IWA Audit and Related Services

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1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start |-------|-------|----------------|------------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|------------------|---------------------|------------------| Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) IWA Audit and Related Services not stated €515,000.00 not stated not stated not stated not stated not stated 2026-07-03 14:00 not stated

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves the provision of external audit, internal audit, and related services for the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA). The contractor will be responsible for ensuring compliance with financial regulations and standards, as well as providing insights into financial performance and operational efficiency. The scale of the work encompasses a comprehensive review of IWA's financial statements, operational processes, and adherence to best practices in governance.

The contractor's day-to-day activities will include:

• External Audit Services: Conducting annual audits of IWA's financial statements to ensure accuracy and compliance with relevant regulations.
• Internal Audit Services: Evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management processes, and governance structures.
• Reporting: Preparing detailed audit reports for the Board of Directors, highlighting findings, recommendations, and areas for improvement.
• Consultation: Providing expert advice on financial management, compliance issues, and operational efficiencies.
• Collaboration: Working closely with IWA's finance team and other departments to facilitate smooth audit processes and address any identified issues.
• Training: Offering training sessions for IWA staff on financial best practices and compliance requirements.

The contractor must demonstrate familiarity with IWA's operational context, including its role as a leading service provider for individuals with physical disabilities across Ireland. The contractor will also be expected to engage with IWA's stakeholders to ensure that audit processes align with the organization's mission and values.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of audit services is driven by the need for transparency and accountability in financial reporting, particularly in light of IWA's status as a charity and its reliance on public funding. The IWA is a prominent organization advocating for the rights of individuals with physical disabilities, providing essential services to over 20,000 members annually. This tender aligns with IWA's commitment to maintaining high standards of governance and financial integrity, ensuring that resources are utilized effectively to support its mission. The organization has a history of engaging with external auditors to enhance its financial practices and compliance with regulatory requirements.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €1.5 million in the area of audit services.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €13.0 million
• Public Liability: €6 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of 3 comparable projects completed in the last 5 years, each with a value of at least €100,000.
• Personnel: At least 2 qualified auditors with a minimum of 5 years' experience in audit services.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, focusing on the best balance of price and quality. No minimum scoring threshold is specified for individual criteria.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: A detailed response using the provided template, limited to 10 pages.
• CVs: CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: A completed pricing template detailing all costs associated with the services.
• Case studies: At least 2 case studies of similar projects completed in the last 5 years, each valued between €100,000 and €250,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via the eTenders portal, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term + extension structure: The contract will be for a duration of 3 years, with the possibility of a 2-year extension based on performance.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made quarterly upon receipt of invoices and satisfactory completion of services.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Timeliness of audit reports and adherence to agreed timelines for deliverables.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The contract may be terminated for non-performance or breach of terms.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property developed during the contract will remain with IWA.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is allowed but must be disclosed and approved by IWA.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €1.5 million may limit participation from smaller firms, potentially favouring larger incumbents.
• Geographic constraints: Not specified, but the lack of local presence requirements may affect the ability of bidders to understand IWA's operational context.
• Tight timelines: The expectation for rapid mobilization post-award may pose challenges for bidders to adequately prepare and transition into the contract.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this tender should have:

• A proven track record in audit services, with experience in the charity or public sector.
• The capacity to meet the insurance and turnover requirements.
• A team of qualified auditors with relevant experience.
• The ability to provide competitive pricing while maintaining quality.

Consortium bidding is not explicitly mentioned, but may be a viable option for SMEs to meet the turnover and experience requirements. The indicative bid preparation effort is estimated at 10-15 days, considering the documentation and case studies required. The presence of a minimum turnover threshold may signal a competitive environment, particularly if incumbents are involved.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: IWA Audit and Related Services RFT
• eTenders CFT ID: 8258063
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Bona Fide Declaration
• IWA 2025 Financial Statements Final.pdf