Financial Auditing Services

San Mateo County
FLOOD AND SEA LEVEL RISE RESILIENCY
DISTRICT
Request for Proposals for
FINANCIAL AUDITING SERVICES
RFP Number: FSLRRD-2026-0331
RFP Release Date: March 31, 2026
Proposal Submittal Deadline:
April 30, 2026 - 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time
1700 S. El Camino Real, Suite 502, San Mateo, CA 94402
(650)730-0242
info@oneshoreline.org

Table of Contents
I. Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 3
A. General Information .............................................................................................................................3
B. Term of Engagement........................................................................................................................... 4
II. Nature of Services Required................................................................................................................... 4
A. Scope of the Work to be Performed...................................................................................................4
B. Auditing Standards to be Followed.....................................................................................................5
C. Working Paper Retention ................................................................................................................... 5
D. Irregularities and Illegal Acts ..............................................................................................................6
III. Description of the Government..............................................................................................................6
A. Background Information.................................................................................................................... 6
B. OneShoreline Funding ........................................................................................................................6
C. Magnitude of Finance Operation........................................................................................................7
D. Computer Systems..............................................................................................................................7
IV. Time Requirements................................................................................................................................ 8
A. Proposal Anticipated Schedule.......................................................................................................... 8
B. Date Audit May Commence.................................................................................................................8
C. Date Reports Are Due......................................................................................................................... 9
V. Assistance to be Provided to the Auditor and Report Preparation .................................................... 9
A. OneShoreline Assistance.................................................................................................................... 9
B. Work Area, Telephone, and Office Equipment.................................................................................. 9
C. Report Preparation ............................................................................................................................ 9
VI. Proposal Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 9
A. General Requirements ......................................................................................................................9
B. Format for Technical Proposal.......................................................................................................... 10
C. Contents of Technical Proposal.........................................................................................................10
D. Contents of Cost Proposal................................................................................................................ 13
E. Additional Provisions............................................................................................ 14
VII. Protest Procedures .................................................................................................................... 14
VIII. ATTACHMENT A - Audit Cost Proposal Form..................................................................................... 15
IX. ATTACHMENT B - Estimate of Cost ................................................................................................... 16
Appendix A. References................................................................................. ..............17
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I. INTRODUCTION
A. General Information
The San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (OneShoreline), a special district, is
requesting proposals from qualified certified public accountant firms to audit its financial
statements for the fiscal year 2025-2028 beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028,
with an option to extend one more year; in addition to performing other financial audits and
reviews as specified below. These audits are to be performed in accordance with auditing
standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the standards set forth for
financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller
General of the United States, and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Audits
of State and Local Governments and Non-Profit Organizations.
There is no expressed or implied obligation for OneShoreline to reimburse responding
firms for any expenses incurred in preparing proposals in response to this request.
All proposals, protests, and information submitted in response to this RFP will become
the property of OneShoreline and will be considered public records. As such, they may be
subject to public review. OneShoreline is not seeking proprietary information and will not
assert any privileges that may exist on behalf of the proposer. Submission of any materials
in response to this RFP constitutes:
* Consent to the OneShoreline's release of such materials under the Public Records Act
without notice to the person or entity submitting the materials; and
* Waiver of all claims against OneShoreline and/or its directors, officers, agents, or
employees that OneShoreline has violated a proposer's right to privacy, disclosed trade
secrets, or caused any damage by allowing the proposal or materials to be inspected;
and
* Agreement to indemnify and hold harmless OneShoreline for the release of such
information under the Public Records Act; and
* Acknowledgement that OneShoreline will not assert any privileges that may exist on
behalf of the person or entity submitting the materials.
To be considered, three (3) copies or an electronic copy of a proposal must be submitted
by 5:00 PM Pacific Time on April 30, 2026, to:
Lucy Dong, Director of Finance and Administration
1700 S. El Camino Real, Suite 502
San Mateo, CA 94402
info@oneshoreline.org
Email subject line: Financial Auditing Services RFP
Proposals must be valid for a period of 120 days from the date of submission. Late or
incomplete proposals will not be considered.
Questions regarding this RFP must be submitted by 5:00 PM Pacific Time on April 15,
2026, via email to: info@oneshoreline.org
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Responses to all questions will be posted by 5:00 PM Pacific Time on April 21, 2026 at:
https://oneshoreline.org/
During the evaluation process, OneShoreline may request additional information or
clarification from proposers or allow corrections of errors or omissions. Firms submitting
proposals may be requested to make oral presentations as part of the evaluation process.
It is anticipated that the selection of a firm will be completed by May 29, 2026.
Following the notification of the selected firm, a recommendation and proposed contract
will be prepared for review and approval by OneShoreline at its June 22, 2026, Board of
Directors meeting.
The issuance of this RFP does not constitute an agreement by OneShoreline that any
contract/agreement will actually be entered into by OneShoreline.
OneShoreline reserves the right to reject any or all proposals; to waive any defect,
informality, or irregularity in any proposal received or proposal procedure; to accept or
reject any items or combination of items; to reissue this RFP; prior to the submission
deadline for proposals, modify all or any portion of the selection procedures, including
deadlines for accepting responses, the specifications or requirements for any materials,
equipment or services to be provided under this RFP, or the requirements for contents or
format of the proposals; procure any materials, equipment, or services specified in this RFP
by any other means; and/or determine that no project/services will be pursued.
No waiver by OneShoreline of any provision of this RFP shall be implied from any
failure by OneShoreline to recognize or take action on account of any failure by a proposer
to observe any provision of this RFP.
B. Term of Engagement
OneShoreline intends to contract for the services presented herein for a term of three
(3) fiscal years ending June 2026, 2027, 2028, and an option of a one-year extension. The
proposal package shall present all-inclusive audit fees for each year of the contract term.
II. NATURE OF SERVICES REQUIRED
A. Scope of the Work to be Performed
OneShoreline desires an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and its basic
financial statements to be prepared by the independent auditor and be fully compliant with
all current GASB pronouncements. OneShoreline may submit the ACFR to the Government
Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for review in their Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting program.
The selected independent auditor will be required to perform the following tasks:
The audit firm will perform an audit of all funds of OneShoreline. The audit will be
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conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America and Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller of the United States.
OneShoreline's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) will be prepared and word-
processed by the audit firm. The ACFR will be in full compliance with all current GASB
pronouncements. The audit firm will render its auditors' report on the basic financial
statements which will include both Government-Wide Financial Statements and Fund
Financial Statements. The audit firm will also apply limited audit procedures to Management's
Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and required supplementary information pertaining to the
General Fund and each major fund of OneShoreline.
The audit firm shall express an opinion on whether OneShoreline's basic financial
statements are presented fairly, in all material respects, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
The audit firm will perform a single audit on the expenditures of federal grants in
accordance with the Uniform Guidance requirements and render the appropriate audit
reports on Internal Control over Financial Reporting based upon the audit of OneShoreline's
financial statements in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and the appropriate
reports on compliance with Requirements Applicable to each Major Program, Internal
Control over Compliance and on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards in
Accordance with the Uniform Guidance. The single audit report will include an appropriate
schedule of expenditures of federal awards, footnotes, findings, and questioned costs,
including reportable conditions and material weaknesses, and follow up on prior audit
findings where required.
The audit firm shall issue a separate "management letter" that includes
recommendations for improvements in internal control, accounting procedures, and other
significant observations that are considered to be non-reportable conditions. Management
letters shall be addressed to OneShoreline's Chief Executive Officer.
The audit firm shall provide, compile, and file the Special Districts Financial
Transactions Report to the State Controller of California, from data provided by
OneShoreline staff.
The audit firm will be responsible for the preparation of all necessary supporting
schedules, work papers, the final annual financial statements, and other annual
reports described above.
B. Auditing Standards to be Followed
To meet the requirements of this Request for Proposals, the audit shall be performed in
accordance with:
1. Generally accepted auditing standards accepted in the United States of America (GAAS);
2. The standards applicable to financial audits contained in the most current version of the
Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), issued by the Comptroller
General of the United States;
3. The provisions of the Single Audit Act as amended in 2024 ; and
4. The provisions of U. S. Office of Management and Budget, the Uniform Guidance, and
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applicable OMB Compliance Supplements.
C. Working Paper Retention
All working papers and reports must be retained at the auditor's expense for a
minimum of seven (7) years, unless the firm is notified in writing by OneShoreline of the need
to extend the retention period. The auditor will be required to make working papers available
to OneShoreline or any government agencies included in the audit of federal grants. In
addition, the firm shall respond to the reasonable inquiries of successor auditors and allow
successor auditors to review working papers relating to matters of continuing accounting
significance.
OneShoreline's most recent audit was conducted by Macias Gini & O'Connell, LLP
(MGO), Certified Public Accountants, Walnut Creek, CA. The work papers of previous audits
are the property of the previous Auditor and may be reviewed by the successful proposer.
D. Irregularities and Illegal Acts
Auditors shall be required to make an immediate, written report of all irregularities
and illegal acts or indications of illegal acts of which they become aware to the following
parties: OneShoreline's Chief Executive Officer and Legal Counsel.
III. DESCRIPTION OF THE GOVERNMENT
A. Background Information
Given the extreme vulnerability to the water-related impacts of climate change in San
Mateo County, State legislation established OneShoreline in 2020 as the first independent
government agency (a special district) in California to address the challenges of sea level rise,
extreme storms, drought, coastal erosion, and other issues across jurisdictional boundaries.
OneShoreline works with a wide range of stakeholders to build aligned resilience for
developed, natural, and recreational areas, and to plan land use and infrastructure for
immediate and future climate-driven conditions. Resilience to this transformative challenge
requires a holistic approach to:
* Geography: OneShoreline is a vehicle through which San Mateo County and its cities can
align efforts across jurisdictions.
* Threats: OneShoreline focuses on the multiple impacts of climate change.
* Objectives: OneShoreline reduces these threats across sectors of our society and
economy, utilizing public and private lands and, where possible, natural infrastructure.
More information about OneShoreline is available at: OneShoreline.org
B. OneShoreline Funding
Funding for the first six years of OneShoreline's services came primarily through
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seven sources:
* Revenue within the existing flood zones from pre-Prop 13 property tax allocations
* San Mateo County contribution
* Cities' contributions
* Federal grants
* State grants
* Local grants
* Investment income
C. Magnitude of Finance Operations
For Fiscal Year 2025-26, OneShoreline maintains a general fund, 4 special revenue funds,
3 capital project funds, and a debt service fund. Notably, OneShoreline had fully paid off its
bond as of July 31, 2025; as such, the debt service fund will be zeroed out at the end of
FY2025-26.
A copy of the adopted budgets for FY2025-26 by OneShoreline's Board of Directors can
be found on OneShoreline's website: www.oneshoreline.org/financial-information/
In July 2020, OneShoreline implemented a cloud-based fund accounting system
(AccuFund). The finance staff performs the following functions in this fund accounting
system:
* Process budget, purchase orders (encumbrances), invoices, and payments
* Process cash receipts
* Process bank reconciliations
* Process journal entries
* Process financial reporting
D. Computer Systems
OneShoreline's computerized systems are run on a Local Area Network (LAN). The
accounting system is computerized Finance Systems Software on a cloud-based platform.
The applications operating on this system are General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts
Receivable, Bank Reconciliation, Cash Receipts, and Purchase Orders. Payroll and HR
functions are in Paychex, which is a cloud-based platform.
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IV. TIME REQUIREMENTS
A. Proposal Anticipated Schedule
The following is a list of key dates up to, and including, the date proposals are to be submitted:
Date Activity
March 31, 2026 Request for proposal released
April 15, 2026 Deadline to submit questions (due by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time)
April 22, 2026 Deadline to answer questions (due by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time)
April 30, 2026 Due Date for proposals (due by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time)
May 22, 2026 Evaluation & Review of proposals
May 29, 2026 Notification of Recommended Selection
June 22, 2026 Contract awarded by OneShoreline Board of Directors
OneShoreline reserves the right to change the Proposal Schedule without prior notice or
liability to proposers.
B. Date Audit May Commence
Audit planning, documentation of systems of internal control and compliance, and
transaction testing should be completed during the interim audit stage in May or June of
each year. OneShoreline closes its books in September and will be ready for audit fieldwork
by October of each year.
C. Date Reports Are Due
The auditor shall provide all drafts and recommendations for improvements to the
Director of Finance and Administration within a reasonable time after the last day of
fieldwork. The auditor should be available for any meetings that may be necessary to
discuss the draft audit reports. Once all issues of discussion are resolved, the completed
ACFR, Basic Financial Statements, Single Audit report, and other reports shall be delivered to
the Director of Finance and Administration. This process will be completed, and the final
audited financial statements shall be delivered by November 30th of each calendar year. After
staff review, the State Controller's Special Districts Financial Transactions Report shall be
completed and transmitted by the Auditor by January 31st of each calendar year.
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V. ASSISTANCE TO BE PROVIDED TO THE AUDITOR AND REPORT PREPARATION
A. OneShoreline Assistance
OneShoreline staff will be available during the audit to assist the firm by providing
information, documentation, and explanations.
B. Work Area, Telephone, and Office Equipment
OneShoreline will provide the auditor with reasonable workspace, desks, and chairs.
The auditor will also be provided with access to a telephone, internet connectivity, and
photocopying machines.
C. Report Preparation
Report preparation, editing, printing, tabbing, and binding shall be the
responsibility of the auditor.
1. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (2 copies & digital file in Adobe Acrobat format)
2. Single Audit Report (2 copies & digital file in Adobe Acrobat format)
3. Management Discussion and Analysis (2 copies & digital file in Adobe Acrobat format)
4. State of California Special Districts Financial Transactions Report (2 copies & digital file in
Adobe Acrobat format)
VI. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
A. General Requirements
1. Inquiries concerning the Request for Proposals and the subject of the Request for
Proposals must be made to:
Lucy Dong, Director of Finance and Administration
info@oneshoreline.org
2. Submission of Proposal. Three (3) copies or an electronic copy of the Proposal shall be
received by OneShoreline by 5:00 p.m. PST on April 30, 2026.
The Proposal should be addressed as follows:
Lucy Dong, Director of Finance and Administration
1700 S. El Camino Real, Suite 502
San Mateo, CA 94402
info@oneshoreline.org
Email subject line: Financial Auditing Services RFP
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B. Format for Technical Proposal
1. Title Page showing the request for proposals subject; the firm's name; the name,
address, and telephone number of the contact person; and the date of the proposal.
2. Table of Contents identifying the materials submitted by section and page number.
Cross-referencing to the section and page number in the RFP would be helpful.
3. Signed Transmittal Letter briefly stating the Proposer's understanding of the work to
be done; the commitment to perform the work within the time period; and the
name(s) of the person(s) authorized to represent the Proposer, title, address, and
telephone number.
4. Detailed Proposal following the order outlined in Section C below.
C. Contents of Technical Proposal
The purpose of the Technical Proposal is to demonstrate the qualifications,
competence, and capacity of the firm seeking to undertake an independent audit of
OneShoreline in conformity with the requirements of this request for proposals. As such, the
substance of proposals will carry more weight than the form or manner of presentation. The
Technical Proposal should demonstrate the qualifications of the firm and the particular staff
to be assigned to this engagement. It should also specify an audit approach that will meet the
request for proposal requirements.
The Technical Proposal should address all points outlined in the request for proposals
(excluding any cost information, which should only be included in the Sealed Dollar Cost
Bid).
The proposal should be prepared simply and economically, providing a
straightforward, concise description of the proposer's capabilities to satisfy the
requirements of this request for proposals. While additional data may be presented, the
following subjects must be included. They represent the criteria against which the proposal
will be evaluated.
1. License to Practice in California
An affirmative statement must be included verifying that the firm and all assigned key
professional staff are properly licensed to practice in California.
2. Independence
The firm must provide an affirmative statement that it is independent of OneShoreline
as defined by auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the
General Accounting Office's Government Auditing Standards.
3. Firm Qualifications and Experience
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