Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
HIGHFIELD CAMPUS,UNIVERSITY ROAD
SOUTHAMPTON
SO171BJ
Contact
Alice Mashford
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKJ32 - Southampton
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofsouthampton/aspx/Home
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
External Audit Services - Soft Market Engagement
Reference number
2021UoS-0241
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79212000 - Auditing services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The University is looking to tender, in the near future, its requirement for a supplier to provide external audit services and would like to engage with the marketplace by means of discussions via individual virtual meetings to help enable the University to understand the dynamics of the current marketplace and to enable the opportunity for potential suppliers to ask us any questions or raise any issues directly with the people that matter - the day-to-day end users and owners of the future contract.
This exercise is not a call for competition but engagement with the market to help inform our procurement approach in future.
The University envisages the scope of the contract to include the below:
• External audit of the annual consolidated financial statements of the University of Southampton;
• External audit of the annual financial statements of relevant subsidiary companies;
• External audit of the annual accounts for the University of Southampton Pension and Assurance Scheme (PASNAS);
• Audits relating to the National College for Teaching and Learning, and the Teachers' Pension Scheme contributions and the Federal Family Education Loan Program Compliance report;
• Supporting the University in complying with the reporting requirements of a Public Interest Entity and Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR) in relation to the University's debt securities.
For a University of the complexity and size of Southampton, the external auditor would need access to specialist audit skills, be familiar with specific higher education issues and bring relevant knowledge of the large business units operating within the University (e.g. academic faculties, catering, estates, library services etc.). The auditor must be aware of developments within Higher Education particularly where these may have mandatory applications to institutions and/or potentially have significant financial effects.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £800,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79212300 - Statutory audit services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ32 - Southampton
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University envisages the scope of the contract to include the below:
• External audit of the annual consolidated financial statements of the University of Southampton;
• External audit of the annual financial statements of relevant subsidiary companies;
• External audit of the annual accounts for the University of Southampton Pension and Assurance Scheme (PASNAS);
• Audits relating to the National College for Teaching and Learning, and the Teachers' Pension Scheme contributions and the Federal Family Education Loan Program Compliance report;
• Supporting the University in complying with the reporting requirements of a Public Interest Entity and Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR) in relation to the University's debt securities.
For a University of the complexity and size of Southampton, the external auditor would need access to specialist audit skills, be familiar with specific higher education issues and bring relevant knowledge of the large business units operating within the University (e.g. academic faculties, catering, estates, library services etc.). The auditor must be aware of developments within Higher Education particularly where these may have mandatory applications to institutions and/or potentially have significant financial effects.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 June 2022
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
To access further information and instructions, and to participate in this soft market engagement exercise, you will need to register on the University's electronic tendering portal In-Tend https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofsouthampton/aspx/Home