Introduction
W.I.B., Inc., dba Chautauqua Works (WiB) is soliciting competitive proposals for a vendor to provide accounting and audit services (year-end and related tax return services) for the WiB in accordance with the Request for Proposal (RFP) attached herewith. Type of contract to be awarded is a fixed fee contract.
Proposal Submission
Proposals shall be submitted with the Cover Sheet, Scope, Background/Structure/Expertise/Quality Timeline/Audit Plan. Pricing Structure/Client References, Certifications and Signature Sheet in guadruplicate and shall address those areas noted in this RFP. The signature on the proposal shall be an original in longhand by a principal officer of the company, authorized to duly bind the company.
An original and three (3) copies of each proposal shall be submitted and delivered to:
Cheryl Lawson, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
W.I.B., Inc. dba Chautauqua Works
4 E. 3rd St., Suite 102
Jamestown, NY 14701
Proposals must be postmarked Friday, December 4, 2026, or should arrive no later than 4:00 PM, Friday, December 4, 2026.
Timeline
RFP Release Date: 10/21/2026
Letter of Intent to Bid Due by: 11/4/26
Questions Accepted via Email (clawson@chautauquaworks.com) Through: 10/29/26
Questions & Answers Uploaded to Chautauqua Works Website: 11/4/26
Proposal Due Date: Postmarked 12/4/26 (or if hand delivered, no later than 4:00 PM 12/4/26)
RFP Review Date: TBA
Award Announcements: June 2027
Target Contract Start Date: 7/1/2027 for fiscal year 7/1/26-6/30/27
Background and Scope (summary of required services)
The intent of this RFP is to secure a firm to provide accounting and audit services, as defined below, for a one-year period beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, with the option to renew annually for the next three fiscal years. Required services include, at minimum:
1. Annual Financial Statement Audit for fiscal year ending June 30th
2. Federal Single Audit, including auditor's opinion thereon
3. Preparation and completion of IRS Form 990
4. IRS Form 990 must be filed prior to November 15th of the fiscal year end
5. Preparation and completion of US Form SF-SAC
6. US Form SF-SAC, the audit package and the data collection form must be filed within 30 days after receipt of the auditor's report(s), or 9 months after the end of the fiscal year — whichever comes first
7. Preparation and completion of any other required federal forms
8. Preparation and completion of Charitable Organization Annual Report for the New York State Attorney General (CHAR500)
9. CHAR500 must be filed prior to November 15th
10. Preparation and completion of any other required state forms
11. Management Letter
Presentation and reporting: Draft and final audited financial statements and tax-related forms must be presented to the Finance/Audit Committee and the Board of Directors as described in the RFP. Audits must be performed in accordance with OMB Circular A-133 (referenced) and generally accepted auditing standards. The independent accounting firm selected will be required to communicate directly with the Organization's Finance/Audit Committee upon completion of their audit and may be contacted directly by Committee members. The RFP references attached materials (latest audited financial statement, US Form 990, NYS CHAR500, chart of accounts, organizational chart).
Proposal Components and Attachments
Proposals must include: Proposal Cover Sheet and Attachments A–F as listed in the RFP:
ATTACHMENT A: Scope of Work
ATTACHMENT B: Background/Structure/Expertise/Quality
ATTACHMENT C: Firm's Timeline and Audit Plan
ATTACHMENT D: Pricing Structure and Client References
ATTACHMENT E: Certification Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements
ATTACHMENT F: Signature Page
Contract Award, Term and Conditions
Contract will be awarded after consideration of suitability of services, total cost, timelines and related elements. Contract type: fixed fee. Contract period may commence for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 with up to three (3) one-year extensions at the discretion of the WIB dependent on satisfactory performance and funding availability. The WiB is tax-exempt; proposals shall not include Federal, State or Local excise, sales, transportation or other tax unless specifically required by law; any non-exempt taxes shall be listed separately.
Costs, Liability, Insurance and Other Requirements
This RFP does not commit the WIB to reimburse proposal preparation costs. The WIB reserves rights to negotiate scope/cost/schedule, incorporate standard provisions, or terminate the RFP process at any time. Indemnification and insurance requirements are specified (workers' compensation and disability, general liability $1,000,000 occurrence with WIB listed as additional insured, automobile liability $1,000,000 per occurrence naming WIB as additional insured, and related forms C-105.2 or C-105.21 and DB-120.1). The Bidder must hold the WIB harmless and defend claims as described. Payment is contingent on appropriation and availability of funds.
Proposal Evaluation and Selection Process
Proposals will be evaluated on: setup/onboarding and implementation/transition planning; firm background/structure/expertise/commitment to quality; timeline and audit plan; pricing structure; references and board considerations. Specific criteria and weighting are provided in the RFP. The Finance/Audit Committee will review proposals and recommend to the full board (review on or before June 2027 meeting). Bidders may be asked to present; finalists may be interviewed. The RFP details required certifications, lobbying/drug-free workplace/debarment and suspension certifications, nondiscrimination and equal opportunity assurances, and various federal requirements related to WIOA-funded entities and other contract clauses.
Other included documentation and references
Appendices and supporting documents listed: Most Recent Audited Financial Statements (June 30, 2026), Most Recent US Form 990, Most Recent NYS CHAR500, Chart of Accounts, Organizational Chart, organizational structure and staffing, and detailed instructions and forms found in the attachments (A–F). The RFP includes extensive audit and tax reporting requirements, reporting deadlines and filing timelines (e.g., Form 990 and CHAR500 filing deadlines), and references to federal grant compliance (Uniform Guidance, OMB references).