Auditing Services for the Tra Vinh Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development Project

The Department of Global Affairs of Canada (GAC) is providing funding to support the Tra Vinh Small and Medium Enterprises Development Project (CAD$11.65 million). The projects became operational in December 2014 and will be implemented over a period of six years. The project utilizes a program-based approach (PBA) by aligning GAC funding to the provincial budget and policy priorities managed through Government of Vietnam administrative, financial and procurement systems. As such, GAC will provide funds directly to the State Treasury Account (represented by Ministry of Finance), which will be then allocated to Provincial Treasury of Tra Vinh Province

In Tra Vinh, funds will support the province to develop and implement key priorities of a provincial SME Development Plan, including related small-scale infrastructure, while strengthening public administration in support of SME development. The project promotes Vietnamese ownership and alignment by supporting the development and implementation of provincial SME plan which the province is mandated to complete and by using and strengthening country existing systems.

This project will have three inter-related components. As the lead provincial department for SME and infrastructure development, the Department of Planning and Investment (DPI) will be the primary partner for all three components, though it will coordinate and collaborate with a number of other provincial departments such as Finance, Industry and Trade, Labour and Social Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environment, and with district and commune authorities, in implementation.

As a single donor in in this program-based project involving targeted budget support at the sub-national level in Vietnam, GAC must ensure that its due diligence requirements are met in the implementation of the Tra Vinh SME Development Projects. The firm will assist GAC in reviewing the accuracy, compliance, and performance of the project and in assessing areas of improvement of the audited entity in regards to financing-accounting management.

The purpose of this notice is to invite formal costed proposals from eligible auditing firms. On the basis of the formal proposals, one firm will be invited to negotiate a contract for the provision of auditing services as described in the Terms of References (TORs). GAC reserves the right to refuse any or all proposals received. The amount allocated to this contract will not exceed Cdn$ 100,000, inclusive of all taxes, expenses and fees.  The anticipated contract is expected to start in April 2016.

LANGUAGE OF PROJECT

The language of the project is English, but Vietnamese is required to fulfill the mandate.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

• Review the accuracy and faithfulness of accounting documents and acquittal data of project in the 6 years frame;
• Review and assess the compliance with laws, regulations and policies on financing and accounting aspects and other regulations on project management and implementation.
• Timely detection of any acts of corruption, waste and mistakes in management and use of project funds. Clearly determine responsibilities of organizations and individuals as well as propose for a resolution as required by the law;
• Uncover mistakes and make recommendations and/or offer suggestions to the audited entity in improving financing-accounting management; propose amendments and additions to relevant agencies to project related policies for the purpose of effective and smooth project implementation;
• Assess the economy, effectiveness and efficiency in project management and implementation, and the achievement of project targets (in terms of implementation progress, obtained targets in comparison with initial ones, meeting requirements of local authority and residents).

AUDITOR PROFILE

The firm will be selected based on merit and judged against defined selection criteria. Specifically, but not limited to these, the successful firm should have 1) experience in auditing ODA funds in Vietnam channelled through budget support, preferably at the provincial level 2) extensive knowledge of the Vietnamese accounting system 3) ability to work in both English and Vietnamese 4) demonstrate the availability of qualified human resources needed to conduct the audits in the province where required and to meet timeline requirements. 

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

Proposals should include the following:

1. A copy of the documents confirming the firm’s Legal Capacity to Work in Vietnam.
2. CVs of the Audit Director,  the Audit Team Leader and other team members, including copies of related degree, diploma, and least two contacts for reference.
3. A technical proposal, not exceeding 6 pages, describing the methodology that the bidder intends to use to fulfill the mandate (referring to the TORs) as well as the estimated level of effort. The technical proposal will be awarded a maximum of 80 points (80 percent) of the total possible 100 points. 
4. A financial proposal that includes a budget detailing all costs related to the audits. The financial proposal will be awarded a maximum 20 points (20 percent) of the total possible 100 points. 

Bidders who do not comply with the above requirements within the timeline will be deemed non-compliant, and GAC reserves the right to move on to the second highest ranked Bidder.

Proposals shall be written in English and submitted with one soft, one original and three hard copies.

In order to be eligible, the Consultant must demonstrate relevant experience and skills. Submissions will be scored by an evaluation team on the basis of the firm's experience and achievements, experience of personnel, managerial capability, and methodology most suited to the Project and costed proposal. 

In order to be considered, proposals must be completed and received no later than 12:00 hrs, Hanoi Time, on 29th January, 2016 by the GAC Bid Receiving Unit at the Vietnam-Canada Program Support Unit, 3rd floor, C Unit, La Thanh Hotel, 218 Doi Can Street, Hanoi.

To obtain a copy of the audit Term of Reference, please send an email to:
(Ms.) Tran Lan Huong of the Vietnam-Canada Program Support Unit 
E-mail:  [email protected] ; Fax: +84-4-3762 7271