Evaluation Criteria for NAFI Audit.docx

Instructions to Quoters

Submission Instructions

Quoters shall submit quotes in accordance with the RFQ instructions. The quote shall clearly demonstrate the quoter’s ability to perform independent audit services for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s three Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentalities: the Athletic Activity Fund, Cadet Activities Fund, and Academic Activities Fund.

The Government intends to evaluate quotes based on the information submitted by the quoter. Quoters are responsible for submitting sufficient detail to allow the Government to evaluate the quote against the evaluation factors below. General statements that the quoter can or will perform the work may be considered insufficient unless supported by specific details, examples, qualifications, schedules, and relevant experience.

The quoter shall acknowledge the solicitation and all amendments.

The quoter shall submit two volumes:

· Volume I: Technical Approach and Prior Experience

· Volume II: Price

A cover sheet, not to exceed one page, shall be included with the submission and should include the following:

· Quoter’s name and address

· Solicitation number

· Unique Entity Identifier, UEI

· CAGE Code

· Quoter point of contact, including phone number and email address

· Date through which the quote remains valid

Minimum acceptable font size is no smaller than 11-point font, except for tables, charts, or graphs, which may be no smaller than 10-point font. Page size shall be letter size, 8.5” x 11”. Tables, charts, or graphs may be submitted on legal size paper, 8.5” x 14”, if needed.

Volume I – Technical Approach and Prior Experience

Factor 1 – Technical Approach (Recommended: Five (5) Page Limit)

Quoters shall describe their technical approach for performing the required audit services for the three Coast Guard Academy NAFIs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and for any option years exercised.

At a minimum, quoters shall address the following:

· The quoter’s methodology for planning and performing financial statement audits in accordance with GAAS and GAGAS/Yellow Book.

· The quoter’s approach to applying applicable GAAP and Coast Guard NAF policies and guidance, including the NAFI Manual, Coast Guard Financial Resource Management Manual NAF sections, and applicable MWR guidance.

· The quoter’s understanding of the required audit opinions for each fund, including:

· For AAF and CAF, the Operating Summary, consisting of the Balance Sheet and Income Statement.

· For AcAF, the Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Activities.

· The quoter’s understanding that the engagement requires a GAGAS report on internal control over financial reporting and compliance, but does not require a separate attestation engagement or separate opinion on management’s assertions regarding internal control effectiveness.

· The approach to reviewing and testing internal control over financial reporting and compliance, including cash receipts, cash disbursements, payroll accounting, benefits accounting, tax reporting, and other material financial activity.

· The approach to preparing draft and final audit reports, documenting findings and recommendations, incorporating management comments, and resolving factual accuracy issues.

· The proposed project schedule, including the ability to provide draft audit reports within 70 days of contract award and final audit reports within 21 days after receipt of consolidated Government comments.

· The staffing and project management approach, including identification of the Project Manager and key personnel.

· The approach to coordinating with the COR, Academy Comptroller, Activity Fund Business Managers, and other Government stakeholders.

· The approach to safeguarding financial data and sensitive information, including secure transmission, storage, return, or destruction of Government records.

Factor 2: Prior Experience and Qualifications (Recommended Five (5) Page Limit).

Quoters shall describe their relevant prior experience and qualifications demonstrating their ability to perform the required NAFI audit services.

At a minimum, the quote shall address:

· Confirmation that the quoter is an independent CPA firm or licensed CPA, including applicable license or registration information.

· Identification and qualifications of key personnel, including the Project Manager and audit team members.

· Experience performing audits in accordance with GAAS and GAGAS/Yellow Book.

· Experience auditing U.S. Government entities, non-appropriated fund instrumentalities, nonprofit organizations, colleges or universities, military or federal support organizations, or similar entities.

· Experience preparing financial statement audit reports and GAGAS reports on internal control over financial reporting and compliance.

· Experience with accounting records maintained in QuickBooks or similar accounting systems.

· Experience with payroll service provider data, including payroll and benefits accounting and tax reporting.

· Demonstrated ability to meet audit reporting deadlines and coordinate effectively with multiple stakeholders.

Quoters should provide at least three recent and relevant engagements, preferably completed within the last five years. For each engagement, the quoter should identify the client or organization type, scope of audit services, applicable standards, period of performance, relevance to this requirement, and whether the engagement included internal control and compliance reporting.

Peer review reports, Yellow Book continuing professional education documentation, and quality-control documentation are not required with the initial quote unless specifically requested by the Government. However, the Government may request such documentation if deemed necessary to evaluate responsibility, qualifications, or technical capability.

Volume II – Price Factor 3: Price

Quoters shall complete Attachment A (Price Input). Failing to follow instructions may have an impact on the Total Evaluated Price. The quoter shall provide their total quoted price for each period of performance (e.g., base and options).

Only cells in gray may be filled in by the quoter.

The quoter shall populate their firm’s name and their price per year.

It is imperative that the contractor’s quoted price accurately reflect the price of the Base Period and the Option Periods. The total evaluated price will be the Base Period plus the Option Periods including all separately priced travel CLINs, if applicable.

Evaluation Criteria

Basis of Award

The Government intends to award one order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose quote, conforming to the solicitation, represents the best value to the Government using a trade-off evaluation process.

The Government will evaluate quotes using the following factors:

1. Factor 1: Technical Approach

2. Factor 2: Prior Experience and Qualifications

3. Factor 3: Price

Prior Experience and Qualifications is more important than Technical Approach. When combined, the non-price factors are significantly more important than Price.

The Government may award to other than the lowest-priced quoter if the Government determines that the technical superiority, relevant experience, lower performance risk, or other benefits of a higher-priced quote warrant the price premium. The Government may also award to the lowest-priced quoter if the Government determines that the quote represents the best value.

As quotes become more equal under the non-price factors, Price may become more important in the best value tradeoff decision.

The Government reserves the right to make award without discussions. Therefore, quoters are encouraged to submit their best terms in their initial quote.

Factor 1: Technical Approach

The Government will evaluate the extent to which the quote demonstrates:

· A clear understanding of the SOW requirements, including the required audit opinions and GAGAS reporting requirements for AAF, CAF, and AcAF.

· A sound approach for conducting the audits in accordance with GAAS, GAGAS/Yellow Book, applicable GAAP, and Coast Guard NAF policies and guidance.

· A sound approach to reviewing and testing internal control over financial reporting and compliance, including material financial activity such as cash receipts, cash disbursements, payroll and benefits accounting, and tax reporting.

· A practical and realistic schedule for timely submission of draft and final audit reports.

· An effective staffing, project management, communication, and stakeholder coordination approach.

· An effective approach to safeguarding confidential financial data and sensitive information.

Factor 2: Prior Experience and Qualifications

The Government will evaluate the extent to which the quote demonstrates:

· The quoter is an independent CPA firm or licensed CPA with qualified key personnel.

· Relevant experience performing audits in accordance with GAAS and GAGAS/Yellow Book.

· Relevant experience auditing NAFIs, Government entities, nonprofit organizations, colleges or universities, military-affiliated organizations, or similar entities.

· Experience preparing financial statement audit reports and GAGAS reports on internal control over financial reporting and compliance.

· Experience identifying and documenting findings, deficiencies, recommendations, and compliance issues.

· Demonstrated ability to complete similar audit engagements on schedule.

· Prior engagements similar in size, scope, complexity, and standards to the required USCGA NAFI audits.

Factor 3: Price The Government will evaluate price for fairness and reasonableness.

The Government will verify the accuracy of the quoter’s Total Evaluated Price and may evaluate whether the proposed price is balanced, complete, and consistent with the technical approach.

The Total Evaluated Price will be calculated by adding the proposed prices for the base period and all option periods, including all separately priced travel CLINs, if applicable.

The Government may determine price reasonableness based on one or more of the following:

· Adequate price competition

· Comparison of proposed prices received

· Comparison to the Independent Government Cost Estimate

· Comparison to historical pricing for similar services

Rating Scheme

The Government will assess its level of confidence for the non-price evaluation Factor 1, Technical Approach using the following ratings.

The Government will assess its level of confidence for non-price evaluation Factor 2, Prior Experience and Qualifications using the following ratings: