ESBD_497322_1773802213732_OE_26R0010424.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

SOLICITATION NO.

405-26R0010424

TYPE OF SOLICITATION

OPEN ENROLLMENT

DATE ISSUED

03/17/2026

INTERDICTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN PROGRAM

Applicants must submit electronic applications no later than 5:00 P.M. Central Time on 08/31/2031 to the following email address or via the DPS Online Bid Room.

DPS_Solicit_Response@dps.texas.gov Attention: 405-26R0010424

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

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Padma Kulkarni, CTCD, CTCM

Contract Administrator

PHONE: (512) 424-2757

EMAIL: Padmavati.Kulkarni@dps.texas.gov

APPLICATION (Applicant must fully complete)

DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT

PAYMENT:

10 DAYS

20 DAYS

30 DAYS

___ DAYS

NAME AND ADDRESS

OF APPLICANT:

APPLICATION DATE

EMAIL AND TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code)

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE*

NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

CERTIFICATION, DISQUALIFICATION, AND REMEDIES

By signing this document, Applicant represents and warrants that all statements, certifications, and information applied to this open enrollment solicitation are true, current, complete, and accurate.

Applicants must sign their application in the space indicated above. DPS may pursue and enforce any available remedies against the Applicant for making any false statement, including disqualifying the Applicant’s application, immediately cancelling any Contract awarded to Vendor, or recommending State of Texas debarment.

*FAILURE TO SIGN WILL DEEM THE APPLICATION NON-RESPONSIVE.

TERM, PRICING, AND FUNDING

The initial contract term begins on the effective date stated in the notice of award and expires on the date outlined in the notice of award and will include any optional renewal terms.

If necessary, at the end of the last year of the Contract, DPS may also extend the Contract as described in the terms and conditions section entitled “Option to Extend Services.”

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

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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

SECTION C - SPECIFICATIONS

C.1 INTRODUCTION

C.2 Scope

C.3 TRANSITION

C.4 Deliverables

C.5 DPS PERSONNEL

C.6 CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK

SECTION D-INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO APPLICANTS…………9

D.1 APPLICATION PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

D.2 SOLICITATION ADDENDA

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

D.4 APPLICATION ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

D.5 CONTRACT AWARD

D.6 DPS’s RIGHTS

D.7 APPLICATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

D.8 DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE

D.9 APPLICANT SUBMISSIONS SUBJECT TO THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT 14

D.10 AGENCY POSTING OF CONTRACTS

D.11 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 this Contract have the meanings given in this section unless the context indicates otherwise.

“Applicant” means the individual, business entity, or organization that applies in reply to this solicitation with intent to contract with DPS.

“Application” means the Applicant’s application to this solicitation. An application is an offer to contract based upon the terms, conditions, and specifications contained within the solicitation. Applications do not become contracts until they are accepted through an open market purchase order.

“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 the formal, written, and legally enforceable agreement between DPS and Contractor.

“Contractor” means the individual, business or other entity awarded this Contract. In the context of applying, “Contractor” also means “Applicant” 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.

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

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SECTION B—SERVICES AND PRICES

B.1 PRICING REQUIREMENTS

B.1.1 Pricing Instructions

A. DPS seeks Contractors to provide the services described in Section C, Statement of Work, on an as needed, as requested basis. Pricing is firm fixed price for the services under Section C, Statement of Work. Applicants must accept pricing on the rates in Section B.4. DPS will not negotiate pricing.

B. Contractor must deliver and provide the IPC Training courses in compliance with all requirements of this Contract for the rates listed in the Mandatory Pricing Schedule.

C. The rates listed in the Mandatory Pricing Schedule for the IPC Trainings will represent Contractor’s sole compensation under this Contract. DPS guarantees no minimum utilization or compensation under this Contract. No payments may be approved or made prior to DPS’s written acceptance as provided in this Contract.

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

A. Upon request, Applicant must provide evidence of its financial resources and its ability to provide the commodities or perform the services for which Applicant is submitting an application. This includes information Applicant 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 Applicant’s operations or, in the alternative, financial statements compiled, reviewed and attested by an independent certified public accountant or certified public accounting firm. Applicants may submit a copy of its Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Business Information Report. If a D&B is submitted the report must include Applicant’s Viability Score and the Portfolio Comparison Score or similar ratings.

C. In lieu of providing financial statements in its Proposal, a Applicant may provide a statement regarding its financial stability and viability to perform under any resulting contract. If Applicant elects this approach rather than audited financial statements, the Applicant must submit a statement, with appropriate supporting documentation, sufficiently detailed to demonstrate financial solvency, and to verify the capacity to fulfill the requirements of this solicitation.

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

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

F. DPS reserves the right to investigate and determine the financial integrity and responsibility of an Applicant and to reject an application on the grounds of Applicant’s lack of financial soundness, or if DPS reasonably concludes, after reviewing the information submitted by Applicant as well as all other relevant information obtained by DPS, that significant issues exist that could jeopardize Applicant’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.

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B.2 INVOICE REQUIREMENTS

A. DPS will provide the Contractor with an invoice template. Invoice must be submitted using the template to the email addresses listed below under B.

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 APInvoices@dps.texas.gov and to the Contract Monitor at IPC@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 Contractor receive payments by electronic funds transfer (EFT), also known as direct deposit. If Contractor elects to be set up for direct deposit payment, Contractor must submit a completed Direct Deposit Authorization Form (74-176).

B. Regardless of whether Direct Deposit is chosen, Contractor must submit a completed application for Texas Identification Number (AP-152) and Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certifications (W-9) Form with its application submittal.

C. Contractor may submit an invoice after training at the appropriate rates listed in this solicitation. DPS will review, and if approved, will pay Contractor according to the rate schedule in this solicitation.

B.4 MANDATORY PRICING SCHEDULE

Compensation rates vary depending on training location and will be paid based on the Chart Sets below.

Chart Set - 1

IPC 2-Day Basic Course Rate

The following chart depicts the actual total compensation rate for IPC 2-day Basic courses instructed by length of course (consecutive days of instruction, actual instruction and day before/day after fee.

1 DAY 2 DAY

$2,287 $2,979

IPC 5-Day Train the Trainer Course Rate

The following chart depicts the actual total compensation rate for IPC 5-day Train the Trainer courses instructed by length of course (consecutive days of instruction, actual instruction and day before/after fee.

1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY

$2,287 $2,979 $3,721 $4,413 $5,193 mailto:APInvoices@dps.texas.gov

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Chart Set #2 IPC 2-Day Basic Course Rate

The following chart depicts the actual total compensation rate for IPC 2-day Basic courses instructed by length of course (consecutive days of instruction, actual instruction and day before/day after fee.

1 DAY 2 DAY

$2,977 $3,772

IPC 5-Day Train the Trainer Course Rate

The following chart depicts the actual total compensation rate for IPC 5-day Train the Trainer courses instructed by length of course (consecutive days of instruction, actual instruction and day before/after fee.

1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY

$2,857 $3,652 $4,447 $5,242 $6,037

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SECTION C - SPECIFICATIONS

C.1 INTRODUCTION

DPS conducted nearly 3 million traffic stops in 2008, apprehending criminals and seizing illegal drugs and stolen property. During all those interactions, DPS could not account for the successful recovery of one child, although 57,000 children were reported missing. In an effort to prevent the tragedy of missing, endangered, and exploited children, DPS, with the assistance of local, state, federal and non-governmental agencies developed the Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) program. IPC uses a multidisciplinary approach to training by leveraging local non-government organizations as partners during training. DPS will present a two-day Basic IPC course, a five-day Train the Trainer course, conference presentations, command staff presentations, or public presentations for agencies to train patrol officers on the detection, interdiction, protection, and rescue of children.

The training locations vary but must be approved by DPS.

C.2 SCOPE

DPS seeks applications from all eligible Applicants to provide contract services to DPS to instruct, coordinate, and represent the IPC training curriculum as needed and at the direction of DPS from this Open Enrollment solicitation. Applicants must meet the relevant instructor requirements outlined in Section C.3.

C.2.1 APPLICANT INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet all requirements and specifications outlined in this solicitation to be eligible to provide Instructor services.

C.2.2 IPC Instructor

The IPC Instructor will facilitate the class and ensure course objectives are met. The IPC Instructor will assist the Lead Instructor to administer the curriculum. The IPC instructor must have:

C.2.3. Instructor Qualifications:

1. Successfully completed and passed the IPC Instructor Course and received certification from

Texas Department of Public Safety.

2. Demonstrates a high degree of proficiency in teaching courses with verifiable references and course evaluations.

3. Must attend a pre-class virtual briefing.

4. Program Manager approval.

C.3 TRANSITION

In the event that DPS awards a subsequent competitive Pricing Request 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.

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C.4 DELIVERABLES

When directed by DPS, Contractor must provide training in compliance with Contractor’s instructor status under Section C.2. DPS will email or call Contractor to discuss upcoming training opportunities as needed. DPS will email all training details upon confirmation of training. Training must comply with DPS requirements and will be paid at the rates in the Mandatory Pricing Schedule.

C.5 DPS PERSONNEL

C.5.1 DPS’s Contract Administrator

A. The Contract Administrator of this Contract is Padma Kulkarni.

B. The telephone number for the Contract Administrator is 512-424-2757.

C. The email address is Padmavati.Kulkarni@dps.texas.gov.

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

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

C.5.2 DPS’s Contract Monitor

A. The Contract Monitor for this Contract is Michael Cavazos.

B. The telephone number for the Contract Monitor is 512-424-2321.

C. The email address is Michael.Cavazos@dps.texas.gov.

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

C.5.3 DPS’s Project Manager

1. The Project Manager for this Contract is Lieutenant Greg Reyero.

2. The telephone number for the Project Manager is 512-517-7298

3. The email address is greg.reyero@dps.texas.gov.

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

mailto:greg.reyero@dps.texas.gov

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C.6 CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK

A. Contractor’s project personnel must submit to a fingerprint-based Criminal History Background Investigation, if required by DPS at Contractor’s expense. To facilitate this Criminal History Background Investigation, each person must complete DPS’s 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’s 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’s 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’s Contract Monitor within 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 to an annual DPS fingerprint-based Criminal History Background Investigation to DPS.

E. Throughout the term of contract, contractors 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.

SECTION D—INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO APPLICANTS

D.1 APPLICATION PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

A. These instructions are designed to help ensure the Applicant submits all relevant information in its application.

B. As designated in the cover page of this solicitation, applications may only be submitted via the email address stated or the DPS Online Bid Room utilizing the procedures in the DPS Online Bid Room Vendor Exhibit. DPS encourages the use of the DPS Online Bid Room for the convenience of the respondents. Submission through both methods is not required.

C. Applicants must prepare its application in accordance with these instructions providing all required information in the format specified.

D. Failure of an application to show compliance with these instructions and submit all documentation may be grounds for considering the application non-responsive.

E. Applications 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). Applications must be paginated, contain a full table of contents, and have component sections clearly identified by electronic bookmarks.

F. DPS must receive applications no later than the deadline established in this solicitation and submitted to the submission email or DPS Online Bid Room listed on page 1.

G. Applicant must ensure that its application is clearly labeled.

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H. Applicant 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.

I. Applicants must submit all pertinent information directly within its application, information submitted as an internet link is considered non-responsive. Applicant must submit documentation or information within the application.

D.2 SOLICITATION ADDENDA

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

B. Applicant’s failure to timely acknowledge addenda may subject its application to rejection.

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

A. DPS will not consider any application received at the designated email address or the DPS Online Bid Room after the specified date and time.

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

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

D. No applications can be withdrawn after closing date and time without approval by DPS. Should an Applicant, after closing time, request its application be withdrawn, Applicant must email the request to the Contract Administrator listed in the solicitation.

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

F. DPS takes no responsibility for electronic email applications 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.

G. Submission via the DPS Online Bid Room will receive submission confirmation through the system. If confirmation is received through the DPS Online Bid Room, no additional confirmation of receipt is required.

D.4 APPLICATION ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

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

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

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D.5 CONTRACT AWARD

DPS may award one or more Contracts resulting from this solicitation to a responsible Applicant whose application is best value under the evaluation criteria in this solicitation. Due to the number of line items, it is possible that there will be multiple Contracts awarded from this solicitation, but DPS will not award more than one Applicant (who is the best value) per line item.

D.6 DPS’S RIGHTS

A. DPS may:

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

2. accept other than the lowest priced application; and

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

B. Waiver of deviations in any application will not constitute a modification of this solicitation and will not preclude DPS from asserting all rights against the Applicant for failure to fully comply with all terms and conditions of this solicitation. Copyrighted applications are unacceptable and are subject to being considered 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 application 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 Bid submitted in application to this solicitation.

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

D. Except as described in Section D.9, the submission of an application has the effect of waiving proprietary rights or confidentiality.

E. All applications and any content provided by the Applicant 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 Applicants or prospective contractors in the preparation, formulation, or presentation of an application.

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 applications 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 applications received by DPS will remain confidential until the evaluation process is complete.

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

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D.7 APPLICATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

D.7.1 Volume One – Required Contract Forms and Information

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

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

B. Information and Certifications Form;

C. Financial Rating and Solvency Information, if applicable;

D. A Redacted Open Enrollment Solicitation and Contract Application, 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 Applicant 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 Application Section

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

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

C. Information Sheet: Including all information required of Applicant.

1. Name and address (including telephone number) of Applicant.

2. Business form of Applicant (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. These résumés must include the percentage of time each person will dedicate to any resulting contract. The application will include key project personnel as follows:

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

ii. 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.

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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. Applicant must identify and provide in its application a minimum of three references relating to past contracts or projects that are similar in size and scope. Applicant must provide, at a minimum, the name, email address, phone number, and title for each reference provided.

Additionally, Applicant 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, if applicable, for the Applicant.

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

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

H. Applicant is encouraged to provide an application narrative for each section and subsection, in the format in which requirements are presented, in sufficient detail to clearly demonstrate Applicant’s compliance with all requirements of this solicitation, both technical and administrative. Supplemental justification or documentation can be provided as attachments.

Applicant must ensure that all material submitted is directly pertinent to the requirements of this solicitation and formatted as to the specific requirement as delineated in this solicitation.

I. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan. Applicant must submit, with its application, 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 Applicant 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).

J. Negotiations, Assumptions, and Exceptions. No assumptions may be included in an application.

Instead, Applicant must clarify a section of the Solicitation as needed through the question-and-answer process in Section D.8.

DPS cannot negotiate IFB terms or conditions and will disqualify any application with exceptions or assumptions under most circumstances. Instead of including exceptions, Applicants must request any desired modifications to the solicitation through the question-and-answer process in Section D.8. DPS cannot indemnify vendors under the Texas Constitution. Applicants may not request DPS or Customers to indemnify it.

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D.8 DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE

A. Applicant 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 or via the Online Bid Room and in accordance with any required deadlines.

B. DPS will provide written responses to the questions.

C. Applicant may only rely on the written information provided. Applicants are specifically cautioned against relying on any oral information.

D. Applicants are specifically prohibited from contacting any DPS personnel other than the Contract Administrator involved in this open enrollment for discussing its application. The only exception is if the Applicant has questions regarding proper completion of the HSP, the HUB coordinator listed on the HSP may be contacted with a copy of the Contract Administrator.

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

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

D.9 APPLICANT 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 application and other information submitted to DPS by Applicant are subject to release as public information by DPS. The application and other submitted information is presumed subject to disclosure unless a specific exception to disclosure under the PIA applies.

If it is necessary for Applicant to include proprietary or otherwise confidential information in its application or other submitted information, Applicant must clearly label that proprietary or confidential information and identify the legal basis for confidentiality. Merely making a blanket claim that the entire application is protected from disclosure because it contains some proprietary information is not acceptable and will make the entire application 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 application that are considered by Applicant to be proprietary or confidential must be clearly labeled as described above. Any information which is not clearly identified by Applicant as proprietary or confidential will be deemed subject to disclosure under the PIA.

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

If an application contains any information that the Applicant claims is confidential and not subject to release under the PIA, Applicant must prepare and deliver to DPS two copies of its application containing the following information.

A. A complete copy of all of Applicant’s submissions under this solicitation. Applicant must mark this copy’s documents with “Complete Application Documents, [Applicant’s Name], DPS SOLICITATION [SOLICITATION Number]. CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.”

B. A complete copy of all of Applicant’s submissions with all information claimed as confidential excised, blacked out, or otherwise redacted. This copy must also contain an Appendix, which contains clear

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Applicant must mark this copy’s documents with “For Public Release: Redacted Version of [Applicant’s Name], DPS SOLICITATION [SOLICITATION Number].”

D.10 AGENCY POSTING OF CONTRACTS

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

D.11 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

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

03/17/2026 N/A Solicitation Posted to ESBD

4/22/2026 5:00 PM CST Last day to submit written questions for clarification to DPS

4/29/2026 5:00 PM CST Estimated date for DPS to post Question and Answer (Q&A) document to ESBD

8/31/2031 5:00 PM CST Deadline for DPS to receive Applications

DPS reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change the above dates. 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.gov/esbd and the DPS Online Bid Room. Applicants have the responsibility to check the ESBD and the DPS Online Bid Room frequently for updates. Applicant is solely responsible for verifying receipt of its questions, if applicable, and responding by the deadlines stated. An Applicant’s failure to periodically check the ESBD or the DPS Online Bid Room for updates will in no way release the awarded Applicant 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 or via the DPS Online Bid Room by the date and time noted in the table listed in this solicitation. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. DPS intends to post answers to these questions on the ESBD and via the DPS Online Bid Room on or before the date and time noted in the table listed in this solicitation. Applicant 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 applications in accordance with the best value standard in Tex. Gov’t Code § 2156.007.

A Applicant’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. Applicants may fail 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.gov/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 reports, 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 Applicant.

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 Application for Texas Identification Number (AP-152)

F.4 Direct Deposit Authorization Form (74-176)

F.5 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certifications

F.6 Vendor Exceptions Form

F.7 Online Bid Room Vendor Information

F.8 IPC Contract Instructor Invoice Template