Provision of External Audit Service.

A mini-competition was conducted via the EOECPH Statutory Audit and Multi-Specialty Services Framework (Ref: 2024/S 000-002425)..<br/><br/>The tender was evaluated against the published criteria: Technical Capability & Quality (60%), Social Value (10%), and Commercial (30%).

All Publicly funded Contracting Bodies require high quality Counter Fraud Services, which meet the service delivery and reporting requirements specifically relevant to their organisation.<br/>The Counter Fraud Programme available against the framework captures both a preventative and reactive focus for investigations.<br/>The Counter Fraud Programme must identify and minimise the potential for fraud and corruption in accordance with any guidance applicable to the Contracting Authority

The Provider will be expected to provide a full Internal Audit Service, undertaking systems based audits where feasible. The main responsibility of that service will be to provide the Board (through its Audit Committee) with assessments of the effectiveness of the Contracting Authority's system of internal control which can be relied on by External Auditors for their Annual Governance Statement.<br/>The Internal Auditors will report to the Director of Finance and Performance but will also have direct access to the Audit Committee. It is recognised that an effective control system reduces the likelihood that errors or irregularities will occur and remain undetected;<br/>however, it does not eliminate that possibility. It is also recognised that the Provider's work does not guarantee that errors or irregularities will not occur and may not detect errors or irregularities which do occur.

The Assurance Review services provided should include but is not limited to, continuous and reliable assurance on organisational stewardship and the management of the major risks to organisational success, and delivery of improved, cost effective, public services. Assurance will cover looking at quality control mechanisms, employee feedback, information technology systems, and organisational behaviour.

The Supplier will be expected to provide a full Digital and IM&T Audit Service to determine the effectiveness of the Contracting Authorities internal systems. This includes applying IT audit and data enabled techniques, evaluating and testing controls within and associated with information systems relevant to reporting and providing expert advice and support for other digital matters.

The role of the LSMS is to implement at a local level, the national policy for Security Management, and to work proactively and reactively with the NHS contracting authorities accessing these services.<br/>Providers will be required to assist with the development and implementation of services as well as assisting trusts review their security strategies to ensure that staff and patients along with trust and personal assets are protected as far as is reasonably practicable, allowing the trust to focus on providing and delivering high quality healthcare.

Lot 7 is a locked Lot and will not be evaluated; it is intended that inclusion to this Lot will only be available to those Providers awarded to the Framework in Lots 2-6.<br/>Multi-Audit & Specialist services can either supplement the Lot or Lots a provider has been awarded to, complimenting services detailed against the Lot, or alternatively they can be stand alone to provide independent review and scrutiny for governance requirements applicable to the wider Audit environment, or services and advice which ties back to the wider requirements of the Trust.<br/>Multi-Audit & Specialist Service requirements may change during the life of the Framework; from changes in requirements from legislation, or individual Trust needs, staff turnover and organisational transition etc.

Lot 7 is a locked Lot and will not be evaluated; it is intended that inclusion to this Lot will only be available to those Providers awarded to the Framework in Lots 2-6.<br/>Multi-Audit & Specialist services can either supplement the Lot or Lots a provider has been awarded to, complimenting services detailed against the Lot, or alternatively they can be stand alone to provide independent review and scrutiny for governance requirements applicable to the wider Audit environment, or services and advice which ties back to the wider requirements of the Trust.<br/>Multi-Audit & Specialist Service requirements may change during the life of the Framework; from changes in requirements from legislation, or individual Trust needs, staff turnover and organisational transition etc.