PLANNING BOARD & ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT CONSULTANT

City of East Orange's Department of Finance, Division of Procurement, is actively soliciting Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from experienced consultants for comprehensive Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment services. This essential role involves providing crucial technical assistance for municipal planning processes and supporting the Planning Director in preparing professional development materials for both Boards. The extensive scope of work includes reviewing development plans submitted to the City, drafting detailed memoranda describing pending projects, and offering expert advice on appropriate actions for the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment. Furthermore, the selected consultant will be responsible for attending regular and special meetings of both Boards, participating in conference meetings with municipal boards, private entities, and investors/developers, and preparing annual board planner’s reports. Additional duties encompass reviewing all City referrals to both Boards, including zoning and land use ordinances, assessing all applications for site plan or variance approval, and assisting the Land Use Administrator in establishing efficient procedures for application hearings. The consultant will also review Site Plan Advisory Committee meeting minutes, draft resolutions for Board hearings related to site plans, subdivisions, and conditional use or variance approvals, and commit to serving regular office hours every Wednesday from 10 AM to 2 PM at East Orange City Hall for site visits, and meetings with Board Chairs and other City staff. Prospective contractors must possess significant experience in municipal planning, particularly in drafting planner's reports for development applications, as stipulated by the City of East Orange. Compliance with New Jersey statutes is mandatory, including N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. concerning Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunities, N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 for Business Registration of Public Contractors, and N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2 for Disclosure of Ownership. Respondents are required to submit a comprehensive qualification statement detailing their firm's principal activities, the number of personnel, and the firm's physical location. Furthermore, candidates must identify key personnel, outlining their credentials, areas of responsibility, and specifically provide a copy of a current New Jersey Professional Planners license and AICP certification to demonstrate required expertise. The submission must include at least three client references for similar services, complete with the government agency's name, contact person's name, position, telephone number, dates, cost, scope of service, and project status. Insurance requirements specify Professional Liability coverage with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate. Sealed RFQ responses for the Planning Board & Zoning Board of Adjustment Consultant are due by Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Submissions require one original, two copies, and one thumb drive, meticulously enclosed in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the project title and the bidder's name. Proposals should be delivered to the Purchasing Agent in the Municipal Council Chamber, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018, or mailed to the Division of Procurement at the same address. Detailed Request for Qualifications documents are available for download from the City of East Orange’s website (www.eastorange-nj.org) or can be obtained in person from the Division of Procurement for a non-refundable printing and administrative fee of $25.00, payable to the CITY OF EAST ORANGE. All proposals must remain firm for a period of sixty (60) days following the submission deadline. For any inquiries or clarifications regarding this solicitation, interested parties must contact Racquel C Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162. Necessary forms to be included with the submission comprise the Proposal Cost/Signature Form, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Stockholder Disclosure, Affirmative Action Statement, and an Acknowledgement of Receipt of Addenda.