Planning Board & Zoning Board of Adjustment Consultant

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting proposals for a Planning Board & Zoning Board of Adjustment Consultant to provide comprehensive professional services. The successful consultant will assist in municipal planning processes, including drafting planner’s reports for development applications, reviewing submitted plans, preparing memoranda for pending projects, and advising the Planning and Zoning Boards of Adjustment on proper actions. The scope of work also mandates attendance at regular and special board meetings, conference meetings with municipal boards or private entities, preparation of annual board planner’s reports, and review of all referrals, zoning, land use ordinances, and applications for site plan or variance approval. Furthermore, the consultant will assist the Land Use Administrator in processing applications and establishing procedures, review Site Plan Advisory Committee meeting minutes, and provide other directed services, including reviewing draft resolutions and maintaining regular office hours in City Hall every Wednesday from 10 am to 2 pm for site visits and meetings. Proposers must demonstrate significant experience in municipal planning and drafting planner’s reports. Key personnel are required to hold a current New Jersey Professional Planners license and AICP certification. Firms must provide a detailed Qualification Statement outlining principal activities, personnel numbers, and office locations, along with three client references for similar services, including contact information, dates, costs, scope, and status. Mandatory compliance with New Jersey statutory requirements includes Affirmative Action (N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq.), Contract Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunities (N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq.), Business Registration of Public Contractors (N.J.S.A. 52:32-44), and Disclosure of Ownership (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2). The successful contractor must maintain Professional Liability insurance with limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate. Sealed RFP responses were due on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 2:00 PM. Submissions had to be delivered to the City Council Chamber, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018, and were required to include one original, four copies, and one electronic/jump drive. Proposals were to be clearly marked "PLANNING BOARD & ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT CONSULTANT" and remain firm for a period of sixty (60) days after the submission date. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 was required for physical RFP packets, payable to the City of East Orange. Required submission forms included a Proposal Cost/Signature Form, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Stockholder Disclosure, Affirmative Action Statement, Business Registration Certificate, and a Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran. All inquiries regarding this solicitation were directed to Lisa L. Jackson, Q.P.A., Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162, or via fax at (862) 444-0101.