MA 2019 RFQ Responses to Questions v4.docx

State of Illinois Request for Qualifications Municipal Advisory Services, 20 OMB 01--Bid #20-507GOMB-MGMTB-B_11748 Due December 20, 2019

RFQ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question:

My business is in the process of certifications and verifications. We are a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business as verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In the event that we are not certified by the State by bid opening date, will the stated acceptance of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CVE registration suffice as registration?

Answer:

State certification is preferred, but Federal certification will also be accepted.

Question:

Some of my references have retired from their organizations. May I provide references from retired individuals who can directly attest to my performance regarding these tasks?

Answer:

While references who are currently in their role are preferred, we will accept references who have retired and can accurately attest to performance capabilities.

Question:

Since subcontractors are not allowed to be used for this proposal, should we submit a joint proposal in order to satisfy the BEP Utilization Plan and VSP Utilization Plan goals?

Do the firms that we include for the BEP Utilization Plan and VSP Utilization Plan, and possibly joint propose with based on question 1 above, have to be registered with the SEC and MSRB as Municipal Advisors to meet the threshold required in Section 1, D.5. A. 1? Or is it enough that the primary firm meets the threshold required in Section 1, D.5. A. 1

The Bulletin indicates there is a 3% Veteran Small Business Participation GOAL, HOWEVER, on page 22 of the written RFP, Section D.6 Subcontracting, it states “Subcontractors are not allowed”. Therefore we are unclear as to how to prepare a utilization plan if no subcontractors are permitted.

Answer:

Please see the Addendum on BidBuy with regard to these elements. The State strongly encourages the increase of minority and veteran participation through goals and in practice. While ownership composition is one aspect of increased participation, so too is the composition of the team serving the State. While the stated goals are preferred and encouraged, they are non-mandatory under this RFQ. The State’s preference would be for solo responses in the services to be performed. Each firm will need to be registered as a Municipal Advisor with the SEC and MSRB. Subcontracting will be allowed, but is not required.