2. #26-1008 - Request for Proposals

Location:	North Carolina
Posted:	Feb 3, 2026
Due:	Mar 2, 2026
Agency:	Catawba County
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

AUDIT SERVICES

RFP NO. 26-1008

Date of Issue: February 3, 2026

Proposals Due: March 2, 2026

Time: 3:00 PM ET

Issued for:

Catawba County Finance Department

25 Government Drive

Newton, North Carolina 28658

Issued by:

Catawba County Purchasing Manager

25 Government Drive

Newton, North Carolina 28658

(828) 465-8224

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………………3

1.1 PURPOSE

1.2 BACKGROUND

1.3 OBJECTIVE

SECTION 2 PROPOSAL INFORMATION ……………………….……………………………..……..3

2.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

2.2 RFP SCHEDULE

2.3 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS

2.4 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL

2.5 REJECTION OF PROPOSALS

2.6 PROPOSAL CONTENTS

SECTION 3 AUDIT TYPE AND SCOPE…………………………………………………………………8

3.1 TYPE OF AUDIT

3.2 SCOPE OF AUDIT

SECTION 4 PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND AWARD ……………………………………………..9

4.1 EVALUATION METHOD – SELECTION PROCESS

4.2 EVALUATION CRITERIA

4.3 METHOD OF AWARD

SECTION 5 AUDITOR REQUIREMENTS …………………………..………………………………10

5.1 AUDITOR REQUIREMENTS

5.2 AUDIT CONTRACT: PERIOD & PAYMENT OF AUDIT FEES

5.3 FIRM CERTIFICATION

5.4 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

5.5 CONTROLLING LAW

5.6 NON-APPROPRIATION CLAUSE

5.7 INSURANCE COVERAGE

5.8 SUBCONTRACTORS

5.9 E-VERIFY

SECTION 6 GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY DESCRIPTION………………………………………..13

6.1 DESCRIPTION OF GOVERNMENT ENTITY AND ITS ACCOUNT

SYSTEM

SECTION 7 ATTACHMENTS ….……………………………….……………………………………..18

ATTACHMENT A: SUMMARY OF AUDIT COSTS SHEET

ATTACHMENT B: INTENT TO PROPOSE

ATTACHMENT C: REFERENCE DISCLOSURE FORM

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SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE

Catawba County (hereinafter “County”) is requesting proposals from qualified independent

auditors (hereinafter “Auditor” or “Firm”) having proven governmental accounting and

auditing experience performing audits in accordance with the specifications outlined in this

Request for Proposal (RFP).

The specific details shown herein shall be considered minimum unless otherwise shown. The

specifications, terms, and conditions included in this RFP shall govern in any resulting

contract(s) unless approved otherwise in writing by the County. The County reserves the

right to negotiate additional services with the selected proposer at any time after the initial

contract award. The bidder consents to personal jurisdiction and venue in a state court of

competent jurisdiction in Catawba County, North Carolina.

1.2 BACKGROUND

Catawba County is a unit of local government in the State of North Carolina with a current

population of approximately 167,000. Catawba County has a commissioner-manager form

of government. The five members of the Board of County Commissioners are elected in a

partisan election by qualified voters for overlapping four-year terms of office.

1.3 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this RFP is to obtain professional auditing services that support the efficient,

transparent, and compliant operation of the local government, in accordance with applicable

laws, regulations, and best practices, while promoting accountability and effective

stewardship of public resources.

SECTION 2 – PROPOSAL INFORMATION

2.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

This RFP is intended to provide Firms with a common, uniform set of instructions to assist

in the development of their proposals and to provide a uniform method for the County to fairly

evaluate proposals and subsequently select a proposal that provides the best solution for the

County. Firms are encouraged to initiate preparation of proposals immediately upon receipt

of the RFP in order for all relevant questions and informational needs to be identified and

answered, and to allow adequate time to prepare a comprehensive and complete response.

This RFP is comprised of the base RFP document, any attachments, and any addenda

released before Contract award, which are incorporated herein by reference.

There is no expressed or implied obligation for the County to reimburse Firms for any

expenses incurred in preparing proposals in response to this request.

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2.2 RFP SCHEDULE

The table below shows the intended schedule for this RFP. Catawba County will make every

effort to adhere to this schedule.

Event

Issue RFP

Submit Written Questions

Provide Responses to Questions

Submit Proposals

Notice of Recommended Firm

Board of Commissioners Approval

Contract Effective Date

Responsibility

County

Firm

County

Firm

County

County/ Firm

Date and Time

February 3, 2026

February 18, 2026 by 5:00 PM ET

February 20, 2026 by 5:00 PM ET

March 2, 2026 by 3:00 PM ET

March 6, 2026

March 16, 2026

April 1, 2026

The proposal response shall be submitted no later than 3:00 PM ET on March 2, 2026.

No submittals will be accepted after the deadline.

2.3 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS

After the RFP issue date, all communications between the County and Firms regarding this

RFP shall be in writing. Upon review of the RFP documents, Firms may have questions to

clarify or interpret the RFP in order to submit the best proposal possible. To accommodate

the Proposal Questions process, Firms shall submit any such questions by the above due

date. Written questions shall be emailed to tinawright@catawbacountync.gov by the date and

time specified above. Firm should enter “RFP # 26-1008 – Questions” as the subject for the

email. Answers to questions received will be provided to Auditors by issuance of an

Addendum posted to the County’s website at www.catawbacounty.gov. This information will

also be emailed to all Proposers who have submitted their intent to bid and contact

information. All questions shall be received no later than 5:00 PM, February 18, 2026.

2.4 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL

Proposals, subject to the conditions set forth herein, will be received at the address indicated

in the table below, no later than 3:00 PM on March 2, 2026. Each envelope should be clearly

labeled with: RFP 26-1008 – Audit Services.

Mailing address for delivery of proposal

via US Postal Service

RFP Number: RFP 26-1008

Catawba County Government Center

Attn: Purchasing Department

Post Office Box 389

Newton, North Carolina 28658

Office Address of delivery by any other

method (hand delivery, overnight, or any

other carrier)

RFP Number: RFP 26-1008

Catawba County Government Center

Attn: Purchasing Department

25 Government Drive

Newton, North Carolina 28658

IMPORTANT NOTE: All proposals shall be physically delivered to the office address listed

above on or before the submission deadline in order to be considered timely, regardless of the

method of delivery. This is an absolute requirement. All risk of late arrival due to

unanticipated delay—whether delivered by hand, U.S. Postal Service, courier or other delivery

service is entirely on the Proposer. It is the sole responsibility of the Proposer to have

proposals physically in this Office by the specified time and date above. Attempts to submit

a proposal via facsimile (FAX) machine, telephone or electronic means, including but not

limited to email, in response to this RFP will not be accepted.

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Proposals must be submitted with one (1) original, one (1) copy, and one (1) electronic

copy on flash drive. Each Proposer must thoroughly examine the RFP to ensure that the

Proposer can meet all requirements of this RFP. When responding to this RFP, please follow

all instructions carefully. Failure to follow these instructions in your proposal may be

considered a non-responsive submission and may result in immediate elimination from

further consideration.

Critical updated information may be included in Addenda to this RFP. It is important that all

Proposers responding to this RFP periodically check the County website for any Addenda that

may be issued prior to the proposal due date or complete Attachment B – Intent to Propose

and submit back to County at tinawright@catawbacountync.gov to be notified when Addenda

are issued. All Proposers shall be deemed to have read and understood all information in this

RFP and all Addenda thereto.

Offers submitted pursuant to this RFP are valid Ninety (90) days after Proposal due date.

Proposals received will remain confidential until a contact is awarded. No public bid opening

will be held for this solicitation.

Failure to respond to any requirements outlined in the RFP, or failure to enclose copies of the

required documents, may disqualify the bid. Firms must be registered with the North

Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners.

Should a Proposer find discrepancies in, or omissions from the RFP documents, or should

he/she be in doubt as to their meaning, he/she should at once notify the County, and a

written addendum will be issued if necessary. The County shall not be bound by informal

explanations, instructions or information given at any time by anyone on behalf of the County

during the competitive process or after award. The County is bound only by information

provided in this RFP and in formal Addenda issued through the County’s Purchasing website.

Acknowledgment of any addendum received will be noted on Attachment A - Summary of

Audit Costs Sheet. In closing of a contract, any addendum issued will become a part thereof.

2.5 REJECTION OF PROPOSALS

Catawba County reserves the right at its sole discretion to reject any and all proposals

received without penalty and not to issue a contract as a result of this RFP. The County also

reserves the right at its sole discretion to waive minor administrative irregularities contained

in any proposal. Failure to comply with any of the terms and conditions of this RFP may

result in rejection of a proposal.

2.6 PROPOSAL CONTENTS

Proposers must carefully read the information requested in this “Proposal Contents” section

and submit a complete proposal responding to each request for information. In order to

evaluate responses efficiently and equitably, responses must be tabbed as identified below.

Failure to submit information requested may render your proposal non-responsive.

Proposal Submissions must include the following information:

Tab 1: Executive Summary

➢ Provide an executive summary of the firm's proposal. The summary should

highlight aspects of the proposal which make it superior in addressing the needs

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

2. #26-1008 - Request for Proposals - Audit Services

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