Independent Auditing and Related Services for the County of Orange - fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, 2027, and 2028

The County of Orange is soliciting proposals from qualified certified public accounting firms to provide Independent Auditing and Related Services for fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, 2027, and 2028. This fully electronic Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks a comprehensive audit services provider capable of conducting financial statement audits, comprehensive financial reporting, and specialized audits across multiple county funds and departments. The scope includes auditing Investment Trust Funds, Pension and Other Postemployment Benefit Trust Funds, preparing Single Audit Reports, and performing agreed-upon procedures for entities like John Wayne Airport and OC Waste & Recycling Department. Evaluation criteria are complex, with a 1,000-point scoring system comprising 800 points for written proposal assessment and 200 points for pricing. Proposers must demonstrate at least five years of consecutive governmental auditing experience and meet stringent independence requirements. Key deadlines include a November 17, 2025 deadline for submitting questions, with electronic proposal submissions required through the County's online bidding system by December 12, 2025, at 4:00 pm.

The RFP includes provisions for preference points for Local Small Business (OCLSB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certified firms, offering additional scoring advantages for businesses meeting these certifications. The contract term is initially set for three years, with potential for two additional years of renewal. The County is implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system on July 1, 2027, which may impact audit processes. A cooperative program allows other governmental entities to potentially utilize the contract, with the County receiving a 2% administrative rebate on additional contract sales. While specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the audit covering approximately 542 funds across governmental, enterprise, internal service, and fiduciary categories suggests a substantial engagement. Proposers will be expected to support the County's potential pursuit of a "Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting" from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and provide professional guidance on new accounting pronouncements.