Municipal Budget Consultant (for City Council)

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, through its Division of Procurement, is soliciting qualification proposals from experienced individuals and/or firms for Municipal Budget Consultant services to support the City Council. The successful contractor will be responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and providing comprehensive guidance on the Calendar Year 2024 Municipal Budget for the City of East Orange. This extensive scope of work includes meeting with City Council members, attending City Council budget hearing meetings, coordinating with Administration as necessary, attending all City Council meetings where formal action on the budget is scheduled, and preparing and submitting relevant reports as requested by a majority of the City Council. The contract term for these essential professional services will be one year, commencing on January 1, 2024, and concluding on December 31, 2024, ensuring fiscal transparency and informed decision-making for the municipality. Prospective contractors must demonstrate robust qualifications, including a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the development, evaluation, analysis, and revision of budgetary control systems, as well as in budget preparation and presentation. Essential requirements further stipulate profound knowledge of modern government budgeting problems, concepts, practices, and methods, specifically within the context of the New Jersey Calendar Year Municipal Budget laws and regulations. Additionally, candidates must be either a Registered Municipal Accountant in the State of New Jersey or a Certified Municipal Financial Officer in the State of New Jersey, each with at least five years of relevant experience. Mandatory proposal inclusions comprise the legal name and address of the entity, years in business with New Jersey municipal budget experience, resumes of assigned personnel, and contact information for three current municipal budget clients to verify past performance and success. Qualification Proposals must be received by the Purchasing Agent in the East Orange City Hall, Division of Procurement, no later than Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. prevailing time, at which point proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud. Submissions must be enclosed in a sealed envelope clearly marked "MUNICIPAL BUDGET CONSULTANT (for City Council)" and addressed to the Purchasing Agent at City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Proposals require one original (unbound), four copies, and one electronic/jump drive. A comprehensive checklist of 18 mandatory documents, including Non-Collusion Affidavits, Disclosure of Ownership Forms, and Business Registration Certificates, must be fully completed and submitted. All inquiries regarding this solicitation should be directed to Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162. No bid security or performance bonds are explicitly stated as requirements for this professional services RFQ.