How to bid on Annual Cost Allocation Plan and User Fee Study Services for San Mateo County

What San Mateo County is buying

San Mateo County is seeking a contractor to provide annual cost allocation plan and user fee study services for its Sheriff's Office. This involves preparing an annual cost allocation plan, with the first year using Fiscal Year 2026 actuals for use in Fiscal Year 2028. The contractor will also conduct a user fee cost analysis for all fee-for-service activities provided by the Sheriff's Office. This analysis includes developing fully burdened hourly rates by staffing classification and assessing time spent on these activities.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

The solicitation was published on September 04, 2026. The deadline for submitting your response is September 15, 2026, at 3:00 AM ET. All submissions must be completed by this time. The annual cost allocation plan is due by November 30 each year of the contract, and the user fee study is due by April 30 in years 1 and 3 of the contract.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for professional services firms with expertise in financial analysis, cost accounting, and government cost allocation plans. Firms should have experience in developing fully burdened hourly rates and conducting user fee studies, particularly for public sector agencies. The work requires an understanding of 2 CFR Part 200 cost allocation principles.

How to respond

To respond, you need to access the opportunity on OpenGov Procurement, the agency's procurement portal. Click the link provided in the original source to open the project page. You will need to sign in or create a free vendor account to download plans, ask questions, join the planholders list, and submit your response. Addenda notices will be distributed through OpenGov. Your quote should include flat annual fees for all three potential years of the contract and accurate lead times. Complete the Pricing Bid Table in section 3 and upload your competitive quotation.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

When preparing your response, clearly outline your methodology for both the cost allocation plan and the user fee study. Detail your approach to incorporating administrative support and countywide overhead from existing 2 CFR Part 200 plans. For the user fee study, explain how you will develop fully burdened hourly rates and assess time spent on fee-for-service activities.

Since the county requests flat annual fees for all three years, ensure your pricing is comprehensive and competitive. Provide clear lead times for completing the annual cost allocation plan by November 30 and the user fee study by April 30 in years 1 and 3. Highlight your firm's relevant experience with similar government projects and your understanding of the specific requirements outlined by San Mateo County.