Audit Services

The Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) in South Carolina is soliciting proposals for professional external audit services through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on January 9, 2026. The procurement seeks certified public accounting firms with specific experience in water and sewer utility audits to provide comprehensive financial and compliance audits for three fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, 2027, and 2028, with an optional two-year extension through June 30, 2030. Proposing firms must demonstrate expertise in public agency and utility audits, provide at least three client references, and submit a detailed audit approach with budgeted hours by staff level. The RFP requires documentation of prior Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) experience and mandates that proposals include comprehensive qualifications of the audit team. Key deadlines include a proposal submission deadline of February 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM via the BJWSA Procurement Portal, with questions to be submitted by January 30, 2026. The evaluation timeline includes committee review between March 2-27, 2026, potential interviews from March 30-April 10, 2026, and an estimated contract award recommendation on April 16, 2026.

The RFP includes specific requirements for Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business (SMWBE) participation, requiring firms to make good faith efforts to include such businesses and provide written notice to designated agencies at least 15 business days before the proposal deadline if utilizing subcontractors. Contractors must maintain professional liability insurance of $1,000,000, along with additional commercial general liability, automobile liability, and workers' compensation coverage. The pricing component requires a separate electronic document detailing fees for annual audits, potential single audits, incremental expenses, ACFR preparation, and partner-in-charge hourly rates for consulting services, with all pricing to remain valid for 60 days from the submittal deadline. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the multi-year audit services suggests a significant contract value commensurate with the three-to-five-year potential engagement. Monthly invoicing is permitted, with invoices due within 30 days of receipt, providing financial flexibility for the selected contractor.