R -- OIG Audit Survey & Field Work and Audit Quality Control Reviews

This is a formal public announcement, in accordance with OMB Circular A-76 (Revised May 29, 2003), that the Department of Education (ED) will conduct an A-76 Streamlined Competition for audit survey and field work and audit quality control reviews. Audit survey and field work services being competed include tasks that would typically be performed by an auditor during the survey and detailed fieldwork phases of an audit assignment. The service provider staff would be responsible for completing specified steps (or portions of specified steps) detailed in a survey/audit program for a particular assignment. The tasks would be primarily performed on site at the audited organization. Audit quality control review services being competed include tasks that would typically be performed by an auditor performing a Quality Control Review of an Independent Public Accountant's (IPA) audit of ED programs. The tasks would be primarily performed on-site at the IPA's offices. The purpose of the study is to determine the most efficient and cost effective method of providing these services for the Department. The work is currently performed by ED Office of the Inspector General staff. The competition will involve 10 FTE positions. An agency may develop an estimated contract price for performing the activity with a private sector source using documented market research or soliciting cost proposals in accordance with the FAR. ED will use documented market research for this Streamlined Competition. In accordance with A-76, ED will complete a Streamlined Competition Form to compare the estimated cost of agency performance with the estimated cost of private sector or public reimbursable performance. This is not a request for proposals and in no way obligates the Government to award a contract. Prospective providers are advised that a solicitation will not be issued if the cost of contract performance is determined to be greater than the cost of in-house performance by Government personnel. No solicitation exists at this time. Any solicitation resulting from this Streamlined Competition will be made available on www.fedbizopps.gov if and when it is released. The projected end date of the streamlined competition is on or before December 26, 2003.