MUNICIPAL BUDGET CONSULTANT (For City Administration)

The City of East Orange, located in Essex County, New Jersey, is actively soliciting comprehensive proposals from highly qualified professional firms to provide Municipal Budget Consultant services for its City Administration. This critical engagement involves assisting the municipality in developing its 2019 budget, establishing robust 2018 and 2019 budget models, and creating various analytical tools pertinent to municipal financial planning and management. The selected consultant will be instrumental in offering strategic support and expert guidance to the City's budget team, including the City Administrator, Chief Financial Officer (Finance Director), and Budget Director, ensuring seamless coordination among departmental directors and external advisors. Furthermore, the role encompasses engaging with local and state officials, as well as relevant stakeholders such as organized labor and business groups, to explore and advance new revenue sources and facilitate broader budget restructuring initiatives. Key deliverables for this project include a thorough review and modification of the 2018 City of East Orange budget, the formulation of innovative revenue strategies specifically for the 2019 fiscal year, and the preparation of in-depth analyses and actionable recommendations for both the 2018 and 2019 budgets, all aimed at enhancing the City's financial stability and operational efficiency. The contract is slated for a one-year term, covering the period from January 2019 through December 2019. Prospective Municipal Budget Consultants must meet stringent qualification requirements to be considered for this vital contract. Firms must possess demonstrable expertise in modern government budgeting problems, concepts, practices, and methodologies, alongside a strong understanding of statistical and research theory as applied to specific municipal financial situations. A minimum of five (5) years of direct experience in the development, comprehensive evaluation, detailed analysis, and systematic revision of budgetary control systems, as well as extensive experience in budget preparation and presentation, is absolutely mandatory. Furthermore, successful respondents must have at least five years of experience with the New Jersey Calendar Year Municipal Budget, coupled with thorough knowledge of pertinent New Jersey Budget Laws and Regulations. Applicants are also required to hold professional certifications as either 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 a minimum of five years' experience. Submissions must include the firm's legal name and address, years in business, detailed experience in New Jersey calendar year municipal budgets, comprehensive resumes of all key personnel proposed for the City Administration Budget Consultant role, and the names and contact information for three current calendar year municipal budget clients to serve as professional references. No mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are indicated for this solicitation. All proposals for the Municipal Budget Consultant services must be meticulously prepared and submitted in strict adherence to the City of East Orange's guidelines. Sealed envelopes must clearly display the bidder's name and be distinctly marked: "MUNICIPAL BUDGET CONSULTANT (for City Administration)." The absolute deadline for submission is TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. prevailing time, with proposals being publicly opened and read aloud at that time in the East Orange City Hall, Council Chambers. Detailed Request For Proposals (RFP) packets are available for download from the City of East Orange’s official website, www.eastorange-nj.gov, or can be obtained physically from the Division of Procurement, City Hall, 1st floor, during business hours for a non-refundable fee of $25.00, payable to the City of East Orange. Required submission components include, but are not limited to, a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form, various EEO/Affirmative Action compliance documents, a Business Registration Certificate, a Qualification Affidavit, and a comprehensive Submission Form detailing costs and qualifications. Respondents are required to submit one (1) unbound original proposal, four (4) additional hard copies, and one (1) compact disc (CD) containing the complete submission. For any inquiries regarding this solicitation, interested firms should contact Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.