About this opportunity
AI summaryThe City of Salinas requests proposals from qualified consultants to conduct Transient Occupancy Tax and Tourism Improvement District audits for 33 hotels and motels within city limits. The selected contractor must review municipal codes and district plans, verify the mathematical accuracy and reporting timeliness for fiscal years 2024 through 2026, sample transactions and exemption documentation, and trace reported revenues to operator accounting records. Services run from December 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Applicants must submit questions using the PlanetBids ask-a-question feature by November 6, 2026. Proposals must be submitted electronically in PDF format via PlanetBids by December 4, 2026, adhering to a 15-page limit and a minimum 12-point font size. The City evaluates proposals using criteria that include history, experience, and qualifications.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- City of Salinas
Scope of work
- Review Municipal Code Chapter 32, Article IV, resolutions, ordinances, and reporting procedures
- Review the Tourism Improvement District Management District Plan
- Verify mathematical accuracy and timeliness of TOT and TID reports for fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026
- Trace reported gross revenues on tax returns to operator accounting records
- Sample rental transactions, verify tax computations, and trace rental revenues and taxes collected
- Review internal control procedures regarding gross rents, uncollected rents, guest classifications, and exemptions
- Review supporting documentation on a sample basis for claimed exemptions
- Recommend best practices and municipal code updates to improve collections
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| History, Experience, and Qualifications | Not specified |
| Methodology | Not specified |
| References | Not specified |
| Cost | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Experience and qualifications in delivering governmental audit services
- Possession of necessary certifications and licenses to provide audit services
- Knowledge of industry standards and government agency accounting standards
- Most recent external quality control review report included with submittal
Documents to include with your response
- Cover Page
- History, Experience, and Qualifications section
- Copy of most recent external quality control review report
- Methodology including implementation plan, approach, project schedule, and transition plan
- Staff list and resumes for designated personnel
- Sample or format of the deliverable report
- Cost proposal
- Three references from government agencies or businesses from the last three years
- Disclosures section including litigation, contract failures, and wage and hour law violations
- Signed acknowledgment of any amendments
Key dates
- Release Date
- October 28, 2026
- Deadline for Questions
- November 6, 2026
- Proposal Due Date and Time
- December 4, 2026
- Staff review
- Week of December 7, 2026
- Presentations/Interviews (if necessary; tentative)
- Week of December 14, 2026
- Selection of firm
- Week of December 21, 2026
- Agreement between City and firm
- Week of January 4, 2027
- Begin audit
- Week of January 11, 2027
- Results of audit available
- April – June 2027
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via PlanetBids
- Instructions
- Submitted in PDF format online through PlanetBids prior to due date. Maximum length is 15 pages excluding table of contents and appendices, 12-point minimum body font.
Contract details
- Term
- December 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027
- Place of performance
- Salinas, CA
- Insurance and bonding
- Submitted prior to commencement of work; thirty-day non-cancellation clause required; aggregate limits must apply solely to agreement; claims-made policies must be maintained for 3 years post-expiration.