Universal Service Fund Agreed Upon Procedures

The contract involves a comprehensive review and evaluation of the accounting, audit, and reporting practices of Ohio Electric Distribution Utilities (EDUs) related to the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) program, administered under the Ohio Universal Service Fund established by state law. The Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Community Assistance seeks qualified bidders to perform an application of agreed-upon procedures (AUP) to verify the reliability and accuracy of utility-reported data, with deliverables including detailed final reports for specific utilities by designated deadlines, extending through June 30, 2027. The scope emphasizes ensuring data integrity, identifying discrepancies, and supporting corrective actions, all following standards aligned with AICPA guidelines. The contract value ranges from $50,000 to $200,000, with proposals required to include detailed cost breakdowns and timelines, though no pre-defined line items or unit prices are specified. The procurement process is structured around a best-value approach, evaluating proposals based on separate technical and cost scores, with preferences of 5% for the first, and 2% each for second and third, applied after initial scoring. The highest combined score determines award, with no federal FAR clauses incorporated, and the contract governed by Ohio state law. Proposal submissions must be made electronically via OhioBuys, with separate sealed technical and cost proposals due by September 30, 2025. The contract does not specify particular packaging, marking, or special contractual clauses beyond standard requirements, nor does it include explicit references to specific administrative contacts, invoice procedures, or detailed performance milestones beyond the reporting deadlines. Overall, the contract emphasizes independent review of utility practices within a defined budget and timeline, with a focus on compliance, accuracy, and transparency in reporting for the PIPP program.