POSTING DATE: July 15, 2021
CLOSING DATE: 5:00 p.m. PST on July 30, 2021
UPDATE(S):
July 27, 2021 – Q&A Responses posted
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Proposers must meet the following minimum requirements:
- CPA firm with a business license to practice accounting in California.
- Experience with governmental accounting and relevant standards
- Be in good standing with the California Board of Accountancy
- Possess the technical ability to complete field work both on-site and remotely as needed throughout each engagement. This includes any other technological requirements or specifications needed to complete the audit.
The Commission’s current CPA firm is ineligible to apply for this RFQ. Proposers that do not meet the requirements above will not pass the first level of review (see Section IX. Selection Process and Review Criteria).
DESCRIPTION
First 5 LA is issuing this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to establish a pool of certified public accountant firms to perform contract compliance audits of grantee organizations, as needed, for the period of August 2021 through June 2022. First 5 LA may continue grantee audits beyond June 2022, if needed. First 5 LA is a component unit of Los Angeles County and operates as an independent public entity charged with directing its primary source of revenue, Proposition 10 tobacco tax, toward issues relating to children from prenatal to age 5 and their families in LA County. In the course of providing these services, organizations are contracted by First 5 LA to support children and families across the region.
First 5 LA has released its 2020-2028 Strategic Plan with a specific goal to heighten organizational performance to enhance our impact in LA County’s communities. Part of this goal is promoting efficiency, transparency, and best financial practices. Additionally, strengthening fiscal compliance of grantees and the overall fiscal accountability of the organization is our priority. First 5 LA’s Finance Department has developed and standardized a fiscal compliance review process to confirm the accuracy of invoicing and to validate grantee expenses to determine allowability. The selected agreements are reviewed internally on an ongoing basis throughout the fiscal year. For any egregious findings as a result of First 5 LA’s in-house fiscal compliance review, grantees may be selected for a limited scope contract compliance audit. Once the need for a limited scope audit is identified, a Notice of Engagement for the limited scope audit is solicited to the auditing firms accepted into the consultant pool. First 5 LA will request additional information from pool members at that time to determine which firm will be selected. Factors to determine which firm will receive the assignment may include turnaround time, costs, and other criteria.
Auditing Services Pool RFQ– PDF
Cover Letter – PDF
Appendices:
For Information Purposes
- Appendix A – First 5 Los Angeles 2020-28 Strategic Plan
- Appendix C – Level 2 Review: Proposal Scoring Criteria
- Appendix E – List of Grantee Organizations
- Appendix F – Sample Contract
For Submission
- Appendix B – Litigation & Contract Compliance Form
- Appendix D – Conflict of Interest Disclosure
ADDENDA
Please check this Funding Center webpage regularly for updates and addenda. First 5 LA has the right to amend this solicitation by written addendum. First 5 LA is responsible only for that which is expressly stated in the solicitation document and any authorized written addenda thereto. Such addenda shall be made available via the online funding center. Failure to address the requirements of such addendum may result in the proposal not being considered, at the sole discretion of First 5 LA. Addenda to this solicitation, if any, will be posted on this webpage. It is the responsibility of applicants to ensure, prior to submission, that their application reflects the most recent information and RFQ requirements.
INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR
Potential proposers are highly encouraged to participate in the Informational webinar from 1:00 p.m. PT on July 21, 2021, to learn more about the RFQ requirements. Please register for the webinar at: https://first5la.zoom.us/webinar/register/. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
A recording of the webinar will also be made available on the Funding Opportunities webpage: https://www.first5la.org/news-resources/funding-center/
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
To ensure that all potential applicants receive the same information, questions and answers will be compiled and posted on this webpage. All questions and requests for additional information regarding this RFQ must be received before 5 p.m. PST on July 23, 2021, and answers will be posted on the website on July 27, 2021. See the published responses available via: Q & A Response Link
First 5 LA reserves the sole right to determine the timing and content of the responses to all questions and requests for additional information. First 5 LA may respond to individual inquires and then post replies to all questions by the posting date.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
An application packet complete with required documents must be received by First 5 LA no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on July 30, 2021.
HOW TO APPLY
To respond to this RFQ, please submit your proposal and all required documents through the online application system designated by First 5 LA by no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on July 30, 2021, by taking the following steps:
Step 1: Create a user account by clicking here.
Step 2: Once a user account has been created, click here to access the application.
Step 3: Once an application has been started, click here to modify and/or submit your application. Please do not create a new application once you have started your application.
For help with the online application click here.
Applicants must submit all required documents specified in the RFQ through this online form. It is highly recommended that you print a copy of your application for your records prior to clicking “Submit.” To do this, click “Printer-Friendly Version.” You should review the printed copy prior to submitting the application electronically. In addition, you should ensure that the attachments were successfully uploaded by reviewing the list of attachments included.
NOTE: Once the online application is submitted, proposers cannot make edits.
CONTACT US
All questions and requests for additional information regarding this RFQ must be submitted via email to Marilu Guzman, Contract Operations & Compliance Officer, at mg*****@fi******.org.
