TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey’s government is once again looking to hire a lobbyist to help keep track of any threats to the missions on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and the state’s other military installations, as well as to devise strategies to protect those missions and attract new ones.
The Burlington County Times (https://bit.ly/29nCKWd ) reports that the New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Division of Purchase and Property issued a request for quotes Thursday for firms interested in a state contract to provide “strategic analysis and planning assistance in connection with safeguarding activities associated with New Jersey’s military installations’ presence” as well as consulting services for the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Bidder inquiries are due Tuesday and quotes are due by July 26.
The new fiscal year budget signed by Gov. Chris Christie last week includes a $200,000 appropriation for the lobbying and consulting work.
The same amount of money was appropriated in last year’s budget to pay for a $192,000 contract with Washington lobbying firm, Cassidy & Associates, to conduct research into the importance of each installation to the economies of the surrounding communities, as well as the role each has on regional and national security.
The firm’s contract ended in May after it released a 168-page report detailing the missions and assets at each installation, as well as their relative strengths, opportunities, and likely challenges and threats they might face from a new round of base closures or other defense cutbacks.
Cassidy & Associates is eligible to bid for the new contract.
Under the proposed scope of work, the selected firm will be required to create and maintain a list of missions hosted by military installations in other states that may be suitable for New Jersey bases, as well as the likely competitors and chief obstacles.
The firm will also be asked to create and maintain a similar list of the existing missions at New Jersey’s installations and their chief competitors and threats.
Also, the RFQ specifies that the selected firm will be required to lead monthly teleconferences with the state’s congressional delegation, as well as representatives from the Governor’s and Lieutenant Governor’s offices and community members.
The firm will also be required to meet with Department of Defense officials, installation commanders and submit written reports each month detailing its activities and any key developments pertaining to the installations.
The biggest pending decision is whether a new round of domestic base closures will occur in 2019. President Barack Obama and the Pentagon included that request in their proposed military budget for the upcoming fiscal year, but Congress has been reluctant to approve the move.
Both the House and Senate have approved separate defense bills with language prohibiting the Department of Defense from conducting more base closures. Leaders of both chambers are now in conference to negotiate a single bill. However, Obama has threatened to veto the measure, in part because of Congress’s refusal to approve more base closures.
New Jersey officials are also anxiously awaiting a final decision by the Air Force on where a new batch of KC-46 midair refueling jets will be located. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst was recently named to the final list of five installations still under consideration to become home for 36 of the new tankers, as well as the equipment and support personnel that will accompany them.
Securing the new planes is considered a key step to ensuring the installation’s future for decades to come.
With that goal in mind, Cassidy & Associates recommended that New Jersey undertake an airspace study of the area around the joint base to refute misconceptions that the airspace there is constrained.
The firm also recommended the state assist in funding construction of either an overpass or underpass across Route 539 in Plumsted, Ocean County, to connect the ranges on the Fort Dix side of the joint base with the western side of the Lakehurst section.
The firm said connecting the two areas would expand training space on the base, making it more attractive for new missions.
___
Information from: Burlington County Times (Willingboro, N.J.), https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.