SEMCA’S REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

FOR

FINANCIAL AUDIT SERVICES

Request for Proposals Release Date: May 3, 2015

Proposal Due Date: May 25, 2015

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY ALLIANCE (SEMCA)

25363 Eureka Rd.

Taylor, MI 48180

(734) 229-3500

Page 1 of 4

A. DESCRIPTION OF THE SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

The Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) is a Michigan Works! Agency (MWA)

whose service area encompasses all of Monroe County and Wayne County, excluding the City of

Detroit. SEMCA procures employment, education, and training services from public and private

organizations throughout the region. SEMCA administers programs funded by the Workforce

Development Agency State of Michigan (WDASOM) and delivered by SEMCA contractors who

provide services for all residents of our designated service area including welfare recipients,

economically disadvantaged, unemployed and underemployed persons and youth.

SEMCA provides administrative and management services to the Workforce Intelligence

Network (WIN), which is funded in part by the US Departments of Labor and Energy, and the

Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

B. GENERAL INFORMATION

SEMCA has issued this RFP to secure a qualified Certified Public Accounting firm to conduct

the annual single audit in compliance with applicable OMB Circulars. SEMCA requests these

services to be provided from December 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016, except as noted

elsewhere in these guidelines. The successful bidder must be knowledgeable of Workforce

Development Agency State of Michigan (WDASOM) rules and regulations, Federal fiscal

management regulations including all relevant OMB Circulars and Federal Regulations from the

US Department of Health and Human Services, US Department of Labor, and US Department of

Energy.

C. GENERAL SUBMITTAL GUIDELINES

1. All proposals must be submitted to:

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

Attn: Financial Audit RFP Response

25363 Eureka Road

Taylor, MI 48180

The deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 25, 2015.

Questions

Questions may be addressed to SEMCA’s Chief Financial Officer, Judy Lukitsh, at

judy.lukitsh@semca.org. Please indicate “Financial Audit RFP Question” in the subject

line of the email. The deadline to submit questions is Monday, May 11, 2015 at 12:00

noon EDT. Questions received on or before the deadline will be answered and posted

only on the SEMCA’s website at www.semca.org by Friday, May 15, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

It is the vendor’s responsibility to check the website for all questions and answers,

addendums, and additional information.

All proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope, which should be delivered via

hand delivery or certified mail with return receipt requested.

Page 2 of 4

Proposals received after this time will only be considered if it is in the best interest of

SEMCA to do so. SEMCA will time stamp and record each proposal as it is received.

SEMCA will not be responsible for delays caused by the method of submittal chosen by

the proponents.

This RFP does not commit SEMCA to the awarding of any contract and/or the payment

of any costs including, but not limited to, those incurred in the preparation of proposals

under this request. SEMCA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals

received as a result of this request, to negotiate with all qualified proponents, and/or to

cancel in part, or in its entirety, this RFP if it is in the best interest of SEMCA to do so.

SEMCA may, solely at its discretion, require the bidder selected to participate in

negotiations to submit additional information, provide clarification or make revisions to

their proposal, which may result from negotiations. All items submitted in a proposal are

subject to negotiation.

2. An original and three (3) copies of the proposal must be submitted. The original proposal

must have the original signature of the chief official of the submitting organization

attesting to the commitment to perform the services described (See Attachment I,

Proposal Signature Sheet). In addition, proposals must include the Debarment,

Suspension certification (Attachment II) and the Certification on Prohibited Lobbying

Activities (Attachment III).

3. All statements made in the proposal are to be considered final and, if the proposal is

accepted, may be used as the basis of an agreement.

4. All proposals become public information after the award decision and may be open for

public scrutiny, upon written request.

5. Proposals become the property of SEMCA upon submission and will not be returned to

the bidder.

6. Proposals must be submitted in the legal name of the organization. Proposals should not

be submitted in the name of the project. SEMCA will only contract with the legal entity

named in the proposal.

7. This RFP is for the 9/30/15 audit only; however, SEMCA may extend the contract for up

to two additional years. Therefore, projected costs for 9/30/16 and 9/30/17 audits should

be included in the proposal.

8. SEMCA may request technical assistance on an as-needed basis for any issues or

questions that arise during the year. The cost for technical assistance services on an

hourly basis should be identified separately in the proposal.

9. SEMCA may request consultation services on an as-needed basis for any issues unrelated

to the financial audit that may arise during the year. The cost of the consultation services

on an hourly basis should be identified separately in the proposal.

Page 3 of 4

D. PROPOSAL SPECIFICATIONS

The proposer shall provide financial statements, program audit and supplemental information as

required by SEMCA’s funding sources. In addition to the written reports, the proposer shall be

present at designated board meetings to provide information as needed.

1. SEMCA’s most recent audit for the period ending September 30, 2014 is available upon

request.

2. SEMCA operates on an accrual basis and uses Blackbaud accounting software. Several

programs administered by SEMCA operate on a July to June year. SEMCA employed

approximately 60 FTE’s and approximately 75 temporary work experience participants

during the audit period.

3. SEMCA contracts with approximately nine (9) agencies to provide employment and

training services. All of these subcontracts were monitored during the year and the

monitoring reports will be available. Client files for all programs are maintained at

provider sites and will be available upon request.

4. This audit will primarily encompass funds provided by the Workforce Development

Agency State of Michigan (WDASOM). Other sources of funding are listed in our 2014

financial audit, which will be provided upon request to SEMCA’s Chief Financial

Officer, Judy Lukitsh, at judy.lukitsh@semca.org. SEMCA’s budget for the year ending

September 30, 2014 was approximately $38 million, of which approximately $28 million

was contracted to service providers.

5. This audit shall be financial in nature and include federal compliance. The selected

bidder must prepare financial statements for the period of October 1, 2014 to September

30, 2015. Single audit and 990 reports that comply with all relevant state and federal

guidelines must be issued.

6. An entrance conference will be held with all necessary representatives from the

successful bidder and SEMCA to establish procedures and protocols to be followed

during the audit. SEMCA will make all necessary information available to the auditing

firm as requested at the entrance conference. SEMCA staff will be available to provide

assistance with document retrieval and other clerical duties as requested during the audit.

A conference room will be made available to the audit staff for their exclusive use during

on-site work.

7. An exit conference will be held after completion of a preliminary report. At the exit

conference, the report will be presented to SEMCA staff, findings and/or areas of concern

will be reviewed, and time lines will be established for addressing outstanding issues.

8. The proposer may be required to attend a designated meeting or meetings with SEMCA,

its boards and subcommittees to discuss audit findings and review reports.

9. All proposals must include detailed information regarding the firm and the individuals

who will work on this audit. The proposal must include the number of staff to be

assigned, staff hours by classification, time anticipated for each activity required, travel

Page 4 of 4

reimbursement and other anticipated costs, as well as any other information that will

assist the reviewers in evaluating the proposal.

10. All proposals must provide an hourly rate for additional technical assistance that may be

requested by SEMCA Management during the term of the contract.

E. NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE VENDORS/SUBCONTRACTORS

SEMCA is a federal contractor obligated to take affirmative action to employ women, minorities,

disabled individuals, and veterans. SEMCA is also required to inform those with whom it

conducts business that they, too, may have such obligations.

You should know that, by operation of law, as well as by this notification, the Equal

Employment Opportunity Clause required under Executive Order 11246, (41 C.F.R. 60-1.4), the

affirmative action commitment for special disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam Era set

forth in 41 [C.F.R. 60-300.44(f)(1)(ii)], the Affirmative Action Clause for Section 503 of The

Rehabilitation Act of 1973 set forth 41[C.F.R. 60-741.44(f)(1)(ii)], and the related regulations of

Secretary of Labor, (41 C.F.R.)., Chapter 60, are incorporated in all of our contractual

relationships.

This notification does not necessarily mean that your business has any or all of the affirmative

action obligations referenced above. This will depend upon a number of factors, including the

dollar amount of our transaction(s) and the size of your workforce. This provides that if the laws’

jurisdictional requirements are met, you will abide by any and all of your affirmative action

responsibilities. The governing agency on affirmative action requires that we maintain this type

of documentation to show that SEMCA is in compliance with the law itself.

Upon submission of this proposal, the financial institution agrees that it will comply with the

Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended;

the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; the Elliot-Larson Civil Rights Act,

Article 2, Act No. 453, Public Act of 1976, as amended; the Michigan Handicapper’s Civil

Rights Act, Article 2, Act No. 220; Public Act of 1976, as amended; and all other applicable

Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations. Specifically, contractors and service providers are

required not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment with respect to

such person’s hire, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, or any other matter

directly or indirectly related to employment because of such person’s race, color, religion,

national origin, ancestry, age, sex, or disability as defined by law. Breach of this covenant may

be regarded as material breach of the contract or purchase agreement and may be processed as

processed as provided under the State of Michigan laws.

Questions regarding this section should be referred to SEMCA’s EEO Coordinator, Debra Kinde

at debra.kinde@semca.org.

Page 5 of 4

F. SCORING CRITERIA FOR RATING PROPOSALS

Proposals will be scored based on the criteria listed below.

Selection of the winning bid will be made based on the outcome of the combined scores of all

evaluators. This method of proposal evaluation may result in the bid being awarded to other than

the lowest priced proposal.

1. Experience (40 points)

Evaluators will examine the relevant experience of the proponent with regard to auditing of the

administration and operation of the programs indicated. Experience with other similarly

regulated Federal and State programs will be of prime importance.

2. Cost (40 points)

Evaluators will examine projected costs relevant to the anticipated value and utility of proposed

services. While lowest overall cost is desirable, the proposed mix of services and staff will be

reviewed consistent with the anticipated needs of SEMCA. Proponents should provide their best

assessment of the services necessary to effectively insure administration and programmatic

compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

3. Staff Qualifications (20 points)

Evaluators will review the relevant experience of the staff identified as intended providers of

auditing services. If proponent cannot identify specific qualifications of the staff who will be

assigned to this project, generic qualifications of each level of staff to be involved should be

provided. Specific individual information will be given greater weight.

PROPOSAL SIGNATURE SHEET

Identification Data

Organization Name:

Address:

Phone Number: Email:

Signed Statement of Authority

I, , am the (Type name of official) (Type title of official)

of . I am authorized to make the following (Type name of agency or organization)

proposal on behalf of . (Type legal name of organization)

I hereby certify that:

The applicant organization understands and will comply with the specific assurances and

certification contained in this proposal; and further, that the applicant organization understands

and will comply with the rules, regulations, and policies of the Workforce Development Agency

State of Michigan (WDASOM), the United States’ Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services, and SEMCA.

All responses to the Request for Proposals concerning the applicant organization and its

operations are true and accurate.

The applicant organization understands that this proposal does not commit SEMCA to the

awarding of any contract and/or the payment of any costs including, but not limited to, those

incurred in the preparation of this proposal.

If selected, the applicant organization will be bound by the information contained the Request for

Proposal as well as by the terms and conditions of the resultant contract.

Signature Date

Typed Name

Attachment I

Attachment II

Certification Regarding Debarment Page 1 of 2

Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion

Lower Tier Covered Transactions This certification is required by the regulations implementing Executive Order 12549, Debarment and Suspension, 29 CFR Part 98, Section 98.510, Participants' responsibilities. The regulations were published as Part VII of the May 26, 1988 Federal Register (pages 19160-19211).

(BEFORE COMPLETING CERTIFICATION, READ ATTACHED INSTRUCTIONS WHICH ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CERTIFICATION)

(1) The prospective recipient of federal assistance funds certifies, by submission of this proposal, that neither it

nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency.

(2) Where the prospective recipient of federal assistance funds is unable to certify to any of the statements in this

certification, such prospective participant shall attach an explanation to this proposal. Agency Name and Title of Authorized Representative) Signature Date

Attachment II

Certification Regarding Debarment Page 2 of 2

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CERTIFICATION

1. By signing and submitting this proposal, the prospective recipient of Federal assistance funds is providing the

certification as set out below. 2. The certification in this clause is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this

transaction was entered into. If it is later determined that the prospective recipient of Federal assistance funds knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies available to the Federal Government, the Department of Labor (DOL) may pursue available remedies, including suspension and/or debarment.

3. The prospective recipient of Federal assistance funds shall provide immediate written notice to the person to

which this proposal is submitted if at any time the prospective recipient of Federal assistance funds learns that its certification was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.

4. The terms "covered transaction," "debarred," "suspended," "ineligible," "lower tier covered transaction,"

"participant," "person," "primary covered transaction," "principal," "proposal," and "voluntarily excluded," as used in this clause, have the meanings set out in the Definitions and Coverage sections of rules implementing Executive Order 12549. You may contact the person to which this proposal is submitted for assistance in obtaining a copy of those regulations.

5. The prospective recipient of Federal assistance funds agrees by submitting this proposal that, should the

proposed covered transaction be entered into, it shall not knowingly enter into any lower tier covered transaction with a person who is debarred, suspended, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this covered transaction, unless authorized by the DOL.

6. The prospective recipient of Federal assistance funds further agrees by submitting this proposal that it will

include the clause titled "Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion - Lower Tier Covered Transactions," without modification, in all lower tier covered transactions and in all solicitation for lower tier covered transactions.

7. A participant in a covered transaction may rely upon a certification of a prospective participant in a lower tier

covered transaction that it is not debarred, suspended, ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from the covered transaction, unless it knows that the certification is erroneous. A participant may decide the method and frequency by which it determines the eligibility of its principals. Each participant may but is not required to check the List of Parties Excluded from Procurement or Non-procurement Programs.

8. Nothing contained in the foregoing shall be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order

to render in good faith the certification required by this clause. The knowledge and information of a participant is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings.

9. Except the transactions authorized under paragraph 5 of these instructions, if a participant in a covered

transaction knowingly enters into a lower tier covered transaction with a person who is suspended, debarred, ineligible, or voluntary excluded from participation in this transaction, in addition to other remedies available to the Federal Government, the DOL may pursue available remedies, including suspension and/or debarment.

Attachment III

Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities Page 1 of 4

Certification Regarding Lobbying Certification For Contracts, Grants, Loans, and

Cooperative Agreements The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, that: (1) No federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the

undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of an agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any federal contract, the making of any federal grant, the making of any federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

(2) If any funds other than federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any

person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with this federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.

(3) The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the

award documents for all subawards at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants and contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements), and that all subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.

This certification is a material representative of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by Section 1352, Title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure. Signature Date

Attachment III

Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities Page 2 of 4

DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES Complete this form to disclose lobbying activities pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1352 (See reverse for public burden disclosure.) 1. Type of Federal Action: 2. Status of Federal Action: 3. Report Type:

a. contract a. bid/offer/application a. initial filing b. grant b. initial award b. material change c. cooperative agreement c. post-award For Material Change Only: d. loan year quarter e. loan guarantee Date of last report

f. loan insurance _ 4. Name and Address of Reporting Entity 5. If Reporting Entity in No. 4 is Subawardee,

Prime Subawardee Enter Name and Address of Prime: Tier , if known:

Congressional District, if known: Congressional District, if known: 6. Federal Department/Agency: 7. Federal Program Name/Description: CFDA Number, if applicable: 8. Federal Action Number, if known: 9. Award Amount, if known: $ 10. a. Name and Address of Lobbying Entity b. Individuals Performing Services (including address if

(If individual, last name, first name, MI): different from No. 10a) (last name, first name, MI):

(Attach continuation sheet(s) SF-LLL-A, if necessary) 11. Amount of Payment (check all that apply): 13. Type of Payment (check all that apply)

a. retainer $ actual planned b. one-time fee

c. commission 12. Form of Payment (check all that apply:) d. contingent fee

a. cash e. deferred b. in-kind; specify: nature f. other, specify:

value 14. Brief description of Services Performed or to be Performed and Date(s) of Service, including officer(s), employee(s), or Member(s) contacted, for Payment indicated in Item 11:

(Attach continuation sheet(s) SF-LLL-A, if necessary) 15. Continuation Sheet(s) SF-LLL-A Attached: Yes No 16. Information requested through this form is authorized by title 31 U.S.C.

section 1352. This disclosure of lobbying activities is a material Signature representation of fact which reference was placed by the tier above when this transaction was made or entered into. This disclosure is required Print Name pursuant to 31 U.S.D. 1352. This information will be reported to the Congress semi-annually and will be available for public inspection. Any Title _______________

person who fails to file the required disclosure shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less that $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such Telephone No. failure. Date

Attachment III

Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities Page 3 of 4

DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES CONTINUATION SHEET Reporting Entity: Page of

SF-LLL-A

Attachment III

Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities Page 4 of 4

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF SF-LLL, DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES This disclosure form shall be completed by the reporting entity, whether subawardee or prime Federal recipient at the initiation of receipt of a covered Federal action, or a material change to a previous filing, pursuant to title 31 U.S.C. section 1352. The filing of a form is required for each payment or agreement to make payment to any lobbying entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer of employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered Federal action. Use the SF-LLL-A Continuation Sheet for additional information if the space on the form is inadequate. Complete all items that apply for both the initial filing and material change report. Refer to the implementing guidance published by the Office of Management and Budget for additional information.

1. Identify the type of covered Federal action for which lobbying activity is and or has been secured to influence the outcome of a covered Federal action.

2. Identify the status of the covered Federal action. 3. Identify the appropriate classification of this report. If this is a follow up report caused by a material change to the information

previously reported, enter the year and quarter in which the change occurred. Enter the date of the last previously submitted report by this reporting entity for this covered Federal action.

4. Enter the full name, address, city, state and zip code of the reporting entity. Include Congressional District, if known. Check the

appropriate classification of the reporting entity that designates if it is, or expects to be, a prime or subaward recipient. Identify the tier of the subawardee, e.g., the first subawardee of the prime is the 1st tier. Subawards include but are not limited to subcontracts, subgrants and contract awards under grants.

5. If the organization filing the report in item 4 checks "Subawardee", then enter the full name, address, city, state and zip code of the

prime Federal recipient. Include Congressional District, if known. 6. Enter the name of the Federal agency making the award or loan commitment. Include at least one organizational level below agency

name, if known. For example, Department of Transportation, United States Coast Guard. 7. Enter the Federal program name or description for the covered Federal action (item 1). If known, enter the full Catalog of Federal

Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for grants, cooperative agreements, loans, and loan commitments. 8. Enter the most appropriate Federal identifying number available for the Federal action identified in item 1 (e.g., Request for Proposal

(RFP) number; Invitation for Bid (IFB) number; grant announcement number; the contract, grant, or loan award number; the application proposal control number assigned by the Federal agency). Include prefixes, e.g., "RFP-DE-900-001."

9. For a covered Federal action where there has been an award or loan commitment by the Federal agency, enter the Federal amount of

the award; loan commitment for the prime entity identified in item 4 or 5. 10. (a) Enter the full name, address, city, state and zip code or the lobbying entity engaged by the reporting entity identified in item 4 to

influence the covered Federal action. (b) Enter the full names of the individual(s) performing services, and include full address if different from 10 (a). Enter Last Name, First Name, and Middle Initial (MI).

11. Enter the amount of compensation paid or reasonably expected to be paid by the reporting entity (item 4) to the lobbying entity (item

10). Indicate whether the payment has been made (actual) or will be made (planned). Check all boxes that apply. If this is a material change report, enter the cumulative amount of payment made or planned to be made.

12. Check the appropriate line(s). Check all lines that apply. If payment is made through an in-kind contribution, specify the nature and

value of the in-kind payment. 13. Check the appropriate line(s). Check all lines that apply. If other, specify nature. 14. Provide a specific and detailed description of the services that the lobbyist has performed, or will be expected to perform, and

the date(s) of any services rendered. Include all preparatory and related activity, not just time spent in actual contact with Federal officials. Identify the Federal official(s) or employee(s) contacted or the officer(s), employee(s), or Member(s) of Congress that were contacted.

15. Check whether or not a SF-LLL-A Continuation Sheet(s) is attached.

16. The certifying official shall sign and date the form, print his/her name, title and telephone number.

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-00-46), Washington, D.C. 20503.