REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

FOR

STATE CAMPAIGN MANAGER SERVICES

FOR THE

STATE EMPLOYEE CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN

RFP NO. 240t Issuance Date: November 6, 2026

RFP No. 240t State Campaign Mgr Svcs for SECC Page 6 of 30

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Introduction

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller), acting for and on behalf of the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) State Policy Committee (Committee), issues this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit Proposals from qualified, independent non-profit charitable organizations and federated community campaign organizations to serve as the State Campaign Manager and provide State Campaign Manager Services for the SECC as described in this RFP (Services).

All requisite services are referred to as “Services” in this RFP and are more fully described in Section 2 (Scope of Services) of this RFP. In this RFP, all references to Comptroller shall also include Committee.

Comptroller and Committee anticipate making contract award to one (1) Successful Respondent for the Services. The date of award, number of contracts awarded, and all procedures relating to Contract award are the sole discretion of the Committee. The Committee reserves the right not to award a contract for the performance of all or part of the Services. Successful Respondent, as an independent contractor, shall provide Services under the Contract with Successful Respondent’s own personnel.

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 may be rejected as non-responsive.

In compliance with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, the Committee intends to announce a contract award during a duly-posted open meeting.

1.2 Background

The SECC was created by legislation in 1993. The first campaign was run in 1994, and raised $2,027,751. Through the efforts and generosity of many state employees since then, more than $217 million has been contributed through the SECC. The 2025 SECC raised $3.9 million in donations to charitable organizations. The nine-member Committee consists of current and retired state employees appointed by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Comptroller consistent with Section 659.140 of the Texas Government Code. Additional information about the SECC may be found at www.secctexas.org.

Section 659.140(e) of the Texas Government Code, requires the Committee to (i) select as the State Campaign Manager a federated community campaign organization or a charitable organization determined by the Committee to have demonstrated the capacity to conduct a state campaign, and (ii) enter into a contract with the State Campaign Manager selected by the Committee for the administration of the SECC. The current State Campaign Manager is United Ways of Texas.

The SECC occurs between September 1st and October 31st each year. Only during this time can participating state agencies, institutions of higher education, local campaign managers, and charitable organizations solicit state employees and hold fund-raising events for campaign donations through payroll deduction. During this time, employees choosing to donate via payroll deduction designate the charities to which they wish to donate. Statutorily, employee participation is voluntary. Employee participation is also confidential unless the employee chooses otherwise.

Respondent is solely responsible for its knowledge and understanding of, and is strongly encouraged to thoroughly review, all federal and state statutes, regulations, and rules applicable to the Services, including but not limited to the following Texas provisions:

· Section 659, Texas Government Code; and

· 34 Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 5, Subchapter D, Rule §5.48 (34 Texas Administrative Code §5.48).

1.3 Definitions

· Award Date. The Award Date is the date an authorized representative of the Committee executes the formal, written agreement between the Committee and Successful Respondent.

· Business Day. Monday through Friday, 8:00AM (CT) through 5:00PM (CT), except days on which the Comptroller’s offices are closed in accordance with the State of Texas Holiday Schedule posted on the agency website.

· Contract. The agreement described in Section 2, Part 2.3 (Contract Term, Sample Contract; Respondent Exceptions), if any.

· Days. The word “days” shall mean calendar days unless otherwise specified.

· Proposal. A submitted response to this RFP.

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

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

Section 2

SCOPE OF SERVICES

2.1 Statutory Definitions

The definitions set forth in 34 Texas Administrative Code§5.48 and Section 659.131 of the Texas Government Code, including but not limited to the following, shall apply to this RFP and the Contract:

· "Federated community campaign organization" means a federation or fund that:

(A) has demonstrated expertise in conducting workplace charitable campaigns; and

(B) distributes funds raised through a cooperative community campaign to at least five agencies that provide direct services to residents of the campaign area.

· "Federation or fund" means a fund-raising entity that:

(A) is a charitable organization;

(B) acts as an agent for at least five charitable organizations;

(C) is not organized exclusively to solicit contributions from state employees; and

(D) is supported by voluntary contributions by the public and is:

i. incorporated in this state and has an established physical presence in this state in the form of an office or service facility that is staffed at least 20 hours a week; or

ii. incorporated outside this state, includes at least l0 affiliated charitable organizations, has existed at least three years, and participates in state employee charitable campaigns in at least l0 other states.

· "Charitable organization" means an organization that:

(A) is organized for charitable purposes under the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act (Article 1396-1.01 et seq., Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) or holds a certificate of authority issued under that Act;

(B) is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of that code and to which contributions are deductible for income tax purposes under Section 170 of that code;

(C) complies with all applicable federal nondiscrimination law, including Chapter 2l, Title 42, United States Code;

(D) complies with all state statutes and rules relating to charitable organizations; and

(E) is not a private foundation.

2.2 Minimum Requirements

a) Eligibility

1) Section 659.140(e)(4) of the Texas Government Code, requires the Committee select as the State Campaign Manager a federated community campaign organization or a charitable organization determined by the Committee to have demonstrated the capacity to conduct a state campaign.

2) Only those Proposals that clearly demonstrate Respondent is either a federated community campaign organization or a charitable organization as defined in Section 2.1 (Statutory Definitions) of this RFP shall be considered for evaluation.

b) General

1) Successful Respondent shall provide all services, deliverables and qualified staff and otherwise do all things necessary for or incidental to delivery of required Services as described in this RFP. Successful Respondent shall be solely responsible for providing all Services required under the Contract.

2) As State Campaign Manager, Successful Respondent shall fulfill all responsibilities and perform all duties in accordance with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, and rules, including rules adopted by the Committee, throughout the Contract Term.

3) As State Campaign Manager, Successful Respondent shall:

a. Manage the statewide SECC day-to-day operations including:

i. Performing administrative review of statewide applications;

ii. Providing training;

iii. Updating the SECC website; and

iv. Preparing agendas, materials, and minutes for Committee meetings;

b. Provide assistance and information to state employees and local campaign managers; and

c. Serve as the main point of contact for the SECC.

c) Responsibilities of the State Campaign Manager

1) Statutory Responsibilities. Successful Respondent selected as the State Campaign Manager shall deliver the Services and fulfill all the State Campaign Manager’s responsibilities as set forth in Texas Government Code, Chapter 659, Subchapter I.

2) Additional Responsibilities Required by Rule. In addition to the State Campaign Manager’s Statutory Responsibilities, Successful Respondent shall fulfill all additional responsibilities set forth in 34 Texas Administrative Code §5.48(q)(2), as may be amended during the Contract Term and that includes, but is not limited to, the following:

a. Develop the SECC Plan in consultation with the State Advisory Committee;

b. Structure the SECC fairly and equitably according to the policies and procedures established by the Committee;

c. Prepare and submit for review by the State Advisory Committee a single statewide campaign budget that has been prepared in cooperation with any local campaign managers appointed by the Committee and that includes campaign materials, staff time, and other expenses incurred for the SECC. Expenses shall include, at a minimum, expenses related to:

i. Contracting for the administration of the SECC at the state and local levels;

ii. Changes or improvements to the SECC; and

iii. Expenses determined and prioritized by the Committee; and

3) Other Required Services.

As State Campaign Manager, Successful Respondent shall provide the Committee with assistance in the following tasks:

a. Preparing generic campaign materials (as such term is defined in 34 Texas Administrative Code §5.48(a)(14)) that are suitable for use in the annual SECC;

b. Coordinating and facilitating statewide delivery of SECC services to state employees;

c. Transitioning of services from incumbent State Campaign Manager to Successful Respondent, if necessary, and from Successful Respondent to successor, if necessary; and

d. Other tasks identified by the Committee as essential to fulfilling the State Campaign Manager role and SECC.

2.3 Contract Term; Sample Contract; Respondent Exceptions

a) Contract Term. The anticipated initial Contract Term shall be from Award Date through February 28, 2029. In accordance with terms of the Contract, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, exercise the option to extend the Contract Term for two (2) additional two (2)-year periods. The optional renewal periods, if exercised, shall be from March 1, 2029 through February 28, 2031, and March 1, 2031 through February 28, 2033. Notwithstanding the termination or expiration of the Contract, certain provisions (e.g., indemnification, confidentiality, right to audit, etc.) shall survive the termination or expiration of the Contract.

b) Sample Contract. A Contract awarded under this RFP, if any, will be based on Exhibit A (Sample Contract) to this RFP and shall incorporate this entire RFP . The Committee has final approval of the Contract, if any. The Committee reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to award a contract without negotiation of terms and conditions in this RFP and the Sample Contract in the best interests of the State prior to signature by the parties. In the event the Committee or Comptroller requires negotiations with Respondent, any modifications or clarifications agreed to with Successful Respondent during contract negotiations will also be incorporated into the final executed Contract. Notwithstanding any exceptions or any other provision of Respondent’s Proposal to the contrary, Successful Respondent shall indemnify Committee and the State of Texas, as specified in the Sample Contract. The State of Texas, the Committee and their respective employees, officers, agents, and representatives, will not indemnify Successful Respondent for any amount for any purpose, and any provisions to the contrary are void.

c) Respondent Exceptions. Respondent is solely responsible for its review of all terms and conditions in the Sample Contract and in this RFP. Respondent’s exceptions to any terms and conditions must be addressed in its transmittal letter required under Section 4, Part 4.2.a) (Transmittal Letter and Executive Summary). If a Respondent takes exception to any of the proposed terms and conditions stated in the Sample Contract or this RFP, those exceptions must be specifically and clearly identified in the transmittal letter and be accompanied with an explanation of the requested change along with Respondent’s proposed alternative language. Terms and conditions of the Sample Contract and this RFP that are not objected to in Respondent’s transmittal letter will be deemed to be accepted by Respondent. Failure to accept the terms and conditions of the Sample Contract and this RFP may result in disqualification of the Proposal.

Section 3

PROCUREMENT PROTOCOL, RESPONSE SUBMISSION

3.1 Authority

This RFP is issued pursuant to Chapter 659 and Section 2156.121 of the Texas Government Code.

3.2 Committee and Comptroller Rights

In the best interest of the Committee, Comptroller, and the State, the Committee, or Comptroller through the Committee, in their sole discretion, may amend or modify any provisions of this RFP or withdraw this RFP at any time prior to award of a Contract. The Committee 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 the Committee, the State of Texas, and State of Texas employees. The Committee reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to award a Contract without discussion of Proposal(s) with Respondent(s). The Committee’s and Comptroller’s waiver of any deviations in any Proposals will not constitute a modification of this RFP and will not preclude the Committee from asserting all rights against Respondent for failure to comply fully with all terms and conditions of the Contract. Prior to issuance of a purchase order, if applicable, under the Contract, the Committee reserves the right to make any corrections or include additional requirements necessary for the Committee’s and the State’s compliance with all applicable state and federal requirements.

The decision of the Committee and Comptroller or their designee(s) with regard to the above shall be administratively final. All Proposals shall become a part of the Committee’s and Comptroller’s official procurement files and may be available for public inspection upon execution of a Contract, if any.

3.3 Respondent Obligations

Respondents to this RFP are responsible for any expense related to the preparation and submission of a Proposal. Neither Committee nor Comptroller shall pay for any cost that is incurred by Successful Respondent prior to the Effective Date of the Contract. Qualified Respondents with the requisite experience are invited to submit Proposals in accordance with this RFP. Proposals must address all specifications.

3.4 Successful Respondent Obligations

The Committee shall look solely to Successful Respondent for performance of the Contract. Successful Respondent shall provide the requested Services under the direction of the Committee. Successful Respondent shall be the sole point of Contract responsibility. Successful Respondent shall be liable, both individually and severally, for the performance of all obligations under the Contract and shall not be relieved of the non-performance of any subcontractor.

3.5 Anticipated Schedule of Events

The Committee anticipates that the solicitation process, selection of Successful Respondent, and negotiation and award of Contract, if any, will proceed according to the following approximate schedule:

Late Proposals will not be considered

The times stated in this document refer to Central Time (CT). All deadlines are and Award Date is subject to change at the Committee’s sole discretion.

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. Any amendment to this solicitation will be posted as an addendum on the ESBD. It is the responsibility of interested parties to check the ESBD for updates to this RFP prior to submitting a Proposal. Respondent’s failure to periodically check the ESBD for updates will in no way release Successful Respondent from compliance with any requirements in any addendum, even if such compliance results in additional costs to meet the requirements.

3.6 Issuing Office

Comptroller, through its Operations and Support Legal Services Division, Contracts Section (Contracts Section), is the Issuing Office and the sole point of contact for the RFP. The Comptroller’s Contracts Section is the only office authorized to clarify, modify, amend, alter, or withdraw the specifications, terms, and conditions of this RFP and any contract awarded as a result of this RFP. Upon issuance of this RFP, other employees and representatives of Committee and Comptroller shall not answer questions or otherwise discuss the contents of this RFP with any Respondents or their representatives. Failure to observe this restriction may result in disqualification of any pending or subsequent Proposal. This restriction does not preclude discussions unrelated to this RFP. Except as otherwise indicated in this RFP, all communications concerning this procurement must be in writing and submitted by email to the Issuing Office at the following email address:

Kathleen Graham, Contracts Attorney Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Email: contracts@cpa.texas.gov

3.7 Submission of Questions

Questions concerning this RFP must be in writing and submitted via email to the Issuing Office email address specified in Section 3.6 (Issuing Office) no later than the Deadline for Submission of Questions specified in Section 3.5 (Anticipated Schedule of Events). Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Respondent is solely responsible for verifying Comptroller’s timely receipt of Respondent’s questions by the specified deadline.

Comptroller intends to release the Official Responses to Questions from Potential Respondents via posting to the ESBD on the date set forth in the Anticipated Schedule of Events or as soon thereafter as practical. .

3.8 Deadline for Submission of Proposals; Delivery Instructions; Number of Copies Required One (1) electronic copy of the Proposal in searchable .pdf format must be submitted to the Issuing Office email address specified in Section 3.6 (Issuing Office) and received no later than the Deadline for Submission of Proposals set forth in Section 3.5 (Anticipated Schedule of Events). The email must be labeled with “RFP No. 240t State Campaign Manager Services for SECC” and the name and address of Respondent within the body of the email.

Respondent is solely responsible for verifying Comptroller’s receipt of a Proposal by the deadline set forth in the Anticipated Schedule of Events. Comptroller and Committee shall not be liable or responsible for any costs whatsoever incurred in submission of a Proposal. Respondents will not be permitted to hand deliver Proposals or provide hardcopy Proposals to the Issuing Office. Respondents are required to electronically submit Proposals in accordance with this Section. Faxed Proposals are not acceptable and will not be considered.

Respondent is solely responsible for ensuring timely delivery of its Proposal to the Issuing Office before the deadline. Comptroller strongly encourages Respondent to send the email with the attached Proposal in accordance with specifications of this RFP at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the Deadline for Submission of Proposals specified in Section 3.5 (Anticipated Schedule of Events) in order to allow for any network delays that may occur (e.g., firewalls, security scans, etc.). Late Proposals will not be accepted.

For purposes of meeting the 2:00p.m. delivery deadline, the Issuing Office’s electronic receipt date and time will be considered conclusive in all respects.

3.9 Public Information Act; Nondisclosure Agreement; Confidential Information Information, documentation, and other material in connection with this RFP or the Contract may be subject to disclosure pursuant to Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code (the “Public Information Act”). In accordance with Section 2252.907 of the Texas Government Code, Respondent is required to make any information created or exchanged with the State pursuant to the Contract, and not otherwise excepted from disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act, available in a format that is accessible by the public at no additional charge to the State.

Except as provided by the Public Information Act, all information gathered, produced, derived, obtained, analyzed, controlled or accessed by Respondent in connection with a contract resulting from this RFP (Confidential Information), shall be and remain Confidential Information and shall not be released or disclosed by Respondent without the prior written consent of the Committee, which consent must specifically identify the Confidential Information to be disclosed by Respondent and the nature of the disclosure for which consent is sought. Respondent must execute and return with its Proposal the Nondisclosure Agreement attached as Exhibit D to this RFP.

Following the award of a Contract, responses to this RFP are subject to release as public information unless the response or specific parts of the response can be shown to be exempt from the Texas Public Information Act. All Respondents are advised to consult with their legal counsel regarding disclosure issues and take the appropriate precautions to safeguard trade secrets or any other proprietary information. The Committee assumes no obligation or responsibility relating to the disclosure or nondisclosure of information submitted by Respondents.

If a Respondent believes that any portion of its Proposal is confidential, then Respondent must so specify. Respondent must stamp in bold red letters the term “CONFIDENTIAL” on that specific part or page of the Proposal which Respondent believes to be confidential. Respondent must submit in writing specific detailed reasons, including any relevant legal authority, stating why Respondent believes the material to be confidential. Vague and general claims as to confidentiality will not be accepted. The Committee and Comptroller will be the sole judges as to whether a claim is general and/or vague in nature. All Proposals and parts of Proposals which are not marked as confidential will be automatically considered public information after the Contract is awarded. A response resulting in a Contract award may be considered public information even though parts are marked confidential.

In the event Comptroller or the Committee receives a request for portions of a Proposal marked as “CONFIDENTIAL” as specified above, such request shall be forwarded to the Texas Office of Attorney General (OAG) for an opinion on whether such information may be withheld from disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act. The Committee or Comptroller will notify Respondent whose Proposal is the subject of the request when the information is forwarded to the OAG. The Committee and Comptroller assume no obligation for asserting legal arguments on behalf of Respondents. Respondents are advised that the Committee and Comptroller are obligated to comply with the decision of the OAG, including any such decision calling for the release of information marked “CONFIDENTIAL” by a Respondent.

Copyrighted Proposals are unacceptable and are subject to disqualification as non-responsive.

3.10 Media Releases

Comptroller and Committee do not endorse any vendor, commodity, or service. Media releases pertaining to this RFP, the Contract, if any, or the Services to which they relate shall not be made without the prior written consent of Comptroller and Committee and then only in accordance with explicit written instructions from Comptroller or Committee. The disclosure of the contents of Proposals prior to the award of the Contract, if any, or any other violation of this section, may result in disqualification.

3.11 Non-exclusivity

This RFP is not exclusive, and Comptroller reserves the right to issue additional solicitations regarding the Services described in this RFP or similar services at any time.

3.12 Incorporation of Exhibits

Exhibits A, B, C, D, E, and F are attached hereto and incorporated as part of this RFP.

Section 4

PROPOSAL FORMAT, EVALUATIONS, CONTRACT AWARD

4.1 Introduction

Each Proposal shall contain a cover sheet with the following: “RFP No. 240t State Campaign Manager Services for State Employee Charitable Campaign” and the name and address of Respondent. Proposal pages must be consecutively numbered.

Proposals must be organized as described in Section 4.2 (General Organization of Proposal Contents). Proposals not organized in this manner may be subject to disqualification. Conciseness and clarity of content are required; vague and general Proposals may be considered non-responsive and may result in disqualification. Proposals must be complete; failure to provide all required information may result in the disqualification of the Proposal.

Any terms and conditions attached to a Proposal will not be considered unless specifically referred to in the Proposal.

ALL EXHIBITS TO THIS RFP ARE PREPARED EXCLUSIVELY FOR RFP NO. 240t. RESPONDENT’S SUBMISSION OF OTHER EXHIBITS OR DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING PRIOR RFP EXHIBITS, MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF THE PROPOSAL.

4.2 General Organization of Proposal Contents

Proposals must include all of the following items and be organized as follows:

a) Transmittal Letter and Executive Summary Respondent must submit a transmittal letter that identifies the entity that submits the Proposal and includes a commitment by that entity to provide the Services required by Committee. The transmittal letter must state that the Proposal is valid for one hundred eighty (180) days from the deadline for delivery of Proposals to Comptroller. Any Proposal containing a term of less than one hundred eighty (180) days for acceptance from this deadline will be rejected as non-responsive.

The transmittal letter must be signed by a person authorized to legally bind Respondent. Respondent also must indicate in its transmittal letter why it believes it is the most qualified to provide the requisite Services and why it believes its proposed Services best meet Committee’s objectives and the RFP requirements.

The transmittal letter must include a statement of acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Contract as set forth in Exhibit A (Sample Contract) to this RFP. If a Respondent takes exception to any of the proposed terms and conditions stated in Exhibit A or this RFP, then the exception(s) must be specifically and clearly identified in the transmittal letter, and an explanation of the requested change, along with the proposed alternative language must be included in the transmittal letter. However, failure to accept the terms and conditions as set forth in Exhibit A may result in disqualification of the Proposal.

Respondent must provide an executive summary of its Proposal and a representation that the Proposal addresses all of the requirements of this RFP. The Executive Summary must not exceed three (3) pages, and must represent a full and concise summary of the contents of the Proposal. Respondent must identify any Services that are provided beyond those specifically requested. If Respondent is providing Services that do not meet the specific requirements of this RFP but in the opinion of Respondent are equivalent or superior to those specifically requested, any such differences must be noted in the executive summary. However, failure to provide the Services specifically required may result in disqualification of the Proposal.

b) Table of Contents Each Proposal must be submitted with a table of contents that clearly identifies and denotes by page number each section of the Proposal and the location of all enclosures of the Proposal. The table of contents must follow the RFP’s structure as much as possible.

c) Respondent Identifying Information Respondent must provide the following identifying information:

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

2) names of all principals;

3) if Respondent is a subsidiary of another entity, Respondent must provide a clear description of the business relationship between Respondent and any parent company or organization;

4) whether the Respondent is applying as a “federated community campaign organization” or as a “charitable organization” as defined by Section 659.131 of the Texas Government Code;

5) name and location of Texas offices, other major offices, and other facilities that relate to Respondent’s performance under a contract resulting from this RFP and identification of the office that will have primary responsibility for performance of Services under the Contract, if awarded;

6) name, address, business telephone number, cell phone number, and email address of Respondent’s principal contact person regarding the Proposal and Contract, if awarded;

7) Respondent’s Federal Employer Identification Number (“FEIN” or “EIN) and Texas Tax Identification/Registration Number, if any;

d) Proposed Subcontractor(s) Identifying Information The Proposal must identify any subcontractors and outline the contractual relationship between Respondent and each proposed subcontractor. Respondent must provide statements for each proposed subcontractor attesting to the fact that the subcontractor will provide the Services as represented in Respondent’s Proposal. Each statement must be signed by an individual with authorization to legally obligate the subcontractor named in the statement. Respondent must disclose, at Committee’s request, any information regarding proposed subcontractors, including information similar to that required of Respondent in Section 4.2.c) (Respondent Identifying Information).

e) Respondent Narrative

1) Experience and Qualifications Respondent’s Proposal must include a detailed overview of Respondent’s, and Respondent’s subcontractors', if any, experience providing the requisite Services. Respondent must demonstrate its knowledge of and experience with activities relevant to the Services. Respondent must provide a detailed profile that describes the following:

a. specific experience within the last 5 years and qualifications of the organization, particularly highlighting: (i) the number and diversity of voluntary health and human services agencies or affiliates that rely on Respondent for financial support; (ii) the capacity of Respondent to conduct employee campaigns, as demonstrated by records of the amount of funds raised during the Respondent’s last completed annual public solicitation of funds; (iii) the percentage of solicitated funds received by Respondent during its last completed annual public solicitation of funds that were distributed to voluntary health and human services agencies; (iv) the geographic area serviced by Respondent; and (v) Respondent’s capacity and expertise to provide effective counsel and management as demonstrated by staff and equipment resources and examples of past campaign management;

b. experience within the last 5 years in (i) developing an annual campaign plan, (ii) preparing a state-wide campaign budget; (iii) preparing materials to be used by campaign managers; (iv) coordinating and facilitating campaign services; and (v) ensuring that all charitable campaign activities are conducted fairly and equitably;

c. campaigns it has conducted within the last five years and list of agencies it has served to establish either (i) that, as a federated community campaign organization, the Respondent demonstrates expertise in conducting workplace charitable campaigns and that Respondent distributes funds raised through a cooperative community campaign to at least five agencies that provide funds or programs for health and human services that directly benefit residents of the campaign area; or (ii) that, as a charitable organization that is not a federated cooperative community campaign organization, the Respondent demonstrates it has the capacity to conduct a state campaign;

d. details of Respondent’s ability to attend and make presentations at Committee meetings in Austin, Texas; and

e. Any other information Respondent believes is pertinent to this RFP.

2) Representations Respondent’s Proposal must include the following representations:

a. Confirmation of Respondent’s willingness to comply with the policies, directives and guidelines of the Committee;

b. Certification that Respondent complies with all applicable federal nondiscrimination laws, including Title 42, United States Code, Chapter 21 (Civil Rights),and will comply with such laws throughout the life of the Contract, if awarded;

c. Certification that Respondent complies with all applicable state statutes and rules relating to charitable organizations and will comply with such statutes and rules throughout the life of the Contract, if awarded; and

d. Certification that Respondent is not a private foundation.

3) 2027 SECC Campaign Respondent’s Proposal must include:

a. A proposed SECC Plan for 2027, including a campaign timeline with milestones and deliverables, and a detailed description of any work proposed to be subcontracted and names of Respondent’s proposed subcontractors, if any; and

b. Respondent’s Proposal shall include Respondent’s proposed budget for the 2027 SECC campaign;

4) Respondent Qualification Documents Respondent’s Proposal must include:

a. A copy of an IRS determination letter indicating that the named applicant organization is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of that code and to which contributions are deductible for income tax purposes under Section 170 of that code; and

b. Respondent’s official formation documentation from the Texas Secretary of State evidencing Respondent is organized for charitable purposes under the Texas Non- Profit Corporation Act (Article l396-1.01 et seq., Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) and any subsequent amendments or that evidences Respondent holds a certificate of authority issued under that Act; and,

c. If Respondent’s annual operating budget does not exceed $250,000, a completed Internal Revenue Service Form 990 and an accountant's review that offers full and open disclosure of the organization's internal operations; or

d. If Respondent’s annual operating budget exceeds $250,000, Respondent's most recent audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

f) Execution of Proposal Exhibit B to this RFP must be completed and signed by Respondent and included with the Proposal.

g) VetHUB Subcontract Plan 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 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 State of Texas Veteran Heroes United in Business (VetHUB) Subcontracting Plan (HSP).

Comptroller and Committee have determined that subcontracting opportunities are probable and require Respondents to complete the HSP form located at: https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/forms.php.

For purposes of the HSP, Committee and Comptroller have determined that this procurement falls under the following category:

Special Trade Construction

Professional Services

Other Services

Commodities

Committee and Comptroller have identified the possible subcontracting opportunities on the “Agency Special Instructions/Additional Requirements” portion of the HSP form as set forth below.

Agency Special Instructions/Additional Requirements The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is committed to increasing contracting opportunities with VetHUBs by contracting directly with VetHUBs or indirectly through subcontracting opportunities in compliance with Chapter 2161 of the Texas Government Code.

A bid/proposal/offer to a solicitation with an expected value of $100,000 or more must contain a completed HSP and supporting documentation to be considered responsive. Comptroller may reject an HSP that was not developed in good faith or completed. 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 Comptroller.

For assistance in completing the HSP, Respondent may visit the following website: https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/. The HSP is available as part of this solicitation package on the ESBD website, available at: https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd. Respondents may send an HSP review request to the Comptroller’s Issuing Office point of contact provided in this solicitation. Comptroller will provide a courtesy HSP review if the request is received no later than the date questions are due for this solicitation.

If Respondent is not subcontracting any portion of the contract, Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the HSP must be completed.

If Respondent is subcontracting some portion of the Contract, the supporting documentation of “Good Faith Effort” must be demonstrated in Section 5 of the HSP.

Committee and Comptroller request all Respondents to consider utilizing VetHUBs in subcontracting areas that are listed below; however, this list should not be considered exhaustive.

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.

Respondent must carefully review, complete and return all HSP forms as required by this Section.

h) Criminal Conviction Certification Exhibit C must be completed and signed by Respondent and included with the Proposal.

i) Nondisclosure Agreement Exhibit D must be completed and signed by Respondent and included with the Proposal.

j) Conflict of Interest/Disclosure Statement Exhibit E must be completed and signed by Respondent and included with the Proposal.

k) Certification Regarding Public Nature of the Proposal Exhibit F must be completed and signed by Respondent and included with the Proposal.

4.3 Evaluation and Award Procedure

a) Only Proposals that demonstrate the Respondent meets the requirements set forth in Section 2.2 (Minimum Requirements), Subsection (a) (Eligibility) shall be evaluated.

b) Pursuant to 34 Texas Administrative Code §5.48(n)(2)(G), the Committee shall select to act as the State Campaign Manager:

1) a federated community campaign organization, in accordance with the evaluation criteria listed in Section 4.3.c)1) below, if any federated community campaign organization has applied to be the manager; or

2) a charitable organization, in accordance with the 3 (three) evaluation criteria and relative weights listed in below in this section, if no federated community campaign organization has applied to be the manager.

c) The evaluation criteria and relative weights set forth below shall be used by the Committee in selection of Successful Respondent as the State Campaign Manager:

a. the number and diversity of voluntary health and human services agencies or affiliates that rely on Respondent for financial support;

b. the capability of Respondent to conduct employee campaigns, as demonstrated by records of the amount of funds raised during the Respondent's last completed annual public solicitation of funds;

c. the percent of solicited funds received by Respondent during its last completed annual public solicitation of funds that were distributed to voluntary health and human services agencies;

d. the geographic area serviced by Respondent; and

e. Respondent's capability and expertise to provide effective campaign counsel and management as demonstrated by staff and equipment resources and examples of past campaign management.

a. Timeline for all activities during the campaign year; and

b. Proposed activities

a. Basis for projections; and

b. Need and justification for items budgeted and amounts allocated to each item.

d) As part of the evaluation process, the Committee may conduct reference checks with other entities regarding past performance and may consider Respondent’s performance reports related to Respondent that are submitted through the Vendor Performance Tracking System as authorized by 34 Texas Administrative Code §20.115. Additionally, the Committee may, in its sole discretion and in the best interests of employees of the State of Texas, examine other sources of Respondent’s 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’s performance may include any private or governmental entity, including an agency or political subdivision of the State of Texas, another state, or the Federal government. Further, the Committee may initiate such examinations of Respondent’s performance based upon media reports. Any such investigations shall be at the sole discretion of the Committee, and any negative findings, as determined by the Committee, may result in a non-award to Respondent. The Vendor Performance Tracking System information is located at the following website: https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/programs/vendor-performance-tracking/.

e) Selection of Successful Respondent shall be made in the sole discretion of the Committee in the best interests of the employees of the State of Texas. Notice of Contract award will be published on the ESBD as soon as possible after Award Date, if any.

4.4 Protest Procedures.

Respondents must use the protest procedures adopted by Comptroller at 34 Texas Administrative Code §1.72 in the event of a protest.

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.

EXHIBIT A

SAMPLE CONTRACT

FOR

STATE CAMPAIGN MANAGER SERVICES

BETWEEN

STATE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE STATE EMPLOYEE CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN

AND

[SUCCESSFUL RESPONDENT]

This Contract for State Campaign Manager Services (Contract) is entered into between the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) State Policy Committee (Committee), and (Contractor), with offices located at (individually, Party; collectively, Parties). The definitions set forth in 34 Texas Administrative Code§5.48 and Section 659.131, Texas Government Code, shall apply to capitalized terms not otherwise defined within this Contract.

RECITALS

Whereas, Section 659.140, Texas Government Code, authorizes the Committee to select as the SECC State Campaign Manager (SCM) a federated community campaign organization or a charitable organization determined by the Committee to have demonstrated the capacity to conduct a state campaign and to enter into a contract with the SCM for the administration of the SECC;

Whereas, on November 6, 2026, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller), on behalf of the Committee, issued Request for Proposals No. 240t (RFP) seeking responses from qualified, independent, non-profit charitable organizations to serve as the SCM;

Whereas, on , Contractor submitted a proposal in response to the RFP (Proposal); and Whereas, Contractor was selected as the Successful Respondent.

Now, therefore; the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1: OBJECTIVES; AUTHORITY

1.1 OBJECTIVES

The Committee must fulfill its responsibilities set forth in Section 659.140(e), Texas Government Code, and in accordance with 34 Texas Administrative Code §5.48 and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Contractor, as SCM, shall fulfill all responsibilities and perform all duties in accordance with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, and rules, including rules adopted by the Committee, throughout the Contract Term to administer and manage the SECC and assist the Committee in ensuring the SECC is conducted with an orderly, fair, and proper implementation and management of the statewide effort to obtain charitable contributions from state employees through the SECC.

1.2 AUTHORITY

The Committee is authorized to enter into this Contract pursuant to Section 659.140(e)(5), Texas Government Code. Contractor represents and warrants that it is authorized to enter into this Contract pursuant to authorization granted by its governing board. The Parties represent and warrant that the persons executing this Contract on behalf of the parties, or representing themselves as signing and executing this Contract on behalf of the parties, are duly authorized by Committee and the governing body of Contractor, as appropriate, to execute this Contract on behalf of the parties and to validly and legally bind the parties to all of its terms, performances and provisions.

ARTICLE 2: SERVICES AND DELIVERABLES

2.1 STATEMENT OF SERVICES AND DELIVERABLES

2.1.1 Contractor shall provide to Committee all State Campaign Manager Services, related services, and deliverables as described in and in the manner required by all of the following documents (Services)that are attached hereto and incorporated as part of this Contract for all purposes (Attachments). All terms and conditions of the RFP shall apply unless expressly stated otherwise herein. The Contract will consist of this Contract without Attachments, the Attachments, and any duly executed amendments to the Contract. In the event of conflicts between this Contract and any of the listed Attachments to this Contract, the documents shall control in the following order of descending priority:

1. This Contract (without attachments);

2. Attachment A: Committee’s RFP

3. Attachment B: State Campaign Plan;

4. Attachment C: Annual SECC Budget;

5. Attachment D: Contractor’s HSP

6. Attachment E: Contractor’s Proposal;

7. Attachment F: Confidential Treatment of Information Acknowledgement.

2.1.2 Additionally, Contractor shall:

1. comply with and perform the SCM duties set forth in Texas Government Code, Chapter 659, including, but not limited to, Sections 659.140(e)(3)&(7), 133, .141, .148, and .151, and 34 Texas Administrative Code § 5.48, and the policies and rules of the Committee found at 34 Texas Administrative Code Chapters 325 and 326, et seq.;

2. prepare and submit the Committee meeting agendas to…