USDA Rural Development Audit Guide Development

Quick Summary

The USDA Rural Development (RD) is seeking proposals for Audit Guide Development and Pilot for Lenders participating in its Guaranteed Loan Programs. This Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity requires contractors to develop standardized lender review guides and conduct compliance reviews for the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), Single Family Housing (SFH), and Multi-Family Housing (MFH) programs. The goal is to ensure consistent evaluation of lender compliance, risk identification, and program oversight. Quotations are due May 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.

Scope of Work

The contractor will be responsible for:

• Review Guide Development: Creating standardized lender review guides for RBCS, SFH, and MFH guaranteed loan programs. These guides must be based on regulatory requirements, include methods for identifying and rating risk, and feature a standard reporting format. Each guide will involve evaluating at least five loan files covering origination, underwriting, servicing, and compliance.
• Lender Reviews: Conducting reviews of at least five lenders per program using the approved guides.
• Reporting: Providing comprehensive reports for each lender reviewed, detailing objectives, results, findings, and conclusions. A program-level summary identifying trends and recommendations is also required.
• Feedback Reports: Delivering feedback on common findings and potential solutions for each program. No travel is anticipated, as reviews are expected to be conducted remotely.

Contract Details

• Contract Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ) for a Firm-Fixed-Price contract.
• Period of Performance: An initial eight-month base period for RBCS, followed by two optional eight-month periods for SFH and MFH programs.
• Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside.
• NAICS Code: 541219 (Auditing Services) with a $25.0 Million size standard.
• Place of Performance: Washington, DC 20250, United States (remote work expected).
• Key Personnel: Requires extensive accounting, forensic, banking, and/or auditing experience, with a minimum Bachelor's degree in accounting. Certified Public Accountants need at least five years of Attestation experience.

Evaluation & Submission

• Evaluation Method: Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).
  • Price: Offerors must complete Attachment 2 – Price Workbook, providing pricing for the base period, all option periods, and a potential six-month extension.
  • Technical Acceptability: Evaluated as "acceptable" or "unacceptable" based on the ability to meet requirements, develop guides, incorporate risk-rating methodologies, and utilize standardized reporting. A Project Plan and resumes for key personnel are required.
  • Past Performance: Up to five Past Performance Questionnaires (Exhibit A) will be considered, with the government potentially using other sources like CPARS.
• Submission Deadline: May 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
• Submission Method: Via email to Christopher.Bany@usda.gov. Quotes must adhere to specific page limitations, font, and margin requirements.
• Amendments: Amendment 0002 incorporated a Question and Answer form, a revised Performance Work Statement (Attachment 1), a Price Workbook (Attachment 2), a QASP (Attachment 3), a Past Performance Questionnaire (Exhibit A), and a revised RFQ.

Contact Information

For inquiries, contact Christopher Bany at christopher.bany@usda.gov or 407-572-0441.