Provision of External Audit Services for the Ground Handling Project at Khost International Airport

Request for Proposal (RFP)

For: Provision of External Audit Services for the Ground Handling Project at Khost International Airport (FY 2025)

Date: 23 June 2026

1. Overview of Balkh Air Services (BAS)

Balkh Air Services (BAS) is a specialized aviation ground handling company established for the purpose of improving and accelerating operational standards and ground support efficiency in Afghanistan through international best practices. The Khost International Airport Ground Handling Project was established under a formal agreement with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation (MoTA) to ensure the financial integrity and operational transparency of aviation services in the region. BAS is recognized for its commitment to international Tier-1 requirements and is currently modernizing its fleet and frameworks to align with ISAGO and ISO certifications.

The mission of the Khost International Airport Ground Handling Project is to expand and improve the quality of aviation services, including passenger and ramp handling, while maintaining a central point for revenue collection and technical excellence. Each phase of the project strengthens the institutional capacity to undertake complex airport operations and rapidly expands the scope of safe, efficient ground support for international and domestic airlines.

2. Introduction & Audit Objectives

The primary objective of this assignment is to express an independent professional opinion on the financial statements of the Ground Handling (GH) project for the fiscal year 2025. The audit provides independent assurance to confirm financial accuracy, identify operational gaps, and check system controls.

Scope of Services includes full examination of accounts (Financial Position, Income, Cash Flow, and Equity), verifying that transactions are backed by proper verifiable data, and performing joint bank account reconciliations to ensure full compliance with the formal MOTA project agreement.

3. Tender Conditions & Contractual Requirements

3.1 Contracting & Duration: By submitting a tender response, the firm agrees to be bound by the rules of this RFP and the underlying final contract. The required audit assignment, including the delivery of the finalized management letter and report, must be completed within four (4) weeks of the contract award.

3.2 General Policy Compliance: Bidders confirm that they will strictly comply with all applicable financial laws, state codes of practice, and BAS manuals (including Anti-Fraud, Procurement, and Financial controls).

3.3 Modification & Rejection: Proposals must be clean and completed in full. BAS shall reject any tender response that contains data omissions, uncompleted sections, handwritten edits that lack an authorized signature, or late deliveries received after the formal deadline.

3.4 Disqualification Rules: Any attempt by a bidder to fix prices, collude with other networks, engage in direct or indirect canvassing, or obtain inside information regarding the evaluation panel will result in immediate disqualification from the procurement process.

3.5 Bid Opening Requirements: During the bid opening session, all company representatives are required to present the following original documents for verification:

· Official Photo Identification: Electronic ID or passport.

· Business License: A valid copy of the company’s current operating license.

· Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid, up-to-date tax clearance certificate issued by the relevant authority.

· Official Introduction Letter: A formal letter from the bidder’s company authorizing the individual to act as the official focal point for the bidding procedure.

· Company Stamp: Must be available on-site for the formal authentication of bid documents.

4. Confidentiality & Information Governance

(1) All information supplied to the firm by BAS, including technical project documents, flight volumes, or currency accounts, shall be treated as strictly confidential. Such information may be shared only with MOTA and shall not be disclosed to any other external third party without prior explicit written managerial consent.

(2) Tender responses are submitted on the condition that the appointed firm will process operational or payroll personal data safely and solely under the direction of BAS instructions during the auditing period.

5. CORE CRITERIA SUMMARY

6. PROCUREMENT TIMELINE & SUBMISSION DETAILS

Annex to this RFP:

- Approved Terms of Reference (TOR)