Municipal Budget Consultant (for City Council)

The City of East Orange, located in Essex County, New Jersey, is actively soliciting proposals from highly qualified firms or individuals to provide comprehensive Municipal Budget Consultant Services for its City Council. This critical engagement involves a deep dive into the Calendar Year 2021 Municipal Budget, requiring expert review, detailed analysis, and strategic guidance for the City Council. The successful consultant will be tasked with meeting regularly with City Council members, actively participating in City Council budget hearing meetings, coordinating as necessary with the City Administration, and attending all City Council meetings where formal actions related to the budget are scheduled. Furthermore, the scope includes the preparation and submission of relevant reports as requested by a majority of the City Council to ensure fiscal transparency and informed decision-making. The contract for these services will span one year, commencing approximately January 2021 and concluding December 2021. Prospective contractors must demonstrate extensive qualifications, including a profound knowledge of modern government budgeting problems, concepts, practices, and methodologies, alongside their practical application in specific municipal scenarios. A mandatory minimum of five (5) years of experience is required in the development, evaluation, analysis, and revision of budgetary control systems, as well as in budget preparation and presentation. Specialized experience of at least five years with the New Jersey Calendar Year Municipal Budget and a thorough understanding of New Jersey Budget Laws and Regulations are essential. Furthermore, individuals must be a Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA) in the State of New Jersey and/or a Certified Municipal Financial Officer (CMFO) in the State of New Jersey, each with at least five years of experience in their respective certifications. Firms are required to submit their legal name and address, years in business, experience with NJ municipal budgets, resumes of assigned personnel, and contact information for three current municipal budget clients as part of their proposal. Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope, distinctly marked "MUNICIPAL BUDGET CONSULTANT (for City Council)" and clearly indicating the bidder's name. Submissions are to be delivered to the Purchasing Committee in the East Orange City Hall, Council Chamber, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. The precise deadline for receipt of proposals is Friday, November 20, 2020, at 1:00 PM prevailing time, at which point proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bidders are required to submit one (1) unbound original, four (4) additional hard copies, and one (1) compact disc (CD) of their complete submission package. Proposals received after the stipulated time or in unsealed envelopes will not be considered. All proposals must remain firm for a period of sixty (60) days after the submission deadline. For inquiries, interested parties may contact Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162, within the Division of Procurement.