Auditing services

Tender description

The NIAO wishes to put in place Framework Agreements with Service Providers for the provision of temporary financial audit personnel services to cover short-term business demands. The Framework Agreement period will be for 3 years from the date of appointment with the option of extending annually for 1 further year. The services are defined as the provision of temporary financial audit personnel to cover short-term business demands. Work assignments will fall into two categories: — Auditors; — Assistant Auditors. Temporary audit personnel supplied under the framework will be expected to be suitably trained and experienced to undertake NIAO work assignments and have a high level of initiative and commitment. Once Service Providers have been appointed under the Framework Agreements, the NIAO will normally invite Service Providers to tender for individual work assignments on a competitive basis (mini-tender). The Comptroller and Auditor General (through the NIAO) is responsible for the financial auditing of Northern Ireland Government Departments, their executive agencies and a wide range of other public bodies, including health and social care bodies and local government bodies. The NIAO wishes to put in place Framework Agreements with Service Providers for the provision of temporary financial audit personnel services to cover short-term business demands. The Framework Agreement period will be for three years from the date of appointment with the option of extending annually for one further year. 21 The services are defined as the provision of temporary financial audit personnel to cover short-term business demands. Work assignments will fall into two categories: — Auditors; — Assistant Auditors. Temporary audit personnel supplied under the framework will be expected to be suitably trained and experienced to undertake NIAO work assignments and have a high level of initiative and commitment. All tenders received will be opened on the same occasion. Tenders will be evaluated to ascertain which Service Providers are best-qualified to meet NIAO’s requirements and which offers greatest overall economic advantage to the NIAO. The NIAO intends to award Framework Agreements to a minimum of three successful Service Providers. Tenders will be required to meet a minimum standard for the ‘Knowledge, Expertise and Resources’ criteria. Failure to achieve a minimum standard score in this criteria will result in your tender being rejected and not considered further. The resultant actual scores will then be weighted with the top scoring bid being allocated the maximum 60 marks and other bids will be awarded scores on a pro-rata basis. The lowest total cost will be allocated the maximum 40 marks for cost criteria and other bids will be awarded scores on a pro-rata basis. All scores will be calculated to 2 decimal points. The NIAO will endeavour to give constructive feedback to the unsuccessful bidder(s). Once Service Providers have been appointed under the Framework Agreements, the NIAO will normally invite Service Providers to tender for individual work assignments on a competitive basis (mini-tender).