Amendment 1.docx

SAP

State of South Carolina

Request for Proposal Amendment 1 Solicitation:

Date Issued:

Procurement Officer:

Phone:

E-Mail Address:

Mailing Address:

5400027189 10/1/2024

ZACH YARBROUGH

803-896-0284 zyarbrough@mmo.sc.gov SFAA, Div. of Procurement Services, 1201 Main Street, Suite 600 Columbia SC 29201

DESCRIPTION: IRA HOMES and HEAR Rebate Program

USING GOVERNMENTAL UNIT: Office of Regulatory Staff

SUBMIT YOUR OFFER ON-LINE AT THE FOLLOWING URL: http://www.procurement.sc.gov

SUBMIT OFFER BY (Opening Date/Time): 10/08/2024 10/11/2024 11:00 ET. (See "Deadline For Submission Of Offer" provision)

QUESTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY: 09/19/2024 16:00 ET.

(See "Questions From Offerors" provision)

NUMBER OF COPIES TO BE SUBMITTED: Two (2) Online submissions – One (1) Original and One (1) Redacted Copy Initial here if NO redacted copy is necessary___________ See Section II A “Submitting Confidential Information”

CONFERENCE TYPE: Pre-Proposal Conference DATE & TIME: 09/19/2024 at 13:30 ET.

(As appropriate, see "Conferences - Pre-Bid/Proposal" & "Site Visit" provisions)

LOCATION:

Virtual – Contact Procurement Officer for access information

(See Section IIB “Conference – Pre-Bid/Proposal” clause)

You must submit a signed copy of this form with Your Offer. By signing, You agree to be bound by the terms of the Solicitation. You agree to hold Your Offer open for a minimum of ninety (90) calendar days after the Opening Date.

(See "Signing Your Offer" provision.)

NAME OF OFFEROR

(full legal name of business submitting the offer) Any award issued will be issued to, and the contract will be formed with, the entity identified as the Offeror. The entity named as the offeror must be a single and distinct legal entity. Do not use the name of a branch office or a division of a larger entity if the branch or division is not a separate legal entity, i.e., a separate corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

(Person must be authorized to submit binding offer to contract on behalf of Offeror.)

DATE SIGNED

TITLE

(business title of person signing above)

STATE VENDOR NO.

(Register to Obtain S.C. Vendor No. at www.procurement.sc.gov)

PRINTED NAME

(printed name of person signing above)

STATE OF INCORPORATION

(If you are a corporation, identify the state of incorporation.)

OFFEROR'S TYPE OF ENTITY: (Check one) (See "Signing Your Offer" provision.)

___ Sole Proprietorship ___ Partnership ___ Other_____________________________

___ Corporate entity (not tax-exempt) ___ Corporation (tax-exempt) ___ Government entity (federal, state, or local)

COVER PAGE - ON-LINE ONLY (MAR. 2015)

SAP

SAP

PAGE TWO

(Return Page Two with Your Offer) HOME OFFICE ADDRESS (Address for offeror's home office / principal place of business)

NOTICE ADDRESS (Address to which all procurement and contract related notices should be sent.) (See "Notice" clause)

_________________________________________________ Area Code - Number - Extension Facsimile

_________________________________________________ E-mail Address

PAYMENT ADDRESS (Address to which payments will be sent.) (See "Payment" clause)

____Payment Address same as Home Office Address ____Payment Address same as Notice Address (check only one) ORDER ADDRESS (Address to which purchase orders will be sent) (See "Purchase Orders and "Contract Documents" clauses)

____Order Address same as Home Office Address ____Order Address same as Notice Address (check only one)

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

Offerors acknowledges receipt of amendments by indicating amendment number and its date of issue. (See "Amendments to Solicitation" Provision)

DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See "Discount for Prompt Payment" clause)

PREFERENCES - A NOTICE TO VENDORS (SEP. 2009):

Preferences do NOT apply to Requests for Proposals per SC Consolidated Procurement Code §11-35-1524(E)(5)

PREFERENCES - ADDRESS AND PHONE OF IN-STATE OFFICE:

Preferences do NOT apply to Requests for Proposals per SC Consolidated Procurement Code §11-35-1524(E)(5)

PAGE TWO (SEP 2009)

End of PAGE TWO

This procurement is being conducted pursuant to the provisions of S.C. Code Section 11-35-1570 in accordance with 2024 S.C. Acts 226, Part 1B, Proviso 73.9.

AMENDMENTS TO SOLICITATION (JAN 2004)

(a) The Solicitation may be amended at any time prior to opening. All actual and prospective Offerors should monitor the following web site for the issuance of Amendments: www.procurement.sc.gov (b) Offerors shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this solicitation (1) by signing and returning the amendment, (2) by identifying the amendment number and date in the space provided for this purpose on Page Two, (3) by letter, or (4) by submitting a bid that indicates in some way that the bidder received the amendment. (c) If this solicitation is amended, then all terms and conditions which are not modified remain unchanged. [02-2A005-1]

QUESTIONS FROM OFFERORS - AMENDMENT (JUN 2017)

The solicitation is amended as provided herein. Information or changes resulting from questions will be shown in a question-and-answer format. All questions received have been reprinted below. The “state’s response” should be read without reference to the questions. The questions are included solely to provide a cross-reference to the potential Offeror that submitted the question. Questions do not form a part of the contract; the “state’s response” does. Any restatement of part or all of an existing provision of the solicitation in an answer does not modify the original provision except as follows: underlined text is added to the original provision. Stricken text is deleted. [02-2A097-1]

1. Can SCEO confirm that the selected contractor would assist with the HOME/HEAR program applications in addition to providing the blueprint?

SCEO anticipates that the selected Contractor will assist with the HOMES/HEAR program applications and blueprints assuming a Contract is awarded prior to January 2025.

2. Does SCEO anticipate additional proposals or contracts for this program beyond implementation?

Please see Section III, Subparagraph 8. The State intents to separately compete the implementation of the HOMES and HEAR Programs.

3. In Part IV, item 6. of the proposal is it anticipated that the proposer should draft the following or provide similar work? Specifically is it anticipated by SCEO that the proposer is to develop both a sample blueprint and sample engagement plan as part of this response?

SCEO anticipates that the Offeror develop both a sample blueprint and a sample engagement plan as part of this response. The sample Blueprint, including components, and the sample Stakeholder Engagement Plan for both HOMES and HEAR Programs are to demonstrate to the SCEO that the Offeror is familiar with the requirements of the HOMES and HEAR Programs.

"Attachments

1. Sample Blueprint to include:

0. Community Benefits Plan;

0. Education and Outreach Strategy;

0. Consumer Protection Plan;

0. Utility Data Access Plan (for HOMES only);

0. Privacy and Security Risk Assessment for State Systems; and

0. Market Transformation Plan

1. Sample Stakeholder Engagement Plan"

4. What does SEOC consider a reasonable sample size for review of the blueprint and plan documents given their length? SCEO considers a reasonable sample size for review of the blueprint and plan documents to be limited to no more than 3 pages for each section of the sample Blueprint.

5. Attachments request sample blueprints and stakeholder engagement plan. Given these blueprints are specific to the State's they are created for, and most in draft form pending our continued work with states to complete these, and/or DOE review and approval - these are proprietary to the individual state. Providing a sample would consist of a highly redacted document (if a state would even allow for sharing of an active draft). Otherwise, this would require creation of a sample blueprint for SCEO - which can be found on DOE's website and would not be demonstrative of a contractors ability to complete these documents. Would SCEO consider removing this requirement or could you specify what is being sought out as a sample?

Please see the answer to Question 3. SCEO will not consider removing this requirement.

6. Services provided under this solicitation are to be funded with early administrative funds, which are not to exceed 5% of the overall allocation. What percentage of these funds does SCEO envision using internally so respondents can budget accordingly? Is there a not to exceed price for this solicitation?

The State has not specified the SCEO allocation.

7. Is SCEO amenable to respondents creating their own milestones for pricing, timeline, and invoicing purposes, or are there preferred milestones SCEO would like to see?

The State is requesting Offerors to create milestones and the timeline for completing the work described in Section III.

8. Does the State require sample blueprints prepared for submission to US DOE on behalf of other clients? If not, what are the minimum requirements of the sample blueprints?

SCEO does not require sample blueprints prepared for submission to US DOE on behalf of other clients, but will accept these to meet the requirements of the solicitation.

9. Does the required sample stakeholder engagement plan need to be specifically for the HOMES and HEAR programs? Or can the sample stakeholder engagement plan be from another Federal or state program?

See response to Questions 3 and 8.

10. With bid / proposal as offer to contract provision in the RFP, our proposals will require more reviews throughout organizations since the full proposal becomes part of the contract. Given this, can the due date for the proposal submissions be extended by at least one week? If no extension of the due date is available, can this provision be removed?

The State will not offer extension and the Provision will not be removed.

11. If SCEO elects to accept an offer and enter into a contract with a bidder without discussions or negotiations with the winning bidder, what are the processes and timelines associated with finalizing and encumbering the resulting contract?

If the State does not elect to conduct discussions or negotiations, the Intent to Award will be published on the date listed on this amendment or, if applicable, the most recent notice of extension of award.

12. Are there additional contract terms that we can review prior to our proposal submission that will become part of the contract?

All contract terms are specified or referenced in the solicitation, unless amended by this Amendment, or Federal, State, and/or Local Laws.

13. Regarding the Drug free workplace act: Can you elaborate further on the provisions described in SC Code of Laws Title 44 -Health, Chapter 107? “ 1) "Drug-free workplace" means a site for the performance of work done in connection with a specific grant or contract of an entity at which employees of the entity are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.” Is this for a specific site that staff may work at? If the vendor does not have an office in SC, does this apply. This is the first time we have seen this provision for IRA planning and would appreciate more explanation.

§ 44-107-30 references that the person (receiving the contract) has certified to the using agency that [the Contractor] will provide a drug-free workplace… To the Procurement Officer’s belief, this provision applies regardless of the physical location of the Contractor’s Office. See the following link for more information: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t44c107.php

14. The RFP references needing a sample Stakeholder Engagement Plan: how does this differ from the stakeholder engagement portions of the Community Benefits Plan and Education and Outreach Plan? If you are requesting a sample Stakeholder Engagement Plan, can you share what elements you want it to include?

See response to Question 3.

15. For the Future Stipulations section mentioned in the Scope of Work / Specifications section, do these stipulations refer only to the Prime Contractor for this planning RFP or to their subcontractors? For example, if we bring on a subcontractor that might want to prime the implementation, could that be a concern to the SCEO?

Section III, Subparagraph 8 applies to Subcontractors as well as the Prime Contractor. See the clauses titled ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST (JUL 2023) and DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR UNFAIR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE (JUL 2023) for additional information.

16. Will the RFP for program implementation be released during the timeframe that this contract would be effective or after? If during the timeframe, would you see a conflict of interest if a subcontractor on planning chose to bid as a prime contractor on implementation? What if they were just subcontractors on both?

At this time, the State is unsure if the RFP for program implementation will be released during the timeframe that this contract would be effective or after. The State is responsible for mitigating and/or avoiding Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI). As such, each potential OCI will be addressed as it arises. See the response to Question 15 for additional information.

17. Can you elaborate on what you want to see with Sample Blueprints including all components? Many that we are working on are not yet finalized and are subject to extended discussions with the DOE.

See Question 3.

18. Is the SCEO participating in a DOE IRA cohort? If yes, which cohort, and what are the requirements (e.g., timelines) for that cohort?

At this time, SCEO is not committed to any DOE IRA cohort and/or their timeline requirements.

19. On page 13, Section II. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS -- B. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS, CONTENTS OF OFFER (RFP) (FEB 2015), states “(c) The contents of your offer must be divided into two parts, the technical proposal and the business proposal. Each part should be bound in a single volume.” In section IV. INFORMATION FOR OFFERORS TO SUBMIT, the solicitation does not define which sections of the proposal are technical proposal and business proposal. Please define how the proposal is divided into technical proposal and business proposal.

Offerors shall bind their offer as stated in Section IV INFORMATION FOR OFFERORS TO SUBMIT -- EVALUATION (MODIFIED). Subparagraph (c) of CONTENTS OF OFFER (RFP) (FEB 2015) is hereby stricken.

20. Are there file size limitations when submitting the offer on-line through South Carolina Enterprise Information System (SCEIS)?

There are no file size limitations when submitting the offer on-line through SCEIS.

21. On page 15, Section III. SCOPE OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS, Number 6. Milestone Dates, states, “Contractor shall begin providing services within 30 days following the Contract Effective Date…” Does SCEO have an anticipated contract execution date?

The Intent to Award will be published on the date listed on this amendment or, if applicable, the most recent notice of extension of award. Work shall commence following the Contract effective date and issuance of a Purchase Order.

22. On page 15, Section III. SCOPE OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS Number 6. Milestone Dates, states, “Contractor shall begin providing services within 30 days following the Contract Effective Date. Remaining milestones will be as listed in Contractor’s proposal unless negotiated by the State. Currently, the deadline for HOMES and HEAR full-funding applications is January 31, 2025. Remaining milestones will be as listed in Contractor’s proposal unless negotiated by the State. Currently, the deadline for HOMES and HEAR full-funding applications is January 31, 2025…” Has SCEO begun any pre-work on the applications or stakeholder engagement?

SCEO has begun some preliminary work on their application.

23. In reference to page 16, Section III. SCOPE OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS, Number 8. Future Stipulations, does SCEO intend to issue a separate RFP for the implementation phase?

See the response to Question 2.

24. On page 16, Section III. SCOPE OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS, Number 8. Future Stipulations, states, “SCEO intends on awarding a separate Contract in the future implementation of the HOMES and HEAR Programs. At this time, the Contractor is not precluded from competing in the HOMES and HEAR Implementation solicitation. Contractor must not create HOMES and HEAR programs in a proprietary manner. If the Contractor creates an Organizational Conflict of Interest, the Contractor will be excluded from the intended HOMES and HEAR Implementation solicitation.” Can SCEO confirm that Contractors may use proprietary methods to create HOMES and HEAR applications and blueprints with the understanding that the applications and blueprint plans themselves will not be proprietary?

Offerors may use proprietary methods to create HOMES and HEAR applications and blueprints with the understanding that the applications and blueprint plans themselves will not be proprietary.

25. Page 18, Section IV. INFORMATION FOR OFFERORS TO SUBMIT, Section 6. Attachments, indicates Sample Blueprint to include in the proposal. Can SCEO clarify what is expected in the submission of sample Blueprints?

See the response to Question 3.

26. In reference to page 23, Section VII. TERMS AND CONDITIONS – A. GENERAL, ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST, would the State of South Carolina find it to be a conflict of interest to bid on this opportunity if a bidder also holds a contract with the US DOE that puts them in a position to provide feedback on US DOE's approval of South Carolina’s selection of a contractor under this opportunity, and or provides consulting services that may include review and approval of South Carolina (or another State's) application for funding to the US DOE prepared with the support of a competing vendor?

The State does not currently consider this scenario to be a conflict of interest in South Carolina. However, if the Offeror holding a contract with USDOE is awarded this Contract, they will be required to disclose this Contract to USDOE’s Program and Contracting Officer (or their designee).

27. Please provide the sample contract for this solicitation.

The final contract will be bound as listed in the clause titled “CONTRACT DOCUMENTS & ORDER OF PRECEDENCE (MAY 2024)” image1.png