Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO APPROVE final ranking of the qualified firms for Request for Proposals (RFP) No. R2112554P2, External Audit Services; the ranked firms are: 1 - RSM US LLP; 2 - Cherry Bekaert LLP; 3 - S. Davis & Associates, P.A.; 4 - BCA Watson Rice LLP and authorize staff to proceed with negotiations.

ACTION:  (T-11:23 AM)  Approved, as amended, with the Yellow-Sheeted Additional Material, dated Tuesday, June 13, 2017, submitted at the request of the Finance and Administrative Services Department.  The Board directed staff to allow the firms listed in the newly revised final ranking of qualified firms the opportunity to file a bid protest.  If there is an unsuccessful bid protest the procurement will proceed with negotiations with the approved number one ranked firm.  If the bid protest is successful, staff will return the matter back to the Board for further consideration and direction.  (Scrivener’s Error – See County Administrator’s Report: Motion currently reads: MOTION TO APPROVE final ranking of the qualified firms for Request for Proposals No. R2112554P2 for External Audit Services; the ranked firms are: 1 – RSM USA LLP; 2 – Cherry Bekaert LLP; 3 –S.  Davis & Associates, P.A; 4 – BCA Watson Rice LLP…  Should read:  MOTION TO APPROVE final ranking of the qualified firms for Request for Proposals No. R2112554P2 for External Audit Services; the ranked firms are: 1 – RSM US LLP; 2 – S. Davis & Associates. P.A.; 3- Cherry Bekaert LLP; 4 – BCA Watson Rice LLP…)  (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
 
VOTE: 6-3.  Commissioners Holness, Udine and Vice Mayor Furr voted no.

Final ranking of qualified firms requires Board action.

Approves the Evaluation Committee's recommendation of the final ranking of qualified firms.

None.

THE PURCHASING DIVISION AND THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.

The purpose of this solicitation is to engage the services of a qualified Independent Certified Public Accounting firm licensed to practice in the State of Florida, to perform financial and compliance audits. The services include rendering their opinions on the financial statements and accounts of Broward County for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards promulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Industry Audit Guide, Audits of State and Local Governments and Governmental Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

On March 14, 2017 (Item No. 87), the Board established an Audit Committee, pursuant to the requirements of Florida Statutes, Section 218.391 (Auditor Selection Procedures). On March 31, 2017, an Audit Committee meeting was held. The Audit Committee established the evaluation criteria for Request for Proposals (RFP) No. R2112554P2, External Audit Services. The RFP was advertised and at the time of the opening deadline, 5:00 PM on April 24, 2017, four firms submitted proposals.

On May 30 2017, a Combination Initial and Final Evaluation Meeting was held. The Evaluation Committee (Audit Committee), determined that all four firms were both responsive and responsible to the RFP requirements. After presentations, evaluation and scoring, the Evaluation Committee named RSM US LLP as the first-ranked firm (Exhibit 1).

The Evaluation Committee's proposed recommendation of ranking was posted on the Purchasing Division website from May 31, 2017, through June 2, 2017, which provided an opportunity for any proposer or interested party to present any new or additional information regarding the responsibility of the proposers. There was no additional information submitted within this timeframe.

The Evaluation Committee's final recommendation of ranking was posted on the Purchasing Division website from June 5, 2017, through June 9, 2017, which provided an opportunity for any aggrieved proposer to file a formal protest. There was no protest filed within this timeframe.

Additional supporting documentation provided to the Evaluation Committee regarding this procurement can be found on Broward County’s Purchasing Division website at http://www.broward.org/purchasing/pages/rlirfprepositoryUpdated.aspx.  

The Evaluation Committee consisted of:
Carolyn Messersmith, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Division, Finance and Administrative Services Department (Chair and Non-Voting Member)
George Tablack, Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Administrative Services Department
Kathie-Ann Ulett, Interim County Auditor, Office of the County Auditor
Helena James-Rendleman, Director, Finance Division, Broward County Aviation Department
Linda Levinson, Finance Director, Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office (External Member)
Michael Novar, Auditor, Broward Sheriff’s Office (External Member)

Brenda Billingsley, Director, Purchasing Division, (954) 357-6070