ESBD_File_351426_SOLICI_405-23R0019113.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

SOLICITATION NO.

405-23R0019113

TYPE OF SOLICITATION

INVITATION FOR BIDS

DATE ISSUED

2/21/2024

MCB SAFETY AUDIT OUTSOURCING

Bidder must submit electronic responses no later than 5:00 P.M. Central Time on 3/15/2024 to the following email address.

DPS_Solicit_Response@dps.texas.gov Attention: 405-23R0019113

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

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ricardo Cama, CTCD, CTCM

Contract Administrator

PHONE: (512) 424-2004

EMAIL: ricardo.cama@dps.texas.gov

RESPONSE (Bidder must fully complete)

DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT: 10 DAYS

20 DAYS

30 DAYS

___ DAYS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ADDENDA:

Bidder acknowledges receipt of solicitation addenda and related documents numbered and dated:

ADDENDUM NO. DATE ADDENDUM NO. DATE

NAME AND ADDRESS

OF BIDDER:

RESPONSE 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, Bidder represents and warrants that all statements, certifications, and information submitted in response to this solicitation are true, current, complete, and accurate.

Bidder must sign its response in the space indicated above. If Bidder does not sign its response, DPS will disqualify its response. Also, DPS may pursue and enforce any available remedies against the Bidder for making any false statement, including disqualifying the Bidder’s response, immediately cancelling any Contract awarded to Vendor, or recommending State of Texas debarment.

TERM, PRICING, AND FUNDING

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

DPS will not allow changes after Date of Award to terms or pricing during either the Contract term. The continuation of the 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

B.4 MANDATORY PRICING SCHEDULE

SECTION C - SPECIFICATIONS

C.1 INTRODUCTION

C.2 REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS

C.3 TRANSITION

C.4 DPS PERSONNEL

C.5 HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES (HUB) PARTICIPATION

C.6 INSURANCE REQUIRED UNDER THIS CONTRACT

C.7 CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK

SECTION D—INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO BIDDERS

D.1 RESPONSE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

D.2 SOLICITATION ADDENDA

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

D.4 RESPONSE ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

D.5 CONTRACT AWARD

D.6 DPS’s RIGHTS

D.7 RESPONSE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

D.8 DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE

D.9 BIDDER SUBMISSIONS SUBJECT TO THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT

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.

“Bid” means the Bidder’s response to this solicitation. A Bid is an offer to contract based upon the terms, conditions, and specifications contained within the solicitation. Bids do not become contracts until they are accepted through an open market purchase order.

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

“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 submitting a response, “Contractor” also means “Bidder” 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.

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

“Parties” means Contractor and DPS.

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

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SECTION B—SERVICES AND PRICES

B.1 PRICING REQUIREMENTS

B.1.1 Pricing Instructions

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

In the event that there is only one qualified Bid in response to this solicitation, DPS may, at its discretion, negotiate with Bidder.

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

C. Catalogs, brand names, or manufacturer’s references are descriptive only, and indicate type and quality desired. Bids on brands of like nature and quality will be considered unless advertised under Tex. Gov’t Code § 2155.067. If a Bidder believes it can satisfy these specifications, it should bid its goods or services and explain how the specifications will be adequately met.

D. If bidding on specifications other than those stated within this solicitation, bid should show manufacturer, brand, or trade name, and other description of product offered. If other than brand specified is offered, then Bidder must include specifications, illustrations, and complete descriptions of product offered must be included with bid.

E. Unless otherwise specified, all items bid must be new and unused and of current production.

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

A. Upon request, Bidder must provide evidence of its financial resources and its ability to provide the commodities or perform the services for which Bidder is

Page 5 of 21 Version 1.1, Template Approved 10/31/2022 submitting a response. This includes information Bidder 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 Bidder’s operations or, in the alternative, financial statements compiled, reviewed and attested by an independent certified public accountant or certified public accounting firm. Bidder may submit a copy of its Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Business Information Report. If a D&B is submitted the report must include Bidder’s Viability Score and the Portfolio Comparison Score or similar ratings.

C. In lieu of providing financial statements in its Proposal, a Bidder may provide a statement regarding its financial stability and viability to perform under any resulting contract. If Bidder elects this approach rather than audited financial statements, the Bidder 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. Bidder must provide information and any other financial information reasonably requested by DPS consistent with the services provided by Bidder 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 a Bidder and to reject a response on the grounds of Bidder’s lack of financial soundness, or if DPS reasonably concludes, after reviewing the information submitted by Bidder as well as all other relevant information obtained by DPS, that significant issues exist that could jeopardize Bidder’s full and timely performance. DPS also reserves this same right throughout the life of the Contract, including before executing any optional renewal with Contractor.

B.2 INVOICE REQUIREMENTS

A. Invoices are Contractor’s billing for commodities or services rendered. DPS will pay Contractor based on itemized invoices submitted to and approved by DPS. The invoices must be itemized and clearly identify the actual commodities and services provided.

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

mailto:apinvoices@dps.texas.gov

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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 as to 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 bid submittal.

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

B.4 MANDATORY PRICING SCHEDULE

Bidder must submit its bid price within the Mandatory Pricing Schedule in this section, replicating, as necessary, in its exact format.

LINE

ITEM DESCRIPTION QTY UOM

YEAR ONE

PRICE

YEAR TWO

YEAR THREE

PRCIE

YEAR FOUR

YEAR FIVE

1 New Entrant Safety Audits 1 EA $ $ $ $ $

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SECTION C - SPECIFICATIONS

C.1 INTRODUCTION

Texas Highway Patrol is seeking bids to establish with a third-party vendor to conduct off-site New Entrant Safety Audits as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration.

Requirements outlined herein applied to contractor and subcontractors, if applicable.

Texas leads the nation in new motor carriers seeking USDOT numbers, routinely having an inventory of new carriers in excess of 9,000. New Carriers are statistically more likely to involved in traffic crashes than established carriers. It is critical that new carriers be contacted early to ensure compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

Although the Agency has a robust New Entrant Program that conducts over 5,000 audits per year, vacancies within the program and a steady stream of new entrant carriers causes the inventory to remain high. The Agency is attempting to fill vacancies and add positions but using a contractor could increase the number of audits conducted and lower the inventory.

C.2 REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS

Contractor and personnel must:

A. Have a strong institutional knowledge of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations with particular emphasis on the New Entrant Safety Program.

B. Have knowledge of other pertinent rules, regulations, or procedures pertaining to New

Entrant Safety Audits, such as state specific requirements or Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Operational Policies.

C. DPS reserves the right to review and approve proposed contract auditors. All personnel offered must comply with requirements stated in Section D.7.2.C.5.

D. Coordinate with designated personnel from the Motor Carrier Bureau (MCB) for assignment of audits and submission of completed audits. Completed audits will be subject to quality control review by MCB supervisors and must meet established MCB quality and timeliness standards.

E. Upon acceptance of an audit by MCB, invoice the Agency for payment at the agreed upon price through established Agency procurement channels.

F. Agree that all work product is the sole property of DPS.

G. Agree to abide by all IT security and personal privacy rules established by DPS.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/new-entrant-safety-assurance-program https://www.cvsa.org/news/april-2018-updates/ https://www.cvsa.org/news/april-2018-updates/

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H. Auditors will be required to complete a minimum of 18 Onsite New Entrant Safety Audits to maintain certification. The certification period for maintenance runs from January 1st through December 31st of each calendar year.

I. Ensure that all auditors are properly certified through the CVSA online learning management system (LMS). Auditors should be removed from the DPS list if they become decertified or fail to complete the required number of safety audits for certification maintenance. Additionally, contractors may be required to attend refresher training covering inspection of drivers and vehicles, North American Out-of- Service Criteria, inspection of hazardous materials/dangerous goods, inspection of cargo tanks or other bulk packages, inspection of passenger carrying vehicles and New Entrant Audits annually or as needed. Contractor must ensure these trainings are completed timely and maintained. These requirements will be determined by DPS and provided to contractor after award.

J. Ensure that auditors follow established New Entrant Safety Audit policies and procedures that have been established by MCB. Protocols should be outlined to address auditors who fail to conduct their duties according to DPS standards of courtesy and professionalism.

K. MCB will submit auditor’s resumes and DPS/MCB will determine which auditors will be approved to conduct audits on behalf of the Agency. If MCB determines an auditor to be unsuitable, the contractor will remove the auditor from the master list upon written notification from the Agency.

L. Be responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen equipment issued by DPS to auditors and will reimburse the state the cost of any lost/damaged/stolen equipment.

M. Auditors will conduct audits on behalf of DPS and will be prohibited from holding employment with a motor carrier. This would include working as a safety consultant for an organization that provides services to one or more motor carriers.

C.3 TRANSITION

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

DPS.

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C.4 DPS PERSONNEL

C.4.1 DPS’s Contract Administrator

A. The Contract Administrator for administration of this Contract is Ricardo Cama.

B. The telephone number for the Contract Administrator is 512-424-2004.

C. The email address is ricardo.cama@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.4.2 DPS’s Contract Monitor

A. The Contract Monitor for this Contract is Captain Bart Teeter.

B. The telephone number for the Contract Monitor is 512-424-2728.

C. The email address is bart.teeter@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.

C.5 HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES (HUB) PARTICIPATION

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

B. Contractor must make a good faith effort to comply with all state HUB requirements under Tex. Gov’t Code Chapter 2161 and the administrative rules, as applicable.

Contractor must also comply with its approved HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP).

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C. Vendor must submit an HSP as part of its response and must comply with implementation of the HSP. Contractor must seek written approval from DPS prior to making any modifications to its HSP.

D. Vendor must submit a complete HSP meeting the good faith effort and supported by the required forms with the response. Bidder’s response will considered non-responsive if the agency forms are not completed in full or are missing from Bidder’s original response.

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

F. Contractor must submit to the HUB Office on a monthly basis (by the fifth day of the following month) the Prime Vendor Progress Assessment Report (PAR).

C.6 INSURANCE REQUIRED UNDER THIS CONTRACT

Unless otherwise specified in this Contract, DPS’s Standard Terms and Conditions or any other exhibit or attachment Contractor will acquire and maintain, for the duration of this Contract, insurance coverage necessary to ensure this Contract’s proper performance and cover any potential liabilities with financially sound and reputable insurers licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance, in the type and amount customarily carried within the industry or as determined by DPS. Contractor will provide evidence of insurance upon request by DPS.

If any policy is determined by DPS to be deficient and does not comply with the terms of this Contract, Contractor will secure such additional coverage as required by DPS, law, regulation, or customary practice. If coverage expires during the term of this Contract, Contractor must produce renewal certificates for each type of coverage.

C.7 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

Page 11 of 21 Version 1.1, Template Approved 10/31/2022 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 the Contract, Contractor will promptly notify DPS of any activity or action by Contractor’s personnel that may affect that individual’s ability to continue to work under the Contract.

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SECTION D—INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO BIDDERS

D.1 RESPONSE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

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

B. Bidder must prepare its response in accordance with these instructions providing all required information in the format specified.

C. Failure of a response to show compliance with these instructions and submit all documentation may be grounds for considering the response non-responsive.

D. Bids 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). Bidder’s response must be paginated, contain a full table of contents, and have component sections clearly identified by electronic bookmarks.

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

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

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

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

D.2 SOLICITATION ADDENDA

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

B. Bidder’s failure to timely acknowledge addenda may subject its Bid to rejection.

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

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

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

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

D. No Bids can be withdrawn after closing date and time without approval by DPS. Should a Bidder, after closing time, request its Bid be withdrawn, Bidder 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 Bidder’s responsibility to ensure that it submits, and that DPS receives, its complete Bid timely. DPS recommends that Bidder submit their complete Bid well in advance of the due date and time stated on the first page of this solicitation.

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

D.4 RESPONSE ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

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

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

D.5 CONTRACT AWARD

DPS may award one or more Contracts resulting from this solicitation to a responsible Bidder whose Bid 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 Bidder (who is the best value) per line item.

D.6 DPS’S RIGHTS

A. DPS may:

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

2. accept other than the lowest priced Bid; and

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

B. Waiver of deviations in any Bid will not constitute a modification of this solicitation and will not preclude DPS from asserting all rights against the Bidder for failure to fully comply with all terms and conditions of this solicitation. Copyrighted Bids 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

Page 14 of 21 Version 1.1, Template Approved 10/31/2022 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 Bid 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 response to this solicitation.

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

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

E. All Bids and any content provided by the Bidder 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 Bidders or prospective contractors in the preparation, formulation, or presentation of a Bid.

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

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

D.7 RESPONSE 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 Solicitation and Contract Bid, if applicable;

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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 Bidder 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 Bid Section

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

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

C. Information Sheet: Including all information required of Bidder and any subcontractors.

1. Name and address (including telephone number) of Bidder and all subcontractors.

2. Business form of Bidder and its subcontractors (e.g., corporation, partnership).

3. Date and state of incorporation.

4. Names and addresses of principal officers, directors, or partners.

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

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.

1) Name

2) Title (current)

3) Education

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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. Bidder must identify and provide in its bid a minimum of three references relating to past contracts or projects that are similar in size and scope. Bidder must provide, at a minimum, the name, email address, phone number, and title for each reference provided. Additionally, Bidder 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 Bidder and all third-parties and subcontractors proposed to fulfill service requirements.

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

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

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

I. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan. Bidder must submit, with its response, descriptions of its business continuity and disaster recovery plan and processes. If DPS awards a Contract under this solicitation, Contractor must submit, within ten days from Contract award, its plans regarding how Bidder 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

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J. Negotiations, Assumptions, and Exceptions. No assumptions should be included in a Bid. Instead, Bidder should seek to 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 Bid with exceptions or assumptions under most circumstances. Instead of including exceptions, Bidders should 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. Bidders should not request DPS or Customers to indemnify it.

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

Bidder must provide a completed HSP as required.

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

D.7.4 Volume Four –Pricing Response

Bidder must provide its pricing in the Mandatory Pricing Schedule in the exact format noted.

D.8 DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE

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

B. DPS will provide written responses to the questions.

C. Bidder should rely only on the written information provided in this manner. Bidder is specifically cautioned against relying on any oral information.

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

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E. The responsiveness of each bid 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 Bidder may result in DPS considering Bidder’s bid non-responsive in its entirety.

D.9 BIDDER SUBMISSIONS SUBJECT TO THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT

DPS is a governmental body subject to the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), Tex. Gov’t Code Chapter 552. The response and other information submitted to DPS by Bidder are subject to release as public information by DPS. The response and other submitted information is presumed subject to disclosure unless a specific exception to disclosure under the PIA applies.

If it is necessary for Bidder to include proprietary or otherwise confidential information in its response or other submitted information, Bidder must clearly label that proprietary or confidential information and identify the legal basis for confidentiality. Merely making a blanket claim that the entire response is protected from disclosure because it contains some proprietary information is not acceptable, and will make the entire response subject to release under the PIA.

In order to trigger the process of seeking an Attorney General opinion on the release of proprietary or confidential information, the specific provisions of the response that are considered by Bidder to be proprietary or confidential must be clearly labeled as described above. Any information which is not clearly identified by Bidder as proprietary or confidential will be deemed subject to disclosure under the PIA. Bidder will irrevocably deemed to have waived, and Bidder agrees to fully indemnify the State of Texas and DPS against any claim of infringement by DPS regarding the intellectual property rights of Bidder or any third party for any materials appearing in the response.

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

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

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

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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 Bidder and award of this Contract, if any, will proceed according to the following schedule:

2/21/2024 Solicitation Posted to ESBD

2/28/2024 5:00 PM CT Last day to submit written questions for clarification to DPS

3/5/2024 5:00 PM CT Estimated date for DPS to post Question and Answer (Q&A) document to ESBD

3/15/2024 5:00 PM CT Deadline for DPS to receive Bids

DPS reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change the above date(s). Notices of changes to items directly impacting the original solicitation process will be posted on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) located at: http://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd.

Bidder should check the ESBD frequently for updates. Bidder is solely responsible for verifying receipt of its questions, if applicable, and responding by the deadlines stated. A Bidder’s failure to periodically check the ESBD for updates will in no way release the awarded Bidder from compliance with any requirements in posted “addenda or additional information” although such compliance may result in additional costs to meet the requirements.

Questions regarding this solicitation must be in writing and must be submitted to DPS’s Contract Administrator by the date and time noted in the table listed in this solicitation.

Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Questions may only be submitted email. DPS intends to post answers to these questions on the ESBD on or before the date and time noted in the table listed in this solicitation. Bidder is solely responsible for verifying DPS’s timely receipt of its questions by the stated deadlines.

http://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd

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SECTION E—EVALUATION CRITERIA

DPS will evaluate responses in accordance with the best value standard in Tex. Gov’t Code § 2156.007.

A Bidder’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. Bidder’s 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.com/vpts.

DPS may conduct reference checks with other entities regarding past performance. In addition to evaluating performance through the Vendor Performance Tracking System, DPS may examine other sources of vendor performance including, notices of termination, cure notices, assessments of liquidated damages, litigation, audit 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 Bidder.

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 HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP)

F.4 Application for Texas Identification Number (AP-152)

F.5 Direct Deposit Authorization Form (74-176)

F.6 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certifications (W-9)