ESBD_402072_1741880369930_SOL_PST_405-24R0024151.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

SOLICITATION NO.

405-24R0024151

TYPE OF SOLICITATION

NEGOTIATED – REQUEST FOR

OFFERS (RFO)

DATE ISSUED

03/13/2025

VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING SYSTEM

Vendor must submit electronic responses no later than 5:00 P.M. Central Time on 04/03/2025 to the following address.

DPS_Solicit_Response@dps.texas.gov Attention: 405-24R0024151

DPS is not currently accepting any in-person solicitation responses. DPS will only accept electronic responses received by the date and time indicated in the solicitation.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Heidi Davis, CTCD, CTCM

Contract Administrator

PHONE: (512) 424-5724

EMAIL: Heidi.Davis@dps.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:

ADDENDUM NO. DATE ADDENDUM NO. DATE

NAME AND ADDRESS

OF RESPONDENT:

RESPONSE DATE

EMAIL AND TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code)

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

CERTIFICATION, DISQUALIFICATION, AND REMEDIES

The Respondent must submit its response electronically to DPS_Solicit_Response@dps.texas.gov before the due date and time posted on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD). Respondents must monitor the ESBD posting for addenda that may alter a solicitation, including response due date. Respondents must also review the “Doing Business with DPS” website linked below to reference current documents and information regarding DPS procurement. https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/infrastructure-operations/doing-business-dps

By signing this document, Vendor 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 deem the response non-responsive. DPS may pursue and enforce any available remedies against Vendor for making false statements, including disqualifying the Vendor’s response, immediately cancelling any Contract awarded to Vendor, or recommending State of Texas debarment.

TERM, PRICING, AND FUNDING

The contract term commences on the effective date stated in the signing document, or purchase order and expires five (5) years from that effective date.

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

mailto:DPS_Solicit_Response@dps.texas.gov https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/infrastructure-operations/doing-business-dps

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION A—DEFINITIONS

SECTION B—SERVICES AND PRICES

B.1 PRICING REQUIREMENTS

B.2 INVOICE REQUIREMENTS

B.3 PAYMENTS

B.4 MANDATORY PRICING SCHEDULE

SECTION C - STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 INTRODUCTION

C.2 STATEMENT OF WORK

C.3 TRANSITION

C.4 DPS PERSONNEL

C.5 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES

C.6 HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES (HUB) PARTICIPATION

C.7 CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK

C.8 CYBER SECURITY CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

C.9 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS

SECTION D—INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO RESPONDENTS

D.1 RESPONSE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

D.2 SOLICITATION ADDENDA

D.3 LATE SUBMISSIONS, CHANGES, AND WITHDRAWALS OF RESPONSES

D.4 RESPONSE ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

D.5 CONTRACT AWARD

D.6 DPS’s RIGHTS

D.7 RESPONSE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

D.8 PRESENTATIONS

D.9 DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE

D.10 SUBMISSIONS SUBJECT TO THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT

D.11 AGENCY POSTING OF CONTRACTS

D.12 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SECTION E—EVALUATION CRITERIA

SECTION F—LIST OF EXHIBITS

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SECTION A—DEFINITIONS

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

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

“Business Hours” means 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

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

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

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

“Days” means calendar days unless otherwise specified.

“DPS” means the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas, a state agency in the executive branch created under Tex. Gov’t Code Ch. 411.

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

“Parties” means Contractor and DPS.

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

“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).

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SECTION B—SERVICES AND PRICES

B.1 PRICING REQUIREMENTS

B.1.1 Pricing Instructions

A. Respondent must submit proposed pricing on the Mandatory Pricing Schedule that includes all costs, fees, licenses, and all expenses for Contractor’s delivery and performance of the commodities or services requested. The final negotiated, contracted pricing and payment structure will represent Contractor’s sole compensation under the Contract. DPS guarantees no minimum compensation under the Contract.

B. DPS will negotiate pricing prior to award of the Contract if the pricing offered appears that it may not be best value to DPS.

C. Contractor must deliver and provide the commodities and services described in compliance with all requirements of the Contract on a no minimum, as needed, as requested basis. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in the Contract, DPS will not make any payments of any amount to Contractor or any other entity or person, and Contractor will not submit any invoices, until Contractor has received approval from DPS’s Contract Monitor specifically stating that DPS accepts the commodities or services and Contractor is authorized to submit an invoice. If DPS does not accept the commodities or services, the Contract will involve no payments of any type for any amount.

D. Optional Features, Products, or Services

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.

B. Evidence of financial stability include providing audited financial statements for each of the last two years of Respondent’s operations or, in the alternative, financial statements compiled, reviewed, and attested by an independent certified public accountant or certified public accounting firm. Respondents may submit a copy of its Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Business Information Report. If a D&B Report is submitted the report must include Respondent’s Viability Score and the Portfolio Comparison Score or similar ratings.

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

D. Selected Contractor must also submit to the Contract Administrator its financial rating information within 120 days after the end of Contractor’s fiscal year.

E. DPS 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 DPS reasonably concludes, after reviewing the information submitted by Respondent as well as all other relevant information obtained by DPS, that significant issues exist that could jeopardize Respondent’s full and timely performance. DPS also reserves this same right throughout the life of the Contract, including before executing any optional renewal with Contractor.

B.2 INVOICE REQUIREMENTS

A. Invoices are Contractor’s billing for commodities or services rendered. DPS will pay

Contractor based on itemized invoices submitted to and approved by DPS. The invoices must be itemized and clearly identify the actual commodities and services provided.

B. Contractor’s invoice must include the following: the Contract/Purchase Order number, the remittance address, and any prompt payment discount offered. Contractor must email the invoice to the Contract Monitor listed in the Contract and to apinvoices@dps.texas.gov.

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 email the invoice to the appropriate email addresses identified in this section.

B.3 PAYMENTS

A. DPS recommends that Vendor receive payments by electronic funds transfer (EFT), also known as direct deposit. If Vendor elects to be set up for direct deposit payment, Vendor must submit a completed Direct Deposit Authorization Form (74-176).

B. Regardless as to whether Direct Deposit is chosen, Vendor must submit a completed Application for Texas Identification Number (AP-152) and Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certifications (W-9) Form with its response.

C. If Vendor has previously submitted a completed Direct Deposit Authorization Form and Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certifications Form to DPS for another separate contract, Vendor is not required to submit another form.

mailto:apinvoices@dps.texas.gov

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B.4 MANDATORY PRICING SCHEDULE

Respondent must submit pricing within the Mandatory Pricing Schedule Exhibit replicating, as necessary, in the exact format.

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SECTION C - STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 INTRODUCTION

DPS seeks a five-year contract for a Virtual Reality (VR) Training Solution designed to train law enforcement personnel on various topics, including but not limited to defensive tactics, firearms, use of force, de-escalation tactics, etc. This solution will enhance law enforcement encounters with the public.

C.2 STATEMENT OF WORK

See the Statement of Work exhibit.

C.3 TRANSITION

In the event that DPS awards a subsequent competitive solicitation to a new contractor or if DPS decides to perform the work itself, Contractor must work with DPS and any new contractor to smoothly and seamlessly transition the contract. Contractor will develop a transition plan upon request by DPS. DPS must approve the transition plan before implementation. DPS will not release the final invoice until Contractor returns all work to

DPS.

C.4 DPS PERSONNEL

C.4.1 DPS’s Contract Administrator A. The Contract Administrator for administration of the Contract is Heidi Davis

B. The telephone number for the Contract Administrator is 512-424-5724.

C. The email address is Heidi.Davis@dps.texas.gov.

The Contract Administrator is the representative of DPS’s Procurement and Contract Services responsible for the general administration of the Contract, negotiation of any changes, and issuance of written amendments to the Contract.

If DPS and Contractor agree to amend the Contract, DPS will issue a written amendment signed by authorized signatories of the Parties.

C.4.2 DPS’s Contract Monitor

A. The Contract Monitor for the Contract is Haylee Muehlbrad.

B. The telephone number for the Contract Monitor is 512-383-6321.

C. The email address is Haylee.Muelhbrad@dps.texas.gov.

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The Contract Monitor is not authorized to make any representations or commitments of any kind on behalf of DPS or the State of Texas.

C.5 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES

A. DPS reserves the right to assess liquidated damages at an amount up to $1000.00 per day for each Business Day Contractor fails to notify DPS of a system outage and steps being taken to remedy the issue. The parties acknowledge that the harm that will be caused to DPS by such a delay is difficult to estimate; however, the amount of liquidated damages listed in the Contract is a reasonable estimate and is enforceable.

B. Contractor will not be responsible and liquidated damages may not be assessed due to any delay caused by schedule amendments requested by DPS, delays as the result of activity that is the responsibility of DPS Project Team, or delays that DPS deems were outside the control of Contractor. The burden of proof that the delay is attributable to DPS rests with Contractor.

C. Any liquidated damages assessed under the Contract may, at DPS’s option, be deducted from any payments due to Contractor. DPS has the right to offset any liquidated damages payable to DPS, as specified above, against any payments due to Contractor. If insufficient payments are available to offset such liquidated damages, then Contractor must pay to DPS any remaining liquidated damages within 15 days following receipt of written notice of the amount due.

C.6 HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES (HUB) PARTICIPATION

A. An Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) is a business that is certified by the State of Texas that (1) is at least 51% owned by an Asian Pacific American, a Black American, a Hispanic American, a Native American, an American woman, or a Service Related Disabled Veteran; (2) is a for-profit entity that has not exceeded the size standards established by 34 Tex. Admin. Code § 20.294, and has its principal place of business in Texas; and (3) has an owner residing in Texas who has a proportionate interest in the business and who actively participates in the control, operations and management of the entity’s affairs. See also 34 Tex. Admin. Code § 20.282.

B. Vendor must make a good faith effort to comply with all state HUB requirements under

Tex. Gov’t Code Chapter 2161 and the administrative rules, as applicable. Vendor must also comply with its approved HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP).

C. Respondent must submit an HSP as part of its response and must comply with implementation of the HSP. Contractor must seek written approval from DPS prior to making any modifications to its HSP. Respondent must submit a detailed description of the HSP and required forms with the response. Respondent’s response will be considered non-responsive if the agency forms are not completed in full or are missing from Respondent’s original response.

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D. Contractor must provide notice to all subcontractors of their selection as a subcontractor for the Contract. The notice will specify, at a minimum, DPS’s name, the name of the Contract Administrator, the Contract’s assigned contract number, the subcontracting opportunity the subcontractor will perform, the approximate dollar value of the subcontract, and the expected percentage of the Contract’s total value that the subcontract represents. Contractor must provide a copy of the notice to the Contract Administrator no later than ten business days after the effective date of the Contract.

E. Contractor must submit the Prime Vendor Progress Assessment Report to the Contract

Monitor and DPS HUB Office on a monthly basis (by the fifth day of the following month).

C.7 CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK

A. Contractor’s project personnel must submit to a fingerprint-based Criminal History

Background Investigation, at Contractor’s expense. To facilitate this Criminal History Background Investigation, each person must complete DPS Contractor Background Information form (HR-22), which DPS will provide.

B. If required under the Contract, Contractor will not allow personnel who have not submitted to and successfully completed DPS fingerprint-based Criminal History Background Investigation and who do not otherwise maintain a DPS security clearance to work on the Contract. DPS has the right to prevent Contractor’s personnel from gaining access to DPS building(s) and computer systems if DPS determines that such personnel do not pass the background check or fail to otherwise maintain DPS security clearance.

C. When required, Contractor’s Project Manager will provide the following to DPS Contract Monitor no later than ten days of executing the Contract:

1. the completed Contractor Background Information form (HR-22) for all proposed personnel; and

2. acceptable fingerprints for all proposed personnel.

D. Throughout the term of the Contract, DPS may require Contractor personnel to submit an annual DPS fingerprint-based Criminal History Background Investigation to DPS.

E. Throughout the term of the Contract, Contractor will promptly notify DPS of any activity or action by Contractor’s personnel that may affect that individual’s ability to continue to work under the Contract.

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C.8 CYBER SECURITY CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Contractor must comply with the requirements found in the Cyber Security Contract Requirements Exhibit. To the extent that any language in the Contract conflicts with the Cyber Security Contract Requirements Exhibit, the Cyber Security Contract Requirements Exhibit controls.

For all contractor-hosted services proposed (even if Vendor wants to use a third-party provider such as a standardized cloud services provider), Respondent must provide a completed Consensus Assessments Initiative Questionnaire (CAIQ) found at this link.

https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/research/cloud-controls-matrix

In this section, hosted services means a combination of traditional IT functions to be provided by Vendor or a third-party provider, such as infrastructure, applications software (including COTS software solutions), security, monitoring, storage, hardware, and hardware maintenance.

For hosted services using a third-party cloud services provider, Contractor must deploy in an environment authorized by TX-RAMP, StateRAMP, or FedRAMP at low impact, and maintain program compliance and certification throughout the term of the contract. If CJIS data is being processed, stored, or transmitted, Contractor must deploy in a Government Cloud environment, and this must be a dedicated cloud account specific to DPS.

C.9 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS

Contractor must comply with the requirements found in the IT Standards and Requirements Exhibit.

https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/research/cloud-controls-matrix

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SECTION D—INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO RESPONDENTS

D.1 RESPONSE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

A. These instructions are designed to help ensure the Respondent submits all relevant information in its 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 considering the response non-responsive unless stated otherwise within this solicitation.

D. Responses must use a sans serif 12-point font (such as Arial or Calibri) on an 8-1/2” x 11” format (except for graphic information being requested). Respondent’s response must be paginated, contain a full table of contents, and have component sections clearly identified.

E. DPS must receive responses no later than the deadline established in this solicitation and submitted to the submission email listed on page 1.

F. Respondent must ensure that its response is clearly labeled.

G. Respondent must submit only material directly pertinent to the requirements of this solicitation. Extraneous narrative, elaborate brochures, uninformative public relations material, and other similar documents may not be submitted.

H. Respondent must submit all pertinent information directly within its response, information submitted as an internet link is considered non-responsive. Respondent must submit documentation or information within the response.

D.2 SOLICITATION ADDENDA

A. No later than the established solicitation deadline, Respondents must acknowledge receipt of all solicitation addenda by signing and returning the addenda, identifying the addenda number and date.

B. Respondent’s failure to timely acknowledge addenda may subject its response to rejection.

D.3 LATE SUBMISSIONS, CHANGES, AND WITHDRAWALS OF RESPONSES

A. DPS will not consider any response received at the designated email address after the specified date and time.

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B. Respondent cannot amend its response and DPS will not accept an amended response after closing date and time. If Respondent wants to amend its response, Respondent must amend prior to the closing date and time.

C. Respondent must clearly identify any alterations made before closing time through its authorized representative.

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 DPS.

Should a Respondent, after closing time, request its response be withdrawn, Respondent must email the request to the Contact Administrator listed in the solicitation.

F. DPS is not responsible for submissions delivered to DPS after the date and time stated on page 1 of this solicitation. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure that it submits, and that DPS receives, its complete response timely. DPS recommends that Respondent submit their complete response well in advance of the due date and time stated on page 1 of this solicitation.

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

D.4 RESPONSE ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

A. All responses will be valid for 180 days after the solicitation opening date and will constitute an irrevocable response to DPS for the 180-day period.

B. Such period may be extended beyond the 180 days upon mutual written agreement of both parties.

D.5 CONTRACT AWARD

DPS may award one or more Contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Respondent, whose response is best value under the evaluation criteria in this solicitation.

D.6 DPS’S RIGHTS

A. DPS 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.

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

C. DPS reserves the right to reject any one response or all responses or portions of responses submitted in response to this solicitation.

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

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

F. DPS is not liable for any costs or damages that may be incurred by respondents or in the preparation, formulation, or presentation of a response.

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

H. DPS reserves the right to withdraw this solicitation at any time for any reason.

I. DPS reserves the right to award no contract and to solicit additional responses at a later time.

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

K. DPS will not hold a public response opening event.

D.7 RESPONSE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

D.7.1 Volume One – Contract Forms and Required Response Information

This section will contain the following completed contract sections with authorized representative signatures, where applicable:

A. Solicitation, page 1 (with any signed addenda);

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B. Information and Certifications Form;

C. Financial Rating and Solvency Information, if applicable;

D. A Redacted Solicitation and Contract response, if applicable;

E. Direct Deposit Authorization Form (74-176), completed if choosing direct deposit as a possible payment option;

F. Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certifications (W-9);

G. Application for Texas Identification Number (AP-152); and

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).

D.7.2 Volume Two – Information Section

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

B. Introduction: Clear expression of who Respondent is, to include an outline of organizational capabilities, goals, project management process approach, business process management design, other previous accolades, and a listing of all subcontractors.

C. 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.

5. A résumé of key personnel who will be providing services in any resulting contract, both Respondent and subcontractor employees. These résumés should include the percentage of time each person will dedicate to any resulting contract. The response will include key project personnel as follows:

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a. Demonstrated experience in providing the services requested in this solicitation for each key project personnel.

b. Résumés for key personnel assigned to any resulting contract will include:

project management experience, supervisory experience, business process experience, application languages, hardware installation abilities, software upgrade experience, programming skills/abilities, data formats for each qualifying project.

1) Name

2) Title (current)

3) Education

4) Experience related to projects the staff member was directly involved in:

5) Project(s) Scope

a) Role

b) Related specific technical qualification experience

c) Start and completion dates (must include MM/DD/20YY)

d) Specific work to be performed or deliverables to be provided under the Contract.

D. Respondent must identify and provide in its response a minimum of three references relating to past contracts or projects that are similar in size and scope.

Respondent must provide, at a minimum, the 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 scope of work performed.

E. Organizational, biographical, and Financial Rating information for the Respondent and all proposed third parties and subcontractors, if applicable.

F. Project Schedule and Plan: A plan detailing how Respondent will deliver the commodities and fully implement the services required in Section C.

G. Respondent must specifically address, within its response, the requests for information as detailed throughout this solicitation. Respondent is responsible for ensuring that all such information is included within its response.

H. Respondent is encouraged to provide a response narrative for each section and subsection, in the format in which requirements are presented, in sufficient detail to clearly demonstrate Respondent’s compliance with all requirements of this solicitation, both technical and administrative. Supplemental justification or documentation can be provided as attachments. Respondent must ensure that all material submitted should be directly pertinent to the requirements of this solicitation and will be formatted as to the specific requirement as delineated in this solicitation.

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I. Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) Accessibility. Respondent must provide documentation of the voluntary product accessibility template (VPAT) Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT^™) | Section508.gov (including accessibility conformance reports or vendor accessibility development services questionnaire as applicable) and Section 508 and EIR compliance for all components of the proposed goods or services. See Tex. Gov’t Code Chapter 2054, Subchapter M; 1 Tex. Admin. Code Chapter 213; and 1 Tex. Admin. Code Chapter 206; and WCAG 2.0 AA (current and as subsequently amended). VPAT is a vendor-generated statement (using the required template) that provides relevant information on how a vendor’s product or service claims to conform to the Section 508 Standards.

J. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan. Respondent must submit, with its response, descriptions of its business continuity and disaster recovery plan and processes. If DPS awards a Contract under this solicitation, Contractor must submit, within ten days from Contract award, its plans regarding how Respondent will protect DPS’s vital state records throughout the life of the Contract and for any record retention period required beyond the life of the Contract. The plans must include specific actions Contractor will take to meet DPS’s essential function recovery times and the related artifacts for the methodologies, tests, and exercises used to validate its business continuity and disaster recovery plan. DPS may reasonably require Contractor to amend its business continuity and disaster recovery plan (based on DPS’s dependence or necessity on the particular good or service).

K. Assumptions. No assumptions should be included in a response. All issues or questions that might be advanced or addressed by way of assumption should be submitted to DPS. The inclusion of assumptions in a proposal may result in a Respondent not being awarded a contract.

L. Exceptions. If Respondent has exception requests to the DPS Standard Terms and Conditions, these exceptions must be submitted on the Vendor Exceptions Form.

D.7.3 Volume Three – HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP)

Respondent must provide a completed HSP as required.

NOTE: Failure to submit the HUB Subcontracting Plan, if applicable, with the appropriate forms will subject Respondent’s response to rejection from further consideration.

D.7.4 Volume Four – Cost and Pricing Response

Respondent must provide pricing in the required Mandatory Pricing Schedule format.

https://www.section508.gov/sell/vpat/ https://www.section508.gov/sell/vpat/ http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/

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D.8 PRESENTATIONS

DPS may require a presentation demonstration from the competitive field of Respondents to gather more information to determine negotiation and award recommendations. The first round of evaluations will identify the vendor field of competition. If DPS chooses to conduct demonstrations, those selected will be scored using the criteria listed within Section E, Evaluation Criteria, to include information provided in the presentation. DPS will complete another evaluation and scoring matrix for the field of competitive Respondents without taking the initial evaluation into account. The new score will be the Respondent's final score and determine the ranking of the Respondent(s) following the presentation.

Respondents are responsible for their presentation equipment, materials, and internet connection. Respondents will be given advance notice and an agenda for the presentation specifying the solicitation requirements to be presented in detail. Respondents are not to present marketing materials not related to the DPS solicitation. If DPS requires a site visit, DPS will notify selected Respondents of the time and location. Failure to participate in the requested presentation or site visit may eliminate a Respondent from further consideration. DPS is not responsible for any costs incurred by the Respondent in preparation for any presentation or site visit.

D.9 DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE

A. Respondent must communicate and ask questions concerning this solicitation, including any of a technical nature, in writing only to the Contract Administrator listed on page 1 and in accordance with any required deadlines.

B. DPS will provide written responses to the questions.

C. Respondent should rely only on the written information provided in this manner.

Respondent is specifically cautioned against relying on any oral information.

D. Respondent is specifically prohibited from making contact with any DPS personnel other than the Contract Administrator involved in this solicitation for discussing its responses. The only exception is if the Respondent has questions regarding proper completion of the HSP, the HUB coordinator listed on the HSP may be contacted with a copy to the Contract Administrator.

E. The responsiveness of each response will be evaluated upon the written instructions provided by throughout this solicitation and as described in Evaluation Criteria.

F. Unauthorized contact with DPS personnel by any Respondent may result in DPS considering Respondent’s response non-responsive in its entirety.

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D.10 SUBMISSIONS SUBJECT TO THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT

DPS is a governmental body subject to the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), Tex. Gov’t Code Chapter 552. The response and other information submitted to DPS by Respondent are subject to release as public information by DPS. 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.

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 deemed to have waived, and Respondent agrees to fully indemnify the State of Texas and DPS against any claim of infringement by DPS regarding the intellectual property rights of Respondent or any third party for any materials appearing in the response.

If Respondent’s response contains any information which Respondent claims is confidential and not subject to release under the PIA, Respondent must prepare and deliver to DPS two copies of its response containing the following information.

1. A complete copy of all of Respondent’s submissions under this solicitation. Respondent must mark this copy’s documents with “Complete Response Documents, [Respondent’s Name], [DPS] SOLICITATION [SOLICITATION Number]. CONTAINS

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.”

2. A complete copy of all of Respondent’s submissions with all information claimed as confidential excised, blacked out, or otherwise redacted. This copy must also contain an Appendix, which contains clear references to all redacted information including a general description of the redacted information. Respondent must mark this copy’s documents with “For Public Release: Redacted Version of [Respondent’s Name], [DPS SOLICITATION] SOLICITATION [SOLICITATION Number].”

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D.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 DPS’s website as part of the Contract per Tex. Gov’t Code § 2261.253(a).

D.12 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

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

03/13/2025 Solicitation Posted to ESBD

03/25/2025 5:00 PM CT Last day to submit written questions for clarification to DPS

03/27/2025 5:00 PM CT Estimated date for DPS to post Question and Answer (Q&A) document to ESBD

04/03/2025 5:00 PM CT Deadline for DPS to receive responses 05/30/2025 Anticipated date of Contract Award

DPS 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: http://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 DPS’s Contract Administrator by the date and time noted in the table listed in this solicitation.

Questions may only be submitted by email. DPS 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 DPS’s timely receipt of its questions by the stated deadlines.

http://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd

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SECTION E—EVALUATION CRITERIA

DPS will evaluate responses in accordance with the best value standards in Tex. Gov’t Code §§ 2155.074, 2157.003, and 2157.125. The specific criteria and relative weights are as follows.

Criteria Weight Technical Requirement 50 points

Indicators of probable vendor performance under the contract such as past vendor performance, the vendor's financial resources and ability to perform, the vendor's experience or demonstrated capability and responsibility, and the vendor's ability to provide reliable maintenance agreements and support

20 points

Cost 30 points

Total 100 points

A Respondent’s past performance will be measured in accordance with applicable provisions of Texas Gov’t Code §§ 2155.074, 2155.075, 2156.007, 2157.003, and 2157.125.

Respondents may no longer be considered for this selection criterion for any of the following conditions:

• A score of less than a C or Legacy Unsatisfactory in the Vendor Performance Tracking

System;

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

(CPA);

• Having repeated negative Vendor Performance Reports for the same reason;

• Having a record of repeated non-responsiveness to Vendor Performance issues; or

• Having purchase orders that have been cancelled in the previous 12 months for non-performance (late delivery, etc.).

Contractor performance information is located on CPA’s website at:

http://www.txsmartbuy.com/vpts.

DPS may conduct reference checks with other entities regarding past performance. In addition to evaluating performance through the Vendor Performance Tracking System, DPS may examine other sources of vendor performance including, notices of termination, cure notices, assessments of liquidated damages, litigation, audit report, and non-renewals of contracts. Such sources of vendor performance may include any governmental entity, whether an agency or political subdivision of the State of Texas, another state, or the Federal government. Further, DPS may initiate such examinations of vendor performance based upon media reports. Any such investigations will be at the sole discretion of DPS, and any negative findings, as determined by DPS, may result in non-award to Respondent.

http://www.txsmartbuy.com/vpts

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SECTION F—LIST OF EXHIBITS

By number and title

F.1 Standard Terms and Conditions

F.2 Information and Certifications Form

F.3 Statement of Work (SOW)

F.4 HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP)

F.5 Mandatory Pricing Schedule

F.6 Cyber Security Contract Requirements

F.7 IT Standards and Requirements

F.8 Application for Texas Identification Number (AP-152)

F.9 Direct Deposit Authorization Form (74-176)

F.10 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certifications (W-9)

F.11 Vendor Exceptions Form