jersey Budget Laws and Regulations. Additionally, the consultant or a key team member must be a Registered Municipal Accountant in the State of New Jersey and/or a Certified Municipal Financial Officer in the State of New Jersey, each with at least five years of relevant experience. Mandatory submission requirements include the legal name and address of the firm, documentation of years in business, a resume for the person(s) designated as the City Administration Budget Consultant, and contact information for three current calendar year municipal budget clients. All professional service contractors must also comply with New Jersey statutes regarding Affirmative Action (N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. and N.J.S.A. 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). No mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are indicated for this solicitation. Proposals must be submitted to the Purchasing Committee in the East Orange City Hall, Council Chambers, by Friday, November 20, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. prevailing time, when they will be publicly opened and read aloud. Detailed Request for Proposals documents are available for a non-refundable fee of $25.00 per packet at the Division of Procurement, City Hall, 1st floor, during business hours (9:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday), or can be downloaded from the City of East Orange’s website: www.eastorange-nj.gov. Submissions must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly indicating the bidder's name and marked: "MUNICIPAL BUDGET CONSULTANT (for City Administration)." Required submission items include one (1) unbound original, four (4) additional sets, and one (1) compact disc (CD) of the sealed proposal, along with various mandatory forms such as a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, and a Business Registration Certificate. Proposals cannot be withdrawn for sixty (60) days after the deadline. For any questions regarding the RFP, interested parties should contact Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.