96631 - NOI Portable Driving Simulators December 2023_12_29_2023~1.docx

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Executive Office of Health and Human Services Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

600 Washington Street Boston MA 02111

Notice of Intent

Best Value Award – Portable Driving Simulators

COMMBUYS Bid#: BD-24-1071-AO-CON01-96631

Agency Document Number: Portable Driving Simulators NOI - 24

Issued:December 29, 2023

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) is publishing this Notice of Intent to make a Best Value Award to Drive Square, Inc, a qualified vendor for the procurement of two (2) Portable Driving Simulator packages including necessary on-site training.

The award allows MRC and its driver evaluation and training providers to streamline driver evaluations for people with disabilities receiving MRC vocational rehabilitation services.

1. Purpose of the Portable Driving Simulators Scope of Activities by Drive Square, INC

The MRC assists individuals with disabilities to live and work independently. MRC is one of the two state agencies that are responsible for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) in Massachusetts, and in this capacity is federally mandated to develop partnerships with corporate and non-profit entities that can provide training and experience that will result in integrated-competitive employment for persons with disabilities. MRC also incorporates a Community Living (CL) Division, which provides goods and services that enable consumers to live independently in a community setting, including Housing, Transition Services, Adaptive Housing, Vehicle Modification, Driving Evaluations and Training and Assistive Technology.

· Deliverable: Stage 1: Production and delivery of two (2) portable driving simulator packages.

· Deliverable: Stage 2: Training of MRC and contracted driver evaluation and training vendors personnel on the use of the portable driving simulator packages.

2. Statement of Work Amount and Duration

MRC will award $47,550.00 to Drive Square, Inc. for delivery, initial set up and training of two (2) DS-565-PRO Basic Drive Square Driving Simulators.

MRC may at its discretion request additional tasks related to deliverables 1 and 2; such services will not exceed a total maximum obligation of $50,000.00. The vendor may not commence work activities or submit invoices for any additional services until an amendment to the scope of services has been signed by both parties.

Production and Delivery Schedule:

Production of Portable Driving Simulators shall be initiated upon execution of the contract and delivery shall be completed by July 1, 2024.

Training on use of the Simulators shall be completed no later than August 31, 2024.

3. The Selection of Drive Square, Inc: Necessary, Efficient, Supports the Purposes and Addresses the Challenges of the project implementation.

MRC believes that the selection of Drive Square, Inc. is necessary, efficient and warranted due to sole source nature of the procured equipment as well as due to experience of the company in producing and implementation of similar projects in different environments, including but not limited to the federal, state and local government entities and agencies. The project received federal RSA approval, as it clearly streamlines business operations, and will benefit both the agency and vendors staff and consumer populations. It is important to complete the project as expeditiously as possible, to streamline services to consumers and to start realizing saving through expedited and more precise driving evaluations.

MRC finds that the selection of Drive Square, Inc, without an open public process, is fair and reasonable, necessary, and supports the need for efficient implementation. Awarding these funds to Drive Square Inc is a best value for the Commonwealth; it allows MRC to leverage the existing investment in the high-tech evaluation vehicles (previously approved by RSA), engage with a business partner who is familiar with all aspects of the project, and proceed with a reasonable plan for implementation that should put the agency in a good position to receive RSA approval.

4. Contact and Award Timeline

Please submit any comments regarding this Notice of Intent to James Novello, at james.w.novello@mass.gov. All comments must be submitted within 9 business days of this posting.

The term of this Notice of Intent will terminate on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 4PM

The benefits to MRC and the Commonwealth include successful utilization of portable driving simulators to provide initial driving evaluations to MRC consumers without necessarily putting them on the road immediately. This would enhance consumer experience, reduce anxiety, produce early preliminary decisions about ability to drive with adaptive equipment, produce more precise prescriptions for such equipment and reduce potential liability to MRC vendors and to the Commonwealth. Additionally, the simulators will allow to reduce evaluation time and potentially the cost of the evaluations.

The MRC publishes this notice to provide a public opportunity for comment or counter proposals. If any firm, corporation or entity wishes to submit a counter proposal, please submit a written detailed description of such proposal by Friday, January 12, 2024, at 4 PM, to:

James Novello, Director of Contracts Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission 600 Washington Street, 2nd floor Boston, Massachusetts 02111

MRC will evaluate any submissions and, if warranted, subsequently give notice for a Request for Response.

image1.png image2.png image3.png