Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission is currently soliciting bid proposals to conduct the comprehensive audit of the above-stated agencies. We invite your firm to submit a three-year proposal for the audits that would cover the fiscal years ending June 30, 2013, June 30, 2014, and June 30, 2015. The following information should guide you in preparing a detailed proposal.
The Commission is a regional planning agency created under Chapter 473A and 28E, State Code of Iowa to serve the counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek, Iowa. The Commission is governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed from the five counties. Its programs are financed from federal and state grants and contracts, county appropriations, and interest earned on investments.
The Commission administers various programs such as Economic Development Administration (EDA), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs and administers the programs established under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The Commission also employs staff to operate the Regional Housing Authority. The Commission operates several revolving loan fund programs that make low interest loans available to businesses in the five county area.
The Commission has contracts with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Iowa Department of Transportation, Iowa Department of Economic Development, and USDA Rural Development. The Commission currently employs twenty staff and writes approximately 600 checks per month among the various agencies.
UERPC also serves as the administrative entity for the Workforce Investment Act. Funding is received through the U.S. Department of Labor and includes Title 1 Adult & Administration, WIA Youth and WIA Dislocated Worker grants. UERPC’s annual operating budget is approximately $4.0 million.
The Regional Housing Authority is a public housing agency. Funding is received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. There are currently 407 units under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program with an estimated annual contribution contract of approximately $1.2 million.
Our agency is requesting that your written proposal break down the cost of the audit of UERPC (including Workforce Investment Act) and UERHA and specifically address the following:
- Your firm’s expertise and qualifications, particularly in auditing similar agencies and programs.
- The personnel who will be assigned to the audits and their qualifications.
- The hourly rates of the personnel involved in the audit.
- The scope of services that will be provided in the maximum base price. Include in these services, any expenses relating to travel, copy fees, filing fees, telephone charges, and correspondence that may occur during the duration of the audit and subsequent to the audit.
- The approximate number of hours required by your firm of the UERPC staff in the performance of the audit work and the estimated timeframe for completion of the audit.
The audit must be conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and as required by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.
The audit report of the Regional Housing Authority will need to be prepared as a separate document from the UERPC audit report. Reporting is also required to be completed electronically through HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) for the Regional Housing Authority.
The previous audits of these agencies are available for inspection at our office or on the agency website at uerpc.org. Please submit your written proposal to this office no later than April 11, 2013. Electronic submissions are also welcome. Any questions concerning the audit proposals can be directed to Lisa Lensing, UERPC Finance Manager. We look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachelle Howe
Executive Director