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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL AUDIT OF THE STADIUM AT RENTSCHLER FIELD
OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER

August 13, 2004

I. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals for conducting a comprehensive annual audit of the financial statements of the Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut (Stadium), in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The report from such audit shall express an opinion on the fairness of the financial statements and indicate if such statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

II. BACKGROUND

As the operator of the Stadium, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has engaged the services of Madison Square Garden LLC (MSG) to manage this multi-use sports arena that is home to the University of Connecticut Football Team. In addition, the stadium, which seats 38,000, is utilized for other sporting events, concerts and competitions. The adjacent parking area has 11,000 parking slots.

The stadium's accounting, cost accounting, and financial reporting functions are performed by the staff of MSG with oversight and reporting to the OPM and the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC). Requisite accounting data is collected and maintained on the state's computerized Core-CT System.

The Auditors of Public Accounts (APA) have conducted a review of the system of internal control and have additional oversight responsibilities.

III. SCOPE OF WORK

OSC wishes to engage the services of a Connecticut-licensed certified public accounting firm (Contractor) with substantial expertise in financial management and auditing. The Contractor must be able to provide assistance and guidance on improving operational procedures to better track revenue and expenditures and to prevent loss

The audit will be conducted annually for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, 2005, and 2006, and a report from such audit issued within eight (8) months of fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, and within three (3) months of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2005 and 2006. The contract will be effective for the three-year period, November 1, 2004 to September 30, 2007.

The Contractor may, from time to time, be asked - and the contractor shall provide - copies of work papers pertinent to the audit by appropriate staff of the OPM, OSC, or APA. The Contractor may also be required to explain its findings before appropriate state agencies or the legislature.

IV. EXPECTED RESULTS

• Timely promulgation of an audit report in accordance with statutes, which expresses an opinion on the fairness of the financial statements and its conformance to GAAP.

• Suggestions and recommendations to streamline and accurately and efficiently record and report financial information.

• Availability of Contractor to respond to questions regarding the audit or its findings.

V. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Each firm that wishes to be considered for the contract shall submit five (5) copies of their proposal to be received at the following address no later than 3:00 p.m. EDST, Friday, October 1, 2004.

Karen Buffkin, Esq.
Executive Assistant to the State Comptroller
Office of the State Comptroller
55 Elm Street, Third Floor
Hartford, CT 06106-1775

Proposals must include the following:

• Title Page

The title page must indicate the name of the firm, address, telephone number, name and title of the firm's contact person for this response, and the date.

• Table of Contents 
• Letter of Transmittal

The letter must include the name of the individual(s) proposed to serve the state on this engagement, a rationale for the firm's ability to provide the requested services to the state, and a statement of positive commitment to the availability of the firm's staff to provide services upon reasonable notification by the state.

• Summary of Qualifications

This summary must include the resume(s) of the individual(s) proposed to serve the state on this engagement. All relevant experience of the firm as well as the individual(s) assigned should be detailed within this section.

•  Firm Profile

The profile must include the size and location of the firm (including the location of the Connecticut office and the number of employees attached to the Connecticut office), the number of years that the firm has been in business, and relevant experience in auditing entertainment venues.

•  References

Names, addresses, and phone numbers of individuals who can serve as references for the firm must be provided. The references provided should have direct experience working with the firm. At its option, the firm may provide sample work to illustrate its relevant experience. The state is not responsible for any costs incurred by any party in responding to this request for proposal. 

• Cost

The state desires costs to be detailed on an hourly rate basis for professional services. These costs must be inclusive of "other costs" such as travel, clerical, printing, etc.

•  Contract Compliance

The proposal should include a summary of the bidder's experience with affirmative action. This information should include a summary of the bidder's affirmative action plan and the bidder's affirmative action policy statement. 

VI. INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS

1. Vendors who are furnished a copy of this RFP and intend to make a proposal are requested to submit a letter of intent by Friday, September 17, 2004. Those not intending to make a proposal are asked to submit a negative reply. 
2. Questions regarding this request for proposals must be submitted in writing and received by 3:00 PM EST, Tuesday, September 21, 2004. Those vendors submitting a letter of intent will receive copies of all written questions and answers regarding this request for proposals.
3. The firm or firms selected as finalists after an initial evaluation may be required to give a presentation to the selection committee. 
4. All responses to this request for proposals must conform to these instructions. Failure to conform may be considered appropriate cause for rejection of the response. 
5. Delivery of responses must be in a sealed envelope or box. The name and address of the vendor must appear on the envelope or box. FAX responses are not acceptable. 
6. Vendors must structure the response as outlined in this request for proposals. 
7. The state of Connecticut is exempt from the payment of excise, transportation, and sales taxes imposed by the federal and state government. Such taxes must not be included in the cost.
8. The proposal must be signed by an authorized official of the vendor. The proposal must provide the name, title, address and telephone number for individuals with authority to negotiate and contractually bind the company. 
9. All cost estimates will be considered as "not to exceed" quotations. 
10. There will be no bidders' conference.

VII. CONDITIONS

Any prospective contractors must be willing to adhere to the following conditions and must positively acknowledge such intent "to comply with the provisions of Section VII of this request for proposal" in the Contract Compliance section of the proposal submission: 

1. The State of Connecticut reserves the right to accept any or all proposals submitted for consideration. All proposals will remain sealed until the deadline for submission has passed. 
2. Any contract awarded as a result of this request for proposals must be in full conformance with the statutory requirements of the State of Connecticut. 
3. All proposals submitted in response to this request for proposals are to be the sole property of the State of Connecticut and will become subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information statutes. 
4. Any product, whether acceptable or unacceptable developed under a contract awarded as a result of this request for proposals is to be the sole property of the State of Connecticut unless explicitly exempted under contractual provision. 
5. The timing and sequence of events relating to this request for proposals will be determined by the State of Connecticut.
6. Any price offerings by vendors must be valid for a period of 120 days from the due date of the vendor's proposal. 
7. Any alleged oral agreement made by a vendor with any agency or employee will be superseded by the written agreement. 
8. The State of Connecticut reserves the right to amend or cancel this request for proposals. 
9. The State of Connecticut reserves the right to reject the proposal of any vendor that is in default of any prior contract for misrepresentation.
10. The State of Connecticut reserves the right to correct inaccurate awards resulting from its clerical errors.
11.  Proposals are subject to rejection in whole or in part if they limit or modify any of the terms and conditions and/or specifications of this request for proposals. 
12. A vendor, if requested, must be prepared to present evidence of experience, ability, service facilities, and financial standing necessary to meet the requirements set forth or implied in the proposal. 
13. No additions or changes to the original proposal will be accepted after submittal. 
14. By responding, the vendor implicitly states that the proposal is not made in connection with any competing vendor submitting a separate response to this request for proposals, and is in all respects submitted without collusion or fraud. It is further implied that the vendor had no involvement with employees of the Office of the State Comptroller in the development of this request for proposals.
15. The proposal must include a summary of the bidder's experience with Affirmative Action. This information is to include a summary of the bidder's Affirmative Action Plan and the bidder's Affirmative Action Policy Statement. 
16. It is mutually understood and agreed that the contractor shall not assign, transfer, convey, sublet or otherwise dispose of his contract or his right, title, or interest therein, or his power to execute such contract, to any other person, firm or corporation, without the previous written consent of the Office of the State Comptroller.

VIII. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

Each proposal will be evaluated by a screening committee against the following criteria to determine which vendor is most capable of implementing the state's requirements. 

• Vendor's ability to perform the specified work. 
• Vendor's understanding of the project and its purpose and scope, as evidenced by the proposed approach and level of effort detailed in the proposal. 
• Competitiveness of the proposed cost. 
• Availability and competence or the vendor's assigned personnel. 
• Conformity with the specifications of this request for proposals. 
• Demonstration of commitment to Affirmative Action by full compliance with the regulations of the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. 
• Presentation to the screening committee.

XI. Rights Reserved to the State of Connecticut

The state reserves the right to award in part, to reject any and all proposals in whole or in part, to waive technical defects, irregularities and omissions if, in its judgment, the best interest of the State of Connecticut will be served.

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