Grants Consultant Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, through its Division of Procurement within the Office of the City Administrator, is actively soliciting proposals for Grants Consultant Services. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) aims to secure expert assistance in grants management, enabling the City to effectively identify, apply for, and acquire various public and private grants across multiple critical areas. The comprehensive scope of work includes essential grant research to pinpoint potential funding sources, encompassing public grants, private foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships. Proposers will be responsible for detailing grant requirements, criteria, matching fund stipulations, and reporting obligations. Furthermore, the selected consultant will track state and federal funding opportunities pertinent to East Orange's objectives, conduct on-site needs assessments, and develop strategic plans to secure funding, particularly for Public Works, Recreation and Parks, Economic Development, Police Department, and Fire Department initiatives. The engagement also requires extensive grant writing services, including preparing narratives, gathering statistical data, compiling letters of support, developing budgets, and managing final submissions, along with providing oversight for administrative services necessary to meet grant requirements. Contractors responding to this RFQ must demonstrate significant experience in providing similar services to government agencies, supported by three client references detailing the agency's name, contact person, position, telephone number, dates, cost, scope of service, and status. Key personnel qualifications and credentials must also be provided. Mandatory compliance with New Jersey statutes is required, 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), N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2 (Disclosure of Ownership), and N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (Business Registration Certificate). Firms must also comply with "Pay to Play" disclosure requirements (P.L. 2005, Chapter 271, Section 3). Professional Liability insurance with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate is mandatory. An active office within a reasonable distance to East Orange with sufficient support staff is a relevant consideration for accessibility. Submission instructions mandate that sealed proposals, clearly marked "GRANTS CONSULTANT SERVICES," must be delivered to the Purchasing Agent at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Submissions require one original, two copies, and one electronic/thump drive. The firm deadline for proposal submission is Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at which time responses will be publicly opened. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 applies for RFP packets picked up on-site. Required forms include the Proposal Cost/Signature Form, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Stockholder Disclosure, Affirmative Action Statement, and various other compliance certifications as detailed in the RFQ checklist. All questions regarding the solicitation should be directed to Racquel C Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, via phone at (973) 266-5162. Proposals must remain firm for sixty (60) days after the submission date.