RFP 26-0108-5 Audit of Performance, Operations & Fiscal Condition of Chatham Area Transit Authority

Chatham County, Georgia, through its Purchasing & Contracting Department, is soliciting proposals under RFP 26-0108-5 from qualified certified public accounting firms for an independent audit of the performance, operations, and fiscal position of the Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT). Proposals are due by 5:00 P.M. on November 20, 2026. The RFP sets a combined Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) participation goal of 30 percent, and proposers must demonstrate good faith effort in identifying and utilizing qualified local MBE/WBE subcontractors and consultants.

The audit covers CAT's fiscal years ending June 30, 2024, 2025, and 2026, and includes review of its adopted fiscal year 2027 budget. Scope spans financial records, funding sources, expenditures, programs, payroll, procurement and contracting activities, vendor payments, governance, compliance, and internal controls. Contractors must maintain specified insurance coverage, hold a current Chatham County business license, comply with federal and state laws, and provide performance evaluations annually before each contract anniversary date.

The fee proposal must be firm and all-inclusive, covering labor, supervision, administrative costs, technology, travel, lodging, meals, insurance, and report preparation. Proposers must submit hourly rates for partners, audit directors, forensic auditors, and analysts, held firm for the contract duration unless the County approves changes in writing. Optional services, including expanded transaction testing, fraud-specific investigation, additional fiscal year audits, and expert testimony, are priced separately and negotiated only if selected.

Evaluation criteria and points are business profile and project management (20), experience and capability (20), project understanding and methodology (20), local MBE/WBE participation (15), references (5), fee proposal (20), and interviews/presentations (30, if required). The County reserves the right to conduct a two-step evaluation, with Step One reviewing written qualification proposals and Step Two potentially including interviews with shortlisted firms. The contract term begins upon Board of Commissioners approval and execution, and the successful proposer is expected to execute the contract within 30 days of notice of award.