FY25-FY27 Annual Independent Audit and Related Services

The City of New Bedford Purchasing Department and Office of the City Auditor are seeking proposals for annual independent audit and related services for a three-year period from July 2025 through June 2028. The procurement involves hiring a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to conduct comprehensive annual independent audits of the city's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (ACFR), including examination of financial records for all city activities and component units. Key deliverables include compliance audits, Single Audit Act requirements for federal programs, ACFR preparation, free cash certification, and consultation services. Proposers must demonstrate extensive experience with municipal audits, government accounting standards, and have successfully conducted audits for municipalities of similar size. The proposal submission deadline is May 2, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST, with the city planning to award the contract within 60 days of the proposal opening. Evaluation criteria will focus on technical qualifications, professional experience, and pricing, with a clear emphasis on the firm's expertise in government auditing.

The city encourages minority and women-owned businesses to submit proposals, suggesting potential set-aside or preference considerations for disadvantaged enterprises. The total General Fund budget for fiscal year 2025 is $469,615,286, which includes $246,441,568 for the School Department, indicating the comprehensive scope of the audit services. The audit will cover various city operations, including wastewater, water, downtown parking, airport, and cable access enterprise funds. The contract includes a fixed annual fee structure with additional hourly rates for supplementary services. While no incumbent vendor is explicitly mentioned, the detailed requirements suggest the city seeks a highly qualified and experienced auditing firm capable of handling complex municipal financial reporting. The contract term allows for potential extension by mutual agreement, providing flexibility for both the city and the selected auditing firm.