PLANNING BOARD & ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT CONSULTANT

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, through its Department of Business Administration, Division of Procurement, is soliciting proposals for Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment Consultant services via a competitive contracting process in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:11-4.1(k), et seq. The selected consultant will provide comprehensive support for municipal planning and development application reviews. Key responsibilities include offering technical assistance for the municipal planning process, preparing professional development materials for both boards, reviewing submitted plans and agency comments, drafting memoranda on pending projects, and advising the Planning and Zoning Boards on appropriate actions. The scope also encompasses attending regular and special board meetings, preparing annual planner’s reports, reviewing referrals like zoning and land use ordinances, evaluating site plan and variance applications, assisting the Land Use Administrator with application processing and procedures, reviewing Site Plan Advisory Committee minutes, and performing other duties as directed by authorized City officials. The consultant is expected to serve regular office hours in East Orange City Hall every Wednesday from 10 am to 2 pm for site visits and meetings with board chairs and City staff, as well as reviewing draft resolutions for board hearings. Prospective contractors must demonstrate significant experience in municipal planning and drafting planner’s reports concerning development applications. Mandatory qualifications include possessing a current New Jersey Professional Planners license and AICP certification. Respondents are required to submit a qualification statement detailing their firm’s principal activities, personnel count, firm location, and a list of three client references for similar services, including government agency names, contact information, dates, costs, scope, and status of past projects. Furthermore, a list of key personnel and their credentials, along with their areas of responsibility, must be provided. Contractors must comply with Affirmative Action (N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq.), Business Registration (N.J.S.A. 52:32-44), and Disclosure of Ownership (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2) requirements. Professional Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate is also a mandatory requirement, ensuring coverage remains effective throughout the service period. Sealed RFP responses are due by Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at 2:00 PM. Submissions must include one original, four copies, and one compact disk (CD) set, delivered to the City Council Chamber, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. The sealed envelope must be distinctly marked “PLANNING BOARD & ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT CONSULTANT” and clearly display the bidder's name. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 applies for RFP packets picked up on-site. Proposals must remain firm for sixty (60) days after the submission date. All questions regarding the solicitation should be directed to Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162. The evaluation criteria include Price/Compensation, Knowledge of the City of East Orange, Expertise, and Experience, with Price/Compensation holding a 25% weighting. The contract term is one year, with an option for two additional one-year extensions based on mutual agreement and the State of New Jersey “Index Rate” calculation.