SNAKE RIVER WATER DISTRICT

Request for Proposal for Audit Services

 August 20, 2026

Purpose

The purpose of this request for proposal (RFP) is to engage the prompt and efficient services of a qualified and experienced firm (hereinafter "firm"), eligible by law to practice public accounting in the State of Colorado, to provide professional auditing services to Snake River Water District (the District) in Dillon, Colorado for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. This Request for Proposal is intended to gather pertinent information concerning qualified Firms; and for the proposals to be relatively uniform in format for comparison purposes.

General Information

The District is required to complete and submit an audit of its financial statements on an annual basis pursuant to and in conformance with the Colorado Local Government Audit Law, C.R.S. § 29-1-601 et seq. Audits must be completed by an independent external auditor and require submission of information compiled by a finance professional approved by the Office of the State Auditor.

Although this Request for Proposal is for audit services for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 only, the District is interested in establishing an ongoing relationship with a firm to ensure high quality, necessary, timely, and cost-efficient services in the future. We expect the firm chosen will be experienced in the type of audit and accounting services required on an ongoing basis by Colorado local governments. The District understands the principle of value, and of compatibility between a particular firm and the District. Accordingly, the District reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to make the final decision based upon the District's perception of value in its sole discretion.

Description of Entity to Be Audited

Snake River Water District provides domestic and municipal water supply for its service area which is located in the Keystone Base Area of Summit County, Colorado. The District has 1000 customers serving approximately 5100 EQRs. The District is a statutory, single-purpose, Special District governed by a seven-member Board of Directors pursuant to provisions of the Colorado Special District Act, C.R.S. Title 32. The District has no employees, and all operations and administrative functions are contracted. The District received a Federal grant in 2026, through the CDPHE, in the amount of $8.6 million. Expenditures under this grant are budgeted to be $4M in 2026.

Services Required

The scope of services will include performance and completion of the District's financial and compliance audits for the year ended December 31, 2026. These audits are to be performed in accordance with the standards set forth for financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, the provisions of the federal Single Audit Act of 1984 (as amended in 1996) and U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations and the Colorado Local Governmental Audit Law. The firm selected will be expected to provide consultation and preparation of the financial statements. The District will consider up to a five-year contract, subject to annual review, the satisfactory negotiation of terms, and the annual availability of an appropriation.

Following the completion of the audit of the fiscal year's financial statements, the selected firm shall issue the following:

·         A report on the fair presentation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. This report will also cover all reports as required by state regulations and law.

·         A report on compliance and internal control over financial reporting based on an audit of financial statements performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards.

·         A letter to the Board containing comments on compliance, recommendations for improvements, and any other comments deemed pertinent by the auditors and recommendations affecting the financial statements, internal control, accounting, accounting systems, legality of actions, other instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations, and any other material matters.

·         A reproducible electronic copy in Adobe PDF format of the above reports is required

Proposal Content

The bidder is responsible for providing all information requested in this RFP and failure to do so may result in disqualification of the proposal. During the evaluation process, the District may request firms to answer further questions about their proposal, or provide a presentation to the Board.

Firms are requested to present the following information as part of your proposal:

·         Location of the office from which the work is to be done and number of professional staff employed at that office.

·         An affirmative statement should be included that the firm and all assigned key professional staff are properly licensed to practice in Colorado.

·         Experience and qualifications of the firm personnel assigned to the engagement, including the government auditing experience of each person.

·         Discuss commitments you will make to staff continuity, including your staff turnover experience in the last three years.

·         Information on the results of any federal or state desk reviews or field reviews of its audits during the past three (3) years. In addition, the firm shall provide information on the circumstances and status of any disciplinary action taken or pending against the firm during the past three (3) years with state regulatory bodies or professional organizations.

·         Consulting capabilities.

·         Current quality control review report / peer review.

·         Level of staff and number of hours to be assigned to each proposed segment of the engagement.

·         Similar engagements with other Government entities, specifically water districts - List the most significant contracts (maximum - 5) performed in the last five years that are similar to the contract described in this request for proposal. Indicate the name and telephone number of the principal client contact.

·         Discuss your firm's independence with respect to the District. Explain how you monitor and maintain your independence on an ongoing basis.