Accountant and Financial Consulting Services for the East Orange Water Commission

The City of East Orange Board of Water Commissioners, situated in Essex County, New Jersey, is actively soliciting Request for Proposals (RFP) for comprehensive Accountant and Financial Consulting Services. This professional service contract is designed to procure specialized expertise for managing the financial records of the East Orange Water Commission for the period spanning January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, with the awarded contract having a twelve-month term. The extensive scope of work includes providing operational and financial advisory services tailored to utility industry standards, covering aspects such as metered revenue capture, customer service billing and collection systems, work order utility practices, capital project execution and monitoring at a financial level, and crucial support for capital financing and existing debt management in collaboration with bond counsel and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB). Additionally, the selected firm will offer accounting, budgetary, financial, and long-term plan advisory services, generate monthly and year-end revenue/expense forecasts, inspect financial transactions for regulatory compliance, advise on legislative changes impacting records, and provide dedicated on-site (7 days/month) and remote support to the Commission's Finance Team for statement preparation and audit reporting. Responsibilities also extend to attending Commissioner's meetings, reviewing expense invoices, maintaining the General Ledger, reconciling accounts, preparing checks, assisting with the Annual Budget, and providing financial information to the City's retained auditor. The consultant will also maintain essential financial records according to grant funding and state requirements, and review/process reports for tax-abated/exempt projects. Prospective contractors must possess a demonstrated knowledge of municipal auditing laws and regulations, coupled with significant experience advising municipal entities on records compliance issues and supporting critical financial tasks such as budget development and labor negotiations for municipalities comparable in size to East Orange. A minimum of ten (10) years of utility experience is mandatory, with specific preference for water and wastewater experience. Required expertise includes municipal financial utility operations, financial experience in large capital management projects, and coordination of capital project finance; private financial utility operations experience with cost controls is a plus, as is experience with best practices in utility management. Candidates must exhibit robust financial and audit experience, with a proven track record of timely and professional engagement with external auditors. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential and a Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA) license issued by the State of New Jersey are highly advantageous. Experience with CMMS systems for maintenance and budgeting, integrated customer service work order and billing systems, and utility meter read/management knowledge are also beneficial. The ability to effectively communicate financial needs and provide strategic advice to management and the Board of Water Commissioners on utility operations, cost efficiencies, and capital planning is essential. No mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are specified within this document. Proposals are due by Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. prevailing time, and must be submitted to the Purchasing Agent at East Orange City Hall, Division of Procurement. Submissions will be publicly opened and read aloud at that time. Each proposal must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with the consultant's name and the title "ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE EAST ORANGE WATER COMMISSION" on the exterior, addressed to the PURCHASING AGENT, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. The submission package requires one (1) unbound original, four (4) additional copies, and one (1) thumb drive. Bidders are required to adhere to various New Jersey statutes, including N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. (Affirmative Action), N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (Contract Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunities in Public Contract), N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (Business Registration of Public Contractors), and N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2 (Disclosure of Ownership). A comprehensive checklist of mandatory submission documents includes a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, Americans With Disabilities Act form, Certificate of Employee Information Report, Business Registration Certificate, Professional Services Entity Information Form, Qualification Affidavit, Submission Form, Acknowledgement of Corrections, Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran, Certification of Non-involvement in Prohibited Activities in Russia or Belarus, Statement of Indebtedness, Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service, Letter of Intent, Letter of Qualification, and a Cost Proposal. All proposals must remain firm for sixty (60) days following the opening. For any questions, prospective proposers should contact Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.