ESBD_406931_1743697023344_RFP 304-26-0104PC Moody Analytics (Final).pdf

RFP # 304-26-0104PC: Moody’s Analytics Page 1 of 37

(Rev. 2/2024)

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Glenn Hegar, Comptroller

Request for Proposals

Moody’s Analytics

Texas Gold Service Package

RFP No. 304-26-0104PC

April 3, 2025

Anticipated Schedule of Events

April 3, 2025 Issuance of RFP

April 10, 2025 Deadline for Submission of Questions (2:00 p.m., CT)

April 16, 2025 Release of Official Responses to Questions

(or as soon thereafter as practical)

April 24, 2025 Deadline for Submission of Proposals (2:00 p.m. CT)

Late Proposals will not be considered

September 1, 2025 Services Commencement Date

(or as soon thereafter as practical)

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Table of Contents

I. Summary II. Specifications

A. Introduction

B. Background

C. Definitions and Acronyms

D. Scope of Services

E. Contract Resulting from this Solicitation; Order of Priority

F. Warranty of Performance

G. Reserved

H. Insurance and Bonds

I. Criminal Background Investigation

J. Contract Term; Survival of Terms

K. Acceptance Criteria

L. Payments

M. Discounts

N. PO Addition and Deletion

O. HUB Subcontracting Plan Information

P. Respondent Documents

Q. Respondent Exceptions

R. Respondent’s Past Performance; Vendor Performance Tracking System III. Proposal Submission Requirements

A. Delivery of Proposal

B. Proposal Content and Format IV. Mandatory Price Sheet V. Standard Terms and Conditions VI. Execution of Proposal VII. Conflict of Interest/Disclosure Statement VIII. Nondisclosure Agreement IX. Confidential Treatment of Information Acknowledgment X. Certification Regarding Public Nature of the Proposal XI. Respondent Exceptions

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I. Summary

1. Type of Solicitation: Request for Proposals (RFP)

2. Issuing Office: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA)

Procurement Section

Room 300, Attn: RFP No. 304-25-0104PC

111 E. 17th Street

Austin, Texas 78774

3. Additional Requirements/Qualifications: N/A

4. Responses to RFP: Sealed Competitive Proposals

5. Deadline for Proposals: In Issuing Office No Later Than:

April 24, 2025; 2:00 p.m., Central Time (CT)

6. Initial Contract Term: September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026

7. CPA Optional Contract Terms: September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027

September 1, 2027 through August 31, 2028 and

September 1, 2028 through August 31, 2029

8. CPA Contact Person for this RFP: Philip Chaimongkol, CTCD

Email with delivery receipt requested to: bidcpa@cpa.texas.gov

9. Proposals Submitted by Email: Required; See Section III, Part A

10. Proposals Submitted by Fax: Not Accepted

11. Pre-Proposal Conference: N/A

12. Pre-Proposal Inspection: N/A

13. Letters of Intent to Submit a Proposal: N/A

14. RFP Addenda: Notices of changes to items directly impacting the original RFP or solicitation process will be posted on the Electronic State Business Daily

(ESBD) located at: http://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd. CPA will post any amendment to this solicitation on the ESBD as an RFP Addendum. It is the responsibility of an interested party to check the ESBD for updates to this RFP before submitting a Proposal. Each Respondent is solely responsible for verifying CPA’s receipt of its questions, if applicable, and its Proposal by the deadlines specified in this RFP.

15. Questions and Answers: Questions regarding this RFP must be in writing and must be submitted to the CPA Contact Person specified in Part 8, no later than April 10, 2025; 2:00 p.m. CT. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

Questions may be submitted by email to the email address specified in

Part 8. CPA intends to post answers to the questions received on the

ESBD on April 16, 2025, or as soon thereafter as practical.

16. Respondent Presentations: N/A mailto:bidcpa@cpa.texas.gov http://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd

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17. Evaluation of Proposals under Best Value Standard (Section 2156.125 of the Texas Government Code):

Criteria Weight

Respondent’s Past Performance, Qualifications & Experience 20%

Compliance with CPA Specifications 40%

Cost 40%

Total: 100%

As applicable, the factors listed in Sections 2155.074, 2155.075, 2156.007, and 2157.003 of the Texas Government Code shall also be considered in making an award. Best and Final Offers may be sought from Respondents whose Proposals are ranked most highly by the evaluation committee. However, CPA encourages Respondents to offer their best pricing at all times. CPA reserves the right in its sole judgment and discretion, and at any time upon failure of negotiations, to reissue or withdraw this RFP rather than continue with negotiations.

18. Email Submission Only. Due to changed building access restrictions, Respondents will not be permitted to hand deliver

Proposals to the Issuing Office. Respondents are required to submit Proposals electronically via email with delivery receipt requested in accordance with Section III, Part A.

19. Contact with CPA Staff: Upon issuance of this RFP, employees and representatives of CPA, other than the CPA Contact

Person identified in Part 8, will not discuss the contents of this RFP with any Respondent or its representatives. Failure of a Respondent or any of its representatives to observe this restriction may result in disqualification of any related

Proposal. This restriction does not preclude discussions between the parties to conduct business unrelated to this procurement or to obtain assistance completing Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) forms required by this RFP.

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II. Specifications

A. Introduction

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA), an agency of the State of Texas, issues this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit Proposals from qualified vendors for Moody’s Analytics Gold Service package, or its equivalent, as described in this Section II and in this RFP (Services). CPA’s objective is to obtain the Services that represent the best value for CPA and the State of Texas according to the terms and conditions of this RFP.

CPA anticipates making a Contract award to one (1) Successful Respondent for the Services. CPA reserves the right not to award a Contract for the performance of all or part of the Services. This RFP is not exclusive and CPA reserves the right to issue additional solicitations regarding the Services or similar services at any time. All

Respondents are encouraged to offer their best pricing at all times.

All costs associated with the Services must be included in the Respondent’s Proposal. Proposals that do not meet all of the requirements or contain all of the required documentation specified in this RFP will be rejected as non-responsive.

These specifications are being advertised under Section 2155.067 of the Texas Government Code. Only bids on items conforming exactly to these specifications, which include proposing only the brand name(s), make and model number(s) specified, will be considered in determining a Contract award.

B. Background

The Revenue Estimating Division helps carry out the constitutional duties of the Comptroller’s office related to the budget and revenue estimates. The division is the agency’s source for economic data and forecasts. Its responsibilities include producing the Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE), which provides the basis for the state budget written by Texas lawmakers, and it also produces the subsequent Certification Revenue Estimate (CRE).

At the beginning of each regular session of the Texas Legislature, the Texas Constitution requires CPA to submit a statement showing the state’s financial condition and estimating the revenue it can expect to receive during the next two-year budget period. This BRE forms the basis of the state budget for the coming biennium. Texas Legislators must ensure that total appropriations do not exceed the available cash and anticipated revenue as projected by the Comptroller.

The Revenue Estimating Division requires Moody’s Analytics services, or an equivalent, to help carry out the budget and revenue estimating-related, constitutional duties of the Comptroller’s office including, but not limited to, the following:

- Preparing fiscal notes for each bill filed in the Texas Legislature that could have a fiscal impact for state government;

- Producing an estimate of state revenue before each session of the Texas Legislature;

- Preparing the CRE following each regular session of the Texas Legislature;

- Updating the BRE to reflect legislative activity and any economic changes;

- Preparing estimates for cash flow projections and the issuance of Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRAN);

and

- Acting as CPA’s source for state, national and international economic data and forecasts.

C. Definitions and Acronyms

• Award Date. The Award Date is the earlier of the date an authorized representative of CPA (1) issues a Purchase

Order (PO) or (2) signs a formal, written agreement.

• Contract. The agreement described in Section II, Part E (Contract Resulting from this Solicitation; Order of Priority), if any.

• Documentation. The complete set of manuals published by Moody’s Analytics necessary to enable CPA to properly use the Licensed Data, including, but not limited to, all updates, revisions, and corrections to the manuals.

• Licensed Data. The reports, white papers, manuals, publications, products, software and/or services, research analyses, forecasts, ratings, opinions, models, methodologies, Documentation and data provided under this RFP.

• NAICS. North American Industry Classification System.

• Proposal. A response to this RFP.

• Respondent. Any person or entity that submits a Proposal.

• Respondent Documents. All Documentation and documents from Respondent related to the Services, this RFP, Respondent’s Proposal, or a resulting Contract including, but not limited to, boilerplate service agreements, service

RFP # 304-26-0104PC: Moody’s Analytics Page 6 of 37 schedules, published specifications, warranty information, terms of service, ordering documents, license agreements and maintenance agreements.

• Successful Respondent. The Respondent awarded a Contract, if any.

D. Scope of Services

1. General.

a. For purposes of this RFP, the term “Texas Gold Service Package” is defined as Successful Respondent providing to CPA, at a minimum, the following Moody’s Analytics services or their equivalents, which may be offered under the provided or new names:

i. The monthly Regional Financial Review®, which shall be available online (with downloadable PDFs) and covers the U.S. macro, regional and industry economies. Each edition includes an in-depth analysis of topics highly relevant to business planning and analysis of developing regional, industrial, and global trends.

ii. Précis® U.S. Macro, which shall be available online (with downloadable PDFs). This service provides comprehensive analyses on the U.S. macro economy with all its subsectors (i.e., housing, labor markets, government, energy, credit quality, etc.), and includes performance statistical tables containing recent history and five-year forecast data for approximately 250 economic and financial variables. In addition, CPAs shall receive access to the U.S. Macro/Financial Forecast Database, which includes Moody’s 30-year forecasts under baseline and alternative scenarios, such as recession, stagflation and low oil prices. Both Précis® U.S.

Macro and the U.S. Macro/Financial Forecast Database are updated monthly.

iii. Précis® U.S. State, report for Texas, which is published three (3) times annually and offers concise yet comprehensive research on the current and expected economic conditions in Texas. Each report covers the state in detail with five-year forecasts. Reports examine strengths and weaknesses, employment trends, and upside and downside risks. Each report also includes Moody’s Analytics’ exclusive indicators to allow for quick and easy comparisons across the state’s metros. These reports include Cost of Doing Business, Cost of

Living, Risk-adjusted Return, and Short- and Long-term Employment Growth. The reports shall be available online (with downloadable PDFs).

iv. Précis® U.S. Metro, Texas metropolitan reports, which are published three (3) times annually and offer concise and comprehensive research on the current and expected economic conditions for Texas metropolitan areas. Each report covers a metro area in detail with five-year forecasts. Reports examine strengths and weaknesses, employment trends, and upside and downside risks. Each report also includes indicators exclusive to Moody’s Analytics to allow for quick and easy comparisons across the nation’s metros. These include Cost of Doing Business, Cost of Living, Risk-adjusted Return, and Short- and Long-term

Employment Growth. The reports shall be available online (with downloadable PDFs).

v. Custom Series Access®, which provides access to forecast databases on Moody's internet platform, the Data

Buffet®, and shall include the following databases:

1. Detailed Employment, Output, and Wages Forecast Database (State of Texas, all metros in Texas, all counties in Texas) with historical coverage from as early as 1970 of government, military personnel, farm employment, and industrial output forecasts. The database includes employment, real and nominal output, and nominal wages for 21 two-digit NAICS categories, 84 three-digit NAICS categories, 281 four-digit NAICS categories, 510 five-digit NAICS categories (U.S. only), one-digit manufacturing aggregates and totals. Data is presented on a quarterly basis, except for the four-digit NAICS for states and metropolitan areas for output and wages and five-digit NAICS for U.S., which are annual. The forecasts extend for thirty (30) years, with monthly updates.

2. Forecast Database: Metro Area (all Texas metropolitan areas), over 100 variables, including employment, income, prices, demographics, housing, construction activity, banking, and credit quality.

Data are presented on a quarterly basis. The forecasts extend for thirty (30) years, with monthly updates.

3. Forecast Database: County (all Texas counties), over 100 variables, including one-digit employment, total and wage and salary income, population and households, labor force and unemployment rate, bankruptcies and retail sales, residential permit issuance, single-family and multifamily housing stock, existing sales, sales price, affordability index, and mortgage originations. Data are presented on an annual basis. The forecasts extend for thirty (30) years, with monthly updates.

vi. Forecast of Texas economic and financial factors on Moody’s internet platform, the Data Buffet®, with quarterly and annual data for over 110 variables including employment, income, demographics, construction activity, home prices, banking, and credit quality. The forecasts extend for 30 years, with monthly updates.

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vii. Historical Database: U.S. National & Regional. Access to historical and forecast data on Moody’s internet platform, the Data Buffet®, with over 200 million time series for U.S., state, metros and zip codes, updated daily. Coverage includes variables from over 100 government and private sources, including U.S. and Texas regional data on national accounts, banking and finance, demographics, personal income, prices, leading indicators, industrial production, retail sales, labor market, energy, financial markets and more. Sources include Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Census, Federal Reserve Board, The Conference Board, National Association of Realtors, Dow Jones, and various other government and private sources.

viii. Subscriber Services, as follows:

1. At least one (1) complete copy of database Documentation via online or hardcopy. Successful

Respondent must provide CPA either: (1) written approval that authorizes CPA to make additional copies of the Documentation at no charge, or (2) access to additional copies of the Documentation at no charge.

CPA will restrict distribution of Documentation to agencies described in Section II, Part D.1.c and others on a need-to- know basis, as determined by CPA.

2. Unlimited internet access to all historical and forecast databases.

3. Unlimited access to all additional Texas databases, published reports, or services added during the term of the resulting PO or other contract resulting from this RFP.

4. Unlimited telephone access to Moody’s Analytics staff.

5. Invitations to all Moody’s Analytics Economic Outlook Conferences.

6. Access to all Moody’s Analytics tele-conferences and web-conferences.

7. At a minimum, one (1) in-person briefing and/or Microsoft Outlook presentation by the Chief Economist and/or Senior Economists of Moody’s Analytics.

8. All current services focusing on Texas or sub-state regions within Texas, plus any additional Texas services developed during the term of the resulting PO or other contract resulting from this RFP.

9. Précis® Metro reports for additional metropolitan statistical areas, as well as all other Texas-specific services and service enhancements that are of interest to CPA as they are developed during the term of the resulting PO or other contract resulting from this RFP.

b. Successful Respondent shall provide the Texas Gold Service Package to up to eighteen (18) members of the

Texas State Data Consortium. The Texas State Data Consortium is a group of State of Texas governmental entities, of which CPA is a member and the lead agency, which provides access to the Texas Gold Service

Package. CPA will determine which members of the Texas State Data Consortium shall be provided the Services.

CPA will keep the Successful Respondent routinely apprised of the names and contacts for the Texas State Data

Consortium members with access to the Texas Gold Service Package.

c. At minimum, Successful Respondent shall provide the following Services to each of the Texas State Data

Consortium members with access to the Texas Gold Service Package (other than CPA): one (1) hard copy of each publication (if the publication is printed in hard copy) listed in Section II, Part D.1.a; one (1) Internet ID to access the publications listed in Section II, Part D.1.a; one (1) Internet ID to access the databases listed in Section

II, Part D.1.a; unlimited telephone access to all Moody’s Analytics staff; and one (1) in person, briefing/outlook presentation by the Chief Economist and/or Senior Economists of Moody’s Analytics.

d. Successful Respondent hereby grants CPA permission to make and distribute Contract documents and any

Contract-related documents to current and prospective Texas State Data Consortium agencies that will be required to comply with the terms of the Contract, including any portions marked as confidential, provided that

CPA may not alter the Respondent Documents without written authorization from Successful Respondent.

2. License Grant. Under any PO or other Contract resulting from this RFP, Successful Respondent must grant CPA a non-exclusive, irrevocable, universal license to the IP Rights for the purposes of (1) using, displaying and performing the Licensed Data for CPA’s internal business purposes; and (2) making, reproducing and distributing the Licensed

Data copies and related Documentation, either electronically or otherwise, to the extent necessary to fully utilize the license rights granted in (1). Respondents acknowledge that CPA is an agency of the State of Texas and CPA’s internal business purposes include any activities consistent with its statutory authority, including without limitation, CPA’s participation in the Texas State Data Consortium.

3. Liquidated Damages. In submitting a Proposal, Respondent agrees that the measure of damages in the event of a default or breach by Successful Respondent may be difficult or impossible to calculate. In the event Successful

Respondent fails to perform Services or complete the obligations under the Contract in a timely manner, CPA may

RFP # 304-26-0104PC: Moody’s Analytics Page 8 of 37 require Successful Respondent to pay, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount equivalent to two percent

(2%) of the total cost for Services or obligations not completed as required by the Contract per calendar day of delay.

CPA may impose, but is not obligated to impose, these liquidated damages in lieu of any monetary damages available to CPA under the Contract or applicable law.

4. Optional Features, Products or Services. If Respondent believes there are additional features, products or services that would benefit CPA under this RFP, Respondent may describe such features, products or services and include pricing for such features, products or services in the Mandatory Price Sheet. Optional features, products or services are not scored as part of the evaluation process.

E. Contract Resulting from this Solicitation; Order of Priority

Respondent’s Proposal is a legal offer to contract based upon the terms, conditions and specifications set forth in this RFP.

The Contract is effective as of the Award Date and will be between CPA and Successful Respondent. Successful

Respondent shall be solely responsible to CPA for all performance by Successful Respondent’s employees, representatives, agents, subcontractors, suppliers, third-party service providers and similar entities (“Persons” for purposes of this sentence) and for ensuring that all such Persons comply with applicable provisions of this RFP and the Contract. The entire Contract between CPA and Successful Respondent shall consist of the following documents, which shall control in the following order of priority, except as otherwise provided in the formal, signed agreement between the parties or CPA’s PO: (1) the

PO and PO Change Notices (POCN), if any; (2) the formal, signed agreement, if any; (3) this RFP; and (4) Successful

Respondent’s Proposal (collectively, these documents constitute the “Contract”).

F. Warranty of Performance

Successful Respondent represents and warrants that its performance under the Contract shall be conducted conscientiously in a professional and workmanlike manner to the full extent of Successful Respondent’s talents and capabilities with due diligence and in full compliance with the highest professional standards of practice in the industry applicable to the

Services.

G. Reserved

H. Insurance and Bonds

Successful Respondent represents and warrants that it shall obtain and maintain the following coverages throughout the term of the Contract and that all coverages shall be with companies licensed in Texas with an “A” rating from A.M. Best

Co. authorized to provide the required coverages:

• Blanket Employee Dishonesty Bond or Employee Dishonesty Coverage under a liability insurance policy with a minimum $25,000 for each individual who will provide Services. A rider or endorsement shall name the Texas

Comptroller of Public Accounts as loss payee or additional named insured under the respective bond or policy.

• Standard Workers Compensation Insurance covering all individuals who will provide Services.

• Commercial General Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 minimum each occurrence limit; $2,000,000 minimum aggregate limit.

• Professional Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 minimum each occurrence limit; $2,000,000 minimum aggregate limit.

All of the above policies and bonds shall contain endorsements prohibiting cancellation except upon thirty (30) calendar days’ prior written notice to CPA. Successful Respondent shall furnish proof to CPA of such coverage in the form of a

Certificate of Insurance from Successful Respondent’s insurance carrier(s) indicating the required coverages. The certificate shall be addressed to CPA as the certificate holder. Successful Respondent shall submit proof of required insurance coverage withing five (5) days after the Effective Date, and annually thereafter, via email, referencing the PO number, to the following address: contract.administration@cpa.texas.gov.

I. Criminal Background Investigation

1. Criminal Background Investigation by Successful Respondent. Prior to an Assigned Personnel commencing Services under the Contract, Successful Respondent shall conduct a criminal background investigation and provide written notice via email to CPA’s Criminal Investigation Division of any Assigned Personnel that have any felony criminal conviction(s). If any information for the Assigned Personnel changes during the Contract Term, Successful mailto:contract.administration@cpa.texas.gov

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Respondent shall provide written notice via email to CPA’s Criminal Investigation Division no later than three (3) business days after Successful Respondent’s discovery of such changed information that relates to felony criminal conviction(s). Written notice to CPA’s Criminal Investigation Division shall be submitted to cid.analysts@cpa.texas.gov.

Successful Respondent’s exercise of due diligence in conducting the criminal background investigation shall include, at a minimum, the following: (1) compliance with Successful Respondent’s published policies and procedures for background and criminal conviction checks and (2) a comprehensive search of the public information portion of Texas

Department of Public Safety criminal conviction database located at:

https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/ConvictionNameSearch/. If Successful Respondent asserts that a search of the Texas

Department of Public Safety criminal conviction database is not appropriate for a particular Assigned Personnel, Successful Respondent must provide written notice via email to CPA’s Criminal Investigation Division that explains the proposed alternate approach for conducting the criminal background investigation.

For purposes of this clause, “Assigned Personnel” includes, without limitation, all individuals provided by Successful

Respondent under the contract resulting from this RFP who will or may (1) be assigned as lead or key personnel; (2) provide Services on-site at CPA’s premises; or (3) access CPA information resources, i.e., the procedures, equipment, and software that are employed, designed, built, operated, and maintained to collect, record, process, store, retrieve, display, and transmit information, and associated personnel including consultants and contractors. At CPA’s written request, Successful Respondent shall replace Assigned Personnel that has any felony criminal conviction(s).

Within five (5) business days of receipt of a written request by CPA’s Criminal Investigation Division during the

Contract Term, Successful Respondent shall provide written notice to CPA’s Criminal Investigation Division of any

Assigned Personnel that have any felony criminal conviction(s).

2. Criminal Background Investigation by CPA. At CPA’s discretion, CPA may conduct a criminal background investigation on Successful Respondent’s Assigned Personnel. Should any Assigned Personnel not be acceptable to CPA due to a finding of felony criminal conviction(s) as a result of the criminal background investigation, Successful Respondent shall replace such Assigned Personnel upon CPA’s written request or CPA may terminate the Contract.

3. Remedies. If CPA becomes aware that Successful Respondent provided false information, Successful Respondent fails to promptly notify CPA of changed information that related to felony criminal convictions, or Successful Respondents fails to replace Assigned Personnel as required by this Section, Successful Respondent shall be in breach of contract and CPA shall have the option to terminate the Contract without further obligation to Successful Respondent as well as pursue all other remedies and rights available to CPA under contract, at law, or in equity.

J. Contract Term; Survival of Terms

The Initial Term of the Contract shall be from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026. CPA may, in its sole discretion, exercise the option to extend the Contract for up to three (3) additional, one (1) year periods. The optional additional periods are September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027; September 1, 2027 through August 31, 2028; and September 1, 2028 through August 31, 2029. “Contract Term” means the Initial Term and any optional additional periods exercised. To exercise an option to extend the term, CPA will notify Successful Respondent; such notice may be by PO issuance.

Termination of the Contract for any reason shall not release Successful Respondent from liability or obligation set forth in the Contract that is expressly stated to survive any such termination or by its nature would be intended to be applicable following any such termination, e.g., indemnification, confidentiality, dispute resolution, records retention and right to audit.

K. Acceptance Criteria

Prior to payment, CPA will evaluate the provided products and/or Services using the following criteria and any additional acceptance criteria agreed to by the parties prior to the Award Date and included in the Contract:

1. The products and/or services must meet all specifications and standards of performance in the Contract; and

2. The products and/or services must comply with all published specifications.

L. Payments

Payment(s) to Successful Respondent will be based upon the schedule described in Section IV (Mandatory Price Sheet) and the Contract. CPA makes no express or implied warranty whatsoever that any minimum compensation or minimum quantity will be guaranteed under the Contract. Payment shall be made in accordance with the Texas Prompt Payment Act, Chapter 2251 of the Texas Government Code (“Chapter 2251”) and Chapter 2251 shall govern remedies for late payment.

Payments will be made to Successful Respondent as provided in Section V, Provision for Direct Deposit or Warrant.

mailto:cid.analysts@cpa.texas.gov https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/ConvictionNameSearch/

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M. Discounts

If Successful Respondent provides a discount on the final Contract costs at any time during the term of the Contract, Successful Respondent will notify CPA in writing ten (10) calendar days before the effective date of the discount. CPA will generate a POCN and send it to Successful Respondent. If an early payment discount is available to CPA, then

Respondent’s Proposal must describe the early payment discount offered and the discount percentage that would apply to

CPA’s early payment within ten (10), fifteen (15), twenty (20) or twenty-five (25) calendar days after receipt of a correct invoice. Successful Respondent shall also specify any applicable, early payment discount option(s) on each submitted invoice.

N. PO Addition and Deletion

CPA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to add or delete products or Services during the Contract Term. All additions or deletions will be processed through CPA’s Procurement Section. The rate at the time of the addition or deletion shall be the same as the rate quoted in the Contract for the same model product or Service. The effective date of any addition or deletion will be no later than five (5) business days after receipt of CPA’s written notification of the addition or deletion.

For this purpose, written notification includes registered mail, regular mail, or email with confirmation receipt.

For any additions, CPA’s Procurement Section will provide a POCN to Successful Respondent. The total number of additions allowed to CPA is determined by the number CPA chooses to purchase. For any deletions, CPA’s Procurement

Section will provide a POCN to Successful Respondent with the effective date of the deletion, the amount of the reduction or refund (if any), and the equipment serial number or other specific equipment information to identify equipment, if applicable.

O. HUB Subcontracting Plan Information

In accordance with Section 2161.252 of the Texas Government Code and 34 Texas Administrative Code §20.285, each state agency that considers entering into a contract with an expected value of $100,000 or more over the life of the contract

(including any renewals) shall, before the agency solicits bids, proposals, offers, or other applicable expressions of interest, determine whether subcontracting opportunities are probable under the contract. If subcontracting opportunities are probable, each state agency’s invitation for bids, requests for proposals, or other purchase solicitation documents with an expected value of $100,000 or more shall state that probability and require a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)

Subcontracting Plan (HSP).

CPA has determined that subcontracting opportunities are probable and requires Respondents to complete the State of

Texas HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) form located at https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/forms.php.

The HSP form is also posted to the ESBD as separate Bid Package #2 under this RFP, available at:

http://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd. For assistance in completing the HSP, Respondent may visit the following website:

https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/. Respondents may send an HSP review request to the Contact person provided in Section I, Part 8. CPA will provide a courtesy HSP review if the request is received no later than the date questions are due, as specified in Section I, Part 15.

For purposes of the HSP, CPA has determined that this procurement falls under the following category:

Special Trade Construction ____ Professional Services ____ Other Services _X___ Commodities ____

CPA has identified the possible subcontracting opportunities on the “Agency Special Instructions/Additional

Requirements” portion of the State of Texas HUB HSP form set forth below:

https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/forms.php http://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/

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- - Agency Special Instructions/Additional Requirements - -

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is committed to increasing contracting opportunities with HUBs by contracting directly with HUBs or indirectly through subcontracting opportunities in compliance with Chapter

2161 of the Texas Government Code, and by requesting a HSP for contracts with an expected value of $25,000 to $99,999.

If a bid/proposal/offer to a solicitation with an expected value of $100,000 or more does not contain a completed

HSP and supporting documentation, the bid/proposal/offer will be considered non-responsive and will be disqualified. After Contract award, Successful Respondent may be subject to debarment pursuant to Section

2161.253(d) of the Texas Government Code if any modifications are made to the HSP without PRIOR approval from CPA.

If Respondent is not subcontracting any portion of the Contract, Sections 1, 2(a), 3 and 4 must be completed.

If Respondent is subcontracting some portion of the contract, the supporting documentation of “Good Faith

Effort” must be demonstrated in either Method A (Attachment A) or Method B (Attachment B).

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts requests all Respondents to consider utilizing HUBs in subcontracting areas listed below; however, this list should not be considered exhaustive.

Class Item Description

956 35 Internet Database Subscriptions

956 70 Research Services, Other Than Business

In accordance with 34 TAC §20.285(d)(1)(D)(iii), a Respondent (prime contractor) may demonstrate a good faith effort to utilize Texas certified HUBs for its subcontracting opportunities if the total value of

Respondent’s subcontracts with Texas certified HUBs meets or exceeds the statewide HUB goal or the agency specific HUB goal, whichever is higher. When a Respondent uses this method to demonstrate a good faith effort, the Respondent must identify the HUBs with which it will subcontract. If using existing contracts with

Texas certified HUBs to satisfy this requirement, only contracts that have been in place for five years or less shall qualify toward meeting the HUB goal.

P. Respondent Documents

Respondent must include copies of all proposed Respondent Documents with Respondent’s Proposal. Upon written request, Respondent shall promptly provide to CPA a Word version of specific Respondent Documents. CPA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend the Respondent Documents to conform to this RFP and Texas law and provide them to Respondent for approval and signature prior to contract award. Respondent Documents that are (1) submitted as part of the Proposal and (2) amended to conform to this RFP and Texas law through mutual, written agreement of Successful

Respondent and CPA will be incorporated as part of the Contract.

Q. Respondent Exceptions

If Respondent takes any exception to any provisions of this RFP, the exceptions must be specifically and clearly identified by section number in Respondent’s Proposal as required by Section XI (Respondent Exceptions). Respondent’s proposed alternative must also be provided in a chart similar to the one provided in Section XI. If a Respondent takes a “blanket exception” to the entire RFP or does not propose alternate language for CPA’s consideration, Respondent’s Proposal may be considered non-responsive and disqualified from further consideration.

Respondents are strongly encouraged to submit any inquiries regarding specific terms or conditions of this RFP during the question-and-answer period designated in Section I (Summary).

R. Respondent’s Past Performance; Vendor Performance Tracking System

Comptroller may conduct reference checks with other entities regarding past performance of Respondent and its subcontractors, if any. In addition to evaluating performance through the Vendor Performance Tracking System (VPTS) as authorized by Section 2262.055 of the Texas Government Code, Comptroller may examine other sources of vendor

RFP # 304-26-0104PC: Moody’s Analytics Page 12 of 37 performance, including, but not limited to, notices of termination, cure notices, assessments of liquidated damages, litigation, audit reports, and non-renewals of contracts. Such sources of Respondent performance may include any governmental entity, whether an agency or political subdivision of the State of Texas, another state, or the Federal government. Further, Comptroller may initiate such examinations of Respondent performance based upon media reports.

Any such investigations shall be at the sole discretion of Comptroller, and any negative findings, as determined by

Comptroller, may result in a non-award to Respondent. VPTS information is located on Comptroller’s website at:

https://www.comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/programs/vendor-performance-tracking/.

III. Proposal Submission Requirements

A. Delivery of Proposal

1. Respondent must submit its Proposal electronically via email with delivery receipt requested, in accordance with the following:

a. The Proposal must be emailed to bidcpa@cpa.texas.gov, with a copy to the CPA Contact Person identified in

Section I;

b. The subject line of the email must include Respondent’s name and a reference to RFP No. 304-25-0104PC;

c. All attachments to the email must be in a format that is accessible to CPA (specific acceptable formats include

Word, Excel, and pdf);

d. All required forms must be signed, either with digital signatures or manually with scanned signatures; and

e. CPA strongly encourages Respondent to send the email with the attached Proposal at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the Deadline for Submission of Proposals as specified in this RFP in order to allow for any networking delays that may occur (e.g., firewalls, security scans, etc.).

2. Respondent is solely responsible for ensuring timely delivery of its Proposal to the Issuing Office by the deadline.

Late Proposals will not be accepted. For purposes of meeting the 2:00 p.m. delivery deadline, the Issuing

Office’s electronic receipt date and time will be considered conclusive in all respects.

B. Proposal Content and Format

The Proposal must contain the information listed in this Part B. Failure to include all information may result in exclusion of the Proposal from consideration. The Proposal must contain an organized, paginated table of contents with hyperlinks corresponding to the sections and pages of the Proposal. The Proposal must be organized as follows:

1. Respondent’s Contact Person and Identifying Information. Respondent must submit the following in its Proposal:

a. Respondent’s identifying information:

(1) name and address of business entity submitting the Proposal;

(2) list of all principals;

(3) type of business entity (e.g., corporation, partnership);

(4) state of incorporation or organization; and

(5) principal place of business.

b. Respondent’s contact information (i.e., name, title, email address, phone number and fax number) for the individual(s) who will be CPA’s point of contact for questions regarding the Proposal and the Contract.

2. Respondent Questionnaire: Respondent’s Qualifications, Experience and Past Performance.

a. Profile. In its Proposal, Respondent must provide a profile that:

(1) describes the size and scope of all of Respondent’s operations, including number of Respondent’s employees and years in business;

(2) describes the general nature of previous, similar work performed by Respondent, particularly work in the last three (3) years;

(3) describes Respondent’s prior contracting experience with CPA and other public sector entities;

(4) includes a statement regarding the financial stability of Respondent, including the ability of

Respondent to perform the Services and any other services proposed in its Proposal; and

(5) includes any other information Respondent believes is pertinent to this RFP (e.g., certificates, industry awards).

b. Reserved.

https://www.comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/programs/vendor-performance-tracking/ file:///C:/Users/lvel998/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Word/bidcpa@cpa.texas.gov

RFP # 304-26-0104PC: Moody’s Analytics Page 13 of 37

c. Cancellations or Terminations. In its Proposal, Respondent must list all contracts or purchase orders that

Respondent executed or accepted within the last three (3) years and that were canceled or terminated before completion by any entity with which Respondent contracted. For each cancelled or terminated contract or purchase order, Respondent must include a detailed explanation for the cancellation or termination and final resolution of the matter. The Proposal must include the names and telephone numbers of each such entity’s contact person. If there were no contracts or purchase orders cancelled or terminated before completion in the last three years, specify none.

3. Respondent Questionnaire: Narrative.

a. Scope of Services. In its Proposal, Respondent must submit a detailed, narrative explanation of how the offered services will meet the requirements of Section II, Part D (Scope of Services). Respondent must provide in its Proposal all the information requested in the Scope of Services in conformity with the structure outlined in Section II, Part D (Scope of Services). In the narrative, Respondent must also provide the following:

(1) information requested in Part D.3(Data Security Terms).

(2) copies of all Respondent Documents applicable to the proffered Services. Refer to Part P.

(3) a detailed description of how Respondent will provide problem or trouble resolution, its escalation procedures, and the timeframe in which Respondent will respond to CPA’s request for maintenance and technical support.

(4) a description of the qualifications of personnel who will provide the offered Services. Respondent must also describe its organizational structure and staffing levels that will support the offered

Services, including Respondent’s policies for retaining personnel and engaging additional, qualified personnel, if necessary, to support the requirements set forth in this RFP. In addition, Respondent must identify all proposed personnel who will or may provide Services. For each proposed individual, Respondent must provide a résumé that includes the following information: (1) professional employment history, (2) education, (3) relevant professional training and (4) professional certifications. Respondent must also identify the roles and responsibilities of the proposed personnel and provide an organizational chart depicting the lines of authority and functional titles of the proposed personnel.

b. Description of All Offered Optional Features, Products, or Services. If offered, Respondent must describe in its Proposal any Optional Features, Products or Services that would benefit CPA, but are not part of the minimum requirements of this RFP. Refer to Section II, Part D.5. Respondent must provide line-item pricing for each option on the Mandatory Price Sheet in Section IV.

c. Early Payment Discount Offering. If offered, Respondent must describe with specificity in its Proposal any early payment discount offered and the discount percentage that would apply to CPA’s early payment within ten (10), fifteen (15), twenty (20) or twenty-five (25) calendar days after receipt of a correct invoice. Refer to Section II, Part M.

4. Mandatory Price Sheet. Respondent must complete and submit, in its Proposal, all pages of the Mandatory Price

Sheet. See Section IV.

a. All costs associated with the offered services must be entered on the Mandatory Price Sheet and described in the Proposal.

b. If Optional Features, Products or Services are offered, refer to Section II, Part D.5.

5. HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) & Supporting Documentation. The document required by Section II, Part O must be completed, signed and included in the Proposal.

6. Execution of Proposal. The document required by Section VI must be completed, signed and included in the Proposal.

7. Conflict of Interest Form. The document required by Section VII must be completed, signed and included in the

Proposal.

8. Nondisclosure Agreement. The document required by Section VIII must be completed, signed and included in the

Proposal.

9. Confidential Treatment of Information Acknowledgment. A copy of the CTIA form, located in Section IX, signed by Respondent or its authorized representative, must be included in the Proposal. Additionally, if communications with Respondent necessitate the release of confidential CPA information, then each individual requiring access to, or

RFP # 304-26-0104PC: Moody’s Analytics Page 14 of 37 who may be exposed to, such information must sign the CPA Confidential Treatment of Information Acknowledgment

(CTIA) form. Upon CPA’s request Respondent agrees to provide CPA with copies of any such CTIA forms. See

Section V, Part 74 (Information Security Requirements for Successful Respondent) for information regarding use of the CTIA during the Contract Term.

10. Certification regarding Public Nature of the Proposal. The document required by Section X must be completed, signed and included in the Proposal.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

THE FORMS LOCATED IN THIS RFP ARE PREPARED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THIS RFP. RESPONDENT’S

SUBMISSION OF OTHER FORMS OR DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING PRIOR VERSIONS OF THE FORMS, MAY

RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF THE PROPOSAL.

RFP # 304-26-0104PC: Moody’s Analytics Page 15 of 37

IV. Mandatory Price Sheet

Respondent must include all costs for providing the Services for the items listed on the Mandatory Price Sheet. CPA requests that Respondents quote costs as an annual fee; however, CPA may, in its sole discretion, authorize payments on a monthly basis. CPA will not prepay any amounts. The not-to-exceed prices associated with the Services shall be inclusive of all travel, meals, lodging or other related expenses.

This Mandatory Price Sheet consists of two (2) Price Schedules:

(1) Subscriptions, and

(2) Optional Features, Products, or Services.

THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED, DATED, SIGNED AND SUBMITTED WITH PROPOSAL

Respondent’s name: ____________________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Price Schedule 1

Subscriptions

(Refer to Section II, Part D.1)

Description Quantity and

Unit of

Measure

Initial Term

(9/01/25 –

8/31/26)

Optional Renewal Terms

(9/01/26 –

8/31/27)

(9/01/27 –

8/31/28)

(9/01/28 –

8/31/29)

1 Regional Financial Review

1 Year $ $ $ $

2 Précis® U.S. Macro Service 1 Year $ $ $ $

3 Précis® U.S. State Report for

Texas

1 Year

4 Texas Metropolitan Précis® U.S.

Metro Reports

1 Year

5 Custom Series Access to forecast databases

1 Year

6 Forecast of Texas economic and financial factors on the Data

Buffet®

1 Year

7 Access to historical and forecast data on the Data Buffet®

1 Year

8 Subscriber Services 1 Year $ $ $ $

Total $ $ $ $

RFP # 304-26-0104PC: Moody’s Analytics Page 16 of 37

THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED, DATED, SIGNED AND SUBMITTED WITH PROPOSAL

Respondent’s name: ____________________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Price Schedule 2

Optional Features, Products, or Services

(Refer to Section II, Part D.5)

Description Quantity and Unit of

Measure

Initial Term

(9/01/25 –

8/31/26)

Optional Renewal Terms

(9/01/26 –

8/31/27)

(9/01/27 –

8/31/28)

(9/01/28 –

8/31/29)

1 Insert lines as necessary for each offered Optional Feature, Product, or

Service

RFP # 304-26-0104PC: Moody’s Analytics Page 17 of 37

V. Standard Terms and Conditions

1. Terms and Conditions. This Section V (Standard Terms and Conditions) is incorporated into this RFP for all purposes.

Respondent’s representation and signature is required on the Execution of Proposal located in Section VI.

2. Contract Award; Copyright; Reissuance. In awarding a Contract, CPA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject all or any part of any Proposals; waive minor technicalities; negotiate price and other provisions with all Respondents, the top-rated Respondents, or no Respondents; and award a contract in the best interests of CPA and the State of Texas. CPA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to award a contract without discussion of Proposal(s) with Respondent(s). CPA’s waiver of any deviations in any Proposals will not constitute a modification of this RFP and will not preclude CPA from asserting all rights against Respondent for failure to comply fully with all terms and conditions of this RFP. CPA reserves the right to make any corrections or include additional requirements in the PO prior to issuance necessary for CPA’s compliance, as an agency of the

State of Texas, with all state and…