RFP #20-25 Forensic Auditing Services

The City of Hopewell, located in Virginia, has issued Request for Proposals (RFP) #20-25 for Forensic Auditing Services targeting comprehensive financial investigations across multiple municipal financial instruments. The procurement seeks qualified Independent Certified Public Accountant firms to conduct a detailed forensic audit of the city's open lines of credit for current and past employees, city-issued credit cards, and city-issued gas cards. Specific audit objectives include identifying and quantifying any abnormal financial activity across fiscal years from 2019 through the present. Key deliverables will include a written report detailing discovered financial irregularities, internal control deficiencies, and improvement recommendations. Eligible contractors must be licensed to practice in Virginia, hold AICPA membership, demonstrate substantial experience in governmental auditing, and possess proven capacity to execute forensic financial investigations. The City will evaluate proposals based on firm qualifications, assigned staff expertise, project timeline adherence, and overall RFP compliance. Proposals are due by November 14, 2024, with a final audit report expected no later than March 30, 2025. The City reserves the right to award a single contract or multiple separate contracts to the most responsive and qualified auditing firm(s).

The RFP does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged business enterprises. The procurement appears open to qualified accounting firms meeting the specified professional criteria. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the contract is structured as a lump-sum, not-to-exceed agreement, suggesting potential flexibility in pricing negotiations. The City reserves the right to negotiate with the lowest responsive, responsible bidder if proposed costs exceed available funding. Though a specific budget range is not disclosed, the comprehensive nature of the forensic audit across multiple financial instruments indicates a potentially significant contract value. Strict confidentiality provisions are outlined, requiring offerors to clearly mark any trade secrets or proprietary information in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Successful contractors will be expected to provide comprehensive access to work papers and maintain professional standards throughout the investigation.