Addendum No. 1 for RFP OregonBuys Bid Number S-13700-00004874.pdf

ADDENDUM #1 FOR RFP S-13700-00004874 (Parentage Testing Services)

The purpose of this Addendum #1 to Request for Proposal S-13700-00004874 (“RFP”) is to respond to questions from prospective Proposers submitted by the deadline of March 7, 2023.

A. RESPONSES TO PROSPECTIVE PROPOSER’S QUESTIONS

1. Question: On page 8 paragraph 4 of section 2.3.2 of the RFP we find the following:

Based on historical data, Agency estimates 3,500 parentage tests per year.

Is a parentage test a single sample or all samples in a case (M, C, AF)?

Answer: This is referencing single sample tests.

2. Question: Are the “Estimated number of tests per year” listed on Attachment E - Price Proposal individual samples?

Answer: This is referencing individual samples.

3. Question: Attachment A – Sample Price Agreement has some sections that require vendor responses and/or signatures. Are we correct in our understanding that Attachment A is not required as part of the Offeror submission but instead will need to be submitted by the awarded vendor after notice of award?

Answer: The exhibits under Attachment A – Sample Price Agreement are not required to be completed and signed until after the notice-of-intent to award.

4. Question: In the RFP on page 17 specification 3.2.3.6 we find a request to provide 2 collection kits as part of our submission. Given that the submission is electronic, will it be equally acceptable to the agency if we provide a photographic representation of our kits as an attachment?

Answer: Yes. The sample of the Proposer buccal collection kits may be submitted electronically by a photographic representation of the kits as an attachment.

5. Question: Section 2.4.2.2.7 on RFP page 10 states the following: Contractor must report all inclusions with at least a 99% probability of paternity, using a prior probability of 0.05 as calculated by using the combined paternity index obtained in the testing; and a combined paternity index of at least 100 to 1. We believe that prior probability should be 0.5 as that is the standard prior probability used now in Oregon. Can you confirm the 0.05 is a typographical error and should be 0.5?

Answer: Yes. Agency confirms that prior probability is .5 versus .05. Section 2.4.2.2.7 is amended as follows:

2.4.2.2.7 Contractor must report all inclusions with at least a 99% probability of paternity, using a prior probability of 0.05 0.5 as calculated by using the combined paternity index obtained in the testing; and a combined paternity index of at least 100 to 1.

6. Question: We request that section 2.3.2.1 on page 9 of the RFP be removed or modified to state all buccal swabs will be collected by trained collectors whether they are provided by the vendor or they are an agency representative.

Answer: Agency believes this question is related to section 2.4.2.1.1. Accordingly, section

2.4.2.1.1 is amended as follows:

2.4.2.1.1 Blood draws must be taken by a certified or licensed phlebotomist. Buccal swab specimens must be taken by a trained Specimen Collector or by Authorized Purchaser’s staff trained pursuant to section 2.4.2.12.2.

7. Question: We request section 2.4.2.1.5 on RFP page 9 be changed to read: If the person does not possess photo ID, the Collector shall note this in chain of custody form and obtain a right thumbprint. When necessary, the Collector shall act as a witness to the specimen collection as long as the sample is being collected by the party being tested or another trained collector.

Answer: Section 2.4.2.1.5 is amended as follows:

2.4.2.1.5 If the person does not possess photo ID, the Collector shall note this in chain of custody form and obtain a right thumbprint. When necessary, the Collector shall act as a witness to the specimen collection for any samples that are being collected by the party being tested or another trained collector.

8. Question: We request that specification 2.4.2.6.2 on page 11 of the RFP be identified as a topic for discussion and negotiation after award.

Answer: The Agency will consider this request at the contract negotiation stage.

9. Question: We request subsection 2 of specification 2.4.2.5.1.2 on RFP page 11 be identified as a topic for discussion and negotiation after award.

10. Question: Can the format and utilization of the Affidavit Form described in specification 2.4.2.10 on page 12 of the RFP be a topic for discussion and negotiation after award?

11. Question: Can the format and details of the partial collection report described in specification

2.4.3.2.1 on page 14 of the RFP be designated as a topic for discussion and negotiation after award?

12. Question: Will the agency add the following language at the end of clause 2.15.1 on page 15 of Attachment A Sample Price Agreement?

The Contractor shall be obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Parties only to the extent of the fault of the Contractor.

13. Question: Will the agency consider the following changes to the introductory paragraph of clause

2.17.1 on page 16 of Attachment A Sample Price Agreement?

If Contractor is in default 2.16.1, in addition to the remedies afforded elsewhere in this Price Agreement, Authorized Purchaser may recover any and all direct damages suffered as the result of Contractor’s breach, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental and consequential damages, as provided in ORS 72.7110 to 72.7170. Authorized Purchaser may, at its option, pursue any or all of the remedies available to it under this Contract and at law or in equity, including, but not limited to:

14. Question: Will the agency consider removing email as an option for notification from clause 2.20 on page 18 of Attachment A Sample Price Agreement?

15. Question: Will the agency consider the following changes to this excerpt of clause 3.2 on page 22 of Attachment A Sample Price Agreement?

Contractor shall hold, and shall cause contractor staff to hold, all confidential information in confidence, using the highest standard of care commercially reasonable standard of care applicable, and shall not copy, reproduce, sell, assign, license, market, transfer, distribute, or otherwise dispose of, give, make available or disclose, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, confidential information to third parties (other than its authorized subcontractors), or use confidential information for any purposes whatsoever other than the provision of services to Authorized Purchaser hereunder, and shall advise contractor staff of their obligations to keep confidential information confidential. Contractor shall assist Authorized Purchaser in identifying and preventing any unauthorized use or disclosure of any confidential information. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, contractor shall advise Authorized Purchaser immediately promptly in the event contractor learns or has reason to believe……..

16. Question: Regarding clause 3.3 on page 22 of Attachment A Sample Price Agreement, will our company’s Non-Disclosure Agreement signed at the time of hiring be acceptable?

17. Question: Is the Offeror required to provide an individual response to the specification in sections 3.0/3.2 and also 2.0 of the Scope of Work?

Answer: Section 2 of the RFP is provided for informational purposes on the Scope of Work to be performed. Section 3 provides the requirements for the Proposal submission.

18. Question: Please confirm that Exhibit B example purchase order is included for informational purposes.

Answer: Exhibit B of Attachment A of the RFP, is an example of an ordering instrument that would be submitted by the Agency or Participant to the successful Contractor which, together with the executed Price Agreement resulting from this solicitation, creates a Contract between the Contractor and Agency or Participant, for the purchase of the Services described in the Purchase Order. Purchase Order forms and content may vary from Authorized Purchaser to Authorized Purchaser, however they will all include the language referencing the executed Price Agreement as represented under Exhibit B,

19. Question: Is the disadvantaged business partnership a goal or requirement?

Answer: A goal. Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 200, Agency encourages the participation of small businesses, certified by the Oregon Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (“COBID”) in all contracting opportunities. This includes certified small businesses in the following categories: disadvantaged business enterprise, minority-owned business, woman-owned business, a business that a service-disabled veteran owns or an emerging small business. Agency also encourages joint ventures or subcontracting with certified small business enterprises.

20. Question: Does an affiliation with a disadvantaged business impact scoring or change the likelihood of an award?

Answer: As noted under Attachment F of the RFP, the information submitted in response to the Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach Plan will not be considered in any scored evaluation.

However, to be considered for evaluation, Attachment H must be completed and returned with the Proposal submission.

21. Question: Will the agency allow pricing to be negotiable during renewal years?

22. Question: Are there any background check requirements for vendor staff involved in this project?

Answer: The requirements regarding confidentiality and non-disclosure are detailed under Section 3 of Attachment A of the RFP. The background check requirements for Contractor staff are the responsibility of the Contractor to determine and manage in accordance with Federal and State laws, as well as industry standards.

23. Question: In the table within section 2.4.2.5.1.2. on RFP page 11 there is a requirement to provide notification of appearance or fail to appear within two (2) days and within section 2.4.2.7 also on RFP page 11 there is a requirement to notify of non-appearance within 24 hours. While the vendor can accomplish two (2) day notification for collections that are scheduled locally at the Authorized Purchaser sites, we would like to request five (5) business days to report non-appearance for parties scheduled by the Vendor such as out of area collections and interstate collections.

Answer: The Agency will consider the request regarding the table in section 2.4.2.5.1.2 at the contract negotiation stage. Section 2.4.2.7 is amended as follows:

2.4.2.7 Absences by Scheduled Parties

Contractor shall notify Requestor within the timeframes identified in the table under section 2.4.2.5.1.2, 24 hours if any person scheduled for a collection fails to appear. For rush collection requests, Contractor shall notify Requestor within the same business day if any person scheduled for a collection, fails to appear.

END OF ADDENDUM