Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE
Chester Municipal Water Works
Request for Accounting Services
Chester Municipal Water Works seeks to retain a certified public accountant or firm of certified public accountants to serve as accountant in connection with a Water System Improvements Project in accordance with the requirements of the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health, the Infrastructure & Jobs Development Council, the U.S. EDA, and the U.S. EPA and the Wastewater System Improvements Project in accordance with the IJDC, the WV Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. EDA and the U.S. EPA.
Chester Municipal Water Works will afford full opportunity for minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to submit a show of interest in response to this invitation and will not discriminate against any interested firm or individual on the grounds of race, creed, color, age, handicap or national origin in the award of this contract.
The selected provider may be required to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246, Section 109 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1974, Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, Conflict of Interest Statement, Access to Records provisions, and Executive Order 11625.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
The firm selected as Accountant will be expected to perform the following services:
1. Prepare a Rule 42 exhibit;
2. Assist in the completion of application to lender(s) for financing;
3. Prepare all accounting documents and certifications necessary to obtain consent of any existing bondholders;
4. Represent the Chester Municipal Water Works before the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (the “PSC”), including testifying at hearings, in any case before the PSC related to the Project;
5. If applicable, deliver a certificate of coverage, adequacy of rates and adequacy of reserve accounts and compliance with parity requirements, in the form required by the lender(s), to the lender(s) prior to bidding the Project and at the closing of the financing;
6. Prepare all other documents, and provide such professional advice, as is customary in similar projects.
SUBMISSION OF STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS AND QUOTE
An original and two (2) copies of each proposal must be marked “Statement of Qualifications and Quote for Accounting Services for Water Project” and be received by 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2020, to the attention of Mr. Chuck Bailey, Chester Municipal Water Works, 600 Indiana Ave., Chester, WV 26034.
All documents/ information submitted in this response to the solicitation shall, pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, become public records.
Chester Municipal Water Works reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, with or without cause, and waive any irregularities or informalities in the proposals. The City further reserves the right to make such investigations as they deem necessary as to the qualifications of any and all proposers. In the event all proposals are rejected, the Chester Municipal Water Works reserves the right to re-solicit proposals.
SELECTION PROCESS
Selection criteria will include expertise, experience, personnel and references, and proposed cost quote for services listed, all of which shall be considered of equal importance. The Chester Municipal Water Works will review all proposals and rank, based upon such criteria, not more than three firms deemed to be the most highly qualified to provide the services required.
The City reserves the right to hold interviews with all or some of the proposers to discuss experience, expertise, personnel and references, and to include the information discussed in any such interview in the selection process.
REQUIRED COMPONENTS OF PROPOSALS
Proposals should respond to each of the following requests in the order indicated.
A. Certification
Each proposal must contain the following certification:
1. That all accountants who will provide services for the Project are licensed Certified Public Accountants in the State of West Virginia and are in good standing (or are under the direct supervision of a licensee).
2. That the firm carries professional liability insurance with limits which are sufficient, given the scope of the Project.
3. That the firm has the experience and expertise necessary to serve as Accountant for the Project.
4. That no portion of the work contracted for under this proposal will be subcontracted unless previously approved by the Chester Municipal Water Works.
5. That the firm is not currently under contract to perform audit services for the Chester Municipal Water Works and will not, while employed under any contract awarded for this Project, enter into a contract for audit services with the City. The chosen firm will be representing the Chester Municipal Water Works before regulatory and funding agencies; therefore, the AICPA Audit Standards for Independence apply.
FAILURE TO MEET THE
CRITERIA LISTED ABOVE WILL BE CAUSE FOR IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION OF THE PROPOSAL
B. Experience and Expertise
1. Briefly describe your firm’s public utility practice and give a brief history of the firm in these areas.
2. Provide a description of your firm’s experience as Accountant for water and sewer projects during the last three (3) years which you believe qualify your firm to be Accountant for this project. List no more than three (3) projects. For each project please indicate the following:
1.a. The governmental entity on whose behalf you were employed;
1.b. The nature of the financing;
1.c. The project funding sources;
1.d. The use of proceeds; and
1.e. The name, address, and telephone number of governmental entity contact.
C. Personnel
Specify the accountants with your firm who would be assigned to this transaction, the role of each person, and their qualifications and experience in utility projects. In particular, please discuss the experience of each identified accountant serving as a witness before the PSC.
D. References
Provide a list of no less than three (3) references which are governmental entities (public service district, municipalities, county commissions, etc.) for which you have provided Accounting services for water and sewer projects. Include a contact name and telephone number for each such entity.
E. Cost Quote
Provide a fixed fee quote for services listed under Scope of Services, plus any potential expenses.
Any questions concerning this Project should be directed to Craig Brown, Project Administrator, at (304) 797-9666.
5-8,15, 2020 Adv.