REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL #

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL # Audit Services for REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN 1001 Woodward Ave., Suite 1400 Detroit, MI 48226

2 SECTION I. GENERAL CONDITIONS AND PROVISIONS A. Objective Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) invites Independent Certified Public Accountants licensed to practice in the State of Michigan to submit proposals for the performance of an annual financial audit for a period of one, two, and three years, beginning with the fiscal year ending September 30, For the purpose of expressing an opinion on the fairness with which RTA presents its financial position in conformity with generally accepted government accounting standards, and an examination to determine whether operations were properly conducted in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements. The audit of RTA s financial records must be performed in accordance with 38 CFR Part 41 - Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations and OMB Circular A-133. B. Description of Entity and Records The RTA was created by the Michigan Legislature through Public Act No. 387 of A 10-member board that is appointed for three-year terms by the county executives of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, the chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, the Mayor of Detroit, and the Governor of Michigan governs it. The Governor s appointee serves as chair, without a vote. The purpose of the RTA is to plan for and coordinate public transportation in the fourcounty region, including the City of Detroit, and to deliver rapid transit in a region where none exists. It is the entity through which transit providers must apply for state and federal funds, and through which those funds are allocated to providers. The RTA is also responsible for developing a Regional Master Transit Plan to guide present and future service and is empowered to put funding questions on the ballot for public vote. Funds to support the agency are obtained through federal, state, and other grants. RTA s annual operating budget for fiscal year ending September 30, 2015 is $5.7 million. All accounting functions are performed in-house on a PC network using Quick-Books. Accounting records are kept on an accrual basis. Payroll functions are performed by a payroll service provider. C. Issuing Office This RFP is being issued by RTA, the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan. This RFP is available at All inquiries must be in writing and must be sent to: Virginia Lickliter, Executive Administration Office 1001 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1400 Detroit, Michigan 48226

3 Phone: or sent via to Questions submitted and all staff answers will be posted to the RTA website. All inquiries must be submitted by 4:00 PM, EST on Friday, January 8, Proposals must be submitted via to Ms. Tiffany J. Gunter at no later than 4:00 PM, EST on Friday, January 22, Please include Audit Services RFP # in the subject line. Proposals shall be made for one, two and three year periods: Fiscal year ending September 30, 2015 Fiscal year ending September 30, 2016 Fiscal year ending September 30, 2017 RTA reserves the right to select an auditor for a one, two or three-year period. Renewal of the audit agreement is subject to a satisfactory performance on the prior year audit. C. Proposals and Nature of Services Required The proposal shall be submitted to via electronic copy to Tiffany J. Gunter at tgunter@rtamichigan.org. The proposal should include auditor s qualifications: a) Description and history of audit firm. b) Relevant prior governmental auditing experience, particularly with agencies that receive state and federal grants. c) Demonstrated knowledge of all applicable GASB pronouncements. d) Demonstrated ability to perform single audits. e) Total staff available and familiarity with governmental auditing. f) Resumes of partners, managers, and staff who will be assigned to this audit. g) Whether the firm has received a positive peer review within the last three years or whether it has been the object of any disciplinary action in the last three years. If so, an explanation is required. h) No less than four references for which the firm has recently performed similar work. i) Detailed costs. The cost information requested is required to support the reasonableness of your proposal. The cost proposal should include the job titles and names of persons who will complete the work, including hours and hourly rates. Cost should be presented by task at a level of detail corresponding to the Work Plan. j) A two-paragraph executive summary that includes work plan and timeline. The proposer must indicate any pending legal actions against it. In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFP prior to the deadline, addenda will be provided to any prospective consultant who received the initial RFP. RTA anticipates the contract amount not to exceed $15,000.

4 D. Proposal Receipt Proposals must be received by RTA no later than 4:00pm, EST, January 22, RTA is a public body as defined by Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). All information will be subject to disclosure under FOIA as of the RFP return deadline date. Send proposals, with Audit Services RFP # in the subject line, to: Tiffany J. Gunter (tgunter@rtamichigan.org) E. Selection Criteria The contract shall be awarded to the consultant whose proposal offers RTA the greatest advantage for the project based on technical, economic, and other factors considered by RTA, as specified in Section II, Selection Criteria. RTA has a fiduciary responsibility to consider cost when deciding on a consultant. Accordingly, cost is a determining factor in the selection process. RTA seeks to choose the consultant which provides the most value at a reasonable rate. RTA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or parts thereof, and to negotiate the requested services and contract terms with the selected consultant. F. Type of Contract Contract will be executed on RTA s Standardized Contract Form (Attachment A). Submission of a proposal by a consultant will be understood as acceptance by that consultant of the contract language. G. Non-Discriminatory Practices RTA policies encourage participation by disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), including women business enterprises (WBE), and minority business enterprises (MBE). Please include certification(s) with proposal. H. Selection RTA will make a selection of the consultant by February 5, 2016 in accordance with the selection criteria. All applicants will receive notification of the selection by February 8, I. Schedule The proposed schedule for this procurement is as follows: Dates* RFP Issued December 22, 2015 Questions may be submitted in writing until January 8, 2016

5 Proposals due to RTA by 4:00 p.m. January 22, 2016 Evaluation and Selection February 5, 2016 Contract Executed and Notice to Proceed February 15, 2016 *Dates are approximate J. Cost Liability All costs incurred in the submission of proposals or in making necessary studies, designs, or computer benchmarks of estimates for preparation of the proposals are the sole responsibility of the consultant. SECTION II. SELECTION CRITERIA The proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria: Criteria Weight 1) Prior auditing experience with local authorities or similar engagements 25% 2) Previous experience in auditing regional planning agencies, councils of 25% governments, and non-profit agencies 3) Qualifications of audit team. 15% 4) Review of references. 5% 5) Ability to meet time requirements. 10% 6) Cost 20% SECTION III. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A. This is the first year of RTA operations and there is no prior year audit is available. B. Accounting records will be available in good order, and assistance of staff will be provided during the audit period. The following will also be provided: C. All year-end schedules, including outstanding receivables and payables, banking, investments, fixed assets, and deprecation reconciliations. D. Preparation of confirmation letters to granting and contributing entities as determined by the audit firm, and bank confirmation letters. E. General ledger reconciliations, comparative trial balance, comparative budget and actual revenues and expenses. F. All required payroll and payroll withholding schedules. G. Regional Transit Authority s Financial Statements. H. Regional Transit Authority s Required Supplemental Financial Data General Fund Budget Comparison Schedule. I. Regional Transit Authority s Supplemental Financial Data. J. Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards The auditor shall prepare all other pages of the audit not mentioned above. Upon award of contract, a pre-audit fieldwork meeting will be held with RTA to discuss annual engagement

6 letter, confirmations, schedule preparation, and any pre-audit work that may be required. Audit fieldwork can begin in late February 2016 with a draft report completed and available no later than early April In addition to preparing the final document, the auditing firm will be expected to present the audit to RTA s Board and Finance and Budget Committee in late April 2016 or early May 2016.