25-0078-RG external audit services

The School District of Manatee County, Florida has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. 25-0078-RG seeking an independent certified public accounting firm to provide external independent auditing services. The procurement covers comprehensive financial auditing for the district's financial statements, School Internal Funds, and sixteen charter schools for fiscal years ending June 30, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2029, with fiscal years 2024 and 2027 anticipated to be audited by the Florida Auditor General. Respondents must be licensed to practice in Florida, have membership in professional accounting institutes, and possess at least five years of continuous government sector CPA services. The evaluation process will score proposals across five categories: Experience and Qualifications of the Firm (25 points), Qualifications and Experience of Staff (20 points), Audit Approach and Methodology (25 points), References (5 points), and Price Proposal (25 points). Proposals are due on October 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM ET via VendorLink, with an anticipated contract term beginning July 1, 2025. An evaluation committee meeting is scheduled for October 29, 2024, at 9:00 am, with potential interviews for top-ranked firms.

The RFQ includes multiple compliance requirements for potential respondents, including mandatory attachments demonstrating adherence to various Florida statutes and regulations. Firms must complete certifications related to public entity crimes, drug-free workplace, E-Verify employment eligibility, federal debarment, and scrutinized company status. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, the district has strict requirements preventing firms with certain legal or ethical violations from participating. The current external audit services provider is Cherry Bekaert, LLP, which has held the contract since July 2020. The district operates 47 traditional public schools, 3 non-traditional public schools, Manatee Technical College, and provides oversight to 16 charter schools, with an annual budget of $1.591 billion. Pricing will be determined through hourly rates for various staff levels, with the district and Audit Committee jointly establishing a not-to-exceed price for each project. Two firms have already responded to the solicitation: Purvis Gray & Company, LLP (ranked 1st) and MSL CPAs & Advisors P.A. (ranked 2nd).