26-118 RFP FOR RECRUITMENT AGENCY FOR THE RECRUITMENT AND HIRING OF A MUNICIPAL MANAGER FOR THE CITY

CITY OF CLIFTON
DEPARTMENT OF PURCHASING
RECRUITMENT AGENCY FOR RECRUITMENT AND HIRING OF A
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
FOR
THE CITY OF CLIFTON
2026

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR FAIR AND OPEN PROPOSAL
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq., the City of Clifton is soliciting Fair and Open Proposals for a
Recruitment Agency to recruitment and hiring of a Municipal Manager for the City of Clifton for a period
of one (1) year from the date of contract award, with the option for up to two (2) additional one-year extensions,
subject to the approval of the Council. Proposals shall be endorsed "Recruitment Agency for the Search and
Hiring of a Municipal Manager for the City of Clifton" and delivered to Purchasing Agent Amisha Jariwala,
City of Clifton, 900 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey 07013.
Due Date: May 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM
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CITY OF CLIFTON
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
RECRUITMENT AGENCY FOR THE RECRUITMENT AND HIRING OF A
MUNICIPAL MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF CLIFTON
The City of Clifton is requesting proposals to provide recruitment agency services
seeking a Municipal Manager for the City of Clifton, as directed by the Mayor
and Council for the City of Clifton, for a contract period of one (1) year from date of
contract award. All candidates are required to comply with N.J.S.A. 10:5-31, et seq. and
N.J.A.C. 17:27 as amended (Affirmative Action).
I - GENERAL
The City of Clifton is organized under the 1923 Municipal Manager Law, N.J.S.A.
40:79-1 et seq. The position of Municipal Manager is established under N.J.S.A 40:82-
2. The City of Clifton seeks a Recruitment Agency for the recruitment and hiring of a
Municipal Manager.
II - SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR RECRUITMENT AGENCY
The City of Clifton is seeking a recruitment agency to assist in the recruitment and
vetting of candidates for the position of Municipal Manager for the City of Clifton.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
The successful bidder will:
* Coordinate with the Mayor and Council and Administration to develop the ideal
candidate profile for the City of Clifton Municipal Manager position. The ideal
candidate profile will be used as a screening rubric for candidates; it will include: the
knowledge, experience, skills/ abilities, and qualities required for the position;
* Conduct an aggressive, expeditious, nationwide search for well qualified
candidates, including but not limited to marketing the position via multiple national
posting(s), conducting personal outreach to identified individuals possessing relevant
experience and qualifications;
* Coordinate with the Mayor and Council and Administration to facilitate
logistical requirements for interviews of highly qualified finalist candidates, including
the development of an interview process (questions, formats, etc.);
* Review interview results with the Mayor and Council and Administration and
if deemed necessary by the Mayor and Council, consider and recruit for additional
candidates.
* Candidates will be evaluations based upon their ability to perform the above
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requirements.
III - SCOPE OF SERVICES EXPECTED FROM CANDIDATES FOR MUNICIPAL MANAGER
a. Be the chief executive and administrative official of the municipality;
b. Compile and submit to the municipal council the tentative annual budget;
c. Execute all laws and ordinances of the municipality;
d. Appoint and remove all department heads and all other officers, subordinates, and
assistants for whose selection or removal no other method is provided in this subtitle,
supervise and control his appointees, and report all appointments or removals at the
next meeting thereafter of the municipal council;
e. Negotiate contracts for the municipality subject to the approval of the municipal
council, make recommendations concerning the nature and location of municipal
improvements, and execute municipal improvements as determined by the municipal
council;
f. See that all terms and conditions imposed in favor of the municipality or its
inhabitants in any statute, public utility franchise or other contract are faithfully kept
and performed, and upon knowledge of any violation call the same to the attention of
the municipal council;
g. Attend all meetings of the municipal council with the right to take part in the
discussions, but without the right to vote;
h. Recommend to the municipal council for adoption such measures as he may deem
necessary or expedient, and make reports to the council as requested by it, and at least
once a year make an annual report of his work for the benefit of the council and the
public;
i. Investigate at any time the affairs of any officer or department of the municipality;
j. Perform such other duties as may be required of the municipal manager by ordinance
or resolution of the municipal council.
IV - MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE EXPECTED OF CANDIDATES FOR
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
Candidates for Municipal Manager shall have the following qualifications:
1. Education:
* Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required
* Master's degree (MBA, MPA, Public Administration) preferred
2. Experience:
* Minimum 5 years in municipal administration or equivalent senior
management experience
* Experience managing departments, budgets, and personnel
3. Knowledge / Skills:
* Familiarity with NJ municipal law, including:
* Local Public Contracts Law
* Budget and finance procedures
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* Strong leadership, negotiation, and communication skills
4. Other Requirements:
Proven record in:
* Municipal operations
* Strategic planning
* Labor relations
* Grant management or capital projects
5. Residency:
The municipal manager shall be a person, other than a member of the municipal council,
fully qualified to exercise the powers and perform the duties hereinafter set forth. He need
not be a resident of the municipality at the time of his appointment but shall become a
resident thereof within 3 months after appointment and continue a resident throughout his
period of service.
V - PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR RECRUITMENT AGENCY
The Respondent:
1. Shall provide Name, Federal I.D. number, address, phone and fax numbers of the
firm submitting the proposal and a brief description of legal background such as years in
business, size of staff and any affiliations.
2. Shall provide Name, title and address of principal/individual preparing this
response and the contact person for the RFP.
3. Shall provide Name, title, address and phone number of individual(s) to be assigned
as the Recruitment Agency for hiring a Municipal Manager.
4. Shall provide a list of New Jersey public sector entities for which the firm has
provided similar services to those contained herein, including the name, title and phone
number of the appropriate contact person within the entity.
5. Respondents must provide a comprehensive schedule of proposed fees and hourly
rates for position of the firm.
6. The Respondent may submit any supplemental information it deems important to
the evaluation of this proposal and the reason why it should be considered in the overall
evaluation of the proposal.
VI - COMPENSATION
1. Payment to the successful Respondent shall be based on the rates awarded with
monthly invoices submitted to the City.
2. All expenses and fees other than compensation as set forth above shall be actual
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Respondent without any additions for overhead,
etc. No additional charges will be billed for fax transmissions and copy costs will be billed
at 15 cents per page.
3. The Firm shall not accept any compensation for related City activities from any
source other than the fee paid by the City of Clifton.
VII - CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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1. The term of this agreement shall be for a period of one (1) year from the date of
contract award, with the option for up to two (2) additional one-year extensions, subject to the
approval of the Council.
2. Respondent's proposal shall remain valid for a period of ninety (90) days after submission
and will be considered as a binding offer to perform the required services.
3. Respondents shall comply with all Local, State and Federal directives, orders, and laws as
applicable to this proposal.
4. The successful Respondent shall not assign or transfer this agreement to any other person or
company without prior consent and approval in writing from the City of Clifton.
5. Only one (1) proposal from the same Firm will be considered. A Respondent submitting
more than one (1) proposal will cause the rejection of all the proposals of said consultant. If
there is a reason for believing that collusion exists among Respondents, those proposals shall be
rejected.
6. All proposals and documents submitted to the City of Clifton in response to this RFP shall
become the property of the City of Clifton and are subject to the Open Public Records Act of
the State of New Jersey, after the contract is awarded.
7. The City of Clifton may secure background information based upon the references
provided in this RFP.
VIII - SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS (FORMS)
1. Affirmative Action Employee Information Report or Certificate of Employee Information
Report.
2. Acknowledgment of Receipt of Addenda (if applicable).
3. Non-Collusion Affidavit.
4. Investment Activities in Energy or Finance Sectors of Iran.
5. Prohibited Activities in Russia and Belarus.
6. Stockholder Disclosure Certification.
7. Proposal Form.
8. New Jersey Business Registration Certificate.
9. IRS W-9 Form.
10. Pay to Play Advisory Form.
Note: Failure to submit any one of the above items may be cause for rejection.
IX - PROPOSAL EVALUATION
A. GENERAL
* Responsiveness to the scope of services.
* Organization of Proposal.
B. PERSONNEL
* Experience and qualifications of principal assigned to this project and of the firm's
principals.
C. EXPERIENCE AND SERVICES OF FIRM
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* History and experience with similar types of government entities.
* Favorable references from public sector clients for which similar services have been provided.
D. HOURLY RATES AND FEES
* The City will consider rates and fees proposed by Respondent.
E. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
* Ability to work and communicate effectively with City of Clifton staff, management
personnel, and any others as may be necessary.
SUBMISSION DATE
Proposals shall be received by the Purchasing Agent no later than 11:00 a.m. on May 18,
2026
Respondents are to submit Two (2) copies: (1) bound copy and (1) un-bound copy and one
digital copy on Flash Drive/Thumb Drive (marked with firm name or sealed in small
envelope with firm name marked outside).
AWARD OF CONTRACT
The City of Clifton reserves the right to reject any and all Proposals, to waive any
curable irregularities or technicalities and to award a contract to the Respondent whose
response is most advantageous, price and other factors considered to the City of Clifton.
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CITY OF CLIFTON PROPOSAL FORM
RECRUITMENT AGENCY FOR HIRING CITY MANAGER'S POSITION
FOR THE CITY OF CLIFTON
Firm Name:
Signature: ________________________________________ Date: _______________
Print Name: __________________________________ Title: ____________________
Address:
______________________________________________________________________
Tax ID/FEIN:______________________________
Phone: Fax:
Email: ________________________________________________________________
Respondents hereby propose the following rates and/or fees:
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FAILURE TO SUBMIT FORMS SHALL BE CAUSE FOR REJECTION OF THE PROPOSAL
A. Mandatory Affirmative Action Certification
No firm may be issued a contract unless it complies with the affirmative action regulations of
N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et. seq. (P.L. 1975, c 127).
1. Procurement, Professional and Service Contracts
All Successful vendors must submit, within seven days after receipt of the notice of intent
to award the contract or the receipt of the contract, one of the following:
i. A photocopy of a valid letter for an approved Federal Affirmative Action Plan (good
for one year from the date of the letter), or
ii. A photocopy of an approved Certificate of Employee Information Report
,
or
iii. If the vendor has none of the above, the public agency is required to provide the vendor
with an initial Affirmative Action Employee Information Report (AA-302).
B. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Discrimination on the basis of disability in contracting for the purchase of bids and services is prohibited.
The successful Respondent is required to read Americans with Disabilities language that is part of this
specification and agrees that the provisions of Title II of the Act are made a part of the contract. The successful
Respondent is obligated to comply with the Act and to hold the City of Clifton harmless.
C. Stockholder Disclosure
Chapter 33 of the Public Laws of 1977 provides that no corporation or partnership shall be awarded any
contract for the performance of any work or the furnishing of any materials or supplies, unless, prior to the
receipt of the bid or accompanying the bid of said corporation or partnership, there is submitted a statement
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setting forth the names and addresses of all stockholders in the corporation or partnership who own ten
percent or more of its stock of any class, or of all individual partners in the partnership who own a ten percent
or greater interest therein. The Form of Statement shall be completed and attached to the bid proposal.
D. Non-Collusion Affidavit
The Non-Collusion Affidavit, which is part of these specifications, shall be properly executed and
submitted with the bid proposal.
E. Business Registration Certificate *Revised January 25, 2010*
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 each vendor submitting a bid or proposal with the City of
Clifton must be registered with The Division of Revenue, State of New Jersey prior to award of
contract. If the Business Registration Certificate for the contractor and sub-contractor (if
applicable) is not part of the RFP package but they are registered, the contractor must submit to the
City of Clifton their Business Registration Certificate and a copy of their sub-contractors' Business
Registration Certificate prior to award of contract. All named sub-contractor (s) listed on the bid
including out of state vendors must be registered with the Division of Revenue, State of New Jersey
at the time bids or proposals are received and opened.
Failure to be a registered vendor (contractor) or sub- contractor at the time of the RFP opening
is a material defect which cannot be waived or corrected, and which will result in the bid or
proposal being rejected as non-responsive.
Registration as a Business:
Businesses must complete Form NJ-REG and submit it to the Division of Revenue. The
form can be filed as per the following:
A. Register online at www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/taxreg.htm.
Click the "online" link and then select "Register for Tax and Employer Purposes."
B. Call the Division at (609) 292-9292 to have a form mailed to you.
* Write to the Division at: Client Registration Bureau,
PO Box 252, Trenton, NJ 08646-0252.
* Registration as an individual:
There is a simplified registration process for individuals doing business with any
New Jersey government agency. The form (NJ-REG-A) can be downloaded from the
web at www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/pdforms/rega.pdf. To obtain a copy by mail,
call (609) 292-9292, or write to the Division at the Client Registration Bureau, PO Box
252, Trenton, NJ 08646-0252.
C. Vendor Maintenance of Documentation
Pursuant to N.J.S.A.52:15C-10 the vendor shall maintain all documentation related
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