Audit_Firm_for_Bridgeport_Board_of_Education(BBOE).pdf

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Audit Firm for Bridgeport Board of Education(BBOE)
Solicitation number
BEX031252
Issued by
Fairfield County, Connecticut

About this file

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the City of Bridgeport Department of Public Purchases on behalf of the Bridgeport Board of Education (BBOE) seeking qualified independent audit firms to provide supplemental, targeted audit services. The BBOE requires audit firms comprised of certified public accountants (CPAs) capable of conducting specialized audits with specific, limited focus, objectives, and scope on an as-needed basis, supplemental to the district's existing annual financial reviews, Federal Single Audit, State Single Audit, and Connecticut Education Finance System audit. Services must be performed in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards and Agreed-Upon Procedures. The Bridgeport School District serves approximately 20,000 students across 38 schools with a 2024-25 operating budget of approximately $300 million. Questions must be submitted by February 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm EST, with responses provided by February 21, 2025 at 2:00 pm. Proposals are due electronically through the OpenGov procurement portal or via paper submission to the Department of Public Purchases by Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 2:00 pm EST. The initial contract term is one year commencing July 1, 2025, with options for the BBOE to renew for up to four additional years. No specific contract award date is provided, though the evaluation committee may conduct post-evaluation interviews prior to final selection.

Compensation is based on a detailed itemized fee schedule submitted by proposing firms, with hourly rates for audit processes and anticipated reimbursable expenses, excluding travel time and inclusive of all office overhead. The BBOE retains no obligation to award any work during the contract term, as services are contingent upon specific audit requests, board approval, and available funding. Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale using weighted criteria: Firm's Relevant Experience (25 points), Experience of Staff (20 points), Client References (10 points), Quality of Response/Proposal (20 points), Cost (25 points), and MBE Credit (10 points). The City encourages participation from Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), and City-based businesses (CBB), with current certifications eligible for up to 10 additional evaluation points. Consultant insurance requirements include Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000), and Professional Liability ($1,000,000 per claim/$1,000,000 aggregate with seven-year tail coverage). Billing occurs upon completion of authorized audits, submitted to the Chief Financial Officer, with payment exempt from excise taxes and sales taxes.

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

BEX031252

AUDIT FIRM FOR BRIDGEPORT BOARD OF

EDUCATION(BBOE)

CITY OF BRIDGEPORT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PURCHASES

999 BROAD STREET

BRIDGEPORT CT 06604

Submission Deadline:

Thursday, February 27, 2025 by 2:00 pm

Table Of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Scope of Work

3. Submission Guidelines

4. Evaluations

5. Evaluation Criteria

6. Selection Process

7. Terms and Conditions

8. Required Response Format

9. Vendor Questionnaire

10. Appendix A

11. Appendix B

Attachments:

A - City of Bridgeport Contractor Agreement

B - NO CONFLICTS FORM 10-2018

1. Introduction

The City of Bridgeport seeks proposals for Audit Firm for Bridgeport Board of

Education(BBOE).

The requirements of this project are outlined in greater detail under Scope of Work.

The selected awardee must meet all municipal, State and Federal practices and requirements.

The initial term for the contract will be one (1) year with two (2) one-year renewal options, for a potential total term of five (5) years. Written acknowledgement from vendor will be required.

Please note the City of Bridgeport encourages Minority business enterprises (MBE), Women business enterprises (WBE) and City-based businesses (CBB) to submit proposals. MBE, WBE or CBB State and/or City certification(s) showing the vendor’s current M/WBE and/or CBB status must be included as part of the proposal package at the time of submission for such status to be considered. For details, please see City Ordinance 3.12.130D (setting an attainable goal of 30% for prime contractor utilization of certain target groups for contracts stemming from

QBS selection process and City Ordinance 3.12.130E (setting a possible award of 10 additional points to the evaluation criteria scoring).

1.1. Project Overview and Summary

The Bridgeport Board of Education is seeking proposals for Professional Audit Services from qualified independent audit firms comprised of certified public accountants (CPA), who could be available to conduct supplemental, targeted audits, each with a specific, limited focus, objective and scope, on as needed and as requested basis, as requested and approved by the BBOE. It would be required that any supplemental targeted audit performed pursuant to this RFP be conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, Governmental

Accounting Standards Board and Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUP), consistent with professional, independent audits. An audit of the type anticipated by this RFP would be supplemental to the professional audits of the school district conducted annually by an independent audit firm: Annual Financial Review, Federal Single Audit, State Single Audit and Connecticut

Education Finance System (EFS) audit, inclusive of the special education excess cost grant.

It is the intent of the BBOE to engage the selected firm, when under contract, on an as needed and as requested basis, to perform one or more singular supplemental targeted audits, each with a pre-determined focus, objective and scope. Such objective and scope shall be determined by the members of the BBOE, in consultation with the designated representatives of the audit firm. The

Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee, on behalf of the BBOE, would then request a price quotation and timetable for performance, based on the contracted rate schedule set forth in the proposer’s Response to the RFP, prior to authorizing initiation of any service. The quotation and timetable would next be presented to the Board of Education for approval to conduct the audit. If BOE approval is granted, then the Superintendent and firm would sign the agreement, which will authorize the commencement of the audit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the BBOE is under no obligation to award the successful proposer any, or any particular amount of, work during the term of the Agreement.

1.2. District Background

The mission of the Bridgeport Public Schools and its supporting community is to graduate all students “college ready” and prepared to succeed in life.

The Bridgeport School District is the second largest school system in Connecticut, servicing approximately 20,000 students. It also ranks lowest among the Connecticut school districts on the economic scale.

There are 38 schools consisting of 29 elementary, 7 (seven) high schools, Bridgeport Learning

Center (BLC) and the inter-district Vocational Aquaculture School. The school system employs a staff of more than 2000, inclusive of Facilities, Security and Food Services personnel.

In 2024-25, the Bridgeport School District has an operating budget of approximately $300M, plus grant budgets (federal, state, private).

2. Scope of Work

PROJECT: Professional Audit Firm - Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Bridgeport Board of

Education (“BBOE”), Bridgeport, CT, for a 1-year term commencing on or about July 1 2025, with an option for the BBOE to renew for up to four (4) additional years. All references to the

BBOE and Bridgeport Board of Education shall be construed to mean the BBOE, its elected and appointed officials, executives, directors, staff, agents and employees

2.1. Objectives

The professional audit firm should include, in the development of its proposal, comprehensive information to demonstrate strong capability to perform audit services competently and efficiently, on an as-needed and as-requested basis, to meet the following objectives.

• Perform a supplemental, targeted audit with a limited, specific focus, purpose and scope, in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards.

• Complete the authorized audit in a timely manner.

• Generate written reports documenting the procedures used, conclusions and recommendations.

2.2. Services/ Deliverables

1. The Professional Audit firm will be responsible for identifying adequate resources to staff and effectively complete the tasks entailed in a requested supplemental, targeted audit.

• Identify the responsible staff member and all persons who will take primary responsibility for completing the requested audit. It is anticipated that primary representatives will be requested to make presentations to the Board as required.

• Delineate a list of strengths and/or unique qualifications possessed by the firm that would benefit the BBOE.

2. The firm will be expected to provide the following services and deliverables:

• Perform the supplemental, targeted audit in accordance with Generally Accepted

Auditing Standards and agreed-upon procedures, consistent with the practices associated with professional independent audits.

• Review financial transactions and records, based on applicable procedures, laws (federal, state, local) and regulations.

• Perform sampling, testing and validation functions, as deemed necessary to achieve the audit objectives.

• Prior to completing a final written audit report, deliver and review a draft report and the proposed management letter with the Superintendent, CFO and Board of Education.

• By the expected completion date, produce a written final audit report documenting the auditing practices and work conducted in relation to the audit objectives, conclusions and recommendations.

2.3. Minimum Requirements

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in conducting supplemental, targeted audits in school districts.

• Professional capacity to perform supplemental, targeted audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and agreed-upon procedures, consistent with the practices associated with professional independent audits.

• Assignment of a lead staff member with full responsibility and accountability to the BBOE and other support staff each with appropriate experience.

• Must submit quotations for specific services, when requested by the Superintendent or designee.

• Must submit timely invoices for authorized services that describe in appropriate detail the nature, date and amount of time attributable to each entry, consistent with the contract requirements.

3. Submission Guidelines

3.1. Contacting the City of Bridgeport

The exclusive means by which all prospective respondents may obtain RFP packages, direct inquires, request and receive addenda and supplemental information, and submit proposals shall be through the City of Bridgeport’s bidding platform.

The City of Bridgeport has made it possible for vendors to view our solicitations, download bid packages and ask questions, free of charge.

Instructions to do so are as follows:

1. Go to https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/bridgeportct

2. Click on any bid you see. It will take you to that bid’s page.

3. On the right-hand side of the page, click on Register now for free!

4. After you register, you'll be able to view/download or ask questions on any bid you have interest in.

If you have any trouble registering, please contact OpenGov using the chat feature or send an email to procurement-support@opengov.com

Addenda Notification: Respondents are required to register on OpenGov. Once the respondent has completed registration, they will receive addenda notifications in their email. Ultimately, it is the sole responsibility of each respondent to periodically check the site for any addenda.

3.2. Electronic Submission Instructions

THIS METHOD IS PREFERRED.

Submissions are encouraged to be made electronically through the OpenGov site at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/bridgeportct no later than 2:00 pm on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

Questions and Answers: It is the responsibility of each firm to inquire about additional information or clarification as to any aspect of the RFP or the Project by submitting questions. The City of Bridgeport will receive questions until Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at

12:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) and will promptly provide answers to such questions no https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/bridgeportct mailto:procurement-support@opengov.com https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/bridgeportct later than Friday, February 21, 2025 at 2:00 pm by publishing them on the Procurement Portal and the All firms are obligated to become familiar with such questions and answers and to submit or revise their proposals accordingly. The City of Bridgeport assumes no responsibility for a firm’s failure to read questions or answers and to revise their responses accordingly.

Late Submissions: City will not assume responsibility if a submission is misdirected, or its delivery is delayed. It shall be the sole responsibility of the submitter to pay for any type of delivery service charge, and to see that the Office of the Purchasing Agent receives his/her submission on time. The clock used shall be the Purchasing Agent’s official date and time stamp clock. The City does not assume financial responsibility for late deliveries by the U.S. Postal

System or any other delivery service.

Expenses: The City shall not be responsible for and/or shall not pay any costs associated with the preparation, submission, or presentation of any submission, or costs incurred by the responding firms during the interview and negotiations phase of the solicitation process

Information and Materials: Any information or materials submitted to this RFP shall become the property of the City of Bridgeport and will not be returned. All submitted materials will be available for public review.

Dates: Please keep in mind dates are estimates only and are subject to change.

3.3. Paper Submission Instructions

Submissions may also be made as follows:

ONE (1) ORIGINAL, FOUR (4) COPIES AND ONE (1) ELECTRONIC VIA

THUMBDRIVE MUST BE SUBMITTED.

Sealed submissions must be received and time-stamped by the Department of Public Purchases prior to RFP closing time. No submission received after closing time will be considered. The opening will be in the City of Bridgeport Department of Public Purchases’ Conference Room. To ensure proper handling and avoid misdirected delivery, please mark your RFP envelope as follows:

BEX031252-Audit Firm for Bridgeport Board of Education(BBOE)

Send your submissions to:

Laura DeMoura City of Bridgeport Department of Public Purchases 2nd floor, 999 Broad Street Bridgeport, CT 06604

RFP submissions are due:

Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 2:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)

3.4. Timeline

Release Project Date: January 27, 2025

Question Submission Deadline: February 18, 2025, 12:00pm

Question Response Deadline: February 21, 2025, 2:00pm

Response Submission Deadline: February 27, 2025, 2:00pm

4. Evaluations

Proposals shall be evaluated and contracts awarded in the following manner:

A. All proposals shall be submitted to an Evaluation Committee, which shall evaluate and score the proposals. The membership of the Evaluation Committee may include, but is not limited to:

• BOE Finance Committee Chairperson

• BOE Finance Committee member

• Superintendent or Designee

• Chief Financial Officer or Designee

• Manager, Business Operations

B. All proposals meeting the requirements of the RFP will be rated using the evaluation and scoring criteria specified herein. The Evaluation Committee will engage in a three step process as follows: (1) review the proposals and list the respondents, conducting such interviews as it schedules in its sole and absolute discretion, (2) negotiate with the preferred respondent (including as to pricing terms) to either an agreement or an impasse and if it deems it in the best interests of the BBOE (3) initiate negotiations with a successor preferred respondent(s). Proposers will be notified of any additional required information or interviews after written proposals have been evaluated. The Evaluation Committee will make a recommendation based on the highest score to the Board of Public Purchases of the

City of Bridgeport and the BBOE for approval. The BBOE will make the final decision.

C. In the event that an agreement cannot be reached with the selected proposer, the BBOE, at its sole discretion, shall have the right to negotiate with the next ranking proposer until an agreement can be reached.

D. The BBOE reserves the right to reject any or all submittals; request clarification of any submitted information; waive any informalities or irregularities in any submittals or cancel all or any portion of the selection proceedings at any time, reject all bids and rebid or decide not to rebid for such services.

E. Proposals that contain false or misleading statements or which provide a reference that do not support an attribute claimed by the proposer may be rejected. If, in the opinion of the

BBOE, such information was intended to mislead the BBOE in its evaluation, it will be the basis for the rejection of the proposal.

5. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated utilizing an evaluation matrix based on a City Selection Committee’s project specific or weighted criterion. Typical decision criteria are listed in the chart below. The decision criteria in the chart below are for demonstration purposes, only. The decision criteria can vary based on project scope or request for proposal (RFP) type.

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Firm’s Relevant Experience 0-100 Points 25 (22.7% of Total)

2. Experience of Staff

Resumes; and years in the industry

Relevant experience of staff members

0-100 Points 20 (18.2% of Total)

3. References from Clients Points Based 10 (9.1% of Total)

4. Quality of Response/proposal

Reference Scope of Work Section

Points Based 20 (18.2% of Total)

5. Cost 0-100 Points 25 (22.7% of Total)

6. MBE CREDIT 0-100 Points 10 (9.1% of Total)

6. Selection Process

The City Selection Committee will review the responses to compliance with the required documentation to determine responsiveness. MBE firms, or firms that form a joint venture with non-MBE prime, and who are entitled to Evaluation Credits pursuant to City ordinance, will be determined and evaluation credits will be issued for purposes of selection.

The City Selection Committee, comprised of key internal stakeholders, will review, evaluate proposals, and score them and rank the responses on a 100-point scale with any evaluation credits awarded. Upon completion of the evaluation and scoring, the City Selection Committee may conduct post-evaluation interviews with the most qualified suppliers prior to a final decision. The City of Bridgeport reserves the right to reject any or all submissions and cancel this request for proposal (RFP), without liability.

Provide a timeline for when a decision will be made and the process for how suppliers will be notified.

7. Terms and Conditions

7.1. Terms and Conditions

Contractual terms and conditions are included in Attachment A of this RFP.

7.2. Payment Terms

A. Term of Contract – It is anticipated that the BBOE will enter into a one (1) year contract for Professional Audit services, commencing July 1, 2025, with an option for the BBOE to renew for up to four (4) additional years. However, the date of final execution of the contract shall be the governing factor as to the date of commencement of work.

Professional Audit Services that may be required by the BBOE, on an as needed and as requested basis, will be dependent upon the BBOE’s need for supplemental audit services and the availability of funding and formal authorization by the BBOE for any such work. Proposers are asked to complete and submit a detailed itemized fee schedule for the services/deliverables identified in the

RFP. Regardless, if no supplemental audit services are required and/or funding is unavailable, no work may be awarded in any particular year of any Agreement.

7.3. Warranty and Support

7.4. Openness of Procurement Process

Written responses, other discussions, correspondence, and all other pertinent records shall be handled as public records in compliance with State and Federal open records statutes and regulations.

7.5. Errors and Omissions

Once a response is submitted, the City of Bridgeport may consider requests by any contractor to correct errors or omissions but shall retain sole discretionary authority to determine the outcome of such a request.

7.6. Collusion

By offering a response to this RFP the suppler certifies that no attempt has been made or will be made by the consultant to induce any other person or firm to submit or not to submit a proposal for the purpose of restricting competition. All persons interested in this project, principal or principals being named therein, and no other person have an interest in this project or in the

Agreement which they may participate in. No person or agency has been employed or retained to solicit or secure this Agreement upon an agreement or understanding for a commission, percentage, brokerage, or contingent fee, excepting legitimate employees or established commercial agencies maintained by the consultant for the purpose of doing business. All firms interested in this project (including the firm's employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists attorneys and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process, including the evaluation panel and other administrative staff. The policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms; assure that contract decisions are made in public and to protect the integrity of the selection process.

7.7. Suspension and Debarment

The City will not participate in contracts with parties that have been debarred, suspended or excluded from Federal assistance programs per 2 CFR part 180 and part 1532 and 40 CFR part

31.35. Further, the respondent is required to verify that the respondent, or its principals, as defined at 49 CFR 19.995, or affiliates, as defined at 49 CFR 29.905, are excluded or disqualified as defined at 49 CFR 29.40 and 29.945

The respondent is required to comply with 49 CFR 29, Subpart C and must include the requirement to comply with 49 CFR 29, Subpart C in any lower tier covered transaction it participates in.

By signing and submitting its bid or proposal, the respondent or proposer certifies as follows:

The certification in this clause is a material representation of fact relied upon by the City if it is later determined that the respondent or proposer knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to remedies available to the City the Federal Government may pursue available remedies, including but not limited to suspension and/or debarment. The respondent or proposer agrees to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR 29, Subpart C while this offer is valid and throughout the period of any contract that may arise from this offer. The respondent or proposer further agrees to include a provision requiring such compliance in its lower tier covered transactions.

7.8. Contract & Insurance Requirements

The attached Professional Services Agreement with insurance rider, Exhibit A and Exhibit B, will govern the successful vendors engagement.

Any proposed modification to the agreement must be submitted with a proposal package. Note that proposed modifications may be taken into account when determining the best interest of the

City during the evaluation process. The decision to accept any modifications will be at the sole discretion of the City.

7.9. City of Bridgeport Reservation of Rights

This solicitation is for a “Request for Proposal (RFP) only”. This request for proposal is not to be construed as a specific proposal or an offer to buy any products or services. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the City expressly reserves all rights in its sole discretion and in the best interests of the City at any time prior to the selection of a preferred respondent and participating in a final contract, without any liability therefore, to:

• Modify any dates or other terms of the RFP upon posting notice,

• Waive any informality or non-material deficiencies in submissions,

• The consultant misstates or conceals any material fact in the proposal,

• Reject any and/or all proposals,

• Withdraw the RFP,

• Decline to select qualified vendors from the respondents to the RFP,

• Select one, more than one, or no respondents

• Not liable to any Respondent for damages of any type however arising.

7.10. Joint Proposal / Response

In an effort to minimize costs and streamline contract and vendor management, the BBOE would like to source the services outlined in the RFP to a single firm; thus, responding firms may submit a joint proposal with one or more firms in order to meet the full spectrum of services required. A single firm must be identified as the prime service provider and the proposed contract holder with BBOE in the event that responding firms decide to submit a joint proposal. All member entities of the joint proposal must separately submit a full response to this

RFP. The prime firm and related firms or individuals must provide the same information required of the prime firm in response to this RFP. Notwithstanding the desire for a single source of services, the BBOE reserves the right to enter into agreements with more than one firm.

7.11. Confidentiality of Proposals

The BBOE is NOT responsible for the confidentiality of any information transmitted unless it is separately identified and enveloped within the response and its purported status as

CONFIDENTIAL is clearly marked on that internal envelope. The BBOE operates subject to the provisions of the CT Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and upon award of the contract, public disclosure of the non-confidential portions of the submittals would be made upon request. In the event documents submitted marked as CONFIDENTIAL are requested by third-parties, the Office of the City Attorney (OCA) will conduct a review of the contents and if the contents are deemed confidential, no disclosure shall be made. If the OCA determines that the request is for information that is deemed CONFIDENTIAL, the proposer will be notified of its opportunity to object to and contest the release of such CONFIDENTIAL information.

8. Required Response Format

8.1. A. Proposal Format

1. The proposal should be prepared simply and economically providing straightforward and concise delineation of the proposer’s capabilities and qualifications to satisfy the requirements of this RFP. Fancy bindings, colored displays, and promotional materials are neither necessary nor desired. Emphasis in the proposal should be on completeness and clarity of content. The evaluation process will not provide credit for capabilities or advantages that are not clearly shown in the written proposal.

2. 8 ½ by 11 inches in size, typed in number 12 Arial font, double -spaced with each page clearly and consecutively numbered.

3. The proposal must be submitted in the legal entity name of the proposer. The proposal must be signed by the proposer, a corporate officer, or authorized agent of the proposer.

8.2. B. Proposal Cover Letter and Statement of Intent to Meet RFP Requirements

A proposal cover letter and Statement of Intent to meet RFP requirements must be submitted with the proposal.

8.3. C. Table of Contents

A table of contents must be provided which identifies all major sections of the proposal by page number. All exhibits and attachments must also be identified and referenced by page number.

8.4. D. Body of Proposal

1. Qualifications and Experience

A. Statements describing background, including date established, type of ownership, location of headquarters and offices, and number of employees engaged in legal service activities.

B. Statements describing work history on similar projects. Specify the number of years the firm has been providing Professional Audit services. Provide resumes or brief curricula vitae of employees of the firm, experienced in servicing public school districts, who would regularly interact with the Bridgeport School District.

C. Statements that demonstrate knowledge of and experience in providing Professional Audit services. Provide a listing of school districts served by the firm as clients. Include officials who may be contacted for references.

D. Statements with appropriate supporting documentation concerning any grievances, claims and/or lawsuits filed against the firm or any of its current or past employees within the past

(15) years.

E.

2. Organizational Structure

The content of this section should describe how the Proposer intends to organize resources, as necessary to perform the services required by this RFP.

For staff assigned to Professional Audit services for the BBOE, the Proposer must provide the following:

E. Titles;

F. Resume or brief curriculum vitae describing their educational background and relevant experience;

G. Percentage of time to be devoted to this project; and

H. Indicate if the assigned staff member(s) is an employee of the Proposer, or if she/he is a subcontractor, in which case the proposer must identify how such subcontractor meets the requirements of this RFP.

3. Joint Proposal

Provide names of firm(s) and all member entities that are part of respondent’s joint proposal.

4. Workplan

The work plan should detail any data and other information expected to be obtained through the BBOE, as well as specific tasks or activities expected to be completed by the

BBOE.

5. Costs Bid Sheet

Complete and submit a detailed itemized fee schedule. Responding firms must provide

(a) hourly rates for audit processes

(b) anticipated types of reimbursable expenses

The hourly rates charged to the BBOE/District must represent the entire expense for the

BBOE/District. Payment will not be made for any travel time to or from the job site, whether that is the firm’s offices, the BBOE facilities, or any other location. Billable hours are limited to those hours actually performing services on behalf of the BBOE and shall be inclusive of all office overhead. No additional internal expense costs will be accepted. Therefore, the firm should propose hourly rates that are inclusive of all costs associated with the firm’s performance of the services. Documented (with receipts) out of pocket expenses paid to third party providers for other services such as mass copying jobs, courier services, pre-approved travel costs, parking fees, etc. will be eligible for reimbursement if and to the extent identified in the contract.

The BBOE/District is exempt from payment of excise taxes, transportation and sales taxes imposed by the Federal Government and/or State of Connecticut. Such taxes must not be included in the proposer’s invoices.

Billing should occur upon completion of the audit, through the submission of a detailed invoice to the Chief Financial officer, who will submit the invoice for processing of payment.

8.5. References

Proposer must provide at least three (3) letters of reference from current and/or former clients for whom the proposer has provided services similar to those required herein.

Letters of reference must include the name, address and telephone number of the individuals who provide the references.

The Evaluation Committee will contact references. If references cannot be reached, the proposal may be deemed non-responsive and rejected. If references obtained by the BBOE are not favorable, the BBOE may reject the proposal or decline to move forward with the evaluation of such proposal.

References will be used as an evaluation criterion for scoring purposes.

9. Vendor Questionnaire

1. No Conflicts/Disclosure Form (Signed and notarized)***

Every business or individual that is issued a notice of intent to award pursuant to the city’s purchasing ordinance (section 3.08.070, as amended), must fully and accurately complete this disclosure form. If there is insufficient space for any answer, attach additional sheets.

*Response required

2. Bid Proposal Documents*

Please upload your proposal here.

3. Costs Bid Sheet*

Complete and submit a detailed itemized fee schedule. Responding firms must provide

(a) hourly rates for audit processes

(b) anticipated types of reimbursable expenses

10. Appendix A

Professional Services Insurance Rider

As a provider of Professional Services, the Consultant shall provide and maintain insurance coverage related to its services in connection with the Project in compliance with the following requirements.

The insurance required shall be written for not less than the scope and limits of insurance specified hereunder, or required by applicable federal, state and/or municipal law, regulation or requirement, whichever coverage requirement is greater. It is agreed and understood that the scope and limits of insurance specified hereunder are minimum requirements and shall in no way limit or preclude the City from requiring additional limits and coverage to be provided under the

Consultant's policies.

The insurance obligations under this agreement shall be (1) all the insurance coverage and/or limits carried by or available to the Consultant; or (2) the minimum insurance coverage requirements and/or limits shown in this agreement, whichever is greater.

Minimum Scope and Limits of Insurance:

Workers' Compensation: With respect to all operations the Consultant performs, it shall carry workers' compensation insurance in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of

Connecticut, and Employer's Liability limits of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) coverage for each accident, One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) coverage for each employee by disease, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) policy limit coverage for disease.

Commercial General Liability: With respect to all operations the Consultant performs it shall carry Commercial General Liability insurance providing for a total limit of One Million Dollars

($1,000,000) coverage per occurrence for all damages arising out of bodily injury, personal injury, property damage, products/completed operations, and contractual liability coverage for the indemnification obligations arising under this Agreement. The Annual Aggregate limit shall not be less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000).

Automobile Liability: With respect to each owned, non-owned, or hired vehicles the

Consultant shall carry Automobile Liability insurance providing One Million Dollars

($1,000,000) coverage per accident for bodily injury and property damage.

Professional Liability: The Consultant shall provide Professional Liability Insurance covering errors and omissions. Such insurance shall be in an amount no less than $1,000,000 for each claim and $1,000,000 Aggregate. Such insurance coverage shall remain in place for seven years after City’s acceptance of Consultant’s work, and if Consultant’s insurance coverage is written on a “claims made” basis, such seven-year requirement can be satisfied through a combination of an extended reporting period and tail coverage.

Acceptability of Insurers: The Consultant's policies shall be written by insurance companies licensed to do business in the State of Connecticut, with an AM Best rating of A-VII, or better. Additionally, all carriers are subject to approval by the City of Bridgeport.

Subcontractors: The Consultant shall require all subcontractors to provide the same "minimum scope and limits of insurance" as required herein. All Certificates of Insurance shall be provided to the City's Office of the City Attorney and to the City’s Purchasing Department required herein

Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions: Any deductible or self-insured retention must be declared to and approved by the city. All deductibles or self-insured retentions are the sole responsibility of the Consultant to pay and/or to indemnify.

Notice of Cancellation or Nonrenewal: Each insurance policy required shall be endorsed to state that coverage shall not be suspended, voided, cancelled, or reduced in coverage or in limits before the expiration date except after thirty (30) days prior written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, has been given to the City. Notwithstanding this requirement, the

Consultant is primarily responsible for providing such written notice to the City thirty (30) days prior to any policy change or cancellation that would result in a change of the amount or type of coverage provided. In the event of any such change the Consultant shall provide comparable substitute coverage so that there is no lapse in applicable coverage or reduction in the amount of coverage available to the City related to the Consultant’s Services.

Waiver of Governmental Immunity: Unless requested otherwise by the City, the Consultant and its insurer shall waive governmental immunity as defense and shall not use the defense of governmental immunity in the adjustment of claims or in the defense of any suit brought against the City.

Additional Insured: The liability insurance coverage, (excluding Workers' Compensation &

Professional Liability, if included) required for the performance of the Services shall include the

City as an Additional Insured with respect to the Consultant's activities to be performed under this Agreement. Consultant’s insurance shall be primary and shall not seek contribution from any other insurance carried by the additional insured in the payment of a claim.

Waiver of Subrogation: Consultant hereby waives the right to subrogate or seek recovery from

City of Bridgeport and its insurance carriers. This waiver of subrogation does not apply to

Professional Liability coverage.

Certificate of Insurance: Prior to the commencement of services under this Contract, the

Consultant shall furnish Certificate(s) of Insurance to the City. The Certificate(s) will specify all parties who are endorsed on the policy as Additional Insureds (or Loss Payees). The Certificates and endorsements for each insurance policy are to be signed by a person authorized by the insurer to bind coverage on its behalf. Renewals of expiring Certificates shall be provided prior to expiration but no more than fifteen (15) days after policy renewal.

Certificates shall designate the City in the following form and manner:

“City of Bridgeport, its elected officials, officers, department heads, employees, agents, servants, successors and assigns ATIMA Margaret E. Morton Government Center 999 Broad Street, 2nd Floor Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604”

All insurance documents required should be mailed to the Office of the City Attorney 999 Broad

Street 2nd Floor Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604.

Waiver of requirements: The City Attorney may vary these insurance requirements at her sole discretion if it determines that the City's interests will be adequately protected by the provision of different types or other amounts of coverage.

11. Appendix B

Please see Attachment A - City of Bridgeport Contractor Agreement.

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .