ESBD_392433_1737664166989_TMD25-TSG-0036758 Digital Services for Recruiting Final.pdf

TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

SOLICITATION

NIGP Codes

915-10 Advertising, Digital

SOLICITATION NO.

TMD25-TSG-0036758

TYPE OF SOLICITATION

INVITATION FOR BID

(IFB)

DATE ISSUED

1/23/2025

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) – Digital Services for Recruiting

Respondent must submit their responses via email to:

procurement@military.texas.gov no later than 2:00 P.M. local time on 2/13/2025

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kristine A. Brock

Purchaser, CTCD, CTCM

Contract Administrator

PHONE: (512) 782-3040

EMAIL: Procurement@military.texas.gov

RESPONSE (Respondent must fully complete)

DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT

PAYMENT:

10 DAYS

20 DAYS

30 DAYS

___ DAYS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF

ADDENDA:

Respondent acknowledges receipt of solicitation addenda and related documents numbered and dated:

ADDENDU

M NO.

DATE ADDENDU

M NO.

DATE

NAME AND ADDRESS

OF Respondent:

RESPONSE DATE

TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code)

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

CERTIFICATION, DISQUALIFICATION, and REMEDIES By signing this document, Respondent represents and warrants that all statements, certifications, and information submitted in response to this solicitation are true, current, complete, and accurate.

Failure to sign will disqualify response. TMD may pursue and enforce any available remedies against the Respondent for making false statements, including disqualifying the Respondent’s response, immediately cancelling any Contract awarded to Contractor, or recommending State of Texas debarment.

TERM, PRICING, and FUNDING The initial Contract term is effective on the effective date stated in the notice of award (or purchase order if there is no notice of award) and expires one (1) year from that effective date.

TMD will not allow changes after Date of Award to terms or pricing during the term of the Contract. The continuation of the Contract for any period is subject to the availability of TMD’s funding source for the Contract.

mailto:procurement@military.texas.gov mailto:Kristine.Brock@military.texas.gov

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SECTION A—DEFINITIONS

SECTION B—SERVICES AND PRICES

B.1 PRICING REQUIREMENTS

B.1.1 Pricing Instructions B.1.2 Financial Rating Report, Financial Resources, and Ability to Perform

B.2 INVOICE REQUIREMENTS

B.3 PAYMENTS

B.3.2 Payment Adjustment B.3.3 Late Payment B.3.4 Deductions for Unacceptable Compliance B.3.5 Withholding of Payment B.3.6 Debts and Delinquencies B.3.7 Right to Offset

B.4 MANDATORY PRICING SCHEDULE

Contract Term Pricing

SECTION C - SPECIFICATIONS

C.1 INTRODUCTION

C.2 Statement of Work…………………………………………………………………………….. 10

C.3 SPECIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

C.4 TMD PERSONNEL

C.4.1. TMD’s Contract Administrator C.4.2 TMD’s Project Manager

SECTION D—CONTRACT COMPLIANCE REPORTS AND DATA

SECTION E—INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO RESPONDENTS

E.1 RESPONSE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

E.2 AMENDMENTS TO THE SOLICITATION

E.3 LATE SUBMISSIONS, MODIFICATIONS AND WITHDRAWALS OF RESPONSES

E.4 SIGNATURES ON RESPONSE SUBMITTED

E.5 RESPONSE ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

E.6 CONTRACT AWARD

E.7 TMD’s RIGHTS

E.8 RESPONSE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

E.8.1 Volume One – Contract Forms and Required Response Information E.8.2 Volume Two – Information Section E.8.3 Pricing Schedule

E.9 DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE

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E.10 SUBMISSIONS SUBJECT TO THE Texas public information act

E.11 AGENCY POSTING OF CONTRACTS……………………………………………………………………………………………. 19

E.12 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SECTION F—EVALUATION CRITERIA

SECTION G—LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

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SECTION A—DEFINITIONS

The following terms and acronyms used in the solicitation have the meanings given in this section unless the context indicates otherwise.

“Bid” means the Respondent’s response to this solicitation. A Bid is an offer to contract based upon the terms, conditions, and specifications contained within the solicitation. Bids do not become contracts until they are accepted through an open market purchase order.

“Respondent” means the individual, business entity, or organization that submits a response in reply to this solicitation with intent to contract with TMD.

“Business Days” means Monday through Friday except for federal, state, and legal holidays observed by the State of Texas.

“Business Hours” means 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time.

“Contract” means this formal, written, and legally enforceable agreement between TMD and Contractor.

“Contractor” means the individual, business or other entity awarded the contract. In the context of submitting a response, “Contractor” also means “Respondent” and “Contractor.”

“Date of Award” means the date the contract is fully executed.

“Days” means calendar days unless otherwise specified.

“TMD” means the Texas Military Department of the State of Texas, a state agency in the executive branch created under Texas Government Code Chapter 437.

“Fiscal Year” means any of the one (1) year periods beginning September 1 and ending August 31 used for annual budgetary purposes by the State of Texas.

“Parties” means Contractor and TMD.

“Contractor” means the individual, business entity, or organization at any stage in the procurement or contracting process (prior to response, during response, and after contract award).

“Vendor” means the individual, business entity, or organization at any stage in the procurement or contracting process (prior to response, during response, and after contract award).

“POC” means Point of Contact

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SECTION B—SERVICES AND PRICES

B.1 PRICING REQUIREMENTS

B.1.1 Pricing Instructions

A. TMD seeks a Contractor that will provide the commodities or services described in Section C, Specifications on a no minimum, as needed, as requested basis. Pricing may be firm fixed price for the services requested and authorized by TMD as provided under the Contract. Respondent must price the response on this basis.

B. Contractor must deliver and provide the services in compliance with all requirements of the

Contract with such payment to be processed by TMD after TMD’s receipt, testing and acceptance of the services.

C. Respondent must submit a response that include all costs, fees, licenses, and expenses for

Contractor’s delivery of the services and performance under the Contract and will represent Contractor’s sole compensation under the Contract. No minimum compensation is guaranteed under the Contract. No payments may be approved or made prior to TMD’s acceptance as provided in the Contract.

D. TMD reserves the right to make an award on the basis of low line item bid, low total of line items, or in any other combination that will serve the best interest of TMD and to reject any and all items bid at the sole discretion of TMD. TMD also reserves the right to accept or reject all or any part of any response, waive minor technicalities and award the response to best serve the interests of TMD.

E. Catalogs, brand names, or manufacturer’s references are descriptive only, and indicate type and quality desired. Bids on brands of like nature and quality will be considered unless advertised under Texas Government Code § 2155.067. If a Respondent believes it can satisfy these specifications, it should bid its goods or services and explain how the specifications will be adequately met.

F. If bidding on specifications other than those stated within this solicitation, bid should show manufacturer, brand, or trade name, and other description of product offered. If other than brand(s) specified is offered, specifications, illustrations, and complete descriptions of product offered must be included with bid. Failure to take exception to specifications or reference data will require Respondent to furnish specified brand names, model numbers, etc.

G. Consistent and continued tie bidding may cause rejection of bids by TMD and investigation for anti-trust violations.

B.1.2 Financial Rating Report, Financial Resources, and Ability to Perform

A. Respondent must provide evidence of its financial resources and its ability to provide the commodities or perform the services for which Respondent is submitting a response. This includes information Respondent believes is pertinent to demonstrate its financial capability, financial solvency, and capacity to fulfill the requirements of this solicitation.

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B. At a minimum, Respondent must submit a copy of at least one (1) rating from organizations such as Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Business Information Report or Fitch Ratings. The report must include the Respondent’s Viability Score and the Portfolio Comparison Score or similar ratings.

Failure to submit copies of the required financial ratings will result in disqualification.

C. Respondent must provide information and any other financial information reasonably requested by TMD consistent with the services provided by Respondent or otherwise required by the then applicable TMD policies for similar contracts.

D. If the contract is awarded to Respondent, Contractor must also submit to the Contract Administrator its financial rating information within 120 days after the end of Contractor’s fiscal year.

E. TMD reserves the right to investigate and determine the financial integrity and responsibility of a Respondent and to reject a response on the grounds of Respondent’s lack of financial soundness, or if TMD reasonably concludes, after reviewing the information submitted by Respondent as well as all other relevant information obtained by TMD, that significant issues exist that could jeopardize Respondent’s full and timely performance. TMDS also reserves this same right throughout the life of the Contract, including before executing any optional renewal amendment with Contractor.

B.2 INVOICE REQUIREMENTS

Invoices are Contractor’s billing for goods or services rendered. TMD will pay Contractor on the basis of itemized invoices submitted to and approved by TMD. The invoices must show the actual deliverables provided and the attendant charge. Itemized invoices must clearly identify the project phase or title, deliverables delivered, the number of hours that each allocated employee worked if applicable, and the date range of work performance for this associated charge.

A. Contractor’s invoice must include the following:

1. The Contract number or Purchase Order number;

2. remittance address; and

3. any prompt payment discount offered.

4. Vendor Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).

5. Vendor Name, Remit-To Address and Telephone Number

6. Date and Time of Services

7. Location of Service

8. Invoice Number

9. Itemization and description of the work performed with dates services were performed.

B. Contractor must send an email with the invoice copy to payables@military.texas.gov and to the Contract Monitor (if applicable).

An original, hard-copy invoice, if required by Contractor, will be submitted to the office designated below:

mailto:accountspayable@tmd.texas.gov

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Texas Military Department (TMD) Attn: Accounts Payable Department

P.O. Box 5218, Building 11 Austin, Texas 78763-5218

The State of Texas will not incur any penalty for late payment if the invoice fails to conform to the requirements of this section or if Contractor did not mail the invoice to the appropriate addresses identified in this section.

B.3 PAYMENTS

A. TMD recommends that Contractor receive payments by electronic funds transfer (EFT), also known as direct deposit. If Contractor elects to be set up for direct deposit payment, Contractor must submit a completed Direct Deposit Authorization Form (Attachment G.1).

B. Regardless as to whether Direct Deposit is chosen, Respondent must submit a completed Texas Application for Payee Identification Number (Attachment G.2) to the following address:

Texas Military Department (TMD) Attn: Accounts Payable Department

P.O. Box 5218, Building 11 Austin, Texas 78763-5218

Reference: Contractor Set-up for Solicitation TMD25-TSG-0036758

Notes: Contact Kristine A. Brock when completed 512-782-3040 or Procurement@military.texas.gov

C. If Contractor has previously submitted a completed Contractor Direct Deposit Authorization Form to TMD for another separate contract, another form is not required to be submitted.

B.3.1 Billing and Payment

A. TMD will not make any payments of any amount to Contractor until an accurate invoice is received that complies with Section B.2 above. TMD will notify Contractor if invoice is deemed to be inaccurate within 20 days of receipt.

B. Texas Government Code Chapter 2251 (the Prompt Payment Act) will govern payment and accrual of interest on any overdue payments.

C. If TMD, for any reason, including lack of supporting documentation, disputes any items in any invoices submitted by Contractor, TMD will place a hold on the disputed items and may pay the remaining amount of the invoice. TMD will timely notify Contractor of the dispute and request clarification or remedial action.

mailto:Procurement@military.texas.gov

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D. If the dispute is resolved in Contractor’s favor, TMD will pay the remaining portion of the original invoice in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act. If the dispute is resolved in TMD’s favor, Contractor must resubmit an invoice reflecting all corrections.

B.3.2 Payment Adjustment

A. TMD may elect to deduct from Contractor’s payment as specified in this section for any amount specified, or any money determined to be due as specified in the Contract.

B. If it is determined that the remaining amount of Contractor’s payment is not adequate to cover the money determined to be due to TMD, then all remaining Contractor’s payments will be withheld, and an invoice issued to Contractor for the remaining amount due.

C. Contractor must pay the invoiced amount within 30 days of receipt unless Contractor and TMD mutually agree on an alternative payment method.

B.3.3 Late Payment

Any amount owed to Contractor more than one (1) day beyond the date such amount is due as described in this section will accrue interest each day that such amount is not paid at the rate specified by Texas Government Code § 2251.025, provided; however, that this provision will not excuse failure by TMD to make payment in strict accordance with the Contract.

B.3.4 Deductions for Unacceptable Compliance

If Contractor fails to comply with the terms of the Contract, TMD may withhold Contractor’s payment. If non-compliance results in TMD purchasing goods or services from another entity to remedy the non-compliance, TMD will deduct those costs from Contractor’s payment.

B.3.5 Withholding of Payment

A. TMD will have the right to withhold Contractor’s payment until the failures described below have been corrected.

1. Failure to submit reports or other documentation required in Section D—Contract Compliance Reports and Data required from Contractor;

2. Failure to comply with background check or security requirements;

3. Failure to respond to audit reports; and

4. Failure to correct identified areas of non-compliance to the satisfaction of TMD within ten days upon receipt of written notification.

B. TMD will not pay interest to Contractor for monies so withheld.

C. Contractor’s withheld payment will be released upon TMD’s satisfaction that compliance has been achieved for 30 consecutive days.

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D. In the event that money is due to TMD for Contractor’s failure to provide adequate maintenance or replacement of the property as required in the Contract, the amount required for TMD to correct deficiencies and replace property will be withheld from the final payment.

E. With the exception of disputed issues, such withholding of final payment by TMD will not exceed 120 days from date of the Contract’s termination.

B.3.6 Debts and Delinquencies

TMD is prohibited from issuing any payment to a person or entity that has been reported as having an indebtedness or delinquency to the State of Texas. Contractor agrees and understands that, to the extent Contractor owes any debt or delinquent taxes to the State of Texas, TMD will apply any payments or other amounts Contractor is otherwise owed under the Contract toward the debt or delinquent taxes until the debt or delinquent taxes are paid in full. Contractor must comply with all applicable laws regarding satisfaction of debts or delinquencies to the State of Texas.

B.3.7 Right to Offset

In the event TMD determines that Contractor owes money to TMD under any contract or purchase order, TMD, upon providing Contractor with written notice of its intent to offset, will have the right to withhold monies due to Contractor with respect to the Contract or with respect to any other contract or purchase order with TMD and apply such monies to the money due to TMD.

B.4 MANDATORY PRICING SCHEDULE

Contract Term Pricing

The Respondent must submit its bid price within the Mandatory Pricing table located in Attachment G.3, replicating, as necessary, in its exact format.

Bid price must be submitted on the Mandatory Pricing Schedule. Respondents will price per unit shown. Unit prices will govern in the event of extension errors. If a price quotation is submitted as part of Bid, the quotation must be referenced in the response and signed by Respondent to establish formal linkage to the Bid.

Bid prices are firm throughout the term of the Contract. “Discount from List” bid pricing is not acceptable unless requested. Cash discounts are not considered in determining an award. Cash discounts offered will be taken if earned.

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SECTION C - SPECIFICATIONS

C.1 INTRODUCTION

The Texas Military Department (TMD) is seeking a Contractor to utilize a variety of products and services to advertise for recruiting. These advertisements should reach individuals that the Texas State Guard has identified as recruiting priorities. The goal is to increase recruitment and increase visibility of the Texas State Guard website and digital platforms.

C.2 STATEMENT OF WORK

The Texas State Guard (TXSG) seeks to engage a comprehensive service provider capable of strategically targeting individuals within the state of Texas possessing unique skills and professional expertise. This initiative aims to address specific Texas State Guard Mission Ready Packages (MRP) requirements while simultaneously enhancing public awareness of our organization. We are in search of an all-encompassing solution that can employ diverse methodologies, including on-air and digital location-based geo-fencing, targeted email marketing, high-visibility mobile display, and video advertisements, to effectively reach and communicate with the identified citizen demographic. This diverse range of advertisements will attract new recruits.

C.3 SPECIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

C.3.1 Audience:

Individuals within the state of Texas possessing unique skills and professional expertise in specific geographic regions throughout Texas. The goal is to enhance public awareness of our organization.

C.3.2 Type of Media:

A. High visibility mobile display, emails, cell phone and website locations based on geo-fencing.

B. Graphic Display and a recorded script will be provided by TMD to the awarded vendor.

C. Radio Advertisements: Air timelines for each segment should run between 15 seconds and 30 seconds. Seven to ten advertisements should be run a month.

D. Social Media Advertisements: Five to ten advertisements should be run a month. Graphic Display will be provided by the Texas State Guard (TXSG) Public Affairs Office (PAO) to the awarded vendor which will have a recorded script.

E. The amount of time advertisements will run on the air is determined on the needs of the targeted areas.

F. The Texas State Guard has geographic areas across the state that TMD will want to target based on needs. For example, TMD may be targeting Medical Professionals in Tyler, chaplains in the Rio Grande Valley, engineers in Lubbock/Abilene, etc.

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G. Public awareness, education, and increased recruiting in specific Texas State Guard Mission Ready Packages MRPs. Demonstrate how your organization will collaborate with the Texas State Guard to highlight and achieve these improvements.

H. Including Digital Graphic ads through LinkedIn to target specific professions and professional backgrounds.

C.3.3 Type of personnel that need to be Recruited by Geographic Locations

A. Engineering (Lubbock/Abilene)

1. Certified or licensed water & wastewater system technicians

2. College graduates who earned a civil engineering degree

3. High school juniors and seniors enrolled in a STEM academic program

B. Chaplains (Rio Grande Valley) Geographic Areas

1. Chaplains in Harris County Area

2. Chaplains in West Texas Area

3. Chaplains in South Texas Border

C. Judge Advocate General’s Corp (JAG)

1. TMD needs to recruit licensed Texas attorneys that reside within the area of Panhandle, El Paso, West Texas, Laredo, Corpus Christi, and along the Rio Grande to serve as judge advocates.

2. TMD needs to recruit licensed Texas attorneys with criminal law experience to serve as Trial Defense Services Judge Advocate. TMD need paralegals, legal assistants and legal support personnel.

D. Medical (Tyler)

1. TMD needs to recruit all medical personnel including doctors and nurses.

2. Rio Grande Valley also needs physicians

C.4 TMD PERSONNEL

C.4.1. TMD’s Contract Administrator

A. The Contract Administrator is Kristine A. Brock.

B. The telephone number is 512-782-3040.

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C. The email address is or Procurement@military.texas.gov

The Contract Administrator is responsible for the general administration of the Contract, negotiation of any changes, and issuance of written amendments to the Contract.

If TMD and Contractor agree to amend the Contract, TMD will issue a written Amendment or Purchase Order Change Notice (POCN).

C.4.2 TMD’s Project Manager

A. The Project Manager for the contract is Michael White

B. The telephone number for the Project Manager is 512-782-3262.

C. Michael White email address is Michael.White@sg.tmd.texas.gov.

TMD’s Project Manager for the Contract is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Contract and will act as the central point of contact for TMD. The Project Manager has full authority to act for TMD in the performance of any project connected to the Contract. The Project Manager or a designated representative will meet with Contractor’s Project Manager to discuss problems as they occur. Anything contractual will be managed by the Contract Administrator.

THE QUANTITY REQUIRED ON THIS REQUEST ARE ESTIMATES ONLY. NO GUARANTEE OF ANY

MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM PURCHASE OR SPECIFIC AREA IS MADE OR IMPLIED.

mailto:Michael.White@sg.tmd.texas.gov

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SECTION D—CONTRACT COMPLIANCE REPORTS AND DATA

Contractor must submit the reports and all additional Contractor documentation requirements in this section during the Contract. These deliverables may be revised, or additional ones may be required at TMD’s sole discretion.

FREQUENCY DUE DATE REPORT ITEM AUTHORITY TMD PERSONNEL TO RECEIVE

REPORT

End of Project

One (1) week after project has been completed.

Invoicing – Specific to the Contract

IFB Section B.2 payables@military.texas.gov with a copy to Contract Monitor

On Air Activity reports and monthly reports.

Last week of each month.

Date/Time of each advertisement Calculation of the number of clicks on the link for the Ads.

Report will need to be send to the Project Manager mailto:payables@military.texas.gov

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SECTION E—INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO RESPONDENTS

E.1 RESPONSE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

Purpose of Instructions

A. These instructions are designed to assure the submission of information essential to the understanding and the comprehensive evaluation of Respondent’s response.

B. Responses must be prepared in accordance with these instructions providing all required information in the format specified.

C. Failure of a response to show compliance with these instructions and submit all documentation may be grounds for disqualification of the response from further consideration unless stated otherwise within this solicitation.

Submission of responses

A. Responses will be typed, paginated, contain a full table of contents, and have component sections clearly identified bookmarks.

B. Responses must be received by TMD no later than the deadline established and submitted to:

Texas Military Department Procurement and Contract Services Procurement@military.texas.gov Subject: Solicitation No. TMD25-TSG-0036758

C. Respondent must demonstrate that Respondent’s operations conform to applicable TMD, state, and federal policies and standards.

D. Respondent must submit only material directly pertinent to the requirements of this solicitation. Extraneous narrative, elaborate brochures, uninformative public relations material, including Respondent’s policies, procedures, and post orders for which no deviation to TMD Policy is being requested, and other similar documents will not be submitted.

E.2 AMENDMENTS TO THE SOLICITATION

A. If this solicitation is amended all terms and conditions which are not modified remain unchanged.

B. Respondents must acknowledge receipt of all amendment(s) to this solicitation by signing and returning the amendment(s), identifying the amendment number and date in the space provided for this purpose on the form for submitting a response or by letter.

C. Respondent must submit the acknowledgement to TMD by the time specified for receipt of responses.

D. Failure to acknowledge amendment(s) by Respondent may subject its response to rejection.

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E.3 LATE SUBMISSIONS, MODIFICATIONS AND WITHDRAWALS OF RESPONSES

A. Responses will be time stamped at the office designated in the solicitation on or before the date and time specified in this solicitation.

B. Any response received at the designated location after the specified date and time will not be considered.

C. Responses cannot be altered, amended, or modified after closing date and time.

D. Alterations made before closing time will be initialed by Respondent or its authorized representative.

E. No responses can be withdrawn after closing date and time without approval by TMD. Should a Respondent, after closing time, request its response be withdrawn, the request must be made in writing.

F. TMD is not responsible for submissions delivered to TMD after the date and time stated on the first page of this solicitation. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure that it submits, and that TMD receives, its complete response timely. TMD recommends that Respondent submit their complete response well in advance of the due date and time stated on the first page of this solicitation.

G. TMD takes no responsibility for electronic responses that are captured, blocked, filtered, quarantined, or otherwise prevented from reaching the proper destination server by any TMD anti-virus or other security software.

E.4 SIGNATURES ON RESPONSE SUBMITTED

A. Responses from a partnership will be signed in the firm name by at least one (1) general partner or in the firm name by an attorney-in-fact.

B. Responses signed by an attorney-in-fact, will include a Power of Attorney evidencing the authority to sign response, dated and executed by all partners in the firm.

C. Responses from a corporation will have the correct legal corporate name and the signature of an authorized officer of the corporation.

D. The title of office held by the person signing for the corporation will appear below the signature of the officer.

E. Responses from an individual doing business under a firm or fictitious name will be signed in the same name of the individual doing business under the proper firm name.

F. Joint venture responses will be signed by all members or by a member of the joint venture if there is attached to the response a copy of the joint venture agreement evidencing that the response is signed by the member with authority to bind the joint venture.

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E.5 RESPONSE ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

A. All responses will be valid for 120 days after the solicitation opening date and will constitute an irrevocable response to TMD for the 120-day period.

B. Such period may be extended beyond the 120 days upon mutual written agreement of both parties.

E.6 CONTRACT AWARD

A. TMD may award one (1) Contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Respondent, whose response, is lowest price meeting specifications.

B. A purchase order emailed or otherwise furnished to successful Respondent(s) within the time for acceptance specified in the response will result in a binding contract without further action by either party.

C. A Purchase Order shall be established in accordance with the specifications, terms and conditions referenced in IFB TMD25-TSG-0036758. The following documents shall be incorporated and made a part of this order and in the following order of precedence:

a. TMD PO 25-#####

b. TMD IFB TMD25-TSG-0036758

c. Vendor’s Response to IFB TMD25-TSG-0036758 Vendor Name

D. The Contract shall consist of the Notice of Award; this Solicitation, including addenda; and the

Response, including clarifications submitted at the request of CPA. In the event of any conflict or contradiction between or among these documents, the Notice of Award, as modified by any Contract Amendments, controls over the Solicitation and the Response. The Solicitation, as modified by any Addenda, controls over the Response.

E.7 TMD’S RIGHTS

A. TMD reserves the right to waive, change, add or delete any terms or conditions of this solicitation.

B. TMD may:

1. reject any or all responses if such action is in the public interest;

2. accept other than the lowest priced response; and

3. waive minor informalities and minor irregularities in responses received.

C. Waiver of deviations in any response will not constitute a modification of this solicitation and will not preclude TMD from asserting all rights against the Respondent for failure to fully comply with all terms and conditions of this solicitation. Copyrighted responses are unacceptable and are subject to disqualification as non-responsive. TMD reserves the right to make any corrections or include additional requirements in the resulting contract prior to issuance which are necessary for TMD’s compliance, as an agency of the State of Texas, with all state and federal requirements. TMD reserves the right to disqualify any response which asserts any copyright on any TMD-created form which is specifically designated by this

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D. TMD reserves the right to reject anyone (1) response or all responses or portions of responses submitted in response to this solicitation.

E. The submission of a response has the effect of waiving proprietary rights or confidentiality.

F. All responses and any content provided by the Respondent are considered the property of TMD for use for the life of any resulting Contract as determined by TMD with respect to the scope of the project.

G. TMD is not liable for any costs or damages that may be incurred by Respondents or prospective contractors in the preparation, formulation, or presentation of a response.

H. In case of ambiguity or lack of clarity, TMD may adopt such interpretations as may be advantageous to TMD.

I. TMD reserves the right to withdraw this solicitation at any time for any reason.

J. TMD reserves the right to award no Contract and to solicit additional responses at a later time.

K. TMD incurs no obligation regarding this solicitation unless and until a Contract is fully executed by the parties. However, all responses received by TMD will remain confidential until the evaluation process is complete.

L. TMD will not hold a public bid opening event.

E.8 RESPONSE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

E.8.1 Volume One – Contract Forms and Required Response Information

This section will contain the following completed Contract sections:

A. Solicitation, Page 1 (with amendment(s) noted on this page or signed amendment(s) attached to this form);

B. Information and Certifications Form;

C. Financial Rating and Solvency Information;

D. The name and address of Respondent’s insurance carrier(s), along with a statement of liability from the carrier(s) issuing the policies saying that such policies are available to Respondent. For the purpose of responding to this solicitation, Respondent will not be required to purchase insurance but must show the ability to provide such insurance as specified in the section entitled “Insurance Requirements,” if Respondent’s response is selected.

E. A Redacted Solicitation and Contract response if applicable;

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F. Attachment G.1, Direct Deposit Authorization Form, completed if choosing direct deposit as a possible payment option;

G. Attachment G.2, Application for Texas Identification Number;

H. Documentation from the appropriate state entity that indicates that Respondent is properly certified to conduct business in the State of Texas (e.g., The Certificate of Existence from the Texas Secretary of State and the Certificate of Account Status from the Comptroller of Public Accounts); and

I. The Respondent shall submit a detail breakdown response on how their Company will meet or exceed all specification requirements outlined Section C and all other requirements outlined in this IFB.

E.8.2 Volume Two – Information Section

A. Cover Page: List name and address of Respondent, date of response, solicitation identifier, and signature of authorized official.

B. Information Sheet: Including all information required of Respondent and any subcontractors.

1. Name and address (including telephone number) of Respondent and all subcontractors.

2. Business form of Respondent and its subcontractors (e.g., corporation, partnership).

3. Date and state of incorporation.

4. Names and addresses of principal officers, directors, or partners.

B. Respondent must identify and provide in the enclosed, Verification of Experience, a minimum of three (3) past or current projects of similar size and complexity performed within the past five (5) years. Respondent must provide, at a minimum, the contact name, email address, phone number, and title for each reference provided. Additionally, Respondent must provide project begin and end dates, brief descriptions of deliverables, overall costs, and statement of work performed.

C. Organizational, biographical, and Financial Rating and solvency information for the

Respondent and all third-party / subcontractors proposed to fulfill service requirements.

D. The Respondent must specifically address, within its response, the following requests for information as detailed throughout this solicitation. TMD has endeavored to include a complete listing of such submittal requests; however, in the event TMD omitted a requirement, Respondent is responsible for ensuring that all such information is included within its response.

1. B.4, Pricing Schedule

2. Verification of Experience (Three References)

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3. All required submittals under Section E.8.1, Contract Forms and Required response Information and Section E.8.2, Information Section.

E. Exceptions. No exceptions should be included in response. Bids received that take any exceptions to this solicitation will be disqualified and deemed non-responsive to the solicitation and TMD will remove the bid from further consideration.

E.8.3 Pricing Schedule

Respondent must provide updated Pricing Schedules in the exact format noted in Section B.4 of this solicitation.

E.9 DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE

A. All communications and questions concerning this solicitation, including any of a technical nature, will be made in writing only to:

Kristine A. Brock, CTCD, CTCM, Contract Administrator Email: Procurement@military.texas.gov

B. Written responses to the questions will then be provided to all parties requesting copies of this solicitation through TMD’s Procurement and Contract Services.

C. Respondent should rely only on the written information provided in this manner. Respondent is specifically cautioned against relying on any oral information.

D. All Respondents are specifically barred from making contact with any TMD personnel involved in this solicitation for the purpose of discussing its responses.

E. Respondent may; however, seek clarifications of the solicitation through the written process described above.

F. Respondent is reminded that February 13, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. Central Time is the last day to submit written questions for clarification by TMD.

G. Unauthorized contacts with TMD personnel by any Respondent may result in Respondent’s response being rejected in its entirety.

E.10 SUBMISSIONS SUBJECT TO THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT

TMD is a governmental body subject to the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), Texas Government Code Chapter 552. The response and other information submitted to TMD by Respondent are subject to release as public information by TMD. The response and other submitted information is presumed subject to disclosure unless a specific exception to disclosure under the PIA applies.

If it is necessary for Respondent to include proprietary or otherwise confidential information in its response or other submitted information, Respondent must clearly label that proprietary or confidential information and identify the legal basis for confidentiality. Merely making a blanket claim that the entire response is protected from disclosure because it contains some proprietary information is not acceptable and will make the entire response subject to release under the PIA.

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In order to trigger the process of seeking an Attorney General opinion on the release of proprietary or confidential information, the specific provisions of the response that are considered by Respondent to be proprietary or confidential must be clearly labeled as described above. Any information which is not clearly identified by Respondent as proprietary or confidential will be deemed subject to disclosure under the PIA. Respondent will irrevocably deem to have waived, and Respondent agrees to fully indemnify the State of Texas and TMD against any claim of infringement by TMD regarding the intellectual property rights of Respondent or any third party for any materials appearing in the response.

E.11 AGENCY POSTING OF CONTRACTS

After award, information, documentation, and other material in connection with this solicitation or the contract may be subject to public disclosure under the Public Information Act.

Without prior written notice to Respondent, the redacted response may be posted on TMD’s website as part of the Contract per Texas Government Code § 2261.253(a).

E.12 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

TMD currently anticipates that the selection of successful Respondent and award of the Contract, if any, will proceed according to the following schedule:

Date Time (CT) Solicitation Posted to ESBD

1/28/2025 2:00 PM CT Last day to submit written questions for clarification to TMD

1/31/2025 Estimated date for TMD to post Question and Answer (Q&A) document to ESBD

2/13/2025 2:00 PM CT Deadline for TMD to receive Bids 2/18/2025 Anticipated date of Contract Award

TMD reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change the above date(s). Notices of changes to items directly impacting the original solicitation process will be posted on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) located at: https://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd. Respondent should check the ESBD frequently for updates. Respondent is solely responsible for verifying receipt of its questions, if applicable, and responding by the deadlines stated. A Respondent’s failure to periodically check the ESBD for updates will in no way release the awarded Respondent from compliance with any requirements in posted “addenda or additional information” although such compliance may result in additional costs to meet the requirements.

Questions regarding this solicitation must be in writing and must be submitted to TMD’s Contract Administrator by the date and time noted in the table listed in this solicitation. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Questions must be submitted by email. TMD intends to post answers to these questions on the ESBD on or before the date and time noted in the table listed in this solicitation.

Respondent is solely responsible for verifying TMD’s timely receipt of its questions by the stated deadlines.

https://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd

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SECTION F—EVALUATION CRITERIA

TMD will evaluate responses in accordance with the best value standard in Texas Government Code § 2156.007.

TMD reserves the right to conduct studies and other investigations as necessary to evaluate any bid.

TMD, in its sole discretion, may amend or modify any provisions of the IFB, or withdraw this IFB at any time prior to awarding a contract. TMD reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any or all IFBs or to select one or more qualified Respondents to this IFB without discussion or Bids with the respective Respondents.

The decision of TMD, or its designee with regard to the above, shall be administratively final. TMD, in its sole discretion, may waive administrative deficiencies and/or minor technicalities in Bids received.

TMD will not disclose any information regarding sealed IFBs to the public prior to Contract award.

Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Texas Public Information Act (TPIA)/Open Records, and Privacy Act (PA) may request Bids and information, after award, to the TMD at:

By mail to: Texas Military Department ATTN: Office of the General Counsel, JFTX-GC (FOIA Officer) P.O. Box 5218 Austin, TX 78763-5218

By email to: ng.tx.txarng.mbx.freedom-of-information-act@army.mil

By fax to: (512) 782-6988 (ATTN: FOIA Officer)

If you need a special accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, please contact our ADA Coordinator at (512) 782-3385

Contractor Performance Data: TMD will consider a Respondent’s past performance in compliance with applicable provisions of Texas Government Code §§ 2155.074, 2155.075, 2156.007, 2157.003, and 2157.125 of the Government Code. The following examples indicate poor Contractor past performance may affect a potential Contact award and will be considered during evaluation of Bids:

• A score of less than a C in the Contractor Performance Tracking System;

• Currently under a Corrective Action Plan through the Comptroller of Public

Accounts (CPA) or TMD;

• Repeated negative Contractor Performance Reports for the same stated reason;

• A record of repeated non-responsiveness to Contractor Performance issues; or

• Cancellation of purchase orders in the previous 12 months for non-performance, such as late delivery.

mailto:ng.tx.txarng.mbx.freedom-of-information-act@army.mil

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SECTION G—LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

TDM25-TSG-0036758

G.1 Direct Deposit Authorization Form

G.2 Application for Texas Identification Number

G.3 Pricing Schedule

G.4 Standard Terms and Conditions

The Awarded vendor will be provided by Texas State Guard (TXSG) Public Affairs Office (PAO) graphic display and a recorded scrip.

Exhibit A – Texas State Guard Spreadsheet

Exhibit B – Multi-Colored advertisement

Exhibit C – Print advertisement

Exhibit D – Larger Print advertisement

Exhibit E – 15 Second radio advertisement

Exhibit F - 30 Second radio advertisement

E.12 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS