BOP-1305 Solicitation Addendum Form - Addendum 3.docx

SOLICITATION ADDENDUM

To All Suppliers:

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania defines a solicitation “Addendum” as an addition to or amendment of the original terms, conditions, specifications, or instructions of a procurement solicitation (e.g., Invitation for Bids or Request for Proposals).

List any and all changes:

Q1. How can the department issue an RFQ without the language surrounding SDB or instructions as to how SDBs would be considered/calculated. Citing Title 62, Section 2104 (5), which states that DGS must “assure that small and disadvantaged businesses are solicited on each procurement for which the businesses may be suited.”

A1. The Small Business Reserve (SBR) is a program that is intended to enhance the opportunities of certified small businesses by restricting the solicitation to only certified small businesses. It is a race and gender neutral program and is the first consideration when looking at solicitations. If there are sufficient certified small businesses in the field, agencies would consider doing the solicitation as an SBR. If an SBR is not deemed appropriate by the agency, the Department’s goal setting policy would then come into play for solicitations $250,000 and over. The Court Reporting IFB is being issued as an SBR. As such, no goals were be set for this IFB and thus no instructions are needed.

Q2. Will points be applied at the RFQ level for SDB? If so, how would an agency know how to apply the SDB points and how would bidders know what is important information to submit?

A2. It is important to note that the Department’s goal setting policy does not utilize scoring or points. For each appropriate procurement, a participation goal is established for SDB and for VBE participation. This is based upon data from the last diversity study and a review of the number of certified SDBs and VBEs registered in PA. However, it is important to note that this specific IFB does not have goals set as it is an SBR, as explained above.

Q3. Is DGS still applying their rule about women-owned prime contractors not receiving consideration absent other SDB criteria being met?

A3. No. All certified small businesses will be treated the same and award(s) resulting from Requests for Quotes against the vendors on contract will be made upon cost and any additional best value considerations.

Type of Solicitation: Electronic Bid (SRM) - Review the Questions section of your solicitation response to ensure you have responded, as required, to any questions relevant to solicitation addenda issued subsequent to the initial advertisement of the solicitation opportunity.

Except as clarified and amended by this Addendum, the terms, conditions, specifications, and instructions of the solicitation and any previous solicitation addenda, remain as originally written.

Respectfully,

BOP-1305

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