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Tempe Elementary School District

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

27-04-31

LANDSCAPING SERVICES - DISTRICTWIDE

RELEASE DATE: June 8, 2026

RESPONSE DEADLINE: June 23, 2026, 2:00 pm

Please refer to the project timeline in this document for all important deadlines.

Request for Proposal #27-04-31 Title: Landscaping Services - Districtwide

Table Of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

2. DOCUMENTS REFERENCED

3. UNIFORM INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

4. UNIFORM GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

5. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

6. SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

7. SCOPE OF WORK:

8. EVALUATION PHASES

9. VENDOR QUESTIONNAIRE

1.1. Important

In accordance with School District Procurement Rules in the Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) promulgated by the State Board of Education pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-213, Proposals for the material or services specified will be received by the Tempe Elementary School District #3 electronically through OpenGov.

Proposals received by the correct time and date shall be opened, and the vendors who submitted shall be publicly read. After the proposals submitted in response to the bids are opened and the award is made the governing board shall make available for public inspection all information, all bids and all findings and other information considered in determining whose bid conforms to the bids and will be the most advantageous with respect to price, conformity to the specifications and other factors to be selected for the award.

2. DOCUMENTS REFERENCED

2.1. 2.1. Statues

You may access a copy of the documents referenced within this Proposal at the following web addresses:

Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) is available at: http://www.azleg.gov/arstitle

The Arizona School District Procurement Rules in the Arizona Administrative Code is available at:

https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_07/7-02.pdf

I.R.S W-9 Form (Request for Taxpayer I.D. Number) is available at: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf

Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) and Other Applicable Grant Regulations is available at: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/fund/reg/edgarReg/edgar.html http://www.azleg.gov/arstitle https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_07/7-02.pdf http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf https://www2.ed.gov/policy/fund/reg/edgarReg/edgar.html

3. UNIFORM INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

3.1. Definition of Terms

In addition to the definitions specified in Arizona Administrative Code R7-2-1001, the terms listed below are defined as follows:

A. “Attachment” means any item the Solicitation requires an Offeror to submit as part of the Proposal.

B. “Contract Amendment” means a written document signed by the School District/Public Entity that is issued for the purpose of making changes in the Contract.

C. “Exhibit” means any item labeled as an Exhibit in the Solicitation or placed in the Exhibits section of the solicitation.

D. “Gratuity” means a payment, loan, subscription, advance, deposit of money, services, or anything of more than nominal value present or promised, unless consideration of substantially equal or greater value is received.

E. “Procurement Officer” means the person duly authorized to enter into and administer Contracts and make written determinations with respect to this solicitation or his/ her designee.

F. “Solicitation Amendment” means a written document that is authorized by the Procurement Officer and issued for the purpose of making changes to the Solicitation.

G. “Subcontract” means any Contract, express or implied, between the Contractor and another party or between a subcontractor and another party delegating or assigning, in whole or in part, the making or furnishings of any material or any service required for the performance of the Contract.

3.2. Inquiries

A. Duty to Examine. It is the responsibility of each Offeror to examine the entire Solicitation, seek clarification in writing, and check its Proposal for accuracy before submitting the Proposal. Lack of care in preparing a Proposal shall not be grounds for withdrawing the Proposal after the due date and time nor shall it give rise to any Contract claim.

B. Solicitation Contact Person. Any inquiry related to a Solicitation, including any requests for or inquiries regarding standards referenced in the Solicitation shall be directed solely to the Solicitation contact person. The Offeror shall not contact or direct inquiries concerning this Solicitation to any other employee unless the Solicitation specifically identifies a person other than the Solicitation contact person as a contact.

C. Submission of Inquiries. The Procurement Officer or the person identified in the Solicitation as the contact for inquires may require that an inquiry be submitted in writing. Any inquiry related to a

Solicitation shall refer to the appropriate Solicitation number, page, and paragraph. Do not place the

Solicitation number on the outside of the envelope containing that inquiry since it may then be identified as an Proposal and not be opened until after the Proposal due date and time.

D. Timeliness. Any inquiry shall be submitted as soon as possible and at least seven (7) days before the

Proposal due date and time. Failure to do so may result in the inquiry not being answered.

E. No Right to Rely on Verbal Responses. Any inquiry that results in changes to the Solicitation shall be answered solely through a written Solicitation Amendment. An Offeror may not rely on verbal responses to inquiries.

F. Solicitation Amendments. The Solicitation shall only be modified by a Solicitation Amendment. Unless otherwise stated in the Solicitation, each Solicitation Amendment shall be acknowledged by the person signing the Offer. Failure to acknowledge a material Solicitation Amendment or to follow the instructions for acknowledgement of the Solicitation Amendment may result in rejection of the Offer.

G. Pre-Proposal Conference. If a Pre-Proposal Conference has been scheduled under this Solicitation, the date, time, and location appear on the Solicitation cover sheet or elsewhere in the Solicitation. An

Offeror should raise any questions it may have about the Solicitation or the procurement at that time.

An Offeror may not rely on any verbal responses to questions at the conference. Material issues raised at the conference that result in changes to the Solicitation shall be answered solely through a written

Solicitation Amendment.

H. Persons with Disabilities. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter, by contacting the appropriate Solicitation contact person. Requests shall be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

3.3. Proposal Preparation

A. Forms. A Proposal shall be submitted either on the forms provided in this Solicitation or their substantial equivalent. Any substitute document for the forms provided in this Solicitation will be legible and contain the same information requested on the form.

B. Typed or Ink; Corrections. The Proposal should be typed or in ink. Erasures, interlineations or other modifications in the Proposal should be initialed in ink by the person signing the Proposal.

Modifications shall not be permitted after Proposals have been opened except as otherwise provided under A.A.C. R7-2-1030.

C. Evidence of Intent to be Bound. Failure to submit verifiable evidence of intent to be bound, such as an original signature, shall result in rejection of the Proposal.

D. Exceptions to Terms and Conditions. All exceptions included with the Proposal shall be submitted on the Deviations and Exceptions page in which the Offeror clearly identifies the specific paragraphs of the Solicitation where the exceptions occur. Any exceptions not included in such a section shall be without force and effect in any resulting Contract unless such exception is specifically referenced by the Procurement Officer in a written statement. The Offeror’s preprinted or standard terms will not be considered as a part of any resulting Contract. All exceptions that are contained in the Offer may negatively affect the proposal evaluation criteria as stated in the Solicitation or result in rejection of the offer.

E. Subcontracts. Offeror shall clearly list any proposed subcontractors and the subcontractor’s proposed responsibilities in the Proposal.

F. Cost of Proposal Preparation. The District will not reimburse any Offeror the cost of responding to a

Solicitation.

G. Solicitation Amendments. Unless otherwise stated in the Solicitation, each Solicitation Amendment shall be acknowledged by the person signing the Proposal. Failure to acknowledge a material

Solicitation Amendment or to follow the instructions for acknowledgement of the Solicitation

Amendment shall result in rejection of the Proposal.

H. Federal Excise Tax. School Districts/Public Entities are exempt from Federal Excise Tax on manufactured goods. Exemption Certificates will be prepared upon request.

I. Provision of Tax Identification Numbers. Offerors are required to provide their Arizona Transaction

Privilege Tax number and/or Federal Tax Identification number, if applicable, in the space provided on the Offer and Acceptance Form and provide the tax rate and amount, if applicable, on the Proposal

Cost Sheet.

J. Identification of Taxes in Proposal. School Districts/Public Entities are subject to all applicable state and local transaction privilege taxes. If Arizona resident Offerors do not indicate taxes on a separate item in the Proposal, the School District/Public Entity will conclude that the price(s) offered includes all applicable taxes. At all times, payment of taxes and the determination of applicable taxes and rates are the sole responsibility of the Offeror.

K. Disclosure. If the Firm, business, or person submitting this Proposal has been debarred, suspended, or otherwise lawfully precluded from participating in any public procurement activity, including being disapproved as a subcontractor with any federal, state, or local government, or if any such preclusion from participation from any public procurement activity is currently pending, the Offeror must fully explain the circumstances relating to the preclusion or proposed preclusion in the Proposal. The

Offeror shall include a letter with its Proposal setting forth the name and address of the governmental unit, the effective date of this suspension or debarment, the duration of the suspension or debarment, and the relevant circumstances relating the suspension or debarment. If suspension or debarment is currently pending, a detailed description of all relevant circumstances including the details enumerated above must be provided.

L. Solicitation Order of Precedence. In the event of a conflict in the provisions of this Solicitation and any subsequent contracts, the following shall prevail in the order set forth below:

1. Amendments;

2. Special Terms and Conditions;

3. Uniform General Terms and Conditions;

4. Scope of Work/Specifications;

5. Attachments;

6. Exhibits;

7. Special Instructions to Offerors;

8. Uniform Instructions to Offerors

M. Delivery. Unless stated otherwise in the Solicitation, all prices shall be F.O.B. Destination and shall include all delivery and unloading at the destination(s).

3.4. Submission of Proposal

A. Sealed Envelope or Package. Each Proposal shall be submitted to the location identified in this

Solicitation, in a sealed envelope or package that identifies its contents as a Proposal and the

Solicitation number to which it responds. The appropriate Solicitation Number should be plainly marked on the outside of the envelope or package.

B. Electronic Submission. If determined by the District that electronic submission of proposals is advantageous, the District will include the electronic submission requirements as well as if the electronic submission is mandatory or optional in the Special Instructions, Terms and Conditions section of the solicitation. Unless otherwise instructed, a facsimile or electronically submitted Proposal shall be rejected.

C. Proposal Amendment or Withdrawal. An Offeror may modify or withdraw a Proposal in writing at any time before Proposal opening if the modification or withdrawal is received before the Proposal due data and time at the location designed in the RFP. A Proposal may not be amended or withdrawn after the Proposal due date and time except as otherwise provided under A.A.C. R7-2-1044.

D. Public Record. Under applicable law, all Proposals submitted and opened are public records and must be retained by the School District/Public Entity. Proposals shall be open to public inspection after

Contract award, except for such Proposals deemed to be confidential by the School District/Public

Entity pursuant to A.A.C. R7-2-1006. If an Offeror believes that information in its Proposal contains confidential trade secrets or other proprietary data not to be disclosed as otherwise required by A.R.S.

§ 39-121, a statement advising the school district of this fact shall be provided on the

Confidential/Proprietary Submittals page and the information shall be so identified wherever it appears. Contract terms and conditions, pricing, and information generally available to the public are not considered confidential information under this Section.

E. Non-collusion, Employment, and Services. By signing the Offer and Acceptance form or other official contract form, the Offeror certifies that:

1. The prices have been arrived at independently, without consultation, communication or Agreement, for the purpose of restricting competition, as to any matter relating to such prices with any other Offeror or with any competitor; the prices which have been quoted have not been nor will not be disclosed directly or indirectly to any other Offeror or to any competitor; nor attempt has been made or will be made to induce any person or firm to submit or not to submit, an Offer for the purpose of restricting competition. It did not involve collusion or other anti-competitive practices in connection with the preparation or submission of its Proposal; and

2. It does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, or person to whom it provides services because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability, and that it complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and executive orders regarding employment; and

3. By submission of this proposal, that neither it nor its principals is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or otherwise lawfully prohibited from participating in any public procurement activity, including, but not limited to, being disapproved as a subcontractor of any public procurement unit or other governmental body; and

4. By submission of this proposal, that no Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with the awarding of a Federal contract, the making of a Federal grant, the making of a Federal loan, the entering into a

Cooperative Agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

5. By submission of this proposal, that Offeror has taken steps and exercised due diligence to ensure that Offeror has not offered, conferred, or agreed to confer any personal gift or benefit on a person who supervises or participates in contracts, purchases, payments, claims or other financial transactions, or on a person who supervises or participates in planning, recommending, selecting or contracting for materials, services, goods, construction or construction services of the District, in accordance with A.R.S. § 15-213(O) and A.A.C. R7-2-1003(J).

3.5. Additional Proposal Information

A. Unit Price Prevails. Where applicable, in the case of discrepancy between the unit price or rate and the extension of that unit price or rate, the unit price or rate shall govern.

B. Taxes. The amount of any applicable transaction privilege or use tax of a political subdivision of this state will not be a factor when determining lowest bidder.

C. Late Proposals, Modifications or Withdrawals. A Proposal, Modification or Withdrawal submitted after the exact Proposal due date and time shall not be considered except under the circumstances set forth in A.A.C. R7-2-1044.

D. Disqualification. A Proposal from an Offeror who is currently debarred, suspended or otherwise lawfully prohibited from any public procurement activity may be rejected.

E. Proposal Acceptance Period. An Offeror submitting a Proposal under this Solicitation shall hold its

Proposal open for the number of days that is stated in the Solicitation. If the Solicitation does not specifically state a number of days for the Proposal acceptance, the number of days shall be ninety

(90).

F. Payment. Payments shall comply with the requirements of A.R.S. Titles 35 and 41, Net 30 days. Upon receipt and acceptance of goods or services, the Contractor shall submit a complete and accurate invoice for payment within thirty (30) days.

G. Waiver and Rejection Rights. Notwithstanding any other provision of this solicitation, the School

District/Public Entity reserves the right to:

1. Waive any minor informality;

2. Reject any and all Proposals or portions thereof; or

3. Cancel a solicitation.

3.6. Award

A. Number or Types of Awards. Where applicable, the School District/Public Entity reserves the right to make multiple awards or to award a Contract by individual line items, by a group of line items, by an incremental award or by Region, as indicated within the Special Instructions, Terms and

Conditions. The award will be limited to the least number of Offerors that the School District/Public

Entity determines is necessary to meet the needs of the School District/Public Entity.

B. Contract Commencement. A Proposal does not constitute a Contract nor does it confer any rights on the Offeror to the award of a Contract. A Contract is not created until the Proposal is accepted in writing by the District/Public Entity with an authorized signature on the Offer and Acceptance Form. A letter or other notice of award or of the intent to award shall not constitute acceptance of the

Proposal.

C. Effective Date. The effective date of this Contract shall be the date that the Procurement Officer signs the Proposal and Acceptance Form or other official contract form, unless another date is specifically stated in the Contract.

D. Final Acceptance. Final acceptance for each participating School District/Public Entity will be contingent upon the approval of their Governing Board, if applicable.

3.7. Protests

A protest shall comply with and be resolved according to Arizona Department of Education School District

Procurement Code Rule A.A.C. R7-2-1141 through R7-2-1153. Protests shall be in writing and be filed with the

District Representative as listed in the Special Instructions to Offerors.

A. A protest shall include:

1. The name, addresses, and telephone number of the interested party

2. The signature of the interested party or the interested party's representative;

3. Identification of the purchasing agency and the Solicitation or Contract number;

4. A detailed statement of the legal and factual grounds of the protest including copies of relevant documents; and

5. The form of relief requested.

B. The interested party shall supply promptly any other information requested the District representative.

C. Protests based upon alleged improprieties in a solicitation that are apparent before the due date and time for responses to the solicitation, shall be filed before the due date and time for responses to the solicitation.

D. In cases other than those covered in section C of this section, the interested party shall file the protest within 10 days after the school district makes the procurement file available for public instruction.

E. The interested party may file a written request for an extension of the time limit for protest filing. The written request for an extension shall be filed with the District Representative before the expiration of the time limit and shall set forth good cause as to the specific action or inaction of the school district that resulted in the interested party being unable to file the protest within the 10 days. The district representative shall approve or deny the request in writing, state the reasons for the determination, and, if an extension is granted, set forth a new date for submission of the filing.

4. UNIFORM GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

4.1. Contract Interpretation

A. Arizona Law. The law of Arizona applies to this Contract including, where applicable, the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted by the State of Arizona and the Arizona School District Procurement Code, Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) §

15-213, and its implementing rules, Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) Title 7, Chapter 2, Articles 10 and 11.

B. Implied Contract Terms. Each Provision of law and any terms required by law to be in this Contract are a part of this

Contract as if fully stated in it.

C. Relationship of Parties. The Contractor under this Contract is an independent Contractor. Neither party to this

Contract shall be deemed to be the employee agent of the other party to the Contract.

D. Severability. The provisions of this Contract are severable. Any term or condition deemed illegal or invalid shall not affect any other term or condition of the Contract.

E. No Parol Evidence. This Contract is intended by the parties as a final and complete expression of their agreement. No course of prior dealings between the parties and no usage of the trade shall supplement or explain any terms used in this document.

F. No Waiver. Either party’s failure to insist on strict performance of any term or condition of the Contract shall not be deemed waiver of that term or condition even if the party accepting or acquiescing in the nonconforming performance knows of the nature of the performance and fails to object to it.

4.2. Contract Administration and Operation

A. Records. Under A.R.S. § 35-214 and § 35-215, the Contractor shall retain and shall contractually require each

Subcontractor to retain all data and other records (“records”) relating to the acquisition and performance of the

Contract for a period of five years after the completion of the Contract. All records shall be subject to inspection and audit at reasonable times. Upon request, the Contractor shall produce a legible copy of any or all such records.

B. Non-Discrimination. The Contractor shall comply with State Executive Order No. 99-4, 2000-4 and all other applicable

Federal and State laws, rules and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.

C. Audit. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 35-214 at any time during the term of this Contract and five (5) years thereafter, the

Contractor’s or any Subcontractor’s books and records shall be subject to audit by the School District/Public Entity and, where applicable, the Federal Government, the extent that the books and records relate to the performance of the Contract or Subcontract.

D. Inspection and Testing. The Contractor agrees to permit access to its facilities, Subcontractor facilities and the

Contractor’s processes for producing the materials, at reasonable time for inspection of the materials and services covered under this Contract. The School District/Public Entity shall also have the right to test at its own cost the materials to be supplied under this Contract. Neither inspection at the Contractor’s facilities nor testing shall constitute final acceptance of the materials. If the School District/Public Entity determines non-compliance of the materials, the Contractor shall be responsible for the payment of all costs incurred by the School District/Public Entity for testing and inspection.

E. Notices. Notices to the Contractor required by this Contract shall be made by the School District/Public Entity to the person indicated on the Offer and Acceptance Form submitted by the Contractor unless otherwise stated in the

Contract. Notices to the School District/Public Entity required by the Contract shall be made by the Contractor to the

Solicitation Contact Person indicated on the Solicitation cover sheet, unless otherwise stated in the Contract. An authorized Procurement Officer and an authorized Contractor representative may change their respective person to whom notices shall be given by written notice and an Amendment to the Contract shall not be necessary.

F. Advertising and Promotion of Contract. The Contractor shall not advertise or publish information for commercial benefit concerning this Contract without the prior written approval of the Procurement Officer.

G. Property of the School District/Public Entity. Any materials, including reports, computer programs and other deliverables, created under this Contract are the sole property of the School District/Public Entity. The Contractor is not entitled to a patent or copyright on those materials and may not transfer the patent or copyright to anyone else. The Contractor shall not use or release these materials without the prior written consent of the School

District/Public Entity.

4.3. Costs and Payments

A. Payments. Payments shall comply with the requirements of A.R.S. § 35-342 and 41, Net 30 days. Upon receipt and acceptance of goods or services, the Contractor shall submit a complete and accurate invoice for payment from the

School District/Public Entity within thirty (30) days. The Purchase Order number must be referenced on the invoice.

B. Applicable Taxes.

1. Payment of Taxes by the School District/Public Entity. The School District/Public Entity will pay only the rate and/or amount of taxes identified in the Proposal and in any resulting Contract.

2. State and Local Transaction Privilege Taxes. The School District/Public Entity is subject to all applicable state and local transaction privilege taxes. Transaction privilege taxes apply to the sale and are the responsibility of the seller to remit. Failure to collect taxes from the buyer does not relieve the seller from its obligation to remit taxes.

3. Tax Indemnification. Contractor and all Subcontractors shall pay all federal, state, and local taxes applicable to its operation and any persons employed by the Contractor. Contractor shall, and require all Subcontractors to hold the

School District/Public Entity harmless from any responsibility for taxes, damages and interest, if applicable, contributions required under federal, and/or state and local laws and regulations and any other costs including transaction privilege taxes, unemployment compensation insurance, Social Security and Worker’s Compensation.

4. IRS W-9. In order to receive payment under any resulting Contract, Offeror shall have a current I.R.S. W-9 Form on file with the School District/Public Entity.

C. Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year. Funds may not presently be available for performance under this

Contract beyond the current fiscal year. No legal liability on the part of the School District/Public Entity for any payment may arise under this Contract beyond the current fiscal year until funds are made available for performance of the Contract. The School District/Public Entity will make reasonable efforts to secure such funds.

4.4. Contract Changes

A. Amendments. This Contract is issued under the authority of the Procurement Officer who signed this Contract. The

Contract may be modified only through a Contract Amendment within the scope of the Contract signed by the

Procurement Officer. Changes to the Contract, including the addition of work or materials, the revision of payment terms, or the substitution of work or materials, directed by an unauthorized employee or made unilaterally by the

Contractor are violations or the Contract and or applicable law. Such changes, including unauthorized written

Contract Amendments, shall be void and without effect, and the Contractor shall not be entitled to any claim and this

Contract based on those changes.

B. Subcontracts. The Contractor shall not enter into any Subcontract under this Contract without the advance written approval of the Procurement Officer. The Subcontract shall incorporate by reference the terms and conditions of this

Contract.

C. Assignment and Delegation. The Contractor shall not assign any right nor delegate any duty under this Contract without the prior written approval of the Procurement Officer. The Procurement Officer shall not unreasonably withhold approval.

4.5. Risk and Liability

A. Risk of Loss. The Contractor shall bear all loss of conforming material covered under this Contract until received by authorized personnel at the location designated in the purchase order or Contract. Mere receipt does not constitute final acceptance. The risk of loss for nonconforming materials shall remain with the Contractor regardless of receipt.

B. General Indemnification. To the extent permitted by A.R.S. § 41-621 and § 35-154, the School District/Public Entity shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Contractor for its vicarious liability as result of entering into this

Contract. Each party to this Contract is responsible for its own negligence.

C. Indemnification - Patent and Copyright. To the extent permitted by A.R.S. § 41-621 and § 35-154, the Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the School District/Public Entity against any liability, including costs and expenses, for infringement of any patent, trademark, or copyright arising out of Contract performance or use by the School

District/Public Entity of materials furnished or work performed under this Contract. The School District/Public Entity shall reasonably notify the Contractor of any claim for which it may be liable under this paragraph.

D. Force Majeure.

1. Except for payment of sums due, neither party shall be liable to the other nor deemed in default under this

Contract if and to the extent that such party’s performance of this Contract is prevented by reason of force majeure. The term “force majeure” means an occurrence that is beyond the control of the party affected and occurs without its fault or negligence. Without limiting the foregoing, force majeure includes acts of God; acts of the public enemy; war; riots;

strikes; mobilization; labor disputes; civil disorders; fire; flood; lockouts; injections-intervention-acts; or failures or refusals to act by government authority; and other similar occurrences beyond the control of the party declaring force majeure which such party is unable to prevent by exercising reasonable diligence.

2. Force Majeure shall not include the following occurrences:

a. Late delivery of equipment or materials caused by congestion at a manufacturer’s plant or elsewhere, or an oversold condition of the market; or

b. Late performance by a Subcontractor unless the delay arises out of a force majeure occurrence in accordance with this force majeure term and condition; or

c. Inability of either the Contractor or any Subcontractor to acquire or maintain any required insurance, bonds, licenses, or permits.

3. If either party is delayed at any time in the progress of the work by force majeure, the delayed party shall notify the other party in writing of such delay, as soon as is practicable and no later than the following working day, of the commencement thereof and shall specify the causes of such delay in such notice. Such notice shall be delivered or mailed certified-return receipt requested, and shall make a specific reference to this article, thereby invoking its provisions. The delayed party shall cause such delay to cease as soon as practicable and shall notify the other party in writing when it has done so. The time of completion shall be extended by Contract Amendment for a period of time equal to the time that results or effects of such delay prevent the delayed party from performing in accordance with this Contract.

4. Any delay or failure in performance by either party hereto shall not constitute default hereunder or give rise to any claim for damages or loss of anticipated profits if, and that delay or failure is caused by force majeure.

E. Third Party Antitrust Violations. The Contractor assigns to the School District/Public Entity any claim for overcharges resulting from antitrust violation the extent that those violations concern materials of services supplied by third parties to the Contractor toward fulfillment of this Contract.

4.6. Warranties

A. Liens. The Contractor warrants that the materials supplied under this Contract are free of liens.

B. Quality. Unless otherwise modified elsewhere in these terms and conditions, the Contractor warrants that for one year after acceptance by the School District/Public Entity of the materials or services, they shall be:

1. A quality to pass without objection in the trade under the Contract description;

2. Fit for the intended purposes for which the materials or services are used;

3. Within the variations permitted by the Contract and are of even kind, quality, and quality within each unit and among all units;

4. Adequately contained, packaged and marked as the Contract may require; and

5. Conform to the written promises or affirmations of fact made by the Contractor.

C. Fitness. The Contractor warrants that any material or service supplied to the School District/Public Entity shall fully conform to all requirements of the Solicitation and all representations of the Contractor, and shall be fit for all purposes and uses required by the Contract.

D. Inspection/Testing. The warranties set forth in subparagraphs A through C of this paragraph are not affected by inspection/ testing of or payment for the materials or services by the School District/Public Entity.

E. Exclusions. Except as otherwise set forth in this Contract, there are no express or implied warranties or merchant ability fitness.

F. Compliance with Applicable Laws. The materials and services supplied under this Contract shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, and the Contract shall maintain all applicable licenses and permits.

G. Survival of Rights and Obligations after Contract Expiration or Termination.

1. Contractor’s Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made by the Contractor under this Contract shall survive the expiration of termination hereof. In addition, the parties hereto acknowledge that pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-510, except as provided in A.R.S. § 12-529, the School District/Public Entity is not subject to or barred by any limitations of actions prescribed in A.R.S. Title 12, Chapter 5.

2. Purchase Orders. The Contractor shall, in accordance with all terms and conditions of the Contract, fully perform and shall be obligated to comply with all purchase orders received by the Contractor prior to the expiration or termination hereof, unless otherwise directed in writing by the Procurement Offices, including, without limitation, all purchase orders received prior to but not fully performed and satisfied at the expiration or termination of this Contract.

4.7. School District/Public Entity’s Contractual Remedies

A. Right to Assurance. If the School District/Public Entity in good faith has reason to believe that the Contractor does not intend to, or is unable to perform or continue performing the Contract, the Procurement Officer may demand in writing that the Contractor give a written assurance of intent or ability to perform. Failure by the Contractor to provide written assurance within the number of days specified in the demand may, at the School District/Public

Entity’s option, be the basis for terminating the Contract under the Uniform General Terms and Conditions.

B. Stop Work Order.

1. The School District/Public Entity may, at any time, by written order to the Contractor, require the Contractor to stop all or any part, of the work called for by this Contract for a period of up to ninety (90) days after the order is delivered to the Contractor, and for any further period to which the parties may agree. The order shall be specifically identified as a stop work order issued under this clause. Upon receipt of the order, the Contractor shall immediately comply with its terms and take all reasonable steps to minimize the incurrence of costs allocable to the work covered by the order during the period of work stoppage.

2. If a stop work order issued under this clause is canceled or the period of the order or any extension expires, the Contractor shall resume work. The Procurement Officer shall make an equitable adjustment in the delivery schedule or Contract price, or both, and the Contract shall be amended in writing accordingly.

C. Non-exclusive Remedies. The rights and the remedies of the School District/Public Entity under this Contract are not exclusive.

D. Nonconforming Tender. Materials supplied under this Contract shall fully comply with the Contract. The delivery of materials or a portion of the materials in an installment that do not fully comply constitutes a breach of Contract. On delivery of nonconforming materials, the School District/Public Entity may terminate the Contract for default under applicable termination clauses in the Contract, exercise any of its remedies under the Uniform Commercial Code, or pursue any other right or remedy available to it.

E. Right to Offset. The School District/Public Entity shall be entitled to offset against any sums due the Contractor, any expenses or costs incurred by the School District/Public Entity or damages assessed by the School District/Public

Entity concerning the Contractor’s nonconforming performance or failure to perform the Contract, including expenses, costs and damages described in the Uniform General Terms and Conditions.

4.8. Contract Termination

A. Cancellation for Conflict of Interest. Per A.R.S. § 38-511 and A.A.C. R7-2-1087 (F) the School District/Public Entity may cancel this Contract within three (3) years after Contract execution without penalty or further obligation if any person significantly involved in initiating, negotiating, securing, drafting, or creating the Contract on behalf of the School

District/Public Entity is, or becomes at any time while the Contract or an extension the Contract is in effect, an employee of or a consultant to any other party to this Contract with respect to the subject matter of the Contract.

The cancellation shall be effective when the Contractor receives written notice of the cancellation unless the notice specifies a later time.

B. Gifts or Benefits. The School District may, by written notice, terminate this Contract, in whole or in part, if the School

District determines that any person or vendor has offered, conferred or agreed to confer any personal gift or benefit on any employee of the School District who supervised or participated in the planning, recommending, selecting or contracting of the Contract, in accordance with A.R.S. § 15-213(O) and A.A.C. R7-2-1087(G).

C. Gratuities. In accordance with A.A.C. R7-2-1087(H) The School District/Public Entity may, by written notice, terminate this Contract, in whole or in part, if the School District/Public Entity determines that employment or gratuity was offered or made by the Contractor or a representative of the Contractor to any officer or employee of the School

District/Public Entity for the purpose of influencing the outcome of the procurement or securing the Contract, an

Amendment to the Contract, or favorable treatment concerning the Contract, including the making of any determination or decision about Contract performance. The School District/Public Entity, in addition to any other rights or remedies, shall be entitled to recover exemplary damages in the amount of three (3) times the value of the gratuity offered by the Contractor.

D. Suspension or Debarment. The School District/Public Entity may, by written notice to the Contractor, immediately terminate this Contract if the School District/Public Entity determines that the Contractor has been disbarred, suspended or otherwise lawfully prohibited from participating in any public procurement activity, including but not limited to, being disapproved as a Subcontractor of any public procurement unit or other governmental body.

E. Termination for Convenience. The School District/Public Entity reserves the right to terminate the Contract, in whole or in part at any time, when in the best interests of the School District/Public Entity without penalty recourse. Upon receipt of the written notice, the Contractor shall immediately stop all work, as directed in the notice, notify all

Subcontractors of the effective date of the termination and minimize all further costs to the School District/Public

Entity. In the event of termination under this paragraph, all documents, data and reports prepared by the Contractor under the Contract shall become the property of and be delivered to the School District/Public Entity. The Contractor shall be entitled to receive just and equitable compensation for work in progress, work completed, and materials accepted before the effective date of the termination. The cost principles and procedures provided in A.A.C. R7-2-

1125 shall apply.

F. Termination for Default.

1. In addition to the rights reserved in the Uniform Terms and Conditions, the School District/Public Entity reserves the right to terminate the Contract in whole or in part due to the failure of the Contractor to comply with any term or condition of the Contract, to acquire and maintain all required insurance policies, bonds, licenses and permits, or to make satisfactory progress in performing the Contract. The Procurement Officer shall provide written notice of the termination and the reasons for it to the Contractor.

2. Upon termination under this paragraph, all documents, data and reports prepared by the Contractor under the

Contract shall become the property of and be delivered to the School District/Public Entity.

3. The School District/Public Entity may, upon termination of this Contract, procure, on terms and in the manner that it deems appropriate, materials and services to replace those under this Contract. The Contractor shall be liable to the School District/Public Entity for any excess costs incurred by the School District/Public Entity re-procuring the materials or services.

G.

H. Continuation of Performance through Termination. The Contractor shall continue to perform, in accordance with the requirements of the Contract, up to the date of termination, as directed in the termination notice.

4.9. Contract Claims

All Contract claims and controversies under this Contract shall be resolved according to A.R.S. § 15-213 and rules adopted thereunder.

4.10. Gift Policy

The District will accept no gifts, gratuities or advertising products from Offerors. The District has adopted a zero tolerance policy concerning Offeror gifts. The District may request product samples from Offerors for official evaluation with disposal of those said samples at the discretion of the Procurement Officer.

4.11. Integrity of Proposal

By signing this Proposal, the Offeror affirms that the Offeror has not given, nor intends to give any time hereafter any economic opportunity, future employment, gift, loan gratuity, special discount, trip favor, or service to any employee of the School District/Public Entity in connection with the submitted Proposal. Failure to sign the Proposal, or signing it with a false statement, shall void the submitted proposal or any resulting contract.

4.12. Offshore Performance

Due to security and identity protection concerns, direct services under any subsequent contract shall be performed within the borders of the United States. Any services that are described in the specifications or scope of work that directly serve the school district(s) or charter school(s) or its clients and may involve access to secure or sensitive data or personal client data or development or modification of software for the State shall be performed within the borders of the United States. Unless specifically stated otherwise in the specifications, this definition does not apply to indirect or “overhead” services, redundant back-up services or services that are incidental to the performance of the contract. This provision applies to work performed by subcontractors at all tiers.

4.13. Contractor's Employment Eligibility

By entering the contract, Contractor warrants compliance with A.R.S. § 41-4401, A.R.S. § 23-214, the Federal

Immigration and Nationality Act (FINA), and all other federal immigration laws and regulations.

The District may request verification of compliance from any Contractor or Subcontractor performing work under this contract. The District reserves the right to confirm compliance in accordance with applicable laws.

Should the District suspect or find that the Contractor or any of its Subcontractors are not in compliance, the

District may pursue any and all remedies allowed by law, including, but not limited to: suspension of work, termination of the contract for default, and suspension and/or debarment of the Contractor. All costs necessary to verify compliance are the responsibility of the contractor.

4.14. Terrorism Country Divestments

Per A.R.S. § 35-392, the District/public entity is prohibited from purchasing from a company that is in violation of the Export Administration Act.

4.15. Fingerprint Clearance Cards

In accordance with A.R.S. § 15-512(H), a contractor, subcontractor or vendor or any employee of a contractor, subcontractor or vendor who is contracted to provide services on a regular basis at an individual school may be required to obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card pursuant to Title 41, Chapter 12, Article 3.1. An exception to this requirement may be made as authorized in Governing Board policy.

Contractor, subcontractors, vendors and their employees shall not provide services on school district properties until authorized by the District.

Additionally, contractor shall comply with the governing body fingerprinting policies of each individual School

District/Public Entity.

4.16. Clarifications

Clarification means communication with Offeror for the sole purpose of eliminating minor irregularities, informalities, or apparent clerical mistakes in the Proposal. It is achieved by explanation or substantiation, either in a written response to an inquiry from the District or as initiated by Offeror. Clarification does not give

Offeror an opportunity to revise or modify its Proposal, except to the extent that correction of apparent clerical mistakes results in a revision.

4.17. Confidential/Proprietary Information

Confidential information request: If Offeror believes that its Proposal contains trade secrets or proprietary information that should be withheld from public inspection as required by A.R.S. § 39-121, a statement advising the School District/Public Entity of this fact shall accompany the Proposal, and the information shall be so identified wherever it appears. The School District/Public Entity shall review the statement and shall determine in writing whether the information shall be withheld. If the School District/Public Entity determines to disclose the information, the School District/Public Entity shall inform Offeror in writing of such determination.

When submitting a response containing “CONFIDENTIAL” information, Offeror agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the District, its officers and employees, from every claim, demand, loss, expense, cost, damage or injury, including attorney’s fees, arising out of or resulting from the District withholding information that offeror marked as “CONFIDENTIAL”.

When requesting information in your Response to be considered as Confidential/Proprietary, a complete hardbound and electronic copy of the solicitation with the Confidential/Proprietary material redacted must also be submitted with your Offer and so identified. Failure to submit redacted copies may result in denial of request.

Contract terms and conditions, pricing and information generally available to the public are not considered confidential information under this section.

Public record: All Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation shall become the property of the School

District/Public Entity. They will become a matter of public record available for review, subsequent to award notification, under the supervision of the Purchasing Official.

5. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

District Representative

In accordance with A.A.C. R7-2-1042(A.1.s), and the “Uniform Instructions To Offerors,” the District

Representative is Eric Thompson, Chief Financial Officer.

5.1. Question

All questions regarding this Solicitation should be submitted on OpenGov.

5.2. Contract Award

It is anticipated that a contract under this RFP will be awarded to a single offerer.

5.3. Evaluation and Award Basis

Representatives of the District will evaluate proposal and <score or rank> them from the most likely to the one least likely to meet the requirements as outlined in the RFP. Per A.A.C. R7-2-1042(A)(1)(q), if several proposals are very closely ranked, the District may call for interviews to assist in the decision making. In addition to interviews the district reserves the option to call for and enter into discussions with the firms considered most likely to meet the requirements for the purpose of negotiations, on pricing and/or other portions of the proposal, if considered by the District to be in the best interest of the District.

Per A.A.C. R7-2-1042(A)(1)(h) evaluation criteria are listed below in their relative order of importance (Specific weighing may be used, but will not be required):

<NOTE: The order or wording of these evaluation criteria may be modified as appropriate for each individual RFP>

1. Experience and Qualifications

2. Technical Approach and Scope…