Auditing Services 2025 RFP-20250506d.pdf

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE

CITY OF LONG BRANCH

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR

AUDITING SERVICES

Under a Fair and Open Process in Accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et. seq.

PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY

10:00 AM on May 6th, 2025 to:

PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LONG BRANCH

2 HOPE LANE

LONG BRANCH, NEW JERSEY 07740

1. PURPOSE

The Housing Authority of the City of Long Branch (hereinafter called the “Housing Authority”) is a public housing authority with administrative offices located at 2 Hope Lane, Long Branch, New Jersey 07740. The Housing Authority provides quality, affordable housing to low-income families and seniors through its Public Housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Programs.

In accordance with applicable Federal and State of New Jersey requirements, the Housing

Authority is currently accepting proposals for Auditing Services for the fiscal year ending 2025.

It is the Housing Authority’s desire to employ a duly qualified accountant or accounting firm to act as its Auditor and to conduct an audit of its books and records for the above-indicated time period. All auditing services must be provided in accordance with New Jersey State Law and all rules, orders, directives, and regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), including the HUD Financial Operations and Accounting

Procedures Handbook, the HUD Audit Guidelines, the Annual Contributions Contract, Asset

Based Management, Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (“GAAS”), and Generally Accepted

Government Auditing Standards (“GAGAS”). The Audit shall also be performed in accordance with Circular OMB A-133.

2. SCOPE OF AUDITING SERVICES

The scope of auditing services being requested will relate to all of the Housing Authority’s programs (including but not limited to Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, and

Capital Fund programs) and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

A. Draft and issue a comprehensive financial and compliance audit for the fiscal year ending

2025 which shall include:

a. A complete audit of all federal, state and other awards of financial assistance received by the Housing Authority in accordance with U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133 and the A-133 Compliance Supplement or its successor pursuant to the Single Audit Act of 1984;

b. An evaluation of Authority internal financial controls over cash receipts, disbursements, fixed assets and payroll cycles as they relate to authorization, completeness, accuracy, substantiation of balances and access to assets; and

c. A review of operational efficiency and effectiveness including any recommendations for improvement;

B. Compare financial statements between the prior and current fiscal years and implement any recommendations for the current fiscal year;

C. Assist in all HUD Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) reporting including certification of all required electronic reporting requirements in strict compliance with reporting deadlines;

D. Provide continuing professional education of staff regarding audit-related activities and bookkeeping;

E. Conduct audit entrance and exit conferences with the Executive Director and Housing

Authority staff to discuss audit approach and any subsequent findings and recommendations; and

F. Appear before the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners at the conclusion of the audit and present the audited financial statements and audit report to the Board and the general public.

3. QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the ability to perform all of the above, all respondents shall meet the following minimum requirements:

A. Must be a Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) licensed in the State of New Jersey who has never, at any time, been sanctioned or suspended from practice.

B. Must have experience representing New Jersey Public Housing Authorities and knowledge of relevant State and federal regulations.

C. Has never, at any time, been suspended, debarred, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of

Justice, the General Services Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, or any other federal agency or the Federal Government, and/or the New Jersey Department of Labor or any other state agency or the State of New Jersey.

D. Must be approvable by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Failure to meet any of the foregoing qualifications shall be considered a material defect and shall result in the disqualification of the Respondent.

4. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

All Proposals must be sealed and received by the Housing Authority (via mail, courier service such as Fed Ex or UPS, or hand-delivery only) no later than 10:00 AM on May 6, 2025 at the following address:

Housing Authority of the City of Long Branch

2 Hope Lane

Long Branch, New Jersey 07740

ATTN: Allison Toy

The sealed envelope must be marked “Auditing Services 2025 RFP-20250506d”.

5. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Proposals shall be submitted on the company letterhead and signed by the owner or an executive officer of the firm. Interested firms should have at least five (5) years of relevant experience.

B. Executive Summary – Provide a brief non-technical overview of the Respondent’s business including the range of services offered. Respondents should demonstrate how and why their services meet the Housing Authority’s needs and qualification requirements.

C. Company Profile – Provide a history of the business and resumes of key staff to be involved in all aspects of the auditing process including the names and qualifications of all training personnel. This shall include both the company’s history providing general auditing services as well as its experience providing such services to public housing authorities.

D. Audit Service – Describe in detail each aspect of the auditing service proposed, including the evaluation of financials, the audit report, training of staff, and implementation of recommendations for current fiscal year and beyond.

E. References – Respondents are required to submit a minimum of three (3) housing authority references as well as a redacted sample audit report.

F. Proposed Costs – Provide a flat fee for the performance of the services described herein and an hourly rate for any additional services outside the scope of services described herein.

G. Required Documentation – Each respondent shall execute and submit the following documents as part of their formal proposal:

a) One (1) Original and three (3) Copies of Proposal

b) HUD-5369B&C – Instructions to Offerors Non-Construction-Certifications and Representations of Offerors

c) Certification Non-Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion

d) Non-Collusion Affidavit

e) Statement of Ownership

f) Affirmative Action Compliance Notice

g) Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran

h) MacBride Principles form

i) Acknowledgement of Addenda

j) New Jersey Business Registration Certificate

k) Certificate of Insurance

l) Declaration Page for Professional Liability Insurance

m) Completed Proposal Document Checklist

Failure to provide any of the above documentation at the time of submission may be considered a fatal defect warranting rejection of the proposal.

6. PROPOSAL REVIEW

A. All proposals will be reviewed in accordance with the Housing Authority’s evaluation criteria, which are as follows:

Evaluation Criteria Weighting

(Maximum Points)

Demonstrated experience and competence in GAAS and GAGAS

Auditing

Demonstrated experience with New Jersey PHAs 20

Familiarity with HUD rules and regulations and New Jersey rules and regulations applicable to PHA Auditing

Capability and capacity to accomplish quality work within the required time period

Ability to help the Housing Authority reach its Section 3 and MBE/WBE compliance goals

References from current or former clients, particularly Housing

Authorities

Reasonableness of proposed fee(s) 10

TOTAL 100

B. The Housing Authority reserves the right to waive any informality and to reject any and all proposals. No Proposal may be withdrawn for sixty (60) days after the due date. Proposals may be withdrawn prior to the due date either in person or by mail.

7. DUE DILIGENCE

Procurement transactions shall be conducted only with responsible Contractors, i.e., those who have the technical and financial competence to perform and who have a satisfactory record of integrity. Where warranted and before awarding a contract, the Housing Authority shall review the proposed Respondents’ ability to perform the contract successfully, considering factors such as the

Respondent’s integrity, compliance with public policy, record of past performance (including vendor performance reports and contacting previous clients of the respondent), and financial and technical resources (an extensive financial review is normally conducted on all non-bonded procurement transactions over $100,000 in total contract value). Contracts shall not be awarded to debarred, suspended, or ineligible Respondents. The Housing Authority shall not contract with firms and/or individuals listed on List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-procurement Programs. If a prospective Respondent is found to be non-responsible, a written determination of non-responsibility shall be prepared, and the prospective Respondent shall be advised of the reasons for the determination.

8. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW

The Respondent shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, regulations, ordinances and requirements applicable to the work described herein including, but not limited to, those applicable laws, regulations and requirements governing equal employment opportunity programs, subcontracting with small and minority firms, women’s business enterprise and labor surplus area firms, equal opportunity for business and unemployed and underemployed persons

(as referenced in Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, 12

U.S.C. 1701u (Section 3), the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation

Act of 1973, the Davis-Bacon Act, and those laws and regulations concerning the abatement and remediation of asbestos and lead-based paint, and shall provide for such compliance in the contract documents. To the extent the work required under this contract is related to development, Respondent shall further comply with the applicable Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) related to such development.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990

Equal Opportunity for Individuals with Disability

The contractor and the Housing Authority of the City of Long Branch, (hereafter “owner”) do hereby agree that the provisions of Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (the

"Act") (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities in all services, programs, and activities provided or made available by public entities, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant there unto, are made a part of this contract. In providing any aid, benefit, or service on behalf of the owner pursuant to this contract, the contractor agrees that the performance shall be in strict compliance with the Act. In the event that the contractor, its agents, servants, employees, or subcontractors violate or are alleged to have violated the Act during the performance of this contract, the contractor shall defend the owner in any action or administrative proceeding commenced pursuant to this Act. The contractor shall indemnify, protect, and save harmless the owner, its agents, servants, and employees from and against any and all suits, claims, losses, demands, or damages, of whatever kind or nature arising out of or claimed to arise out of the alleged violation. The contractor shall, at its own expense, appear, defend, and pay any and all charges for legal services and any and all costs and other expenses arising from such action or administrative proceeding or incurred in connection therewith. In any and all complaints brought pursuant to the owner’s grievance procedure, the contractor agrees to abide by any decision of the owner which is rendered pursuant to said grievance procedure. If any action or administrative proceeding results in an award of damages against the owner, or if the owner incurs any expense to cure a violation of the ADA which has been brought pursuant to its grievance procedure, the contractor shall satisfy and discharge the same at its own expense.

The owner shall, as soon as practicable after a claim has been made against it, give written notice thereof to the contractor along with full and complete particulars of the claim. If any action or administrative proceeding is brought against the owner or any of its agents, servants, and employees, the owner shall expeditiously forward or have forwarded to the contractor every demand, complaint, notice, summons, pleading, or other process received by the owner or its representatives.

It is expressly agreed and understood that any approval by the owner of the services provided by the contractor pursuant to this contract will not relieve the contractor of the obligation to comply with the Act and to defend, indemnify, protect, and save harmless the owner pursuant to this paragraph.

It is further agreed and understood that the owner assumes no obligation to indemnify or save harmless the contractor, its agents, servants, employees and subcontractors for any claim which may arise out of their performance of this Agreement. Furthermore, the contractor expressly understands and agrees that the provisions of this indemnification clause shall in no way limit the contractor’s obligations assumed in this Agreement, nor shall they be construed to relieve the contractor from any liability, nor preclude the owner from taking any other actions available to it under any other provisions of the Agreement or otherwise at law.

MANDATORY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION LANGUAGE

N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 and N.J.A.C. 17:27

(MANDATORY EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY LANGUAGE)

Goods, Professional Service and General Service Contracts

During the performance of this contract, the contractor agrees as follows:

The contractor or subcontractor, where applicable, will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation or sex. Except with respect to affectional or sexual orientation, the contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that such applicants are recruited and employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation or sex.

Such action shall include, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion, or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. The contractor agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, notices to be provided by the public agency compliance officer setting for the provisions of this nondiscrimination clause.

The contractor or subcontractor, where applicable will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the contractor, state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation or sex.

The contractor or subcontractor, where applicable, will send to each labor union or representative or workers with which it has a collective bargaining agreement or other contract or understanding, a notice, to be provided by the agency contracting officer, advising the labor union or workers' representative of the contractor's commitments under this act and shall post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment.

The contractor or subcontractor, where applicable, agrees to comply with any regulations promulgated by the Treasurer pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq., as amended and supplemented from time to time and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The contractor or subcontractor agrees to make good faith efforts to employ minority and women workers consistent with the applicable county employment goals established in accordance with

N.J.A.C. 17:27-5.2 or a binding determination of the applicable county employment goals determined by the Division, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:27-5.2.

The contractor or subcontractor agrees to inform in writing its appropriate recruitment agencies including, but not limited to, employment agencies, placement bureaus, colleges, universities, labor unions, that it does not discriminate on the basis of age, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation or sex, and that it will discontinue the use of any recruitment agency which engages in direct or indirect discriminatory practices.

The contractor or subcontractor agrees to revise any of its testing procedures, if necessary, to assure that all personnel testing conforms with the principles of job-related testing, as established by the statutes and court decisions of the State of New Jersey and as established by applicable Federal law and applicable Federal court decisions.

In conforming with the applicable employment goals, the contractor or subcontractor agrees to review all procedures relating to transfer, upgrading, downgrading and layoff to ensure that all such actions are taken without regard to age, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation or sex, consistent with the statutes and court decisions of the State of New Jersey, and applicable Federal law and applicable Federal court decisions.

The contractor and its subcontractors shall furnish such reports or other documents to the Division of

Contract Compliance and EEO as may be requested by the office from time to time in order to carry out the purposes of these regulations, and public agencies shall furnish such information as may be requested by the Division of Contract Compliance & EEO for conducting a compliance investigation pursuant to Subchapter 10 of the Administrative Code at N.J.A.C. 17:27.

CERTIFICATION REGARDING NON-DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION,

INELIGIBILITY AND VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION

State of New Jersey

County of ___________

I, ________________________________ residing in _________________________________

(name of affiant) (name of municipality) in the County of _______________________________ and State of _____________________of full age, being duly sworn according to law on my oath depose and say that:

_____________________________ and/or its principals have never, at any time, been suspended, (name of firm) debarred, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded by the Department of Housing and Urban

Development, the Department of Justice, the General Services Administration, the Internal

Revenue Service, or any other federal agency or the Federal Government, and/or the New Jersey

Department of Labor or any other state agency or the State of New Jersey.

Signature of Respondent’s Agent

Subscribed and sworn to before me

This ______ day of __________, 20______

Notary Public of ________________________

My commission expires __________________

Signature of Notary Public

NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT

State of New Jersey

County of ____________

I, ________________________________ residing in _________________________________

(name of affiant) (name of municipality) in the County of _______________________________ and State of _____________________of full age, being duly sworn according to law on my oath depose and say that:

I am __________________________ of ____________________________________________

(title or position) (name of firm) the entity submitting this Proposal for ____________________________________, and that I

(type of services) executed the said Proposal with full authority to do so that said firm has not, directly or indirectly entered into any agreement, participated in any collusion, or otherwise taken any action in restraint of free, competitive bidding in connection with the above named project; and that all statements contained in said proposal and in this affidavit are true and correct, and made with full knowledge that the Housing Authority of the City of Long Branch relies upon the truth of the statements contained in said Proposal and in the statements contained in this affidavit in awarding the contract for the said project.

I further warrant that no person or selling agency has been employed or retained to solicit or secure such contract upon an agreement or understanding for a commission, percentage, brokerage, or contingent fee, except bona fide employees or bona fide established commercial or selling agencies maintained by _________________________________________________.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP

Name of Business: ______________________________________________________

I certify that the list below contains the names and home addresses of all stockholders holding 10% or more of the issued and outstanding stock of the undersigned.

OR

I certify that no one stockholder owns 10% or more of the issued and outstanding stock of the undersigned.

Check the box that represents the type of business organization:

Partnership Limited Liability Company Corporation Sole Proprietorship

Limited Partnership Limited Liability Partnership Subchapter S Corporation

Sign and notarize the form below, and, if necessary, complete the stockholder list below.

Stockholders:

Name: ______________________________ Name: ______________________________

Home Address: _______________________

% of Ownership: ______________________

Name: ______________________________

% of Ownership: ______________________

Home Address: _______________________

Name: ______________________________

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE NOTICE

N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 AND N.J.A.C. 17:27

GOODS AND SERVICES CONTRACTS

(INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES)

This form is a summary of the successful bidder’s requirement to comply with the requirements of

N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 and N.J.A.C. 17:27-1 et seq.

The successful bidder shall submit to the public agency, after notification of award but prior to execution of this contract, one of the following three documents as forms of evidence:

(a) A photocopy of a valid letter that the contractor is operating under and existing Federally approved or sanctioned affirmative action program (good for one year from the date of the letter);

OR

(b) A photocopy of a Certificate of Employee Information Report approval, issued in accordance with N.J.A.C. 17:27-4;

OR

(c) A photocopy of an Employee Information Report (Form AA302) provided by Division and distributed to the public agency to be completed by the contractor in accordance with

N.J.A.C. 17:27-4.

The successful vendor may obtain the Affirmative Action Employee Information Report (AA302) from the contracting unit during normal business hours.

The successor vendor(s) must submit the copies of the AA 302 Report to the Division of Contract

Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunity in Public Contracts (Division). The Public Agency copy is submitted to the public agency, and the vendor copy is retained by the vender.

The undersigned vendor certifies that he/she is aware of the commitment to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 and N.J.A.C. 17:27.1 et seq. and agrees to furnish the required forms of evidence.

The undersigned vendor further understands that his/her bid shall be rejected as non-responsive if said contractor fails to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 and N.J.A.C. 17:27-1, et seq.

COMPANY: ______________________ SIGNATURE: ______________________________

PRINT NAME: _____________________ TITLE: ___________________________________

DATE: _____________

form HUD-5369-C (8/93) ref. Handbook 7460.8Previous edition is obsolete page 1 of 2

1. Contingent Fee Representation and Agreement

(a) The bidder/offeror represents and certifies as part of its bid/ offer that, except for full-time bona fide employees working solely for the bidder/offeror, the bidder/offeror:

(1) [ ] has, [ ] has not employed or retained any person or company to solicit or obtain this contract; and

(2) [ ] has, [ ] has not paid or agreed to pay to any person or company employed or retained to solicit or obtain this contract any commission, percentage, brokerage, or other fee contingent upon or resulting from the award of this contract.

(b) If the answer to either (a)(1) or (a) (2) above is affirmative, the bidder/offeror shall make an immediate and full written disclosure to the PHA Contracting Officer.

(c) Any misrepresentation by the bidder/offeror shall give the PHA the right to (1) terminate the resultant contract; (2) at its discretion, to deduct from contract payments the amount of any commission, percentage, brokerage, or other contingent fee; or

(3) take other remedy pursuant to the contract.

2. Small, Minority, Women-Owned Business Concern Rep-resentation

The bidder/offeror represents and certifies as part of its bid/ offer that it:

(a) [ ] is, [ ] is not a small business concern. “Small business concern,” as used in this provision, means a concern, includ-ing its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR 121.

(b) [ ] is, [ ] is not a women-owned small business concern.

“Women-owned,” as used in this provision, means a small business that is at least 51 percent owned by a woman or women who are U.S. citizens and who also control and operate the business.

(c) [ ] is, [ ] is not a minority enterprise which, pursuant to Executive Order 11625, is defined as a business which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more minority group members or, in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of its voting stock is owned by one or more minority group members, and whose management and daily operations are controlled by one or more such individuals.

For the purpose of this definition, minority group members are:

(Check the block applicable to you)

[ ] Black Americans [ ] Asian Pacific Americans

[ ] Hispanic Americans [ ] Asian Indian Americans

[ ] Native Americans [ ] Hasidic Jewish Americans

3. Certificate of Independent Price Determination

(a) The bidder/offeror certifies that—

(1) The prices in this bid/offer have been arrived at indepen-dently, without, for the purpose of restricting competi-tion, any consultation, communication, or agreement with any other bidder/offeror or competitor relating to (i) those prices, (ii) the intention to submit a bid/offer, or

(iii) the methods or factors used to calculate the prices offered;

(2) The prices in this bid/offer have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed by the bidder/offeror, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder/offeror or competitor be-fore bid opening (in the case of a sealed bid solicitation) or contract award (in the case of a negotiated solicitation) unless otherwise required by law; and

(3) No attempt has been made or will be made by the bidder/ offeror to induce any other concern to submit or not to submit a bid/offer for the purpose of restricting competition.

(b) Each signature on the bid/offer is considered to be a certifi-cation by the signatory that the signatory:

(1) Is the person in the bidder/offeror’s organization respon-sible for determining the prices being offered in this bid or proposal, and that the signatory has not participated and will not participate in any action contrary to subpara-graphs (a)(l) through (a)(3) above; or

(2) (i) Has been authorized, in writing, to act as agent for the following principals in certifying that those principals have not participated, and will not participate in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(l) through (a)(3) above (insert full name of person(s) in the bidder/offeror’s organization responsible for determining the prices of-fered in this bid or proposal, and the title of his or her position in the bidder/offeror’s organization);

(ii) As an authorized agent, does certify that the princi-pals named in subdivision (b)(2)(i) above have not par-ticipated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(l) through (a)(3) above; and

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Public and Indian Housing

Certifications and Representations of Offerors Non-Construction Contract

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

This form includes clauses required by OMB’s common rule on bidding/offering procedures, implemented by HUD in 24 CFR 85.36, and those requirements set forth in Executive Order 11625 for small, minority, women-owned businesses, and certifications for independent price determination, and conflict of interest.

The form is required for nonconstruction contracts awarded by Housing Agencies (HAs). The form is used by bidders/offerors to certify to the HA's Contracting Officer for contract compliance. If the form were not used, HAs would be unable to enforce their contracts. Responses to the collection of information are required to obtain a benefit or to retain a benefit. The information requested does not lend itself to confidentiality.

form HUD-5369-C (8/93) ref. Handbook 7460.8Previous edition is obsolete page 2 of 2

(iii) As an agent, has not personally participated, and will not participate in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(l) through (a)(3) above.

(c) If the bidder/offeror deletes or modifies subparagraph (a)2 above, the bidder/offeror must furnish with its bid/offer a signed statement setting forth in detail the circumstances of the disclosure.

4. Organizational Conflicts of Interest Certification

(a) The Contractor warrants that to the best of its knowledge and belief and except as otherwise disclosed, it does not have any organizational conflict of interest which is defined as a situation in which the nature of work under a proposed contract and a prospective contractor’s organizational, fi-nancial, contractual or other interest are such that:

(i) Award of the contract may result in an unfair competi-tive advantage;

(ii) The Contractor’s objectivity in performing the con-tract work may be impaired; or

(iii) That the Contractor has disclosed all relevant infor-mation and requested the HA to make a determination with respect to this Contract.

(b) The Contractor agrees that if after award he or she discovers an organizational conflict of interest with respect to this contract, he or she shall make an immediate and full disclo-sure in writing to the HA which shall include a description of the action which the Contractor has taken or intends to eliminate or neutralize the conflict. The HA may, however, terminate the Contract for the convenience of HA if it would be in the best interest of HA.

(c) In the event the Contractor was aware of an organizational conflict of interest before the award of this Contract and intentionally did not disclose the conflict to the HA, the HA may terminate the Contract for default.

(d) The Contractor shall require a disclosure or representation from subcontractors and consultants who may be in a position to influence the advice or assistance rendered to the HA and shall include any necessary provisions to eliminate or neutralize conflicts of interest in consultant agreements or subcontracts involving performance or work under this Contract.

5. Authorized Negotiators (RFPs only)

The offeror represents that the following persons are authorized to negotiate on its behalf with the PHA in connection with this request for proposals: (list names, titles, and telephone numbers of the authorized negotiators):

6. Conflict of Interest

In the absence of any actual or apparent conflict, the offeror, by submission of a proposal, hereby warrants that to the best of its knowledge and belief, no actual or apparent conflict of interest exists with regard to my possible performance of this procure-ment, as described in the clause in this solicitation titled “Orga-nizational Conflict of Interest.”

7. Offeror's Signature

The offeror hereby certifies that the information contained in these certifications and representations is accurate, complete, and current.

Signature & Date:

Typed or Printed Name:

Title:

STANDARD BID DOCUMENT REFERENCE

Name of Form COMBINED CERTIFICATION: PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES IN RUSSIA AND

BELARUS & INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES IN IRAN

Statutory Reference

P.L. 2022, c. 3

N.J.S.A. 52:32-55 et seq.

N.J.S.A. 40A:11-2.1

N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-49.4

Applicability

Y/N Mandatory Optional N/A

LPCL Y Goods and Services

X

PSCL Y Construction

X

Instructions Reference

Description P.L. 2022, c. 3 prohibits the award, renewal, amendment, or extension of State and local public contracts for goods or services with persons or entities engaging in prohibited activities in Russia or Belarus. P.L. 2012, c.25 prohibits the award or renewal of State and local public contracts for goods and services with persons or entities engaged in certain investment activities in the energy or finance sectors of Iran.

Before a goods and services contract can be entered into, vendors and contractors must certify that neither they nor any parent entity, subsidiary, or affiliate is listed on the New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s list of entities determined to be engaged in prohibited activities in Russia or Belarus pursuant to P.L. 2022, c. 3 (“Russia-Belarus list”) or in Iran pursuant to P.L. 2012, c. 25 ("Chapter 25 list").

Prohibited Russia-Belarus Activities & Iran Investment Activities

Person or Entity

Part 1: Certification

COMPLETE PART 1 BY CHECKING ONE OF THE THREE BOXES BELOW

Pursuant to law, any person or entity that is a successful bidder or proposer, or otherwise proposes to enter into or renew a contract, for goods or services must complete the certification below prior to contract award to attest, under penalty of perjury, that neither the person or entity, nor any parent entity, subsidiary, or affiliate, is identified on the Department of Treasury's Russia-Belarus list or Chapter 25 list as a person or entity engaging in prohibited activities in Russia, Belarus or Iran. Before a contract for goods or services can be amended or extended, a person or entity must certify that neither the person or entity, nor any parent entity, subsidiary, or affiliate, is identified on the Department of Treasury's Russia-Belarus list. Both lists are found on Treasury’s website at the following web addresses:

https://www.nj.gov/treasury/administration/pdf/RussiaBelarusEntityList.pdf www.state.nj.us/treasury/purchase/pdf/Chapter25List.pdf.

As applicable to the type of contract, the above-referenced lists must be reviewed prior to completing the below certification.

A person or entity unable to make the certification must provide a detailed, accurate, and precise description of the activities of the person or entity, or of a parent entity, subsidiary, or affiliate, engaging in prohibited activities in Russia or Belarus and/or investment activities in Iran. The person or entity must cease engaging in any prohibited activities and provide an updated certification before the contract can be entered into.

If a vendor or contractor is found to be in violation of law, action may be taken as appropriate and as may be provided by law, rule, or contract, including but not limited to imposing sanctions, seeking compliance, recovering damages, declaring the party in default, and seeking debarment or suspension of the party.

CONTRACT AWARDS AND RENEWALS

I certify, pursuant to law, that neither the person or entity listed above, nor any parent entity, subsidiary, or affiliate appears on the N.J. Department of Treasury’s lists of entities engaged in prohibited activities in Russia or Belarus pursuant to P.L. 2022,

c. 3 or in investment activities in Iran pursuant to P.L. 2012, c. 25 ("Chapter 25 List"). I further certify that I am the person listed above, or I am an officer or representative of the entity listed above and am authorized to make this certification on its behalf. (Skip Part 2 and sign and complete the Certification below.)

Part 2: Additional Information

PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION RELATED TO PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES IN

RUSSIA OR BELARUS AND/OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES IN IRAN.

You must provide a detailed, accurate, and precise description of the activities of the person or entity, or of a parent entity, subsidiary, or affiliate, engaging in prohibited activities in Russia or Belarus and/or investment activities in Iran in the space below and, if needed, on additional sheets provided by you.

CONTRACT AMENDMENTS AND EXTENSIONS

I certify, pursuant to law, that neither the person or entity listed above, nor any parent entity, subsidiary, or affiliate is listed on the N.J. Department of the Treasury’s lists of entities determined to be engaged in prohibited activities in Russia or Belarus pursuant to P.L. 2022, c. 3. I further certify that I am the person listed above, or I am an officer or representative of the entity listed above and am authorized to make this certification on its behalf. (Skip Part 2 and sign and complete the Certification below.)

IF UNABLE TO CERTIFY

I am unable to certify as above because the person or entity and/or a parent entity, subsidiary, or affiliate is listed on the Department's Russia-Belarus list and/or Chapter 25 Iran list. I will provide a detailed, accurate, and precise description of the activities as directed in Part 2 below, and sign and complete the Certification below. Failure to provide such will prevent the award of the contract to the person or entity, and appropriate penalties, fines, and/or sanctions will be assessed as provided by law.

Part 3: Certification of True and Complete Information

I, being duly sworn upon my oath, hereby represent and state that the foregoing information and any attachments there, to the best of my knowledge, are true and complete. I attest that I am authorized to execute this certification on behalf of the above-referenced person or entity.

I acknowledge that the Contracting Unit is relying on the information contained herein and hereby acknowledge that I am under a continuing obligation from the date of this certification through the completion of any contracts with the Contracting Unit to notify the Contracting Unit in writing of any changes to the answers of information contained herein.

I acknowledge that I am aware that it is a criminal offense to make a false statement or misrepresentation in this certification. If I do so, I recognize that I am subject to criminal prosecution under the law and that it will also constitute a material breach of my agreement(s) with the Contracting Unit and that the Contracting Unit at its option may declare any contract(s) resulting from this certification void and unenforceable.

Full Name (Print)

Title

Signature Date

MACBRIDE PRINCIPLES FORM

BIDDER'S REQUIREMENT: TO PROVIDE A CERTIFICATION

IN COMPLIANCE WITH MACBRIDE PRINCIPLES

AND NORTHERN IRELAND ACT OF 1989

Pursuant to Public Law 1995, c. 134, a responsible bidder selected, after public bidding, by the Director of the

Division of Purchase and Property, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:34-12, or the Director of the Division of Building and

Construction, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:32-2, must complete the certification below by checking one of the two representations listed and signing where indicated. If a bidder who would otherwise be awarded a purchase, contract or agreement does not complete the certification, then the Directors may determine, in accordance with applicable law and rules, that it is in the best interest of the State to award the purchase, contract or agreement to another bidder who has completed the certification and has submitted a bid within five (5) percent of the most advantageous bid. If the Directors find contractors to be in violation of the principles which are the subject of this law, they shall take such action as may be appropriate and provided by law, rule or contract, including but not limited to, imposing sanctions, seeking compliance, recovering damages, declaring the party in default and seeking debarment or suspension of the party.

I certify, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:34-12.2 that the entity for which I am authorized to bid:

____ has no ongoing business activities in Northern Ireland and does not maintain a physical presence therein through the operation of offices, plants, factories, or similar facilities, either directly or indirectly, through intermediaries, subsidiaries or affiliated companies over which it maintains effective control; or

____ will take lawful steps in good faith to conduct any business operations it has in Northern Ireland in accordance with the MacBride principles of nondiscrimination in employment as set forth in N.J.S.A. 52:18A-89.8 and in conformance with the United Kingdom's Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act of 1989, and permit independent monitoring of their compliance with those principles.

I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment.

PB-MP.1 R10/2011

Signature:

Print Name:

Firm Name:

Date:

Title:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ADDENDA

The Respondent hereby acknowledges receipt of the following Addenda to the RFP documents:

Addendum No. _______ Dated: ______________

PROPOSAL DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

Submission Requirement Initial

An Original and One Copy of Entire Proposal

Support for Qualifications

Support for Evaluation Factors

HUD-5369-C

Certification Regarding Non-Debarment

Non-Collusion Affidavit

Statement of Ownership

Affirmative Action Compliance Notice

Acknowledgment of Addenda

Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran

MacBride Principles Form

New Jersey Business Registration Certificate

Certificate of Insurance

Declaration Page of Professional Liability Insurance

AGREEMENT FOR AUDITING SERVICES

This agreement made and entered into the _____ day of _____, 2025 by and between the

Housing Authority of the City of Long Branch, hereafter called "LBHA" and ________________, C.P.A. hereafter called the "Auditor", Whereas, the LBHA desires to retain and employ said Auditor to perform auditing services on the LBHA’s books and records for FYE 2024;

Whereas, said Auditor desires to accept the position of auditor for the LBHA connected to the audit of the LBHA’s books and records for FYE 2024;

Now, therefore, in consideration of the foregoing, it is mutually agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

1. That the LBHA hereby retains the Auditor for the audit of the LBHA’s books and records for FYE 2025. The audit will be conducted in accordance with New Jersey

State Law and all rules, orders, directives, and regulations promulgated by the United

States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), including the HUD

Financial Operations and Accounting Procedures Handbook, the HUD Audit

Guidelines, the Annual Contributions Contract, Asset Based Management, Generally

Accepted Auditing Standards (“GAAS”), and Generally Accepted Government

Auditing Standards (“GAGAS”). The Audit shall also be performed in accordance with Circular OMB A-133.

2. That the said Auditor shall:

a. Draft and issue a comprehensive financial and compliance audit for FYE 2025.

b. Compare financial statements between the prior and current fiscal years and implement any recommendations for the current fiscal year.

c. Assist in all HUD Real Estate Assessment Center (“REAC”) reporting, including certification of all required electronic reporting requirements in strict compliance with reporting deadlines.

d. Provide continuing professional education of staff regarding audit-related activities and bookkeeping.

e. Conduct audit entrance and exit conference with the Executive Director and

LBHA staff to discuss audit approach and any subsequent findings and recommendations.

f. Attend meetings of the LBHA Board of Commissioners at the conclusion of the audit and present the audited financial statements and audit report to the Board and the general public.

k. Perform other auditing work as directed.

3. That the said LBHA shall pay the Auditor for the services listed above in the sum of

4. The parties hereto expressly agree that this Contract shall not be deemed to create an employer-employee relationship between LBHA and the Firm respectively, and no rights or privileges of an employee of LBHA shall inure to the Firm.

5. The Contract shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey.

6. The LBHA can cancel this contract with four (4) weeks’ notice.

7. This instrument contains the entire agreement of the parties. This instrument may not be changed orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge is sought.

THIS AGREEMENT shall extend to and be binding upon the successors and assigns of the

Housing Authority of the City of Long Branch.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals this _____ day of _____________, _____.

By: __________________________________

(name), CPA

(Firm Name)

By: __________________________________

Sean Alfred, Executive Director

Housing Authority of the City of Long Branch

Request for Proposals

The Long Branch Housing Authority (LBHA) is soliciting requests for proposals for:

Fee Accountant RFP-20250506a

Special Counsel 2025 RFP-20250506b

Hosted VOIP Services and Support RFP-20250506c

Audit Services 2025 RFP-20250506d

The LBHA RFP may be obtained by picking it up at the Authority’s Administration Office, 2 Hope

Lane, Long Branch, N.J. 07740 during the regular business hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday (alternate Friday’s please call) or may obtained electronically via link:

https://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-jersey/lbha, beginning starting April 14, 2025.

All proposals must be received by the LBHA, at its main Office, 2 Hope Lane, Long Branch, NJ

07740 ATTN: Procurement Department., by 10:00AM EST on May 6, 2025. Any proposal received after this deadline will not be considered.

https://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-jersey/lbha