104-24 Resolution Authorizing Award of the Contract for Economic Development Counsultant - 2024.pdf

104-24 March 26, 2024 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Township of West Orange (the “Township”) is seeking to retain the services of a professional consultant to provide Economic Development Consulting and Support services supporting programs that market and promote the Township as a competitive meeting, and leisure destination, and as a strategic location for business and investment by promoting business retention and expansion, supporting redevelopment, promoting new marketing and research that strengthens and broadens commercial, retail, and tourism sectors; and WHEREAS, the proposed services also include the assessment of existing business conditions and inventory, environment and challenges, and providing assistance to the appropriate Township partners with implementing recommendations; and WHEREAS, the services of an Economic Development Consultant require the use of a licensed and nationally certified Planner with expressed educational requirements, the award of a contract for an Economic Development Consultant would otherwise be exempt from public bidding under the Local Public Contracts Law (the “LPCL”) as a professional service; and WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-4.1(i) of the LPCL, contracting units are authorized to utilize competitive contracting for the procurement of goods or services that would otherwise be exempt from bidding WHEREAS, on October 24, 2023, the Township Council adopted Resolution #369-23 authorizing the use of competitive contracting in lieu of public bidding pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11- 4.3 for the procurement of the Contract for an Economic Development Consultant; and WHEREAS, on January 19, 2024, the Township issued a Request for Proposals for to award a Contract for an Economic Development Consultant (the “RFP”); and WHEREAS, on February 14, 2024, the Township received only one (1) proposal in response to the RFP from Nishuane Group, LLC (“Nishuane”) with offices at 105 Grove Street, Suite 4, Montclair, NJ 07042; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-4.5(d) of the LPCL, the Township’s Qualified Purchasing Agent evaluated the proposal from Nishuane and prepared an evaluation report (the “Evaluation Report”) regarding the proposal submitted in response to the RFP, annexed hereto as Exhibit “A;” and WHEREAS, the Evaluation Report recommends the award of the Agreement for an Economic Development Consultant to Nishuane consistent with the terms and conditions set forth in the prosed Contract, annexed hereto as Exhibit “B” (the “Agreement”). NOW, THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE that the Township is authorized to award the Agreement, annexed hereto as Exhibit “B,” consistent with the terms set forth therein to Nishuane; and be it further RESOLVED that the Mayor shall be authorized to execute the Agreement, annexed hereto as Exhibit “B,” on behalf of the Township; and be it further. RESOLVED that notice of this contract award shall be available in the Clerk’s office in accordance with applicable law. Karen J. Carnevale Bill Rutherford Municipal Clerk Council President Adopted: March 26, 2024 I hereby certify funds available from the following account no: John O. Gross, Chief Financial Officer