Audit Services RFP

The Newburgh Community Land Bank is seeking proposals from qualified firms and individuals to provide required Auditing Services.  Please review this Request for Proposals and apply if you qualify:

I. INTRODUCTION
A. Purpose

The Newburgh Community Land Bank (“Land Bank”) is inviting responses from qualified Vendors to provide Auditing Services for the Land Bank’s funds and accounts for year 2012-2013.

B. Background of the Newburgh Community Land Bank
The Land Bank is governed as a NYS Public Authority. As such, the Land Bank is required to file annual audits within 90 days of the end of each fiscal year. The Land Bank will file with the New York State Office of the State Comptroller, Authority Budget Office, through a Public Authority Reporting Information System (PARIS). The Land Bank has an eleven member Board of Directors. While initially appointed by the City Council, the board is now self-appointing. The Land Bank will maintain its own accounting records.

C. Correspondence
All questions pertaining to this RFP shall be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m. on March 8, 2012 via email to:

Madeline Fletcher, Consulting Director
mfletcher@newburghcommunitylandbank.org

D. Submission of Proposals
Interested accounting professionals shall submit their proposal to Madeline Fletcher by mail no later than Friday, March 15, 2012 in a sealed envelope with the company name and address clearly marked.

Proposals shall be submitted to:
Madeline Fletcher, Consulting Director
PO Box 152
Newburgh, NY 12550

or by email:
mfletcher@newburghcommunitylandbank.org

II. AWARD OF CONTRACT
A contractor shall be selected and notified by April 19, 2012.

　

　
III. PROPOSAL CONDITIONS

A. Services to be Performed:
Prospective Vendors shall be expected to include the following services in their proposal:

1) Each Annual audit shall be completed in compliance with generally accepted accounting principals and by meeting with the Consulting Director, and/or board of the Land Bank as necessary.

2) Prepare the Land Bank's annual financial reports to the New York State Comptroller's office as required by New York State General Municipal Law, and the New York State Public Authorities Act of 2005

3) The firm shall show the ability to provide single audit(s) on specific project(s) or program(s) as may be required by Federal or State Agencies, as identified by the Land Bank.

4) Audit and Financial Statements must be completed as timely as practicable. Final Audit and reports are required to be complete within 90 days of end of the fiscal year. The Land Bank shall have its first fiscal year ending June 30, 2013.

5) Submit hourly costs for principals, associates etc. for Accounting Services

B. Incurred Costs
This RFP does not commit the Land Bank to pay any costs incurred by Vendors in preparation of responses to this RFP. Vendors agree that all costs incurred by Vendors in developing this proposal are solely the Vendor's responsibility.

C. Proposal Submission
To be considered, all proposals must be submitted in the manner set forth in this proposal. It is the Vendor's responsibility to ensure that its proposal arrives on or before the specified time.

D. Interviews

Proposals may be so similar in quality that oral interviews may have to be arranged to assist in making the final selection.

IV. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS WHEN SUBMITTING PROPOSALS
1) Detail your firm's experience in providing auditing services to other municipalities, public authorities and/or public benefit corporations in the State of New York.

2) Discuss the firm's independence with respect to the Newburgh Community Land Bank.

3) Describe how your firm will approach the audit(s), including the use of any association or affiliate member firm. Discuss the communication process used by the firm to discuss issues with the management and audit committee.

4) Set forth your fee proposal for both the 2012 and 2013. Please include including what guarantees can be provided regarding increases in future years.

5) Furnish standard billing rates for classes of professional personnel.

6) Provide the names and contact information for other, similarly sized clients of the partner or manager that will be assigned to our organization for reference purposes.

7) Include a copy of your firm's most recent peer review report, the related letter of comments, and the firm's response to the letter of comments.

* References may be included and bound at the end of proposal.

V. Evaluation of Proposals
The Land Bank shall evaluate proposals on a qualitative basis. This includes our review of the firm's peer review report and related materials. Results of discussions with other clients and interview with senior engagement personnel shall be assigned to our organization.