Award Document

State Purchasing Division Phone: 404-657-6000 200 Piedmont Avenue SE Suite 1804 West Tower Atlanta, Georgia 30334-9010 Fax: 404-657-8444 www.doas.ga.gov

Brian P. Kemp Governor

Rebecca N. Sullivan Commissioner

November 21, 2022

VIA E-MAIL

Ms. Debra Chandler, President Debra Chandler Mediation Services, LLC 233 Glory Lane Powder Springs, GA 30127 Summerskyler@aol.com

RE: Protest Regarding RFQ 40500-DPH0000190 “BCW Mediation Services”

Dear Ms. Chandler:

This letter is in response to Debra Chandler Mediation Services, LLC protest of the above referenced bid.

On October 12, 2021, the Georgia Department of Public Health (“DPH”) issued RFQ 40500-DPH0000190 entitled “BCW Mediation Services”. The solicitation closed on November 15, 2021.1

In your protest, you have documented numerous attempts to contact DPH regarding the status of the procurement and your bid submission. Acknowledging that there were numerous deficiencies in communication, DPH has indicated to DOAS that it will be issuing a contract to your business.2 DPH’s corrective action in extending a contract to your business will render your protest moot. If DPH does not extend a contract to your business by December 15, 2022, DOAS will fully rule on your protest.

There are nuances to competitive sealed bidding that may be novel for small businesses. For example, the issuing officer will not have access to review your bid until after the close of the solicitation because the State conducts competitive sealed bidding. Additionally, there is limited ability for suppliers to cure deficiencies in bids after close of the solicitation. DOAS would like to ensure that you are in a strong position to respond to future procurement opportunities offered by the State.

1 As of the date of your protest, a Notice of Intent to Award (“NOIA”) had not been issued; however, DOAS learned from DPH that contracts had been executed, which is a deviation from standard procurement procedures.

2 DPH has also indicated that no contract is expected to exceed the competitive bid threshold of $24,999.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A3ED93D-5EEA-49BB-9ED2-E7B1FE2D2097

Ms. Debra Chandler November 21, 2022

State Purchasing Division Phone: 404-657-6000 200 Piedmont Avenue SE Suite 1804 West Tower Atlanta, Georgia 30334-9010 Fax: 404-657-8444 www.doas.ga.gov

I have copied Ms. Julian Bailey, DOAS’s Small Business and Supplier Diversity Manager, who will be able to assist you with enrolling in supplier training, which will provide you with additional information regarding the State’s electronic bidding system and the State’s procurement processes.

Sincerely, Jim Barnaby Deputy Commissioner cc: Jamillia Valentine; Jamillia.valentine@dph.ga.gov Julian Bailey, Small Business and Supplier Diversity Manager: Julian.Bailey@doas.ga.gov

DocuSign Envelope ID: 4A3ED93D-5EEA-49BB-9ED2-E7B1FE2D2097 mailto:Jamillia.valentine@dph.ga.gov mailto:Julian.Bailey@doas.ga.gov