City of Hampton, Georgia – RFP 26-0006

Page 1 of 5 | Confidential – For Proposal Purposes Only

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

FORENSIC AUDIT SERVICES

CITY OF HAMPTON, GEORGIA

RFP NO. 26-0006

Issued: Monday, June 29, 2026 | Submission Deadline: Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 3:00 P.M. EST

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The City of Hampton, Georgia (the “City”) is requesting proposals from qualified independent firms to provide professional forensic audit services. The City seeks a highly experienced forensic auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive, independent forensic audit of its operational and administrative processes for the last fiscal year.

This RFP is issued in accordance with the City of Hampton’s Purchasing Policy, the Georgia Local Government Code, and all applicable federal and state laws, including O.C.G.A. § 36-81-7 and guidelines from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts. The City Manager has exercised discretion to utilize the formal competitive sealed proposal (RFP) process to ensure transparency, fairness, competition, and the highest standards of accountability in accordance with both the Current Policy and prior policies.

The successful proposer will serve as an impartial, external advisor to the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager. The audit will support the City’s commitment to ethical governance, proper stewardship of public funds, and restoration of public trust through identification of any irregularities, deficiencies in internal controls, or non-compliance with applicable policies and laws.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The City of Hampton is a growing community of approximately 8,500 residents located in Henry County, Georgia, within the Atlanta metropolitan area. Governed by a Mayor and six-member City Council under a City Manager form of government, the City provides essential services including public safety, public works, recreation, utilities, and administrative functions.

In its commitment to transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility, the City is initiating this forensic audit to thoroughly review internal controls, policies, and procedures for the last completed fiscal year. The audit will identify any irregularities, inefficiencies, potential fraud, waste, or abuse, and provide actionable recommendations to strengthen operations and ensure compliance with the City’s Purchasing Policies and applicable law.

3.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES

The selected forensic auditing firm shall conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the City’s operational and administrative processes. The audit shall be performed in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) issued by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), and all applicable federal and state requirements, including but not limited to O.C.G.A. § 36-81-7 and guidelines from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts. The audit shall also assess compliance with the City’s Purchasing Policies in effect during the audit period and the Current Policy where relevant to internal controls and procurement practices.

The scope shall include, but not be limited to:

• Procurement policies and practices, including vendor selection, bidding, contract management, and compliance with applicable Purchasing Policy thresholds and approval requirements.

Page 2 of 5 | Confidential – For Proposal Purposes Only

• Financial management, including internal controls, accounting procedures, fund handling, grants management, and budget compliance.

• Human resources policies and practices, including payroll, benefits, hiring, and personnel records.

• Purchasing and approval procedures, including requisition, authorization, and payment processes.

• Licensing and permitting processes, including application, review, issuance, and fee collection.

• Fee structures across all City departments and services.

• Property tax assessments, including valuation, billing, collection, and appeals processes.

• Water, sewer, and utility billing and revenue practices, including metering, invoicing, collections, and reconciliations.

Specific Deliverables:

• Detailed forensic examination of records, transactions, and controls for the period October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025 (Fiscal Year 2025 – the last completed fiscal year), or such other period as mutually agreed.

• Identification, quantification, and documentation of any irregularities, including potential fraud, waste, abuse, or non-compliance with the City’s Purchasing Policies, Charter, or applicable law.

• Assessment of internal controls and recommendations for improvements aligned with best practices and policy requirements.

• Comprehensive written report with findings, root causes, financial impacts, and prioritized recommendations.

• Oral presentation of findings to the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager.

• Availability to serve as a fact or expert witness in any related proceedings, if requested.

• Retention of all work papers and documentation for a minimum of seven (7) years.

The firm must maintain complete independence as defined by GAGAS and GAAS and disclose any potential conflicts of interest in accordance with the Ethics in Procurement provisions of the Current Policy (Article II) and applicable professional standards. Services will be provided under a professional services agreement with substantial completion targeted within 120 days of contract execution (or as proposed in the firm’s timeline), subject to City Council approval.

4.0 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All proposals must be submitted electronically via the City’s e-procurement portal (Beacon) no later than Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. EST. Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered. The City will not accept hard copies, faxes, or emails. Proposals must be clearly marked “RFP 26-0006 – Forensic Audit Services” and include all required forms and certifications available on Beacon.

Proposals must demonstrate compliance with the City’s Purchasing Policies and include the following:

4.1 Firm Information

• Company name, address, telephone, email, and website.

• Description of firm size, number of employees, years in business, and organizational structure.

• Location of primary office serving Georgia clients and key personnel who will be assigned to the

City.

4.2 Qualifications and Experience

• Affirmative statement of independence as defined by GAGAS and GAAS, and acknowledgment of the Ethics in Procurement standards (including conflict of interest and gratuities provisions) in the Purchasing Policy.

Page 3 of 5 | Confidential – For Proposal Purposes Only

• Evidence that the firm is a licensed CPA firm in good standing with the Georgia State Board of Accountancy.

• Proof of Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credentials for lead personnel (or equivalent forensic certifications).

• Detailed resumes of the proposed project team, highlighting forensic auditing experience in governmental or municipal settings.

• List of at least three (3) comparable forensic or special audit engagements for Georgia municipalities or counties within the last five (5) years, including client contact information.

• At least three (3) professional references from recent governmental clients, including name, title, phone, email, and description of services.

• Proof of current registration with the Georgia Secretary of State.

• Evidence of appropriate insurance coverage (minimum: Professional Liability $3,000,000 per occurrence/aggregate; General Liability $1,000,000; Workers’ Compensation as required by law). The City must be named as an additional insured.

• Full disclosure of any affiliated entities, potential conflicts of interest, or prior relationships with the City, in accordance with the Current Policy’s conflict of interest and ethics requirements.

4.3 Approach to Scope of Services

• Detailed narrative describing the firm’s understanding of the City’s needs, the requirements of both the Current and prior Purchasing Policies, and proposed forensic audit methodology, including data analytics, sampling techniques, interviewing protocols, fraud detection procedures, and testing of procurement and internal control compliance.

• Proposed project timeline with key milestones, deliverables, and estimated completion date (targeting substantial completion within 120 days of award).

• Sample forensic audit report or redacted work product from a similar governmental engagement.

4.4 Fee Proposal

• Proposed not-to-exceed fee for the comprehensive forensic audit, including a detailed breakdown by phase or task.

• Hourly rates for any additional or expanded services (e.g., follow-up, testimony).

• All fees must be all-inclusive (travel, materials, etc.) and clearly stated.

5.0 QUESTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

All questions, requests for clarification, or communications must be submitted exclusively via Beacon to the attention of City Manager Jeff Baker no later than Monday, July 20, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. EST.

Responses will be posted as addenda on Beacon. Inquiries may also be directed to: Jeff Baker, City Manager, Email: jbaker@hamptonga.gov (for reference only; formal questions must use Beacon).

Proposers are cautioned against any contact with City officials or staff regarding this RFP except through the designated Beacon portal, in accordance with the vendor contact and ethics provisions of the Purchasing Policy.

6.0 EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated by a Selection Committee in accordance with the City’s Purchasing Policies. The Committee shall consist of the City Manager, the relevant Department Director(s), and at least two additional Department Directors or Subject Matter Experts, consistent with prior policy guidance and the Policy’s emphasis on qualified evaluation. The Committee will rank proposals and recommend award to the Responsive and Responsible Proposer whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the City, taking into consideration price, qualifications, experience, approach, and other factors as set forth in the RFP (not solely lowest price). The City Council will make the final award.

Page 4 of 5 | Confidential – For Proposal Purposes Only

Proposals will be scored based on the following criteria (total 100 points):

Criteria Points Qualifications, Forensic Expertise, and Georgia Municipal Experience 40 Proposed Approach, Methodology, Timeline, and Policy Compliance 30 References and Demonstrated Performance on Comparable Engagements 15 Fee Proposal (Reasonableness and Value) 15

TOTAL 100

The City may conduct interviews with shortlisted firms. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive minor irregularities, negotiate with the selected firm, or cancel this RFP at any time in accordance with the Purchasing Policies.

7.0 CONTRACT TERM AND AWARD

The contract will be for the performance of the forensic audit, with an anticipated start shortly after award (target September 2026) and substantial completion within 120 days of contract execution (targeting no later than March 31, 2027), or as otherwise proposed in the selected firm’s timeline and agreed by the City. The agreement may include provisions for limited follow-on services (e.g., testimony, additional testing) upon mutual consent and City Council approval.

Award is anticipated in September 2026, subject to City Council approval following the Selection Committee’s recommendation and City Attorney review of the proposed professional services agreement. The successful proposer must execute a professional services agreement substantially in the form approved by the City Attorney and compliant with the Purchasing Policy.

8.0 GENERAL CONDITIONS

• All proposals become the property of the City and are subject to the Georgia Open Records Act

(O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.).

• The City is not responsible for costs incurred in preparing proposals.

• Proposers must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including E-Verify requirements (O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91), SAVE program verification where applicable, and the City’s non-discrimination policies.

• This RFP is issued in full compliance with the City’s Current Purchasing Policy (adopted June 8, 2026) and prior Purchasing Policies. The City will advertise this opportunity on the City website, at City Hall, in the Georgia Procurement Registry (GPR) for a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days, and in the legal organ/newspaper as may be required to satisfy the notice and transparency requirements of both policies and applicable Georgia law (including O.C.G.A. § 36-80-27).

• Proposers and their agents are prohibited from contacting City elected officials, the City Manager, or staff regarding this RFP except through the official Beacon portal, in accordance with the vendor contact during open solicitation and ethics provisions of the Policy. Violations may result in disqualification.

• The City reserves the right to cancel this RFP at any time, reject any or all proposals, or waive minor irregularities in the best interest of the City.

• The selected firm shall maintain independence and provide written confirmation of no conflicts of interest throughout the engagement, consistent with GAGAS, GAAS, and the Current Policy’s Ethics in Procurement article.

9.0 ATTACHMENTS (Available on Beacon)

• Sample Professional Services Agreement (subject to City Attorney revision)

Page 5 of 5 | Confidential – For Proposal Purposes Only

• Non-Collusion Affidavit Form

• E-Verify Affidavit Form

• Conflict of Interest Certification (updated to reference Current Policy ethics provisions)

The City of Hampton looks forward to receiving your proposal and partnering with a firm committed to excellence in forensic auditing, governmental accountability, and full compliance with the City’s Purchasing Policies.

Issued by:

Jeff Baker City Manager City of Hampton, Georgia jbaker@hamptonga.gov June 29, 2026