Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Sheffield Hallam University
City Campus,Howard Street
SHEFFIELD
S11WB
Contact
Procurement Team
strategicprocurement@shu.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 1142253431
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKE32 - Sheffield
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://in-tendorganiser.co.uk/sheffieldhallamuniversity/aspx/itlogin.aspx
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://in-tendorganiser.co.uk/sheffieldhallamuniversity/aspx/itlogin.aspx
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
Internal Audit Services
Reference number
2122-16-SGS-JB
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79212000 - Auditing services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The University is seeking to appoint an independent and objective internal audit provider that will deliver a first-class professional service to the University. The University is seeking a service that:
• is efficient, effective and high quality;
• provides value for money;
• provides constructive challenge and engagement, and focuses on value added service delivery as well as compliance;
• provides objective assurances and/or recommendations in respect of key processes and the management of risk, internal control and governance arrangements;
• provides wider sector and cross sector expertise and benchmarking.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKE32 - Sheffield
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
2.5.1 The scope of internal audit extends to all of the University's activities, the whole of its risk management, internal control and governance, and any aspect in respect of its delivery of value for money for students and in respect of our receipt of public funds.
2.5.2 The successful internal audit provider will use a risk-based approach to consider the University's systems for risk management, internal control and governance.
2.5.3 The successful internal audit provider will be responsible for providing assurance to the University's Board of Governors and the University's Accountable Officer (i.e. the Vice-Chancellor) and reporting to management on the adequacy and effectiveness of:
• risk management, internal control and governance,
• economy, efficiency and effectiveness (value for money arrangements); and
• management and quality assurance of data submitted to Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the Student Loan Company, the OfS, Research England and other bodies
2.5.4 It will not be within the remit of the internal auditors to question policy decisions but it will be part of their role to examine the management arrangements by which decisions are made, monitored and reviewed. In order to provide the required assurance, the internal auditors will undertake a programme of work to evaluate the arrangements in place:
• to establish and monitor the achievement of organisational objectives;
• to identify, assess and manage risks to those objectives;
• to evaluate the effectiveness of governance processes;
• to ascertain the integrity and reliability of financial and other information provided to management including that used in decision-making, and that provided to key external audiences;
• to ascertain that systems of internal control are laid down and operate to promote the economic, efficient and effective use of resources and to safeguard assets and value for money;
• to provide advice, and recommendations, for improvement.
2.5.5 The successful internal audit provider will also assess the adequacy of the arrangements in place to prevent and detect irregularities, fraud and corruption. However, the primary responsibility for preventing and detecting corruption, fraud and irregularities rests with management, who will institute adequate systems of internal control, including clear objectives, segregation of duties and authorisation procedures.
2.5.6 The internal auditors will be expected to demonstrate that their approach and methodology delivers added value including the provision of horizon scanning and wider service improvement recommendations as part of the internal audit programme.
2.5.7 As detailed in the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors' Internal Audit Code of Practise, 'The chief internal auditor should ensure that the audit team has the skills and experience, including technical subject matter expertise, commensurate with the scale of operations and risks of the organisation. This may entail training, recruitment, secondment from other parts of the organisation or co-sourcing with external third parties.' The qualified personnel should operate an appropriate quality framework to ensure the efficient and effective provision of the services.
2.5.8 The successful internal audit provider must be able to provide specialists in the areas, including but not limited to, IT auditing/cyber security, data protection/GDPR, legal (such as UKVI and CMA compliance), estates, procurement and academic risks including quality/ethics/Ofsted/REF. The appropriate specialists will need to be available throughout the entire audit process and until all recommendations have been fully agreed.
2.5.9 The successful internal audit provider may be required to carry out investigations under the University's policy on Public Interest Disclosure.
2.5.10 The University's financial year runs from 01 August to 31 July. The first audit year under any agreement arising from this Invitation to Tender shall be the year commencing 01 August 2022. The internal auditors will be expected to engage with the University to develop the 2022/23 audit programme between May 2022 and July 2022.
2.5.11 The successful internal audit provider may be requested by the University's Audit and Risk Committee, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Operations), the Chief Finance and Planning Officer or the University Secretary or nominee to conduct special reviews, provided such reviews do not compromise the internal auditor's objectivity, independence or the achievement of the audit plan. This may include follow-up work following a fraud or similar investigation.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Audit Team / Weighting: 6%
Quality criterion - Name: HE experience / Weighting: 10%
Quality criterion - Name: Audit Process / Weighting: 8%
Quality criterion - Name: Value Added / Weighting: 2%
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 8%
Quality criterion - Name: Performance / Weighting: 6%
Quality criterion - Name: Characteristics / Weighting: 8%
Quality criterion - Name: Systems/software solution / Weighting: 6%
Quality criterion - Name: Protocol / Weighting: 6%
Price - Weighting: 40%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
84
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
5 January 2022
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: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
11 January 2022
Local time
11:00am
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield
Country
United Kingdom