The information contained in this notice is a brief description of the requirement and is for information purposes only. Bidders must refer to the complete RFP document for a full description of the requirement and the full bid instructions.This RFP is only for pre-qualified Suppliers for Stream 1 against Professional Audit Support Services (PASS) Supply Arrangement (E60ZQ-18001) for the following categories:Stream 1 – Internal Audit Services1 Project Manager/Leader3 Senior Auditors10 AuditorsAll the SA Holders have been invited to submit a proposal.RequirementEC requires the services of audit professionals on an as and when requested basis to provide professional audit support services within PF&A (Political Financing and Audit Directorate).BackgroundEC requires this service to support PF&A with its responsibility under the CEA to perform compliance audits and financial audit activities. This process includes auditing the activities of registered political entities covering such matters as payments and reimbursements from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and information concerning receipts for contributions to candidates, parties, provincial divisions of parties, and electoral district associations, for the purpose of the Income Tax Act (ITA).PF&A’s audits are objective and systematic examinations of political financing activities that provide independent assessment of compliance with the CEA. In the context of the CEA, PF&A reviews the political financing returns submitted by political entities to the CEO.The primary task of PF&A is the audit of the political entities’ financial returns, as determined through the risk-based audit selection criteria.Of the 700 candidate files audited following the 43rd general election, approximately 200 required to be audited in French.ObjectiveThe audit objectives are to facilitate and support voluntary compliance with the CEA and to ensure that:Financial activities are in compliance with the CEA.Election expenses are within the permitted spending limits, if applicable.EC refunds the proper amount of reimbursement, if applicable.The information disclosed by EC to the public is accurate.Any surplus is disposed of in accordance with the CEA, if applicable.SecurityMinimum corporate security required: DOS - ReliabilityMinimum resource security required: Reliability statusPeriod of the ContractThe Contract period will be from the Effective Date of the Contract until March 31, 2023 (the “Initial Term”). The Contractor will grant to Elections Canada irrevocable options to extend the period of the Contract by three additional periods of 1-year each under the same terms and conditions.Submission of ProposalsThis RFP allows bidders to use the epost Connect service provided by Canada Post Corporation to transmit their proposals electronically. For further information, bidders must refer to Part 2 – Bidder Instructions, and Part 3 – Proposal Preparation Instructions of the RFP document.Proposals are to be addressed to the attention of the Contracting Authority and delivered, sealed, to the Proposal Receiving Unit on or before the bid closing date and time indicated on the front page of the RFP.For sending packages by courier or for dropping off, please note that the Proposal Receiving Unit at the Business Centre is open Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 16:00 (Gatineau, Quebec time).Bids sent via email or facsimile will not be accepted.Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.Elections Canada retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.Selection MethodologyCompetitive Procurement Strategy: Lowest cost per pointEnquiriesAll enquiries and other communication with Elections Canada personnel are to be directed ONLY to the Contracting Authority. The Contracting Authority will be the bidder’s primary contact. Bidders who contact anyone other than the Contracting Authority may be disqualified.All enquiries must be submitted in writing to p•••••••@••••••••.ca no later than the deadline indicated in the RFP. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.Interested parties wishing to obtain the solicitation documents for this RFP must do so through https://buyandsell.gc.ca/procurement-data/tenders. The documents downloaded through this site take precedence over any copies that may also be made available.Further information about Elections Canada may be obtained at elections.ca.DebriefingsOnce the successful bidder has been announced, bidders may request a debriefing on the results of the RFP process. Bidders should make the request to the Contracting Authority as per the terms of the RFP. The debriefing may be in writing, by telephone or in person.
