Grants Consultant Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Grants Consultant Services. This competitive contracting process seeks professional assistance in comprehensive grants management to significantly enhance the City's ability to acquire diverse grants across multiple critical areas. The selected consultant will be instrumental in identifying, securing, and managing funding for key municipal departments, including Public Works, Recreation and Parks, Economic Development, the Police Department, and the Fire Department. The scope of work encompasses two primary task areas: extensive grant research and specialized grant writing services. Research will involve identifying potential funding sources from public, private, and corporate entities, presenting detailed grant requirements, criteria, matching fund stipulations, and reporting obligations. Grant writing services will cover preparing responses for various City departments, including narratives, statistical gathering, letters of support, budget development, and final submissions, along with providing summaries of all grant reporting requirements and advising on grant management feasibility. Prospective contractors are required to demonstrate significant experience and expertise in grants management, particularly with a successful track record of acquiring public and private funding for New Jersey municipalities. Respondents must provide a comprehensive qualification statement detailing the firm's principal activities, personnel numbers, location, and three client references for similar services, including contact information, project dates, costs, and scope. Key personnel information, including credentials and areas of responsibility, is also mandatory. While no mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are specified, a non-refundable fee of $25.00 is required for hard copies of the RFP packet. Successful firms must also confirm their servicing office is within a reasonable distance to East Orange and adequately staffed. Sealed RFQ responses are due on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, by 12:00 PM, and will be publicly opened in the Municipal Council Chamber at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. Submissions must include one original, four copies, and one electronic/jump drive, enclosed in a sealed envelope distinctly marked "Grants Consulting Services" and bearing the bidder's name. A variety of mandatory forms and certificates are required, including the Non-Collusion Affidavit, Stockholder Disclosure, Affirmative Action Statement, Business Registration Certificate, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, and "Pay to Play" disclosure; failure to comply may lead to rejection. Professional Liability insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $3,000,000.00 aggregate is also required. All questions concerning the RFQ should be directed to Racquel C Ferguson, Q.P.A., Purchasing Agent, who can be reached at (973) 266-5162 or via fax at (862) 444-0101. Proposals must remain firm for sixty (60) days after the submission date.