Financial Audits of MassHealth Program Service Providers

The University of Massachusetts (UMass) Unified Procurement Services Team has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) to develop a Qualified Contractor List (QCL) for financial and compliance audits of MassHealth program service providers. The procurement targets accounting firms and individual accountants capable of conducting comprehensive audits across UMass's six campuses: Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, the President's Office, and Worcester. Key deliverables include detailed financial and compliance audits that demonstrate expertise, experience, and ability to provide specialized audit services for MassHealth providers. The RFA, which opened on September 17, 2021, will remain open until January 31, 2027, with electronic submissions required through the UMass BuyWays Portal. Evaluation criteria will focus on comprehensiveness, feasibility, appropriateness, clarity, effectiveness, innovation, and responsiveness to the University's needs, with pricing considered as only one factor in the selection process. Submitted applications must remain valid for 120 calendar days from the submission deadline, and while a contract award is not guaranteed, the procurement is designed to provide vendors a fair opportunity to present their qualifications.

The RFA does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The solicitation applies to all qualified accounting firms and individual accountants with demonstrated expertise in healthcare provider financial auditing. Payment terms are generally net 45 days, and application submittals will be valid for use across all UMass system campuses, regardless of whether they are explicitly mentioned in the RFA. While specific budget ranges or award values are not disclosed in the provided documentation, the long-term nature of the contract (running until January 31, 2027) suggests a potentially significant procurement opportunity. The procurement process is competitive and seeks to create a pool of prequalified contractors rather than awarding a single contract, which indicates potential for multiple vendors to be selected. Bidders should be prepared to demonstrate comprehensive audit capabilities, understanding of MassHealth provider financial systems, and ability to meet the University's rigorous evaluation standards.