Professional Services Solicitation: Municipal Budget Consultant for City Council

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is actively seeking qualification proposals for a Municipal Budget Consultant to serve its City Council. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) aims to secure professional services for the period spanning January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. The core scope of work for the successful firm or individual includes comprehensive review, analysis, and expert guidance on the Calendar Year 2024 Municipal Budget. Key responsibilities entail meeting regularly with City Council members, attending all City Council budget hearing meetings, coordinating with the City Administration as necessary, participating in formal City Council meetings where budget actions are scheduled, and generating relevant reports as specifically requested by a majority of the City Council. This engagement is crucial for maintaining fiscal transparency and informed decision-making within the municipality. Prospective contractors must demonstrate extensive expertise in government budgeting. Essential qualifications include a thorough knowledge of modern government budgeting problems, concepts, practices, and methodologies, coupled with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the development, evaluation, analysis, and revision of budgetary control systems, as well as budget preparation and presentation. Further mandatory requirements specify at least five years of experience with the New Jersey Calendar Year Municipal Budget, comprehensive knowledge of New Jersey Budget Laws and Regulations, and certification as a Registered Municipal Accountant in New Jersey and/or a Certified Municipal Financial Officer in New Jersey. Submitting firms must provide their legal name and address, years in business, a detailed resume of the person(s) assigned to the project, and contact information for three current municipal budget clients. All professional service contractors are required to comply with New Jersey statutes including Affirmative Action (N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. and 10:5-31 et seq./N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq.), Business Registration (N.J.S.A. 52:32-44), and Disclosure of Ownership (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2). Additionally, professional liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 aggregate per policy period is required. Qualification Proposals must be submitted to the Purchasing Agent in the City of East Orange City Hall, Division of Procurement, by Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 11:00 AM prevailing time. Proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud at the City Council Chambers, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Submissions must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly bearing the consultant's name and the title "MUNICIPAL BUDGET CONSULTING SERVICES FOR CITY COUNCIL" on the exterior, and addressed to the Purchasing Agent. Firms may submit proposals via mail or hand delivery to the Division of Procurement, First Floor, City Hall. Proposals, once opened, must remain firm for a period of sixty (60) days. Required documentation includes a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notices, Americans With Disabilities Act form, Certificate of Employee Information Report, Business Registration Certificate, Professional Services Entity Information Form, Qualification Affidavit, Submission Form, Acknowledgement of Corrections/Additions/Deletions, Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran, Business Entity Disclosure Certification, Statement of Indebtedness, Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service, Letter of Intent, and Letter of Qualification. For any inquiries regarding the RFQ, interested parties should contact Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162. Submissions require one original (unbound), three copies, and one electronic/jump drive.