ESBD_447770_1758912095364_Addendum #1, RFP #329-26-30001 Exam Services.pdf

Texas Real Estate Commission

Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board 1700 North Congress Avenue, Suite 400

Austin, Texas 78701

License and Examination Development & Administration Services RFO No. 329-26-30001

Addendum # 1 Date Issued: September 26, 2025

Section 1. Questions & Answers.

In accordance with Sections 1.11. Questions, TREC/TALCB provides the following responses to questions submitted to this RFP:

Section Reference

Question Response

1. 4.3 Service Requirements for Examination Administration,

4.3.6 (A)

Candidate Handbook/Study Material: The AQB owns the content for its exams. There are currently 18 sample questions on the AQB website. Will these suffice to be included in the Candidate Handbook, in lieu of the 50 sample questions mentioned?

Refer to Addendum #1, Section 2, Item 2.1, revised 4.3.6 (a) of the RFP.

2. 5.3 Service Requirements for Examination Administration,

5.3.6 (a), Since the NHIE is developed and owned by the EBPHI, please verify that the sample exam is NOT to be included in the CIB.

(EBPHI has several Practice exams available for purchase on their website.) In addition, since the State portion is only 30 items, please verify that a smaller number of sample items (e.g., 4-5) will suffice.

Refer to Addendum #1, Section 2, Item 2.2, revised 5.3.6 (a) of the RFP.

3. Does the State understand that Pearson VUE will retain and own solely all rights, title and interest, including copyrights, of existing proprietary computer programs, source code, materials, and intellectual property that have been previously developed by the Pearson VUE or its 3rd party licensor (“Contractor Intellectual Property”), some of which may be trade secret, copyright, patent and trademark protected, and that any changes or modifications to the Contractor Intellectual Property suggested or required by State are hereby assigned by State to Pearson VUE, and Pearson VUE will own solely all rights, title, and interest, including copyrights, in such changes and modifications?

Refer to section 4.2.2 (b) and 5.2.2 (b) and Terms and Conditions, section B.

23, Property Rights, of the RFP.

4. Does the State understand and agree that if State specific items are developed for State then they shall become the property of State, and Pearson VUE will continue to be the exclusive owner of existing test items provided or derived from Pearson VUE's general and

Refer to section 4.2.2 (b) and 5.2.2 (b) and Terms and Conditions, section B.

23, Property Rights, of the RFP.

License Examination Development and Administrative Services RFP # 329-26-30001 Addendum 1 - Question/Answer Response and Modifications Class-Item: 924-20

Question Response state item banks ("Root Items")? Presuming the answer to this question is yes, does the State agree that for any items created or derived from Root Items or jointly developed under the Agreement, State shall have a non-exclusive and royalty-free license to use these items only in connection with the State’s testing program (during the term of this Agreement).

5. 2.8 HUB

Subcontracting

HUB Subcontracting Plan: The "Agency Special Instructions/Additional Requirements" section is blank; can the Department elaborate on the HUB utilization goal or goals for this requisition number? Is a certain amount of HUB utilization required for this bid or simply recommended? If required, can the Department elaborate on how the proposed utilization efforts will be evaluated?

The Agency follows the State of Texas HUB Program requirements under 34 TAC §20.284 and has not set a contract-specific utilization percentage beyond the statewide goals. HUB subcontracting is not mandatory for this solicitation but is encouraged.

Each respondent must make a good faith effort to identify and utilize HUB subcontractors, and plans will be evaluated on completeness and documented good faith efforts in line with State HUB Program guidance.

6. 2.8 HUB

HUB Subcontracting Plan: Can the agency provide a list of trade organizations or development centers (per Method B) that it has found to be most effective for disseminating opportunities for this type of work?

The Agency does not maintain a list of trade organizations or development centers. However, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts provides a list of “HUB Resources” that may be helpful. Go to: https://comptroller.texas.gov/purcha sing/vendor/hub/resources.php

7. 2.8 HUB

The "HUB Subcontracting Opportunity Notification Form" includes a field for "Bonding/Insurance Requirements," However, the form itself does not specify what those requirements might be—will the Agency please clarify?

The Agency does not require standard bonding or insurance for all HUB subcontractors. Any bonding or insurance obligations will only apply if they are specified in this solicitation or are required by the prime contractor for the subcontracted work.

License Examination Development and Administrative Services RFP # 329-26-30001 Addendum 1 - Question/Answer Response and Modifications

Question Response

8. 2.8 HUB

Subcontracting

This section states, subcontractors must meet the "same requirements and level of experience" as the prime. Can the Agency clarify if this applies to all requirements, including the 5-year professional experience minimum (Section 3.1), or if this is evaluated proportionally to the subcontractor's scope of work?

Subcontractors must meet requirements proportionate to the work they will perform. While the prime contractor must meet the full 5-year professional experience minimum, subcontractors only need to demonstrate qualifications and experience appropriate to their specific scope of work.

9. Can TREC confirm the desired JTA format?

Does TREC prefer the vendor perform a traditional survey-based JTA method?

The Agency does not have a preferred method for performing the JTA. The Respondent must adhere to Sections 4.2 and 5.2 of the RFP. Refer to Addendum #1, Section 2, Item 2.6, revised 4.2.1 and

5.2.1 of the RFP .

10. 4.1(d) General Requirements, 7.1.5(b) Respondent Qualifications

Can TREC please confirm that it is requesting an ARELLO accredited exam vendor for this contract and that the selected vendor will be responsible for remitting a royalty fee payment (which is currently scheduled to increase from $2 to $5 on July 1, 2026) for each ARELLO accredited (i.e., National) exam administered during the contract term?

The Agency is requesting an ARELLO-accredited exam vendor for this solicitation and is aware of the proposed increase. The selected vendor will be responsible for remitting the applicable ARELLO royalty fee directly to ARELLO for each accredited exam administered during the contract term. This Royalty fee is not included in, nor paid under, any resulting contract with this Agency; it is a separate obligation between the vendor and ARELLO. Respondents should base their cost proposals on the current ARELLO fee structure, which includes the scheduled increase from $2 to $5 per exam effective July 1, 2026. The Agency reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to revise or remove the ARELLO accreditation requirement at a later date based on additional research or changing program needs, which may affect the fees collected by the vendor.

11. General. Please provide a copy of the current contract, including all amendments and subcontracts.

To obtain a copy of the current contract, submit a Request for Public Information.

Steps for submitting a request can be found at:

https://www.trec.texas.gov/public/request-public-information

License Examination Development and Administrative Services RFP # 329-26-30001 Addendum 1 - Question/Answer Response and Modifications

Question Response

12. 2.9 HUB

Subcontracting

Is HUB participation a mandatory requirement for this solicitation, and if so, how will HUB participation and the associated HUB Subcontracting Plan be evaluated and scored in the proposal review process?

See response to Question 5.

13. 2.9 HUB

Does the current examination provider utilize HUB contractors?

To obtain a copy of the current contract, submit a Request for Public Information.

Steps for submitting a request can be found at:

https://www.trec.texas.gov/public/request-public-information

14. Service Requirements for Examination Development 4.2.2, 5.2.2

Examination Construction, Case Studies We understand that the state portion of the Broker exam currently includes case studies. Will the case studies be a requirement for the Broker exam in this contract? If so, can we assume these case studies will also be provided to the new vendor as part of the state item pool?

Refer to Addendum #1, Section 2, Item 2.3, revised 4.2.2 of the RFP .

15. Service Requirements for Exam Administration (4.3.1, 5.3.1, 6.2.3).

Does TREC anticipate including remote (online) delivery of examinations as part of the services for this contract?

Except as may be required under applicable law, the Agency does not anticipate including remote (online) delivery of examinations at this time.

16. Service Requirements for Exam Administration (4.3.1, 5.3.1, 6.2.3)

Is TREC considering offering the Real Estate examinations in Spanish, in addition to English, as part of this contract?

No. The Agency does not anticipate offering exams in languages other than English.

17. Candidate Inquiries (4.3.8, 5.3.8, 6.2.10).

We understand and acknowledge that the customer contact center must be located within the United States. Could the Agency please clarify whether remote proctors (if remote proctoring is offered as a delivery method) are also required to be based in the United States?

Except as may be required under applicable law, the Agency does not anticipate utilizing remote proctoring at this time.

18. Special Administrations 4.3.10, 5.3.10, 6.2.12

Please provide 2024 accommodation volumes (or past 12 months) by month and type of accommodation.

Refer to Addendum #1, Section 2, Item 2.7. added Appendix G.

19. References List, 7.1.8

Is it acceptable to provide a list of all real estate and inspector examination clients from

Refer to Addendum #1, Section 2, item 2.

4 revised 7.1.8 of the RFP.

License Examination Development and Administrative Services RFP # 329-26-30001 Addendum 1 - Question/Answer Response and Modifications

Question Response the past five years, rather than a list of all examination clients across every licensing profession? Providing only the real estate and inspector list would keep the submission concise and directly relevant, whereas including every licensing program (hundreds of contracts) would add significant length to the proposal without clear value to the evaluation team.

20. References List, 7.1.8

If the expectation is to include all licensing exam clients, would TREC consider allowing abbreviated information for those clients outside the real estate and inspector programs

– such as limiting details to jurisdiction name, exam name, and contract dates – to keep the submission manageable while still meeting the intent of the requirement?

See response to Question 19.

21. Respondent Qualifications, 7.1.5, b

During the 2025 annual ARELLO conference, there was an increase in the ARELLO-accredited exam fees – from $2 to $5 per exam. Is the Agency aware of this change, and should respondents assume this new fee structure when preparing cost proposals?

The Agency is requesting an ARELLO-accredited exam vendor for this solicitation and is aware of the proposed increase. The selected vendor will be responsible for remitting the applicable ARELLO royalty fee directly to ARELLO for each accredited exam administered during the contract term. This Royalty fee is not included in, nor paid under, any resulting contract with this Agency; it is a separate obligation between the vendor and ARELLO. Respondents should base their cost proposals on the current ARELLO fee structure, which includes the scheduled increase from $2 to $5 per exam effective July 1, 2026. The Agency reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to revise or remove the ARELLO accreditation requirement at a later date based on additional research or changing program needs, which may affect the fees collected by the vendor.

22. Respondent

Qualifications, 7.1.5, b

Is the ARELLO Disciplinary Action Database check required for this contract?

The Respondent must comply with Section 7.1.5 (b) of the RFP.

License Examination Development and Administrative Services RFP # 329-26-30001 Addendum 1 - Question/Answer Response and Modifications

Section 2: Additions, Deletions, and Modifications to RFP #329-26-30001

The purpose of this section of the addendum is to replace the original RFP language and add, replace, or delete with the following language.

2.1 Section 4.3.6 (a) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with:

Describe a plan for producing and distributing detailed study guides at no cost for each examination which include, at a minimum, an examination content outline with at least 25 sample questions and a list of textbooks or other reference materials to prepare an applicant for the examination.

2.2 Section 5.3.6 (a) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with:

The vendor shall describe a plan for producing and distributing, at no cost, detailed study guides for each examination. Each guide must include an examination content outline, a list of textbooks or other reference materials to assist candidates in preparing for the exams, and at least ten (10) sample questions for the state portion of the exam. A full sample national exam is not required; however, reference to the NHIE and their practice exams must be included.

2.3 Section 4.2.2 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with:

Examination Construction: Separate two-part multiple-choice examinations are required for the real estate sales agent and broker license examinations. Each examination shall include a national portion and a state portion. The state portion of the broker exam shall include case studies as part of the examination. The current state item bank includes 10 case studies, which may be provided to the Successful Respondent at the discretion of TREC. The state portion of the sales agent exam is not currently required to include case studies; however, the Successful Respondent must have the ability to develop and incorporate case studies into the sales agent exam within an approved timeframe by TREC, upon request. Respondents must submit a proposal for each two-part examination that meets the requirements of this section. Respondents may submit a proposal that provides for examinations that do not solely consist of multiple-choice questions. A detailed explanation of the form, benefit, and previous use of any such

Question Response

23. Attachment I – Cost Proposal

According to the current candidate handbook, the Salesperson exam fee is $43 and the Broker exam fee is $39. Could TREC clarify what the current vendor is charging candidates and what amount is being remitted to the State? Specifically, is the remittance $25 per exam as indicated in the current RFP, or $10 per exam as stated in the 2020 RFP?

Refer to sections 4.1.3 and 4.3.16 of the RFP. To obtain a copy of the current contract, submit a Request for Public Information. Steps for submitting a request can be found at:

https://www.trec.texas.gov/public/reque st-public-information

24. Attachment I – Cost Proposal

According to the current candidate handbook, the Inspector exam fee is $199. Could TREC clarify what the current vendor is charging candidates and what amount is being remitted to the State? Specifically, is the remittance $25 per exam as indicated in the current RFP, or $10 per exam as stated in the 2020 RFP?

Refer to sections 4.1.3 and 4.3.16 of the RFP. To obtain a copy of the current contract, submit a Request for Public Information. Steps for submitting a request can be found at:

https://www.trec.texas.gov/public/reque st-public-information

License Examination Development and Administrative Services RFP # 329-26-30001 Addendum 1 - Question/Answer Response and Modifications alternative exam component should be included with the proposal. The national portion of each examination must be composed of items covering the general real estate principles and practices as determined by a national job analysis.

The state portion of each examination must be composed of items covering Texas real estate laws and practices as determined by a state job analysis. Successful candidates must pass each of the two parts.

2.4 Section 7.1.8 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with:

Respondent must complete and submit Attachment E, Reference List Form

Client References:

1. Provide a list, by year, of all real estate, inspector and appraiser examination clients for the past five (5) years.

Information must include: jurisdiction, contact person, address, telephone number, beginning and ending dates of the client’s contract, examination description, number of exams administered annually, and pass rates for first-time attempts for real estate or inspector licenses, annually, for each section (state and national) of the examination.

2. Provide a list of all other examination clients for the past five (5) years. Information must include: jurisdiction name, examination description and beginning and ending dates of the client’s contract. NOTE: A Submission may be rejected if any of the references report negative experience with the Respondent or any of the Respondent’s staff.

2.5 Section 2.1, Solicitation Response Format, has been deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

2.1 SOLICITATION RESPONSE FORMAT

The proposal must provide a straightforward, concise description of the Respondent's capabilities to satisfy the requirements of the RFP. The Respondent’s submission must:

a) be in a searchable Adobe Portable Document Format (*.pdf),

b) include page numbers and contain a single organized, paginated table of contents,

c) be organized and clearly labeled according to the RFP Section 2.4 Response Format and Contents,

d) not contain audio, video, or embedded fonts; and

e) not exceed the Agency’s email system capacity of 150 MB per email. If the proposal exceeds this limit, the

Respondent may submit the response in multiple emails. Each email must clearly indicate its sequence in the subject line (e.g., “Email 1 of 2-RFP No. 329-26-30001 License Examination Services", "Email 2 of 2- RFP No. 329-26-30001 License Examination Services”, etc.)

2.6 Section 4.2.1 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with:

4.2.1 Job Analysis: A job analysis is required of the Successful Respondent.

a. Describe a plan for conducting a job analysis in Texas to determine core competencies related to Texas laws, rules, contracts and Texas-specific special topics, at a minimum, necessary for entry level sales agents and brokers. Include key job tasks and anticipated timelines. Describe the rationale for the approach taken with the job analysis including anticipated benefits and outcomes. Include the frequency at which state job analysis will be performed to ensure exam content remains current and accurate. The

License Examination Development and Administrative Services RFP # 329-26-30001 Addendum 1 - Question/Answer Response and Modifications

State job analysis must be approved by the Agency and then initiated no later than 30 days after the contract is awarded.

b. A detailed explanation of the job analysis performed to determine the national exam content outline is required and must be approved by the Agency. If the Respondent does not have a national real estate content outline, an explanation of the job analysis that will be performed to establish national exam content must be included. Describe the frequency at which national exam content job analysis will be conducted to ensure exam content remains current and accurate.

Section 5.2.1 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with:

5.2.1 Job Analysis: A job analysis is required of the Successful Respondent.

Describe a plan for conducting a job analysis in Texas to determine core competencies for entry level real estate and professional inspectors. Include key job tasks and anticipated timelines. Describe the rationale for the approach taken with the job analysis including anticipated benefits and outcomes. Include the frequency at which state job analysis will be performed to ensure exam content remains current and accurate. The state job analysis must be approved by the Agency and then initiated no later than 30 days after the Contract is awarded.

2.7 Appendix G – Accommodations Granted FY 25 - has been added as an attachment to the RFP.

See Attachment G – Accommodations Granted FY25.

Section 3. Acknowledgement of Receipt

Signature of Authorized Representative Date Signed

Printed Name and Title of Authorized Representative Respondent

Company Name

License Examination Development and Administrative Services RFP # 329-26-30001 Addendum 1 - Question/Answer Response and Modifications

Appendix G Accommodations Granted FY 25

9/1/24 thru 8/31/25

Month Exam Accommodation Count

Sep-24 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 1

Sep-24 Sales Separate Rm & read aloud 1

Sep-24 Sales Separate Room & Recorder 1

Oct-24 Sales Extra Time - 1/2 Exam Time 1

Oct-24 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 1

Oct-24 Sales Fusion (STTM) 1

Oct-24 Sales Separate Rm & read aloud 1

Oct-24 Sales Separate Room 1

Nov-24 Broker Extra Time - 1/2 Exam Time 1

Nov-24 Sales Adjustable Work Station 1

Nov-24 Sales Extra Time - 1/2 Exam Time 1

Nov-24 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 3

Nov-24 Sales Separate Room & Reader 1

Nov-24 Sales Stool 1

Dec-24 Sales Extra Time - 1/2 Exam Time 2

Dec-24 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 1

Dec-24 Sales Other 1

Dec-24 Sales Separate Room & Reader/Recorder 1

Jan-25 Sales Extra Time - 1/2 Exam Time 4

Jan-25 Sales Extra Time - 30 Minutes 1

Jan-25 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 1

Jan-25 Sales Frequent/Extended Breaks 2

Jan-25 Sales Other 2

Jan-25 Sales Separate Rm & may move 1

Jan-25 Sales Separate Room 4

Jan-25 Sales Separate Room & Reader/Recorder 1

Feb-25 Sales Extra Time - 1/2 Exam Time 2

Feb-25 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 3

Feb-25 Sales Separate Room 2

Mar-25 Sales Extra Time - 1/2 Exam Time 2

Mar-25 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 3

Mar-25 Sales Other 1

Mar-25 Sales Separate Room 1

Mar-25 Sales Separate Room & Reader/Recorder 1

Apr-25 Sales Adjustable Work Station 1

Apr-25 Sales Beverage 1

License Examination Development and Administrative Services RFP # 329-26-30001 Addendum 1 - Question/Answer Response and Modifications

Month Exam Accommodation Count

Apr-25 Sales Extra Time - 1/2 Exam Time 4

Apr-25 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 2

Apr-25 Sales Frequent/Extended Breaks 1

Apr-25 Sales Glucose testing supplies 1

Apr-25 Sales Other 1

Apr-25 Sales Separate Room 1

Apr-25 Sales Separate Room & Reader 1

Apr-25 Sales Separate Room and Snacks 1

Apr-25 Sales Stool 1

May-25 Broker Extra Time - 30 Minutes 1

May-25 Broker Separate Rm & read aloud 1

May-25 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 2

May-25 Sales Glucose testing supplies 1

May-25 Sales Other 1

May-25 Sales Separate Rm & may move 1

May-25 Sales Separate Room 1

May-25 Sales Separate Room & Recorder 1

May-25 Sales Separate Room and Snacks 1

Jun-25 Broker Extra Time - 30 Minutes 1

Jun-25 Broker Separate Rm & read aloud 1

Jun-25 Sales Extra Time - 1/2 Exam Time 1

Jun-25 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 3

Jun-25 Sales Separate Room 1

Jun-25 Sales Separate Room & Reader 1

Jun-25 Sales Separate Room & Reader/Recorder 2

Jun-25 Sales Separate Room & Recorder 1

Jul-25 Sales Extra Time - 1/2 Exam Time 4

Jul-25 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 7

Jul-25 Sales Frequent/Extended Breaks 1

Jul-25 Sales Separate Rm & read aloud 3

Jul-25 Sales Separate Room 3

Jul-25 Sales Separate Room & Reader 3

Jul-25 Sales Separate Room & Reader/Recorder 1

Aug-25 Sales Extra Time - 1/2 Exam Time 1

Aug-25 Sales Extra Time - Double Time 3

Aug-25 Sales Separate Room & Reader 1