Provision of Internal Audit Services

Description

Redress Scotland requires to retender for a provider of Internal Audit services in accordance with Internal Audit Standards, the Government Internal Audit Manual and the Scottish Public Finance Manual. Lot 1: Tenders must include all costs (exc. VAT) staff costs, attendance at meetings, expenses, travel and subsistence, and participation in presentations. Payments will be phased and linked to the key milestones of the project with the final payment linked to the delivery and satisfactory completion of the audit outputs. The Contract term will be for an initial 2 year period with 2 x 12 month optional extension periods. The budget for this requirement is estimated to be in the range of 44,000 – to 49,000 for the overall maximum contract term. The scope of the Internal Audit work extends to all Redress Scotland’s operations and records, financial and operational. The service provider will be expected to provide 30 days of service per annum. Additional days of service may be required, and therefore applicable daily rates for these additional services should also be provided. Internal audit methodology, demonstrating compliance with Internal Audit Standards, the Government Internal Audit Manual and the Scottish Public Finance Manual; Approach to risk assessment, risk management and governance best practice; Proposed audit timetable which sets out the timescales for audit assessment, annual plan, audit fieldwork and issuing draft and final reports; Allowance for alteration of the audit plan due to changes in operational circumstances, or specific requests made by members of the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee regarding specific areas of work; Intended reporting format. The reporting style should be clear, with unambiguous recommendations. The report should contain the Redress Scotland response, which states whether the audit subject agrees or not with the recommendation; Close working relationships should be established and maintained between Redress Scotland's internal and external auditors, Audit Scotland to ensure no duplication of work. How would you interact with the external auditors? The Internal Auditor will provide an annual report to the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee to support the review of the effectiveness of internal control which will underlie the Accountable Officer's governance statement as part of the accounts. The annual report must be available for the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee meeting at the end of July each year; The Internal Auditor will attend meetings of the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee (usually a maximum of four times per year) to present reports, including the Annual Internal Audit Report; and provide additional audit specialist reviews, as required, and as agreed with the Redress Scotland’s Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee. Also, provide specialist non-audit services, as may reasonably be requested. Details internal audit services you provide to similar organisations; A proposed letter of engagement setting out your organisation’s standard terms for performing internal audits to a public sector organisation; Details of key staff engaged in the contract, including qualifications and experience in delivering internal audit to public sector or other similar organisations; A costed audit programme, including number of days and daily rates for each grade of staff to be used in the assignment; Proposals should clearly state the treatment of confidentiality, data protection and the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA). Under FOISA and other laws, all information submitted to as part of this contract can potentially be disclosed and/or published. We would expect that the internal audit service provider are in a position to add value beyond the core requirements of the contract. This may include for example providing insights from their broader work and access to briefings and updates which may be shared with members of the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee and Redress Scotland staff. Provide details of any value added services that you would provide? Details of two references from your current internal audit clients that we may contact.. To express interest and to be included in the Quick Quote procedure you must email symon.bloomfield@gov.scot no later than noon on Wednesday 3rd December. Please note, any supplier that does not express interest in this format by the deadline specified will not be invited to participate when the Tender is published.