Request for Proposal (RFP)
Vendor: Women in Resource Development Corporation (WRDC) & WRDC Educational Resource Centre (ERC)
Title: Audit Services
Issue Date: November 17, 2017
Close Date: December 1, 2017, 12:00 PM
Who we are
Created in 1997, Women in Resource Development Corporation (WRDC) is a provincial non-profit organization committed to increasing women’s participation in trades and technology. With private and public funding, WRDC offers a variety of programs and services to address the challenges surrounding the attraction, recruitment, retention and advancement of women in these sectors. Successfully increasing the participation of women in these fields requires a comprehensive “lifecycle” approach, supporting women at all points in the career cycle. Our charitable arm, the Educational Resource Centre (ERC), was created in 2002, to provide hands-on learning and career exploration opportunities for younger women and girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as well as skilled trades.
Our key activities include:
• career exploration programs;
• career counselling and employment assistance services;
• recruitment and retention consultation and training for employers; and
• collaborating with key stakeholders such as training institutions, employers, labour unions, government departments and community groups to identify solutions to issues commonly identified by women in trades and technology.
WRDC’s Educational Resource Center (ERC) offers a series of practical, hands-on career exploration programs, creating awareness of the exciting opportunities in trades and STEM, and empowering girls with the information and self-confidence needed to pursue these careers. Ensuring that girls have the knowledge and resources needed to pursue any educational or career path they wish is critical. All STEM for GIRLS programs engage girls in hands-on interactive learning activities, provide opportunities to hear from real female role models, and instill the confidence required to make informed career choices.
STEM for GIRLS series includes:
• STEM Role Model Safety Relay
• Engineering Solutions (Design, Empower, Impact).
• Techsploration NL
• Tech Tours for Girls
• GUSTO – Girls Understanding Skilled Trades Opportunities
• Coding with Rosie
Our educators work in collaboration with the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD), the Department of Education, public and private post-secondary education institutions, industry, and community organizations to provide girls and young women with practical experience and information regarding training and careers in skilled trades and technology.
Objective
The objective of this call for proposals is to select an auditing firm to provide annual audit services for WRDC and ERC.
Instruction to Bidders
This Request for Proposal (RFP) specifies WRDC’s and ERC’s requirements for Audit Services. All pricing information should be fully disclosed and all charges clearly defined. Please provide any additional services not specifically mentioned in this RFP that may be of potential benefit to WRDC and ERC.
Terms of Contract
The term of the contract is a five-year (5) term commencing for the fiscal year of April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2022. Ninety (90) days written notice must be provided if either party wishes to terminate the agreement prior to the contract’s expiry date.
Bidders are solely responsible for the method of conveyance of their proposal to the receiving point. Women in Resource Development Corporation & WRDC Educational Resource Centre reserves the right to accept any proposal submitted or to reject all proposals.
Bidder Qualifications
To be considered a candidate for the provision of audit services for Women in Resource Development Corporation & WRDC Educational Resource Centre, bidders must:
• Be a recognized Chartered Accounting firm experienced and knowledgeable in the not-for- profit and charitable sector;
• Be current with respect to legislation relevant to the operation of not-for-profit organizations and charities.
Service Requirements
Following are specific services required:
• Audited financial statements (2) and charitable return (1)
• The Auditor shall conduct the examination in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Auditing Standards
• The Auditor shall present the audit findings to the Chair of the Board and CEO in August each year
• The Auditor shall advise WRDC’s management of any and all changes in accounting and reporting requirements
• The Auditor shall serve as a resource and be available for consultation on accounting and related issues throughout the fiscal year.
Proposal Contents and Format
Following are to be included:
• Firm’s experience working within the not-for-profit and charitable sector
• List of individuals in the firm that will be directly responsible for the audit
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise related to the not-for-profit and charitable sector
• The name and contact information of one not-for-profit organization for whom the firm has performed audits within the last two years
• Fee structure for audit services
Basis of Awarding
A letter of engagement will be signed with an independent auditor who, based on an evaluation of all responses, applying all criteria and oral interviews (if performed), is determined to be the most qualified to perform the services and to deliver the best value proposal.
WRDC and ERC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to take any or all proposals under advisement or to accept any proposal as may be deemed to be in WRDC’s and ERC’s interest in meeting the standards of quality, price and value (“best” proposal).
Inquiries during Proposal Process
All inquiries regarding this RFP can be emailed to:
Kim Belbin
Financials & Administrative Coordinator
kbelbin@wrdc.nf.ca
Submission of Proposal
Submission shall be emailed or mailed to the following;
Kerri Best
Chair of the Board
boardchair@wrdc.nf.ca
CC: Kim Belbin
Financials & Administrative Coordinator
kbelbin@wrdc.nf.ca
Mailing Address
175 Hamlyn Road
St. John’s, NL
A1E 5Z6