The Office of the Washington State Auditor (SAO) is utilizing this Competitive Solicitation to solicit value-added bids from innovative, qualified Bidders to provide Tribal Liaison Services.

All Competitive Solicitation Exhibits may be found on WEBS - Search Customer Ref. No. K774-2604. Competitive Solicitation document may also be found at Contract for the State Auditor | Office of the Washington State Auditor.

Deadlines:

Pre-Bid Conference: April 20, 2026 at 9:00 am

Deadline for Submitting Questions: May 11, 2026

Deadline for Submitting Bids: May 21, 2026

1. Overview of the Scope.

The Contractor will provide technical expertise for helping the Procuring Agency (SAO) comply with Chapter 43.376 RCW, and reaching out to Indian Tribes, their members and Tribal governments regarding issues being addressed by SAO that may impact Indian Tribes.

2. Contractor’s Tasks and Responsibilities.

• The Contractor will provide technical support for compliance with Chapter 43.376 RCW and provide on-going liaison and communications support for SAO to Tribal communities.  Tasks may include:
  • Organizing meetings, identifying leaders and key contacts within the Tribes, Tribal organizations and other duties as necessary to facilitate the SAO Tribal Liaison function.
• The Contractor will support SAO’s performance audit function by advising on how to engage Tribal governments, identifying appropriate contacts, scheduling and assisting with Tribal meetings, etc. That support will be necessary in at least two specific situations:
  • In the development of SAO’s biennial performance audit workplan. First, the Contractor will assist SAO in developing and executing a Tribal solicitation plan to help identify potential performance audits of specific interest to Tribal governments (starting in January in the first year of each biennium). Second, the Contractor will assist SAO in soliciting input from Tribal governments on all topics included in the biennial workplan approved by the State Auditor (starting in May in the second year of each biennium).
  • On performance audit engagements of specific interest to Tribal governments. Although the number of performance audit topics of interest to Tribal governments will vary by workplan, the Contractor will provide support for performance audit projects where strong Tribal interest is expected.
• Deliverables include meetings with SAO staff, providing written feedback, contact lists, progress reports, or other mutually agreed upon deliverables. Mutually agreed upon deliverables will be approved by contract manager or performance audit manager in writing.  It must include estimated hours and description of services/deliverables.

3. Required Qualifications.

• Understanding of Tribes in WA, including culture, governance, leaders, and key staff.
• Experience building relations between Tribal entities and local, state, or federal government.
• Understanding of requirements for state agencies under Chapter 43.376 RCW.

4. Estimated Contract Value.

Historically, for prior contracts, annual total sales were approximately $53,703 for the Tribal Liaison Services.  Total potential or estimated contract sales for this Competitive Solicitation are not known. The Contract, if awarded, will have a $250,000 not to exceed amount. This amount may be spread out over the potential life of the Contract. SAO does not represent or guarantee any minimum purchase from the Contract.

5. Contract Form & Term.

As set forth in Exhibit D – Contract, the Contract term is tentatively scheduled to begin on or about July 1, 2026 and end on June 30, 2027. Amendments extending the term, if any, will be at the sole discretion of SAO. SAO reserves the right, at its discretion, to extend the Contract for up to 3 additional years.