1-ITB 721-26019 - Computer Hardware.doc

Invitation to Bid (“ITB”) ITB Number: ITB # 721-26029 – Computer Hardware Point of Contact: Ashley Golsan

Submittal Due Date & Time: Thursday, October 23, 2025 by 2:30 PM (Central Time)

1. Overview The University of Texas at Austin (“University”) on behalf of Applied Research Laboratories (“ARL:UT”) requests bids in response to this Invitation to Bid no. 721-26019 (“ITB”) from qualified and experienced vendors (“Bidders”) to provide computer hardware (“Goods”).

2. Notice to Bidder

2.1 Submittal Deadline

University will accept bids until the following “Submittal Deadline”.

Thursday, October 23, 2025 by 2:30PM (Central Time) NOTE: A public opening of responses will not be conducted for this ITB.

2.2 ITB Contact Information and Questions

Bidders will submit all questions or concerns regarding this ITB via the University Bonfire portal.

University instructs interested parties to restrict all contact and questions regarding this ITB to written communications delivered through the University Bonfire portal.

University must receive all questions and concerns through the University’s portal, no later than date and time indicated in the Bonfire project timeline.

Questions submitted will be answered at the sole discretion of the University in a “Question and Answer” document that will be posted as an amendment to the ITB. Only answers provided in writing by the University will be considered official. All questions should, to the degree possible, cite the specific ITB section and paragraph number(s) to which the question refers.

University will provide responses as soon as practicable following the Question Deadline. University intends to respond to all timely submitted questions. However, University reserves the right to decline to respond to any question.

Bidder shall make no contact concerning this ITB with other University personnel, except as permitted by the points of contact listed above.

2.3 Schedule of Events

University reserves the right to change the dates. Please reference project timelines found in the Project Details Section (Event Section) in Bonfire.

2.4 Addendum

An Addendum shall be posted when an addition or correction is required after the ITB is issued. Bidders are responsible for periodically checking the University Bonfire portal for Addenda or additional information.

2.5 Method of Award

Contract award shall be based on best value, Texas Education Code Section 51.9335, and the University reserves the right to make a single, multiple or no award. The resulting award shall be governed by The University of Texas at Austin Purchase Order Terms and Conditions or Contract Terms found in Appendix Two.

In determining what is the best value, the University shall consider the following in accordance with Texas Education Code Section 51.9335: (1) the purchase price; (2) the reputation of the vendor and of the vendor's goods or services; (3) the quality of the vendor's goods or services; (4) the extent to which the goods or services meet the institution's needs; (5) the vendor's past relationship with the institution; (6) the impact on the ability of the institution to comply with laws and rules relating to historically underutilized businesses and to the procurement of goods and services from persons with disabilities; (7) the total long-term cost to the institution of acquiring the vendor's goods or services; and (8) any other relevant factor that a private business entity would consider in selecting a vendor.

Bidder is encouraged to submit a bid offering the maximum benefit to the University in terms of (1) total overall cost, (2) service, and (3) project management expertise.

The evaluation of bid and the selection of Contractor will be based on the information provided in the bid. University may consider additional information if University determines the information is relevant. By submitting a bid in response to this solicitation, Bidder agrees to the selection and award process, and accepts the University’s judgment and decision of award. The University reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, waive informalities and technicalities, and accept the offer considered the most advantageous to the University. The University reserves the right to make the decision as to the system; product or service best meets the minimum specifications and best suits the needs of the University.

2.6 Historically Underutilized Businesses

2.7.1.

All agencies of the State of Texas are required to make a good faith effort to assist historically underutilized businesses (“HUBs”) in receiving contract awards. The goal of the HUB program is to promote full and equal business opportunity for all businesses in contracting with state agencies. Pursuant to the HUB program, if under the terms of any agreement or contractual arrangements resulting from this solicitation, contractor subcontracts and Work, then Contractor must make a good faith effort to utilize HUBs certified by the Procurement and Support Services Division of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Responses that fail to comply with the requirements contained in this Section 1.7.2 will constitute a material failure to comply with advertised specifications and will be rejected by University as non-responsive. Additionally, compliance with good faith effort guidelines is a condition precedent to awarding any agreement or contractual arrangement resulting from this solicitation. Respondent acknowledges that, if selected by University, its obligation to make a good faith effort to utilize HUBs when subcontracting any Work will continue throughout the term of all agreements and contractual arrangements resulting from this solicitation. Furthermore, any subcontracting of Work by the Respondent is subject to review by University to ensure compliance with the HUB Program.

2.7.2 Statement of Probability: University has determined that subcontracting opportunities are are not probable in connection with this procurement solicitation. Therefore, an E-HSP is required as a part of the Respondent’s response.

3. Submittal Requirements

The following is required to be submitted with the bid response. Failure to provide the requested information may result in disqualification of the bid.

3.1 Electronic Submission

The bid submittal process is solely by electronic submission.

Bids must be received by University on or before the Submittal Deadline (ref. Section 2.1) via the University Bonfire portal.

Additional Information:

The electronic copy of the Bid shall be organized in a manner consistent with the solicitation requirements.

Bids must be formatted in typed, letter-size (8-1/2” x 11”), and must be submitted in PDF or the required Microsoft Office format. Any supplemental or marketing type material shall be referenced in the bid and included as labeled attachments. The maximum upload file size is 1000 MB.

Do not embed any documents within your uploaded files, as they will not be accessible or evaluated.

University will not accept Bids submitted by mail, email, telephone, or FAX transmission.

University shall not be responsible for failure of electronic equipment or operator error. Late or otherwise non-responsive bids will not be considered under any circumstances.

Please contact Bonfire at Support@GoBonfire.com for technical questions related to your submission. Bidder can also visit their help forum at https://bonfirehub.zendesk.com/hc.

3.2 Submittal Checklist

Bidder is instructed to complete, sign, and return the following documents as a part of its bid. If Bidder fails to return each of the following items with its bid, then University may reject the bid:

1.1.1. Signed and Completed Pricing and Delivery Schedule (ref. Section 6)

1.1.2. Completed Bonfire Pricing BidTable

3.3 Bid Validity Period

Each bid must state that it will remain valid for University’s acceptance for a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Submittal Deadline, to allow time for evaluation, selection, and any unforeseen delays.

4. General Information

1.1 Minimum requirements and specifications for Goods/Services, as well as certain requests for information to be provided by Bidder as part of the bid, are set forth below. The successful Bidder is referred to as the “Contractor.”

1.2 Bidder agrees to comply with all conditions shown on this form and University Terms and Conditions.

1.3 University will award the ITB based on best value criteria. University reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine whether the bid meets specifications.

1.4 University may terminate this Contract, without cause, upon 30 days written notice to Contractor. University does not guarantee that Contractor will receive any specific amount of work under the Service Agreement.

1.5 University reserves the right to reject any bid if the Bidder fails to satisfactorily convince the University that the Bidder is properly qualified by experience and/or facilities to carry out the obligation of the agreement and to satisfactorily complete all the agreement requirements.

1.6 This is a DO-A7 rated order certified for National Defense Use, and the Contractor shall follow all the requirements of the Defense Priorities and Allocations System Regulation (15 CFR 700).

1.7 Group Purchasing Authority

Texas law authorizes institutions of higher education (defined by §61.003, Education Code) to use the group purchasing procurement method (ref. §§51.9335, 73.115, and 74.008, Education Code). Additional Texas institutions of higher education may therefore elect to enter into a contract with the successful Bidder under this ITB. In particular, Bidder should note that University is part of The University of Texas System (UT System), which is comprised of fourteen institutions described at http://www.utsystem.edu/institutions. UT System institutions routinely evaluate whether a contract resulting from a procurement conducted by one of the institutions might be suitable for use by another, and if so, this ITB could give rise to additional purchase volumes. As a result, in submitting its bid, Bidder should consider proposing a pricing model and other commercial terms that take into account the higher volumes and other expanded opportunities that could result from the eventual inclusion of other institutions in the purchase contemplated by this ITB. Any purchases made by other institutions based on this ITB will be the sole responsibility of those institutions.

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1.8 Insurance Requirements

Reference Section 9 of The University of Texas at Austin Purchase Order Terms and Conditions.

1.9 Criminal Background Checks

Each individual assigned to perform Services under the Agreement will be an employee of the Contractor or an employee of a permitted subcontractor engaged by the Contractor. Contractor will be responsible for the performance of all individuals performing the Services. Prior to commencing performance of Services, Contractor will conduct an appropriate criminal background screening on all such individuals and will not knowingly assign any individual to provide Services who have history of criminal conduct unacceptable for a University campus including violent or sexual offenses.

https://policies.utexas.edu/policies/criminal-background-checks

1.10 Certification Required by Texas Governor Executive order GA-48 Pursuant to Executive Order GA-48 of the Governor of Texas effective November 19, 2024, Contractor certifies that it and, if applicable, any of its holding companies or subsidiaries, is not:

1.

Listed in Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA); or

2.

Listed in Section 1260H of the 2021 NDAA; or

3.

Owned by the government of a country on the U.S. Department of Commerce's foreign adversaries list under 15 C.F.R. § 791.4; or

4.

Controlled by any governing or regulatory body located in a country on the U.S. Department of Commerce's foreign adversaries list under 15 C.F.R. § 791.4.

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5. Scope of Work Contractor must provide all labor, materials, equipment, and supplies as necessary to provide Goods.

No substitutions allowed. Vendor must be the manufacturer of the components or must procure the components directly from the manufacturer. Only new, unopened, and authentic product will be accepted. Parts that are found to be other than direct manufacturer parts or parts that have not been handled in accordance with manufacturer's specifications will be rejected and promptly returned to the vendor for a full credit or refund of any payment made. UT Austin documents the origin of parts and will require documentation to determine traceability.

Contractor must provide the following:

Gauntlet Integrated Assembly with Thor T5000, Advanced Active Cooling, WiFi6/BT Module, 1x4TB NVMe

AGX301 Power Supply

Rogue Carrier for AGX Orin 64GB with JCB006 FPD-Link III Cameral Platform

FPD-Link III Camera Board

Forge Integrated Assembly. AGX201-0CD-U Forge Carrier Board integrated with NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin 64GB Module made in USA and Stock Heatspreader

PSU AC/DC 12V. MSG103 AC/DC Power Supply - 12V, 21A 252W +/- 5%, 6PIN MICRO-FIT, works with Forge Carrier for AGX Orin.

CBG448 Power Cord. 6ft long power computer power cord.

5.1 Bidder/Contractor Requirements

A. Equipment must be TAA compliant. Parts that are found to be other than authentic direct manufacturer's parts will be rejected and promptly returned to the vendor for full credit or refund of any payment made. UT at Austin documents the origin of parts and may ask for additional documentation to determine traceability.

5.2 Delivery Timeline

University’s desired delivery date is on or before 6 weeks from order placement. ARL:UT accepts partial deliveries.

5.3 Payment and Invoicing and Acceptance

Contractor must email invoices to payables@arlut.utexas.edu. University must approve all invoices before submitting payment. University will reach out to Contractor regarding any discrepancies.

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6. Pricing and Delivery Schedule

TO:

The University of Texas at Austin

BY:

(Bidder Company Name)

(Address)

(Address of Office that would be providing service under this Agreement)

Number of years in Business:

State of incorporation:

Number of Employees:

Name of Parent Corporation, if any ______________________________

Federal Tax ID #: ______________________________

Having carefully examined all the specifications and requirements of this ITB and any attachments thereto, Bidder proposes to provide Goods upon the terms quoted (firm fixed price) below. The University will not accept bids which include assumptions or exceptions to the work identified in this ITB.

6.1 TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE $__________________________

(Sum of all items noted in Bonfire BidTable) Bidder must provide detailed, itemized pricing as listed in Bonfire BidTable.

6.2 Discount and/or State/GPO Contract Number

Describe all discounts that may be available to University, including educational, federal, state, and local discounts.

Proposed Discounts: _______________

The University of Texas System subscribes to a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) Accreditation Program as noted on the references website.

Any proposal being made under an available GPO contract that is recognized by UT System, shall be noted below for consideration by the University.

GPO Contract Name:

GPO Contract Number:

GPO Contract Term:

GPO Contract Website Link:

6.3 Delivery Schedule

Indicate the number of calendar days needed to commence the Services from the execution of the Contract:

___________ Calendar Days

6.4 F.O.B. Designation

All bids must be based on "F.O.B. destination" delivery terms unless otherwise specified.

6.5 University Payment Terms

University’s standard payment terms are “Net 30 days.” as mandated by the Texas Prompt Payment Act (ref. Chapter 2251, Government Code).

Indicate below the prompt payment discount that Bidder offers:

Prompt Payment Discount: _____%_____days/net 30 days.

Section 51.012, Education Code, authorizes University to make payments through electronic funds transfer methods. Bidder agrees to accept payments from University through those methods, including the automated clearing house system (ACH). Bidder agrees to provide Bidder’s banking information to University in writing on Bidder letterhead signed by an authorized representative of Bidder. Prior to the first payment, University will confirm Bidder’s banking information. Changes to Bidder’s bank information must be communicated to University in writing at least thirty (30) days before the effective date of the change and must include an IRS Form W-9 signed by an authorized representative of Bidder.

University, an agency of the State of Texas, is exempt from Texas Sales & Use Tax on goods and services in accordance with §151.309, Tax Code, and Title 34 TAC §3.322. Pursuant to 34 TAC §3.322(c)(4), University is not required to provide a tax exemption certificate to establish its tax-exempt status.

The University of Texas at Austin has implemented the JP Morgan Chase Single Use Account (SUA) Program as the preferred method of payment. Using this method provides benefit to both the university and the supplier who will have their payment processed immediately. Any questions with regards to the SUA Program can be addressed to PaymentServices@austin.utexas.edu, Note: Your existing merchant interchange fees will apply Please indicate that you will accept payment under this program.

_____ Yes

_____ No

6.6 Price Bid Signature

The information in this ITB is to be utilized solely for preparing the bid response to this ITB and does not constitute a commitment by University to procure any product or service in any volume.

Name:

Title:

Email:

Date:

Signature:

Updated 7/16/2025