Request for Qualifications and Proposals-Government Relations and Public Affairs Consultant

"Protecting Public Health and the Environment"
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSALS
FOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
CONSULTING SERVICES
BRENDAN MURPHY
Chairman
LUIS A. QUINTANA
Vice Chairman
ELIZABETH CALABRESE
JOHN J. COSGROVE
C. LAWRENCE CRUMP
JAMES P. DORAN
JOSEPH F. ISOLA
HECTOR C. LORRA
JOSHUA A. ZIELINSKI
Commissioners
GREGORY A. TRAMONTOZZI
Executive Director
Qualification Term: May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
11 A.M. APRIL 9, 2026
ADDRESS ALL PROPOSALS TO:
Mr. Thomas Fuscaldo
Acting Clerk, Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission
600 Wilson Avenue
Newark, New Jersey 07105
All proposals must indicate on the outside envelope:
RFQ/P: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONSULTING SERVICES
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GENERAL INFORMATION & SUMMARY
ORGANIZATION REQUESTING STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS AND
PROPOSALS
Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission
600 Wilson Avenue
Newark, New Jersey 07105
CONTACT PERSON
Mr. Thomas A. Fuscaldo
Acting Clerk
600 Wilson Avenue
Newark, New Jersey 07105
973-817-5702
PURPOSE OF REQUEST
The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) is requesting qualification statements
and proposals from qualified individuals to provide professional consulting/Government
Relations and Public Affairs consulting services for the PVSC as needed. Proposals will
be evaluated in accordance with the criteria set forth in this Request for Qualifications
and Proposals (RFQ/P). One or more individuals/firms may be selected to provide all or
part of the requested services, or no firm may be selected.
PERIOD OF QUALIFICATION
May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027
PERIOD OF SERVICE
At their sole discretion the PVSC may appoint a consultant from the qualified proposals
received during this RFQ/P process for a period of twelve months.
CONTRACT FORM
If selected to provide services, the successful Respondent shall be required to execute a
form contract, which includes indemnification, insurance, termination and/or licensing
provisions.
It must also be agreed and understood that the acceptance by the respondent of the final
payment shall be considered a release in full of all claims against the PVSC arising out
of, or by reason of, the work done and materials furnished under this Contract.
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GLOSSARY
The following definitions shall apply to and are used in this Request for Qualifications
(RFQ/P):
"Qualification Statement"- refers to the complete responses to this RFQ/P submitted
by the Respondents.
"Qualified Respondent" - refers to those Respondents who (in the sole judgment of
the PVSC) have satisfied the qualification criteria set forth in this RFQ/P.
"RFQ/P" -refers to this Request for Qualifications and Proposals, including any
amendments thereof or supplements thereto.
"Respondent" or "Respondents" - refers to the interested persons and/or firm(s) that
submit a Qualification Statement.
"PVSC" - refers to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1. Introduction and Purpose.
The PVSC is soliciting Qualification Statements from interested persons and/or firms for
the provision of Professional Services - Government Relations and Public Affairs
Consulting Services, as more particularly described herein. Through an RFQ/P process
described herein, persons and/or firms interested in assisting the PVSC with the provision
of such services must prepare and submit a Qualification Statement in accordance with
the procedure and schedule in this RFQ/P. The PVSC will review Qualification
Statements only from those persons and/or firms that submit a Qualification Statement
which includes all information required to be included as described herein (in the sole
judgment of the PVSC).
The PVSC intends to qualify person(s) and/or firm(s) that:
a. possess the professional, financial and administrative staffing capabilities to
provide the proposed services; and
b. will agree to work under terms and conditions that will provide the greatest
benefit to the PVSC.
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1.2. Procurement Process and Schedule.
The selection of Qualified Respondents is not subject to the Local Public Contracts Law,
N.J.S.A. 40A: 11-1 et seq, as the services sought are "professional services" as defined
therein. The selection is subject to the "New Jersey Local Unit Pay-to-Play" Law, N.J.S.A.
19:44A-20.4 et seq. The PVSC has structured a procurement process that seeks to
obtain the desired results described above, while establishing a competitive process to
assure that each person and/or firm is provided an equal opportunity to submit a
Qualification Statement in response to the RFQ/P. Qualification Statements will be
evaluated in accordance with the criteria set forth in Section 5 of this RFQ/P, which will
be applied in the same manner to each Qualification Statement received.
Qualification Statements will be reviewed and evaluated by the PVSC and its legal and/or
financial advisors (collectively, the "Review Team"). The Qualification Statements will be
reviewed to determine if the Respondent has met the minimum professional,
administrative and financial areas described in this RFQ/P. Under no circumstances will
a member of the Review Team review responses to a RFQ/P for which they or their firm
has submitted a response. Based upon the totality of the information contained in the
Qualification Statement, including information about the reputation and experience of
each Respondent, the PVSC will determine which Respondents are qualified
(professionally, administratively and financially) to provide the services. Each
Respondent that meets (in the sole judgment of the PVSC) the requirements of this
RFQ/P will be designated as a Qualified Respondent and will be given the opportunity to
participate in the selection process determined by the PVSC.
The RFQ/P process commences with the issuance of this RFQ/P. The steps involved in
the process and the anticipated completion dates are set forth in Table 1, Procurement
Schedule. The PVSC reserves the right to, among other things, amend, modify or alter
the Procurement Schedule upon notice to all potential Respondents.
All communications concerning this RFQ/P or the RFQ/P process shall be directed to the
PVSC's Designated Contact Person, in writing.
Qualification Statements must be submitted to, and be received by the PVSC Purchasing
Agent, via email or hand delivery, by 11:00 a.m. prevailing time on April 9, 2026.
Qualification Statements shall be opened in the PVSC Acting Clerk's Office located at
600 Wilson Avenue, Newark New Jersey 07105.
Subsequent to issuance of this RFQ/P, the PVSC (through the issuance of addenda to
all persons and/or firms that have received a copy of the RFQ/P) may modify, supplement
or amend the provisions of this RFQ/P in order to respond to inquiries received from
prospective Respondents or as otherwise deemed necessary or appropriate by (and in
the sole judgment of) the PVSC.
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TABLE 1
ANTICIPATED PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE
ACTIVITY DATE
1. Issuance of Request for Qualifications and Proposals March 11, 2026
2. Receipt of Qualification Statements April 9, 2026
3. Completion of Evaluation of Qualification Statements May 2026
4. Designation of Qualified Respondents May 2026
1.3 Conditions Applicable to RFQ/P.
Upon submission of a Qualification Statement in response to this RFQ/P, the Respondent
acknowledges and consents to the following conditions relative to the submission and
review and consideration of its Qualification Statement:
1. All costs incurred by the Respondent in connection with responding to this
RFQ/P shall be borne solely by the Respondent.
2. The PVSC reserves the right (in its sole judgment) to reject for any reason any
and all responses and components thereof and to eliminate any and all
Respondents responding to this RFQ/P from further consideration for this
procurement/engagement.
3. The PVSC reserves the right (in its sole judgment) to reject any Respondent that
submits incomplete responses to this RFQ/P, or a Qualification Statement that is
not responsive to the requirements of this RFQ/P.
4. The PVSC reserves the right, without prior notice, to supplement, amend, or
otherwise modify this RFQ/P, or otherwise request additional information.
5. All Qualification Statements shall become the property of the PVSC and will not
be returned.
6. All Qualification Statements will be made available to the public at the
appropriate time, as determined by the PVSC (in the exercise of its sole
discretion) in accordance with law.
7. The PVSC may request Respondents to send representatives to the PVSC for
interviews.
8. Any and all Qualification Statements not received by the PVSC by 11:00 a.m.
prevailing time on April 9, 2026 will be rejected.
9. Neither the PVSC nor its officers, officials or employees shall be liable for any
claims or damages resulting from the solicitation or preparation of the Qualification
Statement, nor will there be any reimbursement to Respondents for the cost of
preparing and submitting a Qualification Statement or for participating in this
procurement process.
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1.4. Rights of PVSC.
The PVSC reserves, holds and may exercise, at its sole discretion, the following rights
and options with regard to this RFQ/P and the procurement process in accordance with
the provisions of applicable law:
1. To determine that any Qualification Statement received complies or fails to comply
with the terms of this RFQ/P.
2. To supplement, amend or otherwise modify the RFQ/P through issuance of
addenda to all prospective Respondents who have received a copy of this RFQ/P.
3. To waive any technical non-conformance with the terms of this RFQ/P.
4. To change or alter the schedule for any events called for in this RFQ/P upon the
issuance of notice to all prospective Respondents who are known to have received a
copy of this RFQ/P.
5. To conduct investigations of any or all of the Respondents, as the PVSC deems
necessary or convenient, to clarify the information provided as part of the
Qualification Statement and to request additional information to support the
information included in any Qualification Statement.
6. To suspend or terminate the procurement process described in this RFQ/P at any
time (in its sole discretion.) If terminated, the PVSC may determine to commence a
new procurement process or exercise any other rights provided under applicable law
without any obligation to the Respondents.
7. The PVSC shall be under no obligation to complete all or any portion of the
procurement process described in this RFQ/P.
1.5 Addenda or Amendments to RFQ/P.
During the period provided for the preparation of responses to the RFQ/P, the PVSC may
issue addenda, amendments or answers to written inquiries. Those addenda will be
noticed by the PVSC and will constitute a part of the RFQ/P. All responses to the RFQ/P
shall be prepared with full consideration of the addenda issued prior to the Qualification
Statement submission date.
1.6 Cost of Qualification Statement Preparation.
Each Qualification Statement and all information required to be submitted pursuant to the
RFQ/P shall be prepared at the sole cost and expense of the Respondent. There shall be
no claims whatsoever against the PVSC, its officers, officials or employees for
reimbursement for the payment of costs or expenses incurred in the preparation of the
Qualification Statement or other information required by the RFQ/P.
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1.7 Qualification Statement Format.
Qualification Statements must cover all information requested in this RFQ/P. Qualification
Statements which in the judgment of the PVSC fail to meet the requirements of the RFQ/P
or which are in any way conditional, incomplete, obscure, contain additions or deletions
from requested information, or contain errors may be rejected.
SECTION 2
SCOPE OF SERVICES
It is the intent of the PVSC to solicit Qualification Statements from Respondents
that have expertise in the provision of services as described below. Respondents must
demonstrate that they will have the continuing capabilities to perform these services.
The Government Relations and Public Affairs Consultant shall provide to
PVSC consulting services on a contract basis as follows:
1. Representing PVSC's interests in the United States Congress against the
passage of bills which adversely affect PVSC's legislative programs, projects or
other obligations under federal law, rule or regulation.
2. Establishing and maintaining working relationships with members and
committees of the Congress and Executive Branch, representatives of other
public agencies and professions, businesses and industries, as applicable in
connection with advancing PVSC's legislative objectives and programs.
3. Advising, developing recommending and implementing strategies to advance the
long- and short-term capital funding needs of PVSC before the federal and State
of New Jersey governments to support the application process for grants and
other types of funding
4. Assisting the Executive Director in developing a governmental grant program for
PVSC and introducing and educating members and entities of the federal
government to PVSC and its activities, including PVSC's capital projects and
operating funds.
5. Acting as a liaison between PVSC and various federal agencies and departments
including but not limited to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
6. Identifying specific federal grant Programs for which PVSC is eligible to apply for
during the term of engagement, as well as providing or recommending firms that
offer necessary grant writing in the relevant application process.
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7. Ensuring that appropriate lines of communication are maintained with the
Executive Director of PVSC including monthly status meetings as well as the
provision of a monthly written report of the consulting services provided.
8. Complying will all state, federal and local laws, regulations or rulings, including
but not limited to laws, regulations or rulings regarding the registration and
activities of the consulting services provided under this RFQ/P to the extent such
laws are applicable in its appointed capacity as PVSC's Government Relations
and Public Affairs Consultant .
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SECTION 3
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
3.1 General Requirements.
The Qualification Statement submitted by the Respondent must meet or exceed the
professional, administrative and financial qualifications set forth in this Section 3 and shall
incorporate the information requested below.
In addition to the information required as described below, a Respondent may submit
supplemental information that it feels may be useful in evaluating its Qualification
Statement. Respondents are encouraged to be clear, factual, and concise in their
presentation of information.
3.2 Administrative Information Requirements.
The Respondent shall, as part of its Qualification Statement, provide the following
information:
1. An executive summary (not to exceed two (2) pages) of the information contained in
all the other parts of the Qualification Statement.
2. An executed Letter of Qualification.
3. Name, address and telephone number of the Respondent submitting a Qualification
Statement pursuant to this RFQ/P, and the name of the key contact person.
4. A description of the business organization (i.e., corporation, partnership, joint venture,
etc.) of each Respondent, its ownership and its organizational structure.
a. Provide the names and business addresses of all Principals of the
Respondent submitting the Qualification Statement. For purposes of this
RFQ/P, "Principals" mean persons possessing an ownership interest in the
Respondent. If the Respondent is a corporation, "Principals" shall include
each investor who has any operational control over the Respondent, and
every stockholder having an ownership interest of 10% or more in the firm.
b. If a Respondent is a partially owned or a fully-owned subsidiary of another
firm, identify the parent company and describe the nature and extent of the
parents' approval rights over the activities of the Respondent submitting a
Qualification Statement. Describe the approval process.
c. If the Respondent is a partnership or a joint venture or similar organization,
provide comparable information as required in (b) above for each member
of the partnership, joint venture or similar organization.
d. A statement that the Respondent has complied with all applicable affirmative
action (or similar) requirements with respect to its business activities,
together with evidence of such compliance.
5. The number of years Respondent has been in business under the present name.
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6. The number of years Respondent has been under the current management.
7. Any judgments within the last three (3) years in which Respondent has been
adjudicated liable for professional malpractice. If yes, please explain.
8. Whether the Respondent is now or has been involved in any bankruptcy or re-
organization proceedings in the last ten (10) years. If yes, please explain.
9. Confirm appropriate federal and state licenses to perform activities.
10. An executed letter of intent.
3.3 Professional Information Requirements.
Respondent shall submit:
1. A description of its overall experience in providing the type of services sought in the
RFQ/P. At a minimum, the following information on past experience should be
included as appropriate to the RFQ/P:
a. Description and scope of work by Respondent.
b. Name, address and contact information of reference to the RFQ/P.
c. Explanation of perceived relevance of the experience to the RFQ/P
including Board Certification in relevant areas of practice.
2. Brief description of Respondent's relevant clients, including a listing of all municipal
government or other public entity clients, during the last three (3) years.
3. Resumes of key employees, and an indication of which employees would be directly
working with the PVSC.
4. A narrative statement of the Respondent's understanding of the PVSC's needs and
goals.
5. List all immediate relatives of Principal(s) of Respondent who are PVSC employees
or appointed officials of the PVSC. For purposes of the above, "immediate relative"
means a spouse, parent, stepparent, brother, sister, child, stepchild, direct-line aunt
or uncle, grandparent, grandchild and in-laws.
6. Limits of professional liability insurance coverage and name of insurance carrier.
7. A listing of all other engagements where services of the type proposed were provided
in the past five (5) years. This should include all levels of government, including the
PVSC. Contact information for the recipients of the similar services must be provided.
The PVSC may obtain references from any of the parties listed.
8. A listing of all professional organization memberships.
9. Demonstration of ability with appropriate personnel or other arrangements to perform
the required tasks in a timely fashion, including the attendance at meetings, as
necessary.
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