Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
University of Chester
Parkgate Road
Chester
CH1 4BJ
Contact
Procurement Services
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofchester
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofchester
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofchester
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to 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 2024
Reference number
2024-Oct-01
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 tenders through the UK Open Procedure under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 to appoint an external audit service provider for a period of 5 years with an option to extend for up to two further periods of 12 months each, subject to satisfactory performance and the University’s needs.The primary role of external auditors will be to report on the financial statements of the University of Chester and its subsidiary companies, and to carry out whatever examination of the statements and underlying records and control systems is necessary to reach an opinion on the statements. You will be required to report to the University Council by means of a management letter.University financial statements and management letter are submitted to the Office for Students by the end of December following the 31st July year end.
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)
- 79212000 - Auditing services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD - North West (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University is seeking tenders through the UK Open Procedure under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 to appoint an external audit service provider for a period of 5 years with an option to extend for up to two further periods of 12 months each, subject to satisfactory performance and the University’s needs.The primary role of external auditors will be to report on the financial statements of the University of Chester and its subsidiary companies, and to carry out whatever examination of the statements and underlying records and control systems is necessary to reach an opinion on the statements. You will be required to report to the University Council by means of a management letter.University financial statements and management letter are submitted to the Office for Students by the end of December following the 31st July year end. They are scrutinised by the Audit and Risk Management Committee in mid-November and approved by University Council at the end of November. The on-site work final audit usually takes place during mid-September to mid-October, with interim audit being arranged earlier in the financial year.You will also be required to report on whether funds provided by the Office for Students, UK Research and Innovation (including Research England), the Education and Skills Funding Agency and the Department for Education have been applied in accordance with the relevant terms and conditions; and the financial statements meet the requirements of the Accounts Direction.The appointed provider will be required to:(a) operate in accordance with published audit and accounting standards;(b) meet professional, ethical and quality standards in completing its work;(c) comply with terms of reference approved by the Audit and Risk Management Committee,(d) provide suitably qualified and experienced staff;(e) endeavour to promote continuity of staffing;(f) ensure that the staff employed will receive appropriate ongoing training;(g) set out proposals for liaison with other auditors.The successful tenderer must be able to demonstrate they can provide a comprehensive service which will satisfy the University’s requirement for an External Audit Service, as set out by the Office for Students or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Copies of the University’s latest Financial Statements are also attached at Annex 1, and the University’s latest risk register at Annex 2. Tenderers are reminded that the information within these documents should only be used for the purposes of compiling this tender. Further details are available in the tender documents. Please note the estimated total value includes the optional extension periods.This tender is not divided into Lots.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality Evaluation / Weighting: 60
Cost criterion - Name: Pricing Evaluation / 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
Yes
Description of renewals
Period of Contract: 5 years with an option for the University to extend for up to two further periods of 12 months each, subject to satisfactory performance and the University’s needs.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: Yes
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.1.2) 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
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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-021495
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
4 November 2024
Local time
10:00am
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
4 November 2024
Local time
10:00am
Place
A formal Opening Ceremony will be conducted at the University of Chester following the closing date and time.
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
University of Chester
Parkgate Road
Chester
CH1 4BJ
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofchester
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
Please contact the University.