Municipal Budget Consultant (for City Administration)

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, invites proposals from highly qualified firms to provide comprehensive Municipal Budget Consultant Services for its City Administration. This critical engagement focuses on assisting the City with the meticulous development of the 2022 budget, creating robust 2021 and 2022 budget models, and formulating essential analytical tools for effective financial management. The extensive scope encompasses providing expert support and guidance to the budget team—including the City Administrator, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Budget Director—to ensure seamless coordination across departments and with outside advisors. The selected consultant will also engage with local and state officials, and various stakeholders such as organized labor and business groups, to identify and advance new revenue sources and facilitate broader budget restructuring initiatives. Key deliverables involve a thorough review of the 2021 budget, the development of innovative revenue strategies for 2022, and an in-depth analytical report for both budget years with actionable recommendations. The contract term is for one year, specifically from January 2022 through December 2022. Prospective contractors must demonstrate extensive qualifications, requiring a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the development, evaluation, analysis, and revision of governmental budgetary control systems, alongside significant experience in budget preparation and presentation. Essential expertise includes a profound understanding of modern government budgeting problems, concepts, practices, and statistical research theory and procedures. Furthermore, the successful respondent must possess five years of experience specific to the New Jersey Calendar Year Municipal Budget, a thorough grasp of New Jersey Budget Laws and Regulations, and include personnel who are Registered Municipal Accountants in the State of New Jersey and/or Certified Municipal Financial Officers in the State of New Jersey, each with a minimum of five years of experience. Mandatory submission components include the firm's legal name and address, years in business, resumes of assigned personnel, and contact information for three current municipal budget clients. There are no mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits specified for this professional services solicitation. Proposals must be submitted to the Purchasing Committee in the East Orange City Hall, Council Chamber, or delivered to the Division of Procurement, First Floor, City Hall. The strict deadline for submission is Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 12:00 PM prevailing time. All submissions must be securely enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with the bidder's name and "MUNICIPAL BUDGET CONSULTANT (for City Administration)". Required documentation includes a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, an Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form—mandating professional liability insurance limits of $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 aggregate—an EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, and a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate, among eighteen other specific forms detailed in the RFP packet. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 is required for RFP packets picked up on-site, payable to the City of East Orange. For all inquiries, Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, can be contacted directly at (973) 266-5162. No bid security or performance bonds are specified as requirements for this professional services contract.