Final Water Treatment Chemicals SDFM RFP .docx

Request for Proposals Southern District Water Treatment Chemicals 2026000244 5/14/2026 Basic Information and Timeline

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/skd-xybx-njv Or dial:

All dates and times are subject to change and are in Mountain Time.

Colorado Department of Human Services Solicitation Number: 2026000244 Division of Contracts and Procurement (v. 03/26) Page 3 of 22

A. Quick Resources

1. For questions about this solicitation, contact the Single Point of Contact identified above.

2. For help with Vendor Self Service (ColoradoVSS), contact the Vendor Self Service Help Desk vsshelp@state.co.us or 303-866-6464.

3. For information about doing business with the state of Colorado generally, go to: https://osc.colorado.gov/spco/accesscolorado.

4. The Department is always interested in improving. Please take this survey at any time: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIgv9lgrT3x5AGzcvT1xkvpucrRhhN5QJ23vLcbyfvc2smaw/viewform (We do actually read the responses)

B. Introduction and Background The goal of this solicitation is to select a qualified vendor to provide appropriate chemicals and maintenance services for water treatment of the cooling towers, closed loop systems, and boiler plant operations. These are located primarily on the campus of the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo and at other locations of the Southern District Division of Facilities Management. Contractors’ proposals shall include all labor, materials, equipment, parts, and other items necessary to perform all work called for in the specifications. The specifications for each site and the water treatment to be done by type, frequency, location, sequence, and standard of performance.

C. How to Submit a Proposal

1. In General. Email the proposal, Signature Page, and any other required documents in one zip file as an attachment to this email address: JG_2026.l3py0mbmea5glqu6@u.box.com Please be aware of email server file size limitations. The maximum file size the Department can accept is 15 GB.

2. Only Attachments. Only the zip file goes through. The Department cannot see any text or messages sent to the email address identified above. Written questions may be emailed to the Single Point of Contact.

3. File Names. The zip file name should start with the solicitation type, solicitation number, and vendor name (e.g., “RFP 2026000244 Vendor Name…”). Vendors may include additional information in the zip file name.

4. Timing. The zip file typically uploads within five minutes; however, vendors should submit zip files at least thirty minutes prior to any deadline to ensure the file is received.

5. Confirmation. Vendors will receive an email confirmation from box.com that the zip file was uploaded correctly. If not, please contact the Single Point of Contact.

6. No Encryption. Do not encrypt emails sent to the submission email as it may prevent full submission.

7. Pre-bid Conference. There will be a mandatory pre-bid conference. Wednesday May 27,2026 10:00am 1600 W. 24th Street, Building 49, Pueblo, CO 81003.

8. Questions. Vendors may submit questions by email to the Single Point of Contact prior to the Questions Due Date identified in the Basic Information and Timeline above. The Department may answer some, all, or none of the questions asked by posting them publicly.

9. Late Proposals will not be accepted unless specifically allowed by rule and at the Department’s sole discretion.

D. Proposal Format

1. Maximum Length. Proposals should not exceed 20 pages. The Department may evaluate proposals negatively if this page limit is not followed.

E. Proposal Content Proposal Substance. 1. QUALIFICATIONS OF THE FIRM(s)

· Provide a Brief Written Description of how the proposal meets RFP requirements Provide a description of the composition and management structure of your firm. Identify the firm’s roles and responsibilities and relevant experience with contracts of similar scope and complexity. Describe how the firm’s experience relates to the success of this contract.

Provide a description and separate graphic organizational chart complete with working titles identifying the lines of authority, responsibility and coordination.

Provide a detailed description of how your firm will transition into the role of water treatment representative for the Colorado Mental Health Hospital campus in Pueblo.

Provide your firms’ safety record over the last ten years and describe your firms’ efforts to retain and support employees.

2. QUALIFICATIONS OF THE MANAGEMENT TEAM MEMBERS

Describe how many professional staff you plan to utilize to support this RFP?

Describe the qualifications and relevant experience of the staff who will be dedicated to this contract.

Identify all current office locations of the assigned staff and any other resident expertise intended for use under this RFP.

3. PROJECT APPROACH

Provide a strategic approach summary: Please include a brief description of how you will manage all the items included in the the RFP.

4. PRIOR PROJECT EXPERIENCE/SUCCESS

Select your three (3) most relevant clients similar to this RFP

Client name and Location Description of services provided Organizational structure of service delivery under the contract (include the owner’s organization as it interfaced with the respondent’s contract) Key assigned in-house staff (name and title) Schedule history Reference(s) Continuing services, if any

5. MISCELLANEOUS CONSIDERATIONS

a. Claims/Litigation History of Firm

Provide information on any past, current or anticipated claims (i.e., knowledge of pending claims) on respondent contracts; explain the litigation, the issue, and its outcome or anticipated outcome.

b. Other

This category is included for other items provided by the submitter. Inclusions may include standard firm promotional literature, testimonials, awards, corporate memberships in professional organizations or sponsorships, additional project/contract histories, etc., intended to demonstrate why your firm is uniquely qualified for this project.Please answer or address the following questions or issues:

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Cooling Tower Systems Cooling Tower Operational Data Tower Inventory

Temperature Differential:

10–15°F across all towers unless otherwise specified.

Required Testing & Control Levels

Weekly Required Cooling Tower Testing (Additional Requirement) The Awarded contractor shall perform weekly monitoring and documentation of:

· Makeup water hardness

· Conductivity (system and makeup)

· Trasar levels

· Free chlorine

· Alkalinity

· Chemical pump operation verification

· Inspection of all chemical feed lines

· ST70 tank level

· Trasar tank level

· Inspection of all chemical tanks for leaks or structural defects All weekly test results must be logged and made available to the Owner upon request.

Cooling Tower Performance Expectations

· Prevent scaling, corrosion, pitting, and biological fouling.

· Maintain corrosion rates at or below specified limits.

· All treatment chemicals must be approved for discharge into sanitary sewers.

· Prevent foaming in all tower basins.

· Microbiological Control:

· Use an oxidizing biocide effective at pH 8.2 or higher.

· Pricing based on treating 1MM lbs. of condenser water to maintain 0.5 ppm free halogen.

· Cooling Water Inhibitor:

· The inhibitor must protect mild steel and yellow metals.

· Pricing is based on 100,000 gallons of system water.

· The contractor shall identify and document system cycles of concentration.

Closed-Loop Hydronic Systems (Cooling Tower) Required Testing

Required Nitrite Testing – Updated Requirement Nitrite concentration testing shall be performed on all chilled- and hot-water closed-loop systems in the buildings listed below.

Testing frequency must follow the established PM schedule or be increased if system conditions warrant.

Hot Water Loops Buildings requiring nitrite testing:

· 049

· 126

· 140

· 116

· 115

· 130

· 270

· Zeb Pike – Colorado Springs

· Spring Creek – Colorado Springs

· San Carlos Correctional Facility

· LaVista Correctional Facility

· Youthful Offender System (YOS)

Chilled Water Loops Buildings requiring nitrite testing:

· 049

· 118

· 126

· 270

· 271

· Zeb Pike – Colorado Springs

· Spring Creek – Colorado Springs

· San Carlos Correctional Facility

· LaVista Correctional Facility

· Youthful Offender System (YOS)

Closed Loop Performance Expectations

· Prevent scaling, corrosion, or pitting in piping and heat exchangers.

· Chemicals must be approved for discharge into the sanitary sewer.

· Nitrite inhibitor suitable for pot-feeder application; pricing based on 100,000 gallons of treated volume.

· The awarded contractor shall determine actual loop capacities and document them.

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Boiler Plant Water Treatment:

Boiler Plant water treatment is to be done by type, frequency, location, sequence, and performance standards

Boiler Water Cycles of Concentration (currently)

34*

Blow-down Rate (%)

6*

Average Blow-down Volume (GPD)

5,030*

Condensate Return (%)

75*

Make-up Water (%)

25*

Average Make-up Water (GPD)

10,000*

*Mid-Range load (23,000 pounds/hour) for nine days.

Boiler Water:

Service frequency and control parameters to be met by the supplier.

<0.1mpy SS <0.1mpy Admiralty

Quarterly

Metal Transport Studies

As Required

Boiler Water Analysis

Weekly

Video Inspection

As Required

Condensate Iron Check

Quarterly

Calc Condensate Return %

Monthly

Operator Testing & Evaluation

Annually

Plant Survey Update

Annually

Safety Audit

Annually

Product Stewardship

Annually

Feed-Water:

Elution Study

As-Required

Performance Expectations:

· Prevent scaling, corrosion, and pitting in equipment, lines, including boiler tubes, and field equipment (e.g., radiators, steam valves, etc.).

· Corrosion rates are to be held equal to or less than those shown in the specification.

· Water treatment must be safe/legal for sanitary sewers in the event of a release, and all treatment chemicals must be approved by the local wastewater treatment facility.

· Prevent Foaming in the cooling towers.

· Steam must be safe for mixing with breathing air due to direct steam-injection humidification.

Boiler Water Treatment:

· Employ a liquid, all-organic, polymer, non-corrosive boiler water treatment capable of fluorescing for concentration measurement. Treatment must not contain phosphate and must not produce sludge. Pricing to be evaluated per 1 MM lbs. of feed water. Chemicals are equivalent and compatible with NALCO 22310 Next Guard.

· Condensate Corrosion Inhibitor:

· Employ an effective FDA-acceptable condensate corrosion inhibitor liquid that will neutralize acid-forming gases, such as CO2, and a non-film-forming neutralizing amine (Diethylethanolamine 30-60% concentration). The operating pH range shall be 8.3 to 8.8. Pricing is to be evaluated per 1 MM lbs. of Steam produced.

Oxygen Scavenger:

· Employ a product that will reduce pitting-type corrosion in boiler systems by directly scavenging dissolved oxygen in the feed water. The product must be a catalyzed sodium bicarbonate liquid to increase reaction rates and minimize the risk of unreacted oxygen entering the boiler. Pricing to be evaluated on removing 100 ppb of dissolved oxygen from 1 MM lbs. of Feed Water, to maintain 45 parts per million sulfite residual.

Product Containment:

· Employ stationary 400-gallon-capacity stainless steel tanks, appropriately lined with applicable inert material based on contents, and integral pump foundations. Provide inert connections, hoses, and applicable piping to facilitate re-fill via gravity feed from Contractor-supplied shipping transport Ownership and Use:

· Title: The title to all cooling towers and boiler systems covered by this specification shall be and remain with the State.

· Access: The awarded contractor shall, at all times when servicing State cooling towers and boilers, have the right to enter the premises during normal working hours in the company of a DFM staff member for inspection and/or maintenance of said cooling towers and boilers.

· Alterations: The Awarded Contractor shall not alter, modify, or reconstruct equipment from the original installed configuration without prior discussion and written approval from the Southern District Department of Human Services Facilities Management Representative.

Obligations of Awarded Contractor:

· The on-site representative of successfully awarded contractors will be required to submit to a background investigation as per the State of Colorado departmental regulations. The successful awarded contractor's on-site representative will also be provided with a Declaration of Contraband policy. This policy must be adhered to while on any State of Colorado property. In addition, a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Confidentiality Statement must be adhered to.

· Please be advised that the awarded contractor will be responsible for transitioning all existing equipment and replacing it with its own. This process must be coordinated to ensure minimal downtime.

· The awarded contractor will be responsible for coordinating the removal, purchase, transfer, or purging of any existing materials needed during the transition.

· The awarded contractor will be responsible for removing the existing stainless-steel tanks and installing new steel tanks. Additionally, the bidder must move the existing tanks to a specified area for pickup by the existing vendor.

· Please be advised that all service fees, tariffs, and equipment fees are understood to be included within the established agreement.

· The only recognized Terms and Conditions will be issued by the State of Colorado.

Service level expectations:

· For the first six (6) months of the contract, the awarded contractor will be required to set conductivity controllers, adjust pumps, and install all necessary equipment to run their recommended program for the cooling towers. Note: if the existing conductivity controllers, chemical injection pumps, and Traser systems are not compatible with the offeror's submission, the offeror shall bear the cost of its own.

· The awarded contractor will test and evaluate the program's success weekly and submit evaluation reports to the Appropriate Area Supervisor and the Physical Plant Manager within 24 hours of each visit.

· The awarded contractor will be required to include any equipment needed to achieve expectations.

· The equipment provided will include all pumps (System Dependent), controls (System Dependent), Tanks, and hardware necessary to properly administer the chemical program. Any additional equipment deemed appropriate by both the awarded contractor and State Representative will be provided at the Contractor's expense.

· Future Facility visits are to be as previously specified as a minimum; however, they can be more frequent if a problem is identified and corrective action is necessary and immediate.

· Water chemical testing and evaluation of all systems, including inventories, must be documented in a written report in lay terms and personalized. Should any system problems arise, we expect the appropriate recommendations for change or additional treatment to be included in said report. The report must be provided to the Physical Plant Manager and the appropriate area supervisor within 24 hours after the site visit.

· The awarded contractor will train DFM Staff at the onset of the contract period, and as needed to maintain the appropriate chemical levels and parameters. These services are expected to cost the State nothing additional.

· The Chemical Treatment awarded contractor will be expected to be on site within eight (8) hours of any call out, with no exceptions

Performance Standard:

· The awarded contractor will provide proper chemicals, equipment, services, and operator training for the Division of Facilities Management-Southern District. The awarded contractor r is required to manage the use of all existing on-site chemicals to exhaustion, using either the existing chemical feed equipment (owned by the current Contractor) or installing new equipment at no increased cost to the State. In either case, the awarded contractor is responsible for maintaining the chemical treatment equipment and retaining ownership of it, and the State assumes no liability.

· Chemicals are to be supplied by the awarded contractor, as per their recommendations, to maintain the specified performance parameters of the towers, chillers, closed loop, and boilers. The awarded contractor will be responsible for transporting the product(s) from their facility to our existing facilities. The awarded contractor proposes to explain shipment methods, including all chemical shipments, shipper name(s), shipper qualifications, and the method of transportation. All Chemical Handling is to be provided by either the awarded contractor personnel or the outside contractor/shipper and must be certified by either the Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to handle any product(s)/chemical(s). All shipments must be Free on Board (FOB) Destination, freight allowed. All shipments and storage are to be coordinated with the DFM Representative and shall occur during regularly scheduled business hours.

Drum Handling and Disposal:

· To minimize the State's liability for chemical drum handling, disposal, and transport, all liquid water treatment product containers will be the awarded contractor's responsibility and must be refillable, returnable containers.

· Furthermore, as an added precaution to mitigate liability for chemical spills, each container must be placed in a secondary containment basin. All products must be fed appropriately (without dilution or operator contact). All bulk product deliveries by the awarded contractor must be delivered to the feed point and dispensed to the Bulk Storage Tanks by the awarded contractor. The awarded contractor must also be able to transport chemical containers up or down as many as three flights of stairs. The awarded contractor is to assume responsibility for their containers, piping, and any additional hardware up to our injection points, pumps, or other blending devices as the State and the awarded contractor representative deem appropriate. State Responsibility:

· Safety: The State shall be responsible for safeguarding access to the cooling towers, chillers, and Central Heating Plant, securing the equipment after a malfunction in a manner sufficient to prevent subsequent injury and damage to persons and property; providing access to the equipment and safe working conditions for the employees of the contractor and promptly giving notice to the contractor of operational problems or malfunctions.

Specifications for Awarded Contractor

· Contractor reports - operations problems: Contractor shall immediately communicate verbally and in writing, within 24 hours, to the Facilities Management representative, the discovery, cause, and correction of all potential operational problems of an unusual or “potentially” hazardous nature that the contractor or any of its employees or representatives becomes aware of. A letter shall be sent to the representative outlining the causes and recommended corrective actions.

Awarded Contractor operational records:

· Contractor shall maintain schedules, operation logbooks, inventory lists, equipment specifications, and drawings that describe the installations covered by these specifications and the services performed. These documents shall be made available to the State’s Facilities Management Representative and/or DFM Purchasing Representative upon request.

Awarded Contractor Report to Facilities Management:

· Contractor’s mechanics shall report to the State’s Facilities Management Representative at the beginning of all work periods and shall examine the operations log book to discover any malfunction on the equipment reported therein. Also, the contractor must update their operational records each time they are on site. Reports should include methods for effectively tracking and documenting changes made, the desired outcomes, and follow-up if changes are needed. Reports are to be reviewed with the area supervisor before leaving, and a copy is given to the supervisor. Please provide a template for the report or report type being used to meet the above requirements.

· Emergency telephone reporting service: Contractor shall maintain a 24-hour-per-day telephone for receiving calls regarding any equipment malfunctions. The contractor shall accept equipment malfunction calls only from the State’s Facilities Management Representative on duty. The contractor shall make every effort to have mechanics on duty at the State site within eight (8) hours of an emergency equipment malfunction call.

Cleaning and Maintenance:

· Contractor shall be responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the penthouse, machine rooms, and closets assigned to the contractor for their exclusive use. These areas and the equipment, tools, supplies, and materials located therein are to be maintained in a neat, dry, clean, and securely fastened condition.

Annual Reporting Awarded Contractor:

· The Awarded Contractor will provide a written and/or in-person presentation to DFM Management detailing performance and cost per unit achieved, efficiencies, improvements made, and suggested problems and opportunities.

Cost:

Pricing must be valid for 90 days pending award and then through the initial term of the award.

· Pricing is to be submitted in the specified Unit of Measure, i.e., $ price per month.

· All pricing submitted for bid evaluation must be rounded up or down to the nearest whole cent. Prices shall not exceed two decimal places (example $5.50).

· Future fee increases must be mutually agreed upon/bilaterally executed between the parties.

· Per CRS 24-75-102, CDHS may only agree to a term of 12 months at a time.

· All bid responses must be quoted FOB Destination.

ANTICIPATED CONTRACT TERM:

The Initial Term of the awarded Contract is anticipated to begin on June 1, 2026, or upon approval by the State Controller, whichever is later, and ends on June 30, 2027.

The State may require continued performance through the exercise of options to extend for a period of up to four (4) years.

The total duration of the Contract, from the Start Date until termination, including the Department’s exercise of any options, is not anticipated to exceed five (5) years. The Department may extend the Contract beyond the anticipated term in this subsection, per the Colorado Procurement Code and its implementing rules, if the Department determines the extension is necessary.

The Department may, within its sole discretion, choose not to exercise any option or Extension Term in the Contract for any reason. If the Department chooses not to exercise any Extension Term, it may re-procure the performance of the Work in its sole discretion.

F. Demographic Form

1. In an effort to best comply with Colorado Procurement Code rule R-24-103-901 re maximizing opportunities, we like to gather certain voluntary demographic information from potential vendors where possible. This is entirely voluntary and does not affect an organization’s application/proposal/quote/bid or contract whatsoever in any way. It is not taken into consideration in this procurement process or reviewed by evaluators in this process. The information gathered is submitted directly to a data gathering team at CDHS who provide general statistics on outcomes and trends to CDHS Contracts & Procurement leadership on approximately a quarterly basis so that this leadership can look for ways to generally and overall maximize opportunities as described in the Code. Please fill out the following form regarding your organization’s demographic information if and to whatever extent you are willing. This is again entirely voluntary and has no impact on your potential work for the State: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/219f6db8803b4994afb9bf70e84fa421 G. How Proposals are Evaluated

1. In General. The Department will identify the proposal(s) most advantageous to the State through an objective and competitive process. A committee will review all acceptable proposals and may request more information or clarifications from any vendor. The committee will then recommend one or more proposals for award. The Single Point of Contact will notify all vendors of the final decision.

2. Mandatory Criteria. The Department may identify mandatory criteria. However, the Department reserves the right to waive mandatory requirements pursuant to Rule 24-103-301-03.

3. Evaluation Factors. The Department may evaluate proposals based on the information requested or referenced in the proposal content section, or as noted throughout the solicitation.

4. References. The Department may contact references, whether provided or not, and also consider them as part of the evaluation.

5. Standard Contracting Terms. Vendors must submit any requested changes to the attached standard CDHS Contract/PO terms and conditions and exhibits ("State Agreement Pieces") in redline with their submission. These terms are difficult to modify and the State does not guarantee acceptance of any changes, even after a notice of intent to award. Requested modifications increase risk and cost to the State, which may negatively impact any evaluation or award. Changes also significantly delay contract execution, as approvals are required from multiple State agencies (e.g., DPA, AG, OIT, CDHS). If no exceptions are noted, the Vendor accepts the State's terms as-is. A notice of intent to award does not imply acceptance of any proposed changes.

H. Ethics and Accessibility

1. Any person involved in the purchasing process for the State, any end users of such goods and services, any vendor or contractor that does business with the state, and any other interested third parties to the procurement process shall enhance the proficiency and stature of the purchasing process by adhering to the highest standards of ethical behavior.

2. Accessibility Requirements. All work performed as a result of this solicitation must comply with all applicable provisions of §§24-85-101, et seq., C.R.S., and the Accessibility Standards for Individuals with a Disability, as established by the Office Of Information Technology pursuant to Section §24-85-103 (2.5), C.R.S. and 3) all State of Colorado technology standards related to technology accessibility and with Level AA of the most current version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), incorporated in the State of Colorado technology standards.

I. Administrative Information

1. Communication. All communication regarding this solicitation must be done through the Single Point of Contact identified above. Unauthorized contact with any Department personnel other than the Single Point of Contact regarding this solicitation is prohibited and may result in disqualification.

2. Notices. The Department may modify this solicitation by posting changes via the Colorado VSS website. All communications will be posted on the VSS, www.colorado.gov/vss , and/or through a direct email from the Single Point of Contact.

3. Modifications of Proposals. Proposals may be modified or withdrawn by the vendor prior to the established proposal due date and time.

4. Public Opening. On the date and time shown above, the Department will hold a public opening pursuant to Rule 24-103-201-13. Vendors may request an accommodation to attend the public opening from the Department.

5. Presentations or Site Visits. At the Department’s sole discretion, the Department may request presentations or site visits. Vendors should not, however, prepare the proposal with the assumption that an opportunity for oral presentations or revisions will be offered.

6. Acceptance of solicitation terms. A proposal submitted in response to this solicitation shall constitute a binding offer and acknowledgment that all terms and conditions of this solicitation are accepted. Vendors must identify any variations between its proposal and the solicitation. Failure to do so shall be deemed a waiver of any rights to subsequently modify the terms of performance.

7. Contract. Vendors must agree to the State’s contract terms, found here: https://cdhs.colorado.gov/procurement or as an exhibit to this solicitation. Please note that any referenced or attached model contract lists the State’s standard required legal provisions but may not include the specific scope of work and other specific terms or requirements for this solicitation. Vendors must review any attached contract terms and note any exceptions. If no exceptions are noted, Vendor is indicating an intent to accept the terms as-is. Modifications to the State’s contract terms constitute increased risk and costs to the State. Therefore, Vendor’s noted exceptions may be considered in any evaluation.

8. Award. The Department will notify all vendors who submitted a proposal when it issues a Notice of Intent to Award. The awarded vendor(s) must act in good faith to execute an agreement on or before the Anticipated Contract Start Date identified above. If this date is not met, through no fault of the State, the State, at its sole discretion, may cancel the Notice of Intent to Award.

9. Protests. Any actual or prospective vendor who is aggrieved in connection with the solicitation or award of a contract may protest to Lauren Ingalls (email to lauren.ingalls@state.co.us), Procurement Director, Division of Contracts and Procurement, Department of Human Services. The protest shall be submitted in writing within ten business days after such aggrieved person knows, or should have known, of the facts giving rise thereto.

10. CORE Registration. Unless otherwise noted, before the Department can award to any vendor, that vendor must be registered in CORE, which can be completed through Vendor Self Service at www.colorado.gov/vss.

11. EFT. Awarded vendors are encouraged to sign up for EFT transfers.

12. Secretary of State Registration. Before Contract execution, the awarded vendor must be registered to do business in the State of Colorado. If a vendor is a foreign corporation (formed under a statute or common law in a jurisdiction other than Colorado) or other foreign entity transacting business in the State of Colorado, it shall warrant that it currently has obtained and shall maintain any applicable certificate of authority to transact business in the State of Colorado and has designated a registered agent in Colorado to accept service of process.

13. System for Award Management. Before Contract execution, the awarded vendor(s) must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

14. Confidentiality. The State of Colorado is subject to the requirements of §24-72-200.1, C.R.S., et seq., Colorado Open Records Act. Anything submitted by a vendor is likely to become public information. Vendors may submit, as a part of its solicitation response, a written request for classification of certain portions of the proposal as confidential information pursuant to Colorado Procurement Code R-24-101-401-03. Material for which confidentiality has been requested shall be readily identifiable and separable from other portions of the solicitation to facilitate public inspection of the non-confidential portion of the solicitation response, if it is not, the confidentiality request will not be considered. Commingling of confidential and non-confidential information is not acceptable and any confidentiality request made in this fashion will not be considered. In no event shall an entire proposal be classified as confidential. Marking an entire proposal as confidential is a confidentiality request that will not be considered. Price information will not be considered confidential. In addition to complying with the aforementioned restrictions, in order for the confidentiality request to be considered, the vendor must include the rationale for the request to classify portions as confidential, as specified in the Colorado Procurement Code R-24-101-401-03, specifying by line which section of §24-72-204, C.R.S. is the purported authority for the requested confidentiality determination ("Confidentiality Request Justification"). The confidentiality request shall also include both a proposed redacted version and an unredacted version of the submission. The Procurement Official or his or her designee shall determine if the information identified in the Offeror’s request is exempt from disclosure in accordance with §24-72-204, C.R.S., and shall inform the Offeror in writing of his or her determination. If the Offeror does not agree with the determination, the Offeror may protest the determination in accordance with article 109 of the Colorado Procurement Code and the terms of this solicitation. Reference Procurement Rule R-24-101-401-03. A confidentiality request, even if granted, will not render any potential later mutually-negotiated contract terms confidential, as such a resulting contract would be a matter of public record.

15. Background Checks. Pursuant to C.R.S. §27-90-111 and Department policy, any vendor, and its agent(s), who has direct contact with vulnerable persons in a state-operated facility, or who provides state-funded services that involve direct contact with vulnerable persons in the vulnerable person’s home or residence, shall:

i. submit to and successfully pass a criminal background check, and

ii. report any arrests, charges, or summonses for any disqualifying offense as specified by C.R.S. §27-90-111 to the Department.

16. Proposal Prices. Estimated proposal prices are not acceptable. Best and final offers may be considered in determining the apparent successful vendor. Proposals shall be firm for a period of not less than 180 calendar days from the date of award.

17. Cancellation. A solicitation may be cancelled only when there are cogent and compelling reasons to believe that the cancellation of the solicitation is in the state's best interest. An award of a contract under a solicitation may be cancelled, in whole or in part, when the procurement official determines in writing that such action is in the state's best interest.

18. Costs. The Department is not liable for any cost incurred by vendors prior to any formal contract, purchase order, or other agreement. No property interest of any nature shall occur until a contract is signed by all concerned parties.

19. Proposal Rejection. The Department may reject a proposal, waive informalities, and minor irregularities, or accept any portion.

20. Tax ID. Any tax identification number provided must be that of the vendor responding to the solicitation. The vendor must be a legal entity with the legal right to contract.

21. News Releases. Vendors may not issue any news releases pertaining to this solicitation without the Department’s prior written approval.

22. Taxes. The Department is exempt from all federal excise taxes under Chapter 32 of the Internal Revenue Code (Registration No. 84-730123K) and from all state and local government use taxes C.R.S. §39-26-114(a). The Colorado State and Local Sales Tax Exemption Number is 98-02565. When materials are purchased in certain political subdivisions (for example - City of Denver), the vendor may be required to pay sales tax even though the ultimate product or service is provided to the State of Colorado. This sales tax will not be reimbursed by the State.

23. E-Verify. Vendors must participate in the federal E-Verify program or the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Program as required by C.R.S. §8-17.5-101.

24. Services Outside of Colorado or the United States. Vendors must disclose services performed outside of Colorado or the United States as required by C.R.S. §24-102-206.

25. Notice to NonResident Bidders. If a nonresident vendor is from a state that provides a bidding preference to vendors from that state, then a comparable percentage disadvantage will be applied to the bid of that nonresident vendor pursuant to C.R.S. §24-103-908. The vendor may obtain additional information from the department of personnel's website.

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J. Exhibit List Attachment: State of Colorado Purchase Order Terms and Conditions Attachment Sample State Contract

Documents required to be returned with the bid:

· Price Work Sheet Exhibit B template FY26-FY30 returned

· Proposal Content information

· Certificate of Insurance

· Currently signed W9

· Provide with proposal current business license Please Provide with proposal.

All terms and conditions must be carefully reviewed, and any points of contention must be noted before a contract or purchase order is issued. Contract or PO to all solicitations.

By submitting a bid, quote, or proposal, you agree to be bound by the terms of the State’s solicitation.

Requests for edits must be approved in writing before the award is made.

K. Signature Page The vendor must complete and submit the Signature Page along with the bid.

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