CSFA01-26 - Auditing Services

The California School Finance Authority (CSFA) is seeking qualified auditing firms to perform comprehensive financial audits in compliance with California Government Code sections 5871 and 5872, as well as the Office of the State Controller’s minimum audit standards. The selected firm will conduct audits of CSFA’s operations and its federal programs, ensuring adherence to the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards and Office of Management and Budget requirements. The contract, issued under RFP No. CSFA01-26, has a maximum estimated value of $173,250, covering an initial term with an optional one-year extension, and will commence no earlier than October 1, 2026. Proposals must be submitted as physical, sealed hard copies by 5:00 PM Pacific Time on June 30, 2026, to the CSFA’s Sacramento office, with no electronic submissions permitted. The evaluation process prioritizes technical merit over cost, with a trade-off approach determining award: experience as an accounting/auditing firm carries the highest weight at 30 points, followed by personnel qualifications at 20 points, experience with state or governmental agencies at 15 points, and cost at 35 points. In case of a tie, technical factors take precedence over cost. Offerors must comply with a strict set of mandatory attachments including the Cost Proposal Worksheet, Proposer References, Payee Data Record, and multiple certification forms addressing California-specific requirements such as the Darfur Contract Act, Generative AI use, Small Business or DVBE preferences, and Civil Rights compliance. The contractor must be qualified to do business in California, maintain adequate insurance, and comply with ADA and drug-free workplace mandates. Key personnel cannot be substituted without prior written approval, and any change must be reported within five days; failure to disclose Generative AI usage may result in immediate disqualification. The contractor is responsible for all deliverables including submission of the Special Districts Financial Transactions Report and adherence to Senate Bill 99 and GASB standards. Invoices must be submitted monthly in arrears to the designated payment officer in Los Angeles, and all records must be made available for audit for at least three years post-contract completion. The agreement prohibits subcontracting without prior mutual approval and bars the contractor from bidding on any follow-on contracts stemming from its work under this agreement. Publicity about the contract requires state approval, and violations of organizaional conflict of interest provisions,