As an association of local governments, the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council is required to have a combined annual audit conducted of its finances and its pension plan for the fiscal year ending September 30. Council policy is to select a firm to perform audits for three consecutive years providing performance continues to be satisfactory as evaluated each year.

Furthermore, since the Council maintains the financial records of the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area, the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area usually engages the same firm to conduct its audits.

A written proposal should be submitted which demonstrates that your firm is qualified to conduct audits in accordance with government auditing standards as adopted by the Florida Board of Accountancy and which addresses the ranking criteria which will be used to determine the selection of an auditor. The ranking criteria includes the following.

1.     Ability of personnel to perform work (30 points);

2.     Experience (35 points); and

3.     Ability to furnish required services (35 points).

In addition, a copy of your Certified Public Accountant certificate documenting that you are duly licensed pursuant to Chapter 473, Florida Statutes, must also be submitted with your proposal. We request that the proposal be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m., August 18, 2010 to: North Central Florida Regional Planning Council, 2009 N. W. 67th Place, Gainesville, FL 32653-1603.

The Council’s Audit Committee will rank the firms in order of priority on August 26, 2010. It is understood that specific discussions of approach to the audit, fees and related matters will take place during an interview, which is scheduled for September 8, 2010.

If you have any questions concerning this request or if you desire additional information about the Council and its activities, please contact: Tony Marshall, Finance Director at (352)955-2200, ext. 107.