Tender

Provision of External Audit & Tax Compliance Services

  • Grampian Housing Association Ltd

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2024/S 000-029282

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-049a6f

Published 12 September 2024, 4:25pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Grampian Housing Association Ltd

Huntly House, 74 Huntly Street

ABERDEEN

AB10 1TD

Email

tracy.ord@grampianhousing.co.uk

Telephone

+44 1224202900

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM5 - North Eastern Scotland

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.grampianhousing.co.uk/

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA14462

one.2) Information about joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Housing and community amenities


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Provision of External Audit & Tax Compliance Services

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 79212100 - Financial auditing services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The provision of external audit and tax compliance services for the Grampian Group (including consolidated accounts and also accounts for two active subsidiaries). This contract will commence 1 January 2025 for an initial period of three years. This relates to the financial years ending 31 March 2025 through to 31 March 2028. There is also potential for an extension up to a further two years to the contract, at the discretion of the Grampian Group. Tenders are invited from external auditors with experience in the RSL sector. The procurement will follow the single stage, open procedure route.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79212100 - Financial auditing services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM5 - North Eastern Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The contract is to provide external audit and tax compliance services for the Grampian Group and its two active subsidiaries for a period of three years commencing 1 January 2025 (relating to financial years ending 31 March 2025-31 March 2028), with the option to extend up to a further two years at Grampian's discretion.

Tender submissions are invited from suitably qualified and experienced external auditors (see requirements in SPD and associated ITT documentation). The contract will follow the single stage, open procedure with submissions being selected on the basis of their responses contained in the SPD, and scored based on their Quality Method statement and pricing submission. Suppliers will be expected to have the capabiility, capacity, financial and economic standing and relevant sector experience to perform the contract. The contract will be awarded on the basis of Most economically advantageous tender, with specific evaluation criteria detailed within the ITT and contract documents.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

36

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The contract will be awarded for an initial period of three years with the option to extend up to a further two years at Grampian's sole discretion. Renewal will be sought at the end of three years and if applicable, four and five years.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No


Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

List and brief description of conditions

Grampian Group is using the SPD attached via Section E Global Questions for all Selection criteria. The Criteria on the SPD are pass or fail. You will pass the SPD global questions by completing and meeting all the criteria as set out in the contract notice. If you fail to provide all the required and requested information you will fail the SPD and in turn the tender requirements and you will be disqualified from the tender process.

Bidders must be able to provide examples of relevant experience within the sector that demonstrates that they have the relevant experience to meet the scope of requirements set out in the ITT - Pass or Fail.

Bidders must hold registered auditors accreditations or an equivalent accreditation. Evidence must be provided - Pass or Fail.

If you provide the information requested you will pass the SPD and your Price/Quality submissions will be scored. Failure to provide the information requested will result in a fail and you will be removed from the process.

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.2) Conditions related to the contract

three.2.1) Information about a particular profession

Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession

Reference to the relevant law, regulation or administrative provision

Bidders must hold registered auditors accreditations or an equivalent accreditation. Evidence must be provided - Pass or Fail.

The successful tenderer will be required to work to the standards and guidelines set out by the Scottish Housing Regulator as set out in its publication, Regulatory Standards of Governance and Financial Management and subsequent guidance issued by that body. As a charity GHA aims to comply with the requirements of the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator. In addition to this, the work of the external auditor must fully adhere to the standards and guidelines of the professional guidance of external audit complying with the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), ethical standard for auditors, International Standards on Auditing (UK) and applicable law.

three.2.2) Contract performance conditions

Key performance indicators will be agreed prior to contract agreement.

three.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract

Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

23 October 2024

Local time

12:00pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

23 October 2024

Local time

12:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: Yes

Estimated timing for further notices to be published: January 2028

six.3) Additional information

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=777839.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/

A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:

Please refer to the Quality Method Statement (section 4) where you are invited to specify what added value/innovation/community benefits could be provided.

Examples may include but are not restricted to:

- free service provision, seminars, training etc

- potential to offer community benefits to projects which are local to GHA

- pro bono provision

- school placements/work experience etc

(SC Ref:777839)

Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=777839

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Aberdeen Sheriff Court

Justice Street

Aberdeen

Aberdeen

Country

United Kingdom