ATTACHMENT 5: PROPOSAL TEMPLATE

SOURCING EVENT 0000012041 – CON | RFQ2026-07 AUDIT SERVICES

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR

AUDIT SERVICES

CON | RFQ2026-07

CONTACT: Keith Miller, CentralContracts@sfgov.org

Proposals received under this RFQ that fail to address each of the requested items in this Attachment 5, Proposal Template in sufficient and complete detail to substantiate that the Proposer can meet the City’s Minimum Qualifications, will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for prequalification. Note that responses of “To be provided upon request” or “To be determined” or the like, or that do not otherwise provide the information requested (left blank) are not acceptable.

Instructions are provided in blue and may be deleted. Please complete your Proposal in the template provided, using as much space as needed. Indicate clearly where separate documents are provided. In order to receive the maximum amount of points, please be sure to follow this format carefully and thoroughly (but concisely) address each section. Please ensure your Proposal meets the Minimum Qualifications so that it will be evaluated.

For word processing documents, the department prefers that text be unjustified (i.e., with a ragged-right margin) and use a sans-serif font (e.g., Calibri) and that pages have margins of at least 0.5” on all sides (excluding headers and footers).

Note that all documents under this RFQ process are subject to public disclosure. Please mark for redaction confidential or proprietary information as appropriate.

I. General Overview

1. Contractors and Subcontractors

List the names of all contractors and subcontractors that are listed in the proposal and the date the proposal was submitted.

2. How did you find out about this RFQ Opportunity?

Insert Response Here.

3. Service Area Indicate which Service Area(s) your firm is seeking to provide. Check all that apply.

Service Area 1: Performance Audit, Financial Audit and Attestation Engagement Service Area 2: Forensic Accounting and Investigative Services Service Area 3: Financial, Management, or Accounting Review Services

II. Prior Project Descriptions

Prior Project Descriptions

Using the following template, Proposers must submit Prior Project Descriptions in accordance with the Minimum Qualifications stated in the RFQ. Each Project Description may only be used to apply for one (1) Service Area. Copy and attach additional template pages as necessary.

Contacts for each project are required, and may serve as references for the Proposer. The City will not inform Proposer when references will be contacted. The Proposer should ensure that client contact information listed in the proposal is up-to-date and should notify references that the City may be contacting them.

Failure to provide the information as requested will result in rejection of your proposal.

PRIOR PROJECT DESCRIPTION #X

Client Contact Name and Title

Client Contact Phone

Client Contact E-mail

(Projects must be within five (5) years from the date of this RFQ.)

Consultant Firm Name

SA2: Forensic Accounting and Investigative Services SA 3: Financial, Management, or Accounting Review Services

Project Background Include background information regarding the client and/or program, as applicable. What were the project goals and desired outcomes? If different, what were the goals and desired outcomes of your services?

Insert Response Here.

Project Scope What were the project activities your firm completed? Provide sufficient information to give the City insight into the size/complexity and scope of the project.

Insert Response Here.

Project Approach How did you approach the project? What methodologies were used, and how did those address the project goals? Describe any challenges you have faced, including strategies you used to address them.

Insert Response Here.

Project Staffing Identify each key person on the project team with titles and roles and hourly rate, including all subcontractors. Include brief narrative descriptions of the responsibilities each person had on the project.

Insert Response Here.

Involvement of Client and/or Stakeholders Discuss how client and any stakeholders were involved in the project, major opportunities for input, client staff contributions, etc.

Insert Response Here.

Project Outcomes What, if any, measurable service deliverables or outcomes can be attributed to your services? How did you add value to the client? Examples include but are not limited to the amount of cost savings as a result of services provided, legislative or policy changes, organizational changes, or other measurable indicators of successful implementation of findings from your services.

III. Evaluation Criteria

A. Firm Qualifications – 20 points

Even if using an alternative format for your responses, the following information must be included in the order specified to be scored appropriately.

1. Firm History and Structure Briefly describe your firm, including history, number of years in business, organizational structure, and ownership structure. Include names of principals.

Insert Response Here.

2. Pending Litigation Briefly describe any litigation or pending litigation related to audit services within the past five years of this RFQ issue date. If none, state “None.”

Insert Response Here.

3. Client Relationships Severed For Reasons Other Than Convenience Provide a list of your clients where the contractual relationship was not completed and was severed for reasons other than convenience. A brief description of why the relationship was severed and the name of the client and the client’s project manager are also required. If none, state “None.”

Insert Response Here.

4. Capacity and Resources Describe your firm’s general capacity and resources to provide the services under this RFQ.

B. Staff Qualifications – 40 points

Even if using an alternative format for your responses, the following information must be included in the order specified to be scored appropriately.

As previously noted in RFQ Attachment 1, if Proposer is selected for a contract, the City will contractually obligate the Proposer to assure that the key individuals listed and identified in the Proposal will be performing the work and will not be substituted with other personnel or reassigned to another audit by the Proposer/Contractor without the City’s prior approval or request. The City, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to review and approve all staff assigned to provide services throughout the duration of the contracts negotiated under this RFQ. Such approval by the City will not be unreasonably withheld. If selected for interviews, the Proposer’s key individuals, including any partner/subcontractor representatives, if applicable, will be required to meet with the City prior to selection for contract negotiations.

1. Proposed Staffing Structure Describe the staffing structure proposed for services under this RFQ, including a proposed staff organization chart.

The organization chart should be in graphic format as follows (example only). The organization chart should include sufficient detail on the staff levels to be assigned to the services by specialization, as appropriate.

2. Proposed Staff Information

Expanding on the proposed staff organization chart information provided above, use the following tables or alternative format to provide detailed narrative information on the proposed roles and responsibilities, qualifications and educational background of audit principals and key staff members, including subcontractor staff, if applicable, proposed to perform services for the City. Include as many tables as needed.

Name, Title

Insert Response Here.

Service Area 1: Experience with Performance Audit, Financial Audit and Attestation Engagement Services

Describe experience with performance audit services. Includes assessments of program effectiveness, economy, and efficiency; internal control; compliance; and prospective analyses. Subject may include compliance with laws, regulations, contract provisions, grant agreements, and other requirements.

Performance audits are engagements that provide assurance or conclusions based on an evaluation of sufficient, appropriate evidence against stated criteria, such as specific requirements, measures, or defined business practices. Performance audits include assessments of program effectiveness, economy, and efficiency; internal control; compliance; and prospective analyses. The subject of compliance performance audits may include compliance with laws, regulations, contract provisions, grant agreements, and other requirements.

Performance audit services may include concessionaire and other lease compliance audits (such as golf courses or food and beverage concessions). In addition, the subject matter of audits under Service area 1 may include a variety of City contracts, grants, and other agreements; City department and agency programs, operations, and financial information; and revenue and general obligation bond programs, among other subject matter.

Insert Response Here. If not applicable, write “Not Applicable.”

Describe experience with financial statement audits. Includes financial statement audits and other related financial audits. Reporting on financial audits includes reports on internal control, compliance with laws and regulations, and provisions of contracts and grant agreements as they relate to financial transactions, systems, and processes.

Financial audits performed include financial statement audits and other related financial audits. Financial audits provide an independent assessment of and reasonable assurance about whether an entity’s reported financial condition, results, and use of resources are presented fairly in accordance with recognized criteria. Reporting on financial audits also includes reports on internal control, compliance with laws and regulations, and provisions of contracts and grant agreements as they relate to financial transactions, systems, and processes.

Insert Response Here. If not applicable, write “Not Applicable.”

Describe experience with attestation engagements. Includes examinations, reviews, or agreed upon procedures on a subject matter. Subject may include compliance with laws, regulations, contract provisions, grant agreements, and other requirements.

Attestation engagements concern examining, reviewing, or performing agreed upon procedures on a subject matter or an assertion about a subject matter and reporting on the results. The subject matter of an attestation engagement may take many forms, including historical or prospective performance or condition, historical events, analyses, or systems and processes. Attestation engagements cover a broad range of financial or nonfinancial objectives about a subject matter or assertion. Examples of objectives of attestation engagements include reporting on an entity’s internal control over financial reporting or an entity’s compliance with requirements of specified laws, regulations, rules, contracts, or grants. Attestation engagements include quarterly review engagements of the City's investments and other agreed-upon procedures.

All audit work performed under Service Area 1 shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards unless otherwise specified by the City.

Insert Response Here. If not applicable, write “Not Applicable.”

Possession of Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor license/certification.

Insert Response Here. If not applicable, write “Not Applicable.”

Service Area 2: Experience with Forensic Accounting and Investigative Services

Describe experience with forensic accounting and investigative services, specifically investigative expertise within a public sector context combining accounting, auditing, and investigative expertise.

The City seeks qualified firms with extensive experience to assist with performing investigations of complaints submitted to the City’s Whistleblower Program. Qualified firms should have experience in conducting investigations and evaluating internal controls by combining accounting, auditing, and investigative expertise. Investigative services may include administrative (personnel) investigations and forensic accounting investigations of employees about the city’s operations, financial reporting and management.

Insert Response Here. If not applicable, write “Not Applicable.”

Possession of a Certified Forensic Accountant or Certified Fraud Examiner license/certification.

Service Area 3: Experience with Financial, Management, or Accounting Review Services

Describe experience with

· performing financial analysis, management analysis, and/or accounting services. Subject may include compliance with laws, regulations, contract provisions, grant agreements, and other requirements.

· with reviews and analysis on a subject matter. Analyses may include internal controls assessment, staffing analyses, or data validation tests.

· with inventory or bank reconciliations.

The City seeks qualified firms with experience to assist it by performing financial analysis, management analysis, and/or accounting services on an as-needed basis. The services may include assessments, evaluations, or analyses of selected processes, functions, or areas. These will be limited in scope and will not be audits in compliance with auditing standards. Firms may be engaged to 1) produce reports or technical memorandums to CSA or CSA client departments, or 2) lead or provide technical assistance to CSA staff or CSA client department.

Insert Response Here. If not applicable, write “Not Applicable.”

Possession of Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor license/certification.

Attach copy of CPA license, CISA certificate, CIA license or other applicable documentation.

C. Approach and Cost – 30 points

Even if using an alternative format for your proposal, the following information must be included in the order specified to be scored appropriately.

1. Client Involvement or Level of Effort Describe your approach to providing audit services to public sector clients. What are the lessons learned that could be applied to services provided to the City?

Insert Response Here.

Describe your firm’s expectations and/or assumptions of the City’s involvement or level of effort, including review, approval and other communication protocols necessary to successfully complete the services.

Insert Response Here.

2. Competitive Differences What makes your firm’s approach to the services different or more effective than other firms providing the same services? Describe any other asset, expertise, experience, data or technology that provides your firm with a competitive edge or advantage that will provide a benefit to your clients. Include any lessons learned.

Insert Response Here.

3. Cost Response State clearly the Service Area(s) for which the hourly rates will apply. Separate rates for each Service Area, if different, should be submitted for those responding to more than one Service Area.

The City intends to award a contract to the Proposer that will provide the best overall Proposal to the City inclusive of qualifications and cost considerations. The City reserves the right to accept other than the lowest cost and to reject all proposals that are not responsive to this RFQ.

· The City will negotiate costs and work effort with the selected Respondent to develop a firm fixed price for the contract utilizing a blended hourly rate to compensate Respondent for all services, travel, lodging, meals, miscellaneous and any other expenses related to the completion of services. Additional and separate cost reimbursement will not be provided by the City.

· Note that hourly rates provided shall apply to any and all as-needed services requested by the City for the full contract period under this RFQ, as applicable.

Provide standard hourly billing rates by staff name/role with the estimated percentage of overall team effort each staff person would allocate to each Service Area for which it seeks pre-qualification. A spreadsheet or table format is preferred with sufficient detail for the City to determine the justification for what is being included.

Insert Response Here or Attachment.

D. Completeness of Proposal Submission– 10 points 1 Proposal Completeness Proposal conforms with RFQ requirements and concisely but comprehensively addresses RFQ requirements.

2. Presentation of Materials Proposal is professionally presented and contains organized content and format.

Sourcing Event 0000012041 Attachment 5 August 26, 2026 image1.wmf