120_State+Contract+Summary.docx

ND STATE CONTRACT INFORMATION

CONTRACT INTRODUCTION

This contract is for Acquisition Subject Matter Experts to supplement current lack of knowledge and expertise in any one or many areas of the acquisition lifecycle. This contract is not intended to be utilized to provide staff augmentation services.

CONTRACT SERVICES

Services expected include:

· acquisition planning assistance, including market research and recommending procurement strategy

· acquisition document development including cost/price estimates, quality assurance surveillance plans, statements for work, synopses, solicitations, price negotiation memoranda, etc.

· expert assistance in supporting proposal evaluations, including price/cost analysis or technical proposal analysis

· contract administration support services, including assistance reviewing contractor performance, development of contract modifications, and investigating reports of contract discrepancies

· contract close-out assistance

· competitive sourcing support, including strategic sourcing studies, privatization studies, public-private partnerships

Note - It is important to recognize, however, that the government/state/city organization has fundamental inherent government functions that should not be delegated to a vendor. When it relates to acquisition, the only people who should be making final decisions should be government personnel.

CONTRACTOR INFORMATION

Check the State contract website for the contractor and contract administrator information.

COOPERATIVE PURCHASING

This Participating Addendum is a cooperative purchasing Participating Addendum established pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 54-44.4-13. This Participating Addendum is made available to state entities, institutions under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Higher Education, other government entities (including counties, cities, townships, public primary and secondary educational entities, governmental boards and commissions), nonprofit entities established on behalf of public entities, tribal agencies, transportation providers under N.D.C.C ch. 39-04.2, and the International Peace Garden.

CONTRACTORS

The contract is available with a limited number of vendors at this time; however, under the NASPO ValuePoint Master Contract award, several vendors have been awarded. If the current vendor cannot meet your needs, another vendor may be a fit. Contact the contract administrator if you would like to discuss other vendor availability.

HOW TO GET STARTED

You can discuss the needed work with the vendor(s) to be performed and create a scope of work that will be executed between your agency/entity and the vendor.

You will want to give consideration to the following items and determine if you want to incorporate into your scope of work:

· Retainage: Deliverable payments may be subject to 15% retainage. Retained amounts due to Contractor shall be paid upon Final Acceptance.

· Travel: Participating Entity may reimburse Contractor for expenses related to travel at amounts not to exceed those outlined below:

1. Lodging: Reimbursement shall not exceed the then-current, published GSA rate for the travel location. Copies of receipts are required for lodging reimbursement. Participating Entity shall not reimburse for incidental and miscellaneous expenses charged to the room, including: alcohol, telephone charges, or entertainment (e.g., movies).

2. Transportation: Air travel shall be reimbursed by Participating Entity at the actual cost of airfare for coach class travel only. Contractor shall make air travel arrangements at least fourteen (14) days in advance whenever possible. Reimbursement for rented, chartered, or contracted vehicle transportation shall be limited to reasonable rates as determined by Participating Entity.

3. Meals: Meals shall be paid on a per diem basis for each day of travel at then-current, published GSA per diem rate for the travel location. Per diem for the first and last day of travel shall be paid at seventy-five percent (75%) of the GSA per diem rate. Requests for per diem payments must include the start and end dates of travel, the location where the services are performed, and the allowable per diem amount for each trip on the billing/invoice.

Payment for any travel expenses that exceed the travel budget as agreed upon by the parties must be approved by Participating Entity’s project manager.

For reference, the contract states the following regarding deliverable acceptance:

· Deliverable Acceptance:

1. Participating Entity will define deliverables to be performed using a Scope of Work. Upon completion of a deliverable, Contractor will furnish Participating Entity with the deliverable and associated documentation, the expected performance, and agreed upon Acceptance Criteria.

2. Participating Entity will accept in writing or via email. If Participating Entity rejects it, Participating Entity will specify in writing its grounds for rejection and Contractor shall use its best efforts to revise any issues for the deliverables to be acceptable to Participating Entity within the following five (5) working days. If Participating Entity rejects it a second time, Participating Entity will have the option of repeating the procedure as described in this acceptance statement above or terminating this Participating Addendum upon written notice to Contractor.

· Final Acceptance:

1. The successful completion of all deliverables as stated in the Scope of Work in accordance with the deliverable acceptance process AND

2. Participating Entity has thirty (30) calendar days thereafter in which to accept or reject all deliverables in writing or via email. If Participating Entity rejects it, Participating Entity shall specify in writing or via email its grounds for rejection and Contractor shall use its best efforts to revise any issues for Final Acceptance to be completed within an agreed upon timeframe.

PRICING FOR SERVICES

Pricing is structured at an hourly rate and as you develop your scope of work, you may contract for work at the hourly rate with a not to exceed amount or request the vendor to provide you a flat amount for the work requested. Hourly rates can be found in the attachments section of the state contract listing.

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