Audit of HIE Group Companies

Location

Inverness

Description

HIE currently has five active group companies which require to be audited and consolidated in HIE’s Consolidation pack. In addition, we require the preparation and submission of the annual corporation tax returns. See Scope of Requirements and Guidance document for full details. It is expected that these services will be required from April 2026 for an initial period of 3 years, with HIE having the option to extend for a period or periods together not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term. The initial 3 year budget currently available to deliver this service is between GBP 140,000 and GBP 157,500 (excluding VAT). The total value of the Framework, including the extension will be between GBP 190,000 and GBP 210,000.

Total Quantity or Scope

This Framework will also be available for use by Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd SC614703; HIE Orkney SC126871; HIE Ventures SC156337; Orkney Research and Innovation Campus (ORIC) SO306277; Wave Energy Scotland (WES) SC493764 as well as any other Contracting Authority wholly or partly under the control of, or funded by HIE, at any point during the term of this Framework (subject to case-by-case approval by HIE).

Renewal Options

It is expected that these services will be required from mid April 2026 for an initial period of 3 years unless terminated in accordance with the provision of the Framework agreement with the option to extend for a period of one year (3 + 1) together not exceeding 4 years following the Initial Term. In accordance with Regulation 72(1)(a) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, HIE reserves the right to make changes to the volume, scope or location of the Services to be supplied under the Framework following a review of the Services by HIE, particularly with regard to demand and budgetary availability. This may result in amendments to existing requirements under the Framework, including but not limited to: -A reduction in HIE available budget may result in lower service levels. -Changes in legislation may increase or decrease the required workload. -The addition or removal of HIE group companies due to mergers or dissolutions will impact on the work required.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 79210000 - Accounting and auditing services
• 79212100 - Financial auditing services
• 79212000 - Auditing services

Indicators

• Bids should cover the whole contract.
• This is a recurring contract.
• Options are available.
• Renewals are available.
• Performance considerations apply.
• Staff qualifications are relevant.
• Award on basis of price.

Other Information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Tenders must be submitted via the PCS postbox and must be received by the published deadline. Late tenders will not be accepted and HIE will reject any submissions received after the deadline. Email or hard copy responses will not be accepted. It is estimated that the total value of the contract will be GBP 210,000 (excluding VAT). This is the figure which has been used in II.1.5 & II.2.6. Where bidders rely on the capacity of other entities in order to meet selection criteria they are required to provide information relating to these entities with the relevant supporting SPD documentation being submitted. SPD 3D.12 Bidders should refer to the "Conflict of Interest" Section within the Scope of Requirements when completing this question. The Award criteria Questions 5-8 will be marked according to the following criteria - refer to the tender documents for the evaluation criteria 0 - Unacceptable - Nil or inadequate response which fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the requirement. 1 - Poor - Response is partially relevant but generally poor. It addresses some elements of the requirement but contains insufficient/limited detail or explanation to demonstrate how the requirement will be fulfilled. 2 - Acceptable - Response is relevant and acceptable. It addresses a broad understanding of the requirement but may lack details on how the requirement will be fulfilled in certain areas. 3 - Good - Response is relevant and good. It is sufficiently detailed to demonstrate a good understanding and provides details on how the requirements will be fulfilled. 4 - Excellent - Response is completely relevant and excellent overall. It is comprehensive, unambiguous and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the requirement and provides details of how the requirement will be met in full. NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=816874. The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx. Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-pr... A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: See Scope of Requirements and Tender Guidance for full information. (SC Ref:816874) Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=816874