Municipal Budget Consultant (for City Council) Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting qualification proposals for a Municipal Budget Consultant to serve the City Council. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks experienced persons or firms to provide essential budget consulting services for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. The core project involves the thorough review, analysis, and guidance on the Calendar Year 2023 Municipal Budget. The selected consultant will be required to actively engage with City Council members, attend City Council budget hearing meetings, meet with the Administration as necessary, and be present at all City Council meetings where formal action on the budget is scheduled. Furthermore, the consultant must be prepared to provide relevant reports as requested by a majority of the City Council, ensuring comprehensive financial oversight and strategic support for the municipal budgeting process in East Orange. Prospective contractors must demonstrate substantial qualifications and experience to be considered for this professional services contract. Candidates are mandated to possess a minimum of five (5) years of experience specifically in the development, evaluation, analysis, and revision of governmental budgetary control systems, alongside expertise in budget preparation and presentation. A critical requirement is five years of experience with the New Jersey Calendar Year Municipal Budget, coupled with extensive knowledge of New Jersey Budget Laws and Regulations. Additionally, the successful respondent must be a Registered Municipal Accountant in the State of New Jersey and/or a Certified Municipal Financial Officer in the State of New Jersey, each with at least five years of experience. Required proposal components include the legal name and address of the entity, years in business, a detailed resume of assigned personnel, and the names and contact information for three current calendar year municipal budget clients. There are no mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits specified in this solicitation. Qualification Proposals must be submitted to the Purchasing Agent in the City of East Orange City Hall, Division of Procurement. The absolute deadline for submission is Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 11:30 PM prevailing time. Submissions can be mailed or hand-delivered to 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Envelopes must be clearly marked with "MUNICIPAL BUDGET CONSULTANT (for City Council)". Each submission package must include one (1) unbound original, four (4) copies, and one (1) electronic copy (jump drive). Required forms and documents encompass a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgment, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, Business Registration Certificate, and a Letter of Qualification, among others. While no bid security or performance bond is explicitly mentioned, professional liability insurance with limits of $1,000,000.00 per claim and $3,000,000.00 aggregate is mandatory. For any questions regarding this RFQ, contact Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.