MDVA_Refrigeration_Monitoring_RFP_Final.pdf

Rev. 11.17.2022

State of Minnesota Minnesota Department of Information Technology

Services partnering with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Remote Continuous Temperature Monitoring System for Refrigeration Units

SWIFT Event #2000016003

Date Posted: July 26, 2024

• Responses must be received not later than 2:00PM, Central Time, August 27, 2024

• Late responses will not be considered

Minnesota’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion The State of Minnesota is committed to diversity and inclusion in its public procurement process. The goal is to ensure that those providing goods and services to the State are representative of our Minnesota communities and include businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and those with substantial physical disabilities.

Creating broader opportunities for historically under-represented groups provides for additional options and greater competition in the marketplace, creates stronger relationships and engagement within our communities, and fosters economic development and equality.

To further this commitment, the Department of Administration operates a program for Minnesota-based small businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and those with substantial physical disabilities. For additional information on this program, or to determine eligibility, please call 651-296-2600 or go to the Office of Equity in Procurement home page, at www.mn.gov/admin/oep.

SPECIAL NOTICE: This is a request for proposal. It does not obligate the State of Minnesota to award a contract or complete the proposed program, and the State reserves the right to cancel this solicitation if it is considered in its best interest.

http://www.mn.gov/admin/oep http://www.mn.gov/admin/oep

This Solicitation requires proposals to be submitted through the SWIFT Supplier Portal. Please note the security changes below that may impact responders from submitting a timely response.

SWIFT SUPPLIER PORTAL SECURITY CHANGES

There are new security measures that the Minnesota Management and Budget implemented on October 16, 2022. It is a new multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance the security of the State of Minnesota Supplier Portal. MFA is an authentication method that requires bidders and suppliers provide two verification factors to log into the SWIFT Supplier Portal. The goal of MFA is to create a layered defense that makes it more difficult for unauthorized system access to occur.

For information about these changes, please refer to the SWIFT Supplier Portal Multi-Factor Authentication FAQ document.

If you have not done so already, please make sure to log into the SWIFT Supplier Portal as soon as possible to get this authentication set up early so there are no issues when submitting a response to an RFP.

You are strongly encouraged to set your MFA during business hours of 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Central Time, Monday through Friday. You may experience delay setting your MFA after hours.

https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjEwMjAuNjU0MDU5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2d1ZXN0LnN1cHBsaWVyLnN5c3RlbXMuc3RhdGUubW4udXMvcHNjL2Ztc3N1cGFwL1NVUFBMSUVSL0VSUC9jL05VSV9GUkFNRVdPUksuUFRfTEFORElOR1BBR0UuR0JMPyYifQ.i-HI1goSFhyukO6-tDKJ950RA0248ccp4eK29Xzz01Y/s/349718272/br/146252762755-l https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/documents/swift/vendor/supplier-portal-mfa-faq.pdf https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/documents/swift/vendor/supplier-portal-mfa-faq.pdf

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Solicitation Content

SECTION 1 – INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDERS

SECTION 2 – SUMMARY OF SCOPE

SECTION 3 – PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SECTION 4 – PROPOSAL CONTENT

SECTION 5 – EVALUATION PROCEDURE AND CRITERIA

SECTION 6 – SOLICITATION TERMS

Solicitation Attachments

• Attachment A: Responder Declarations

• Attachment B: Exceptions to State’s Terms and Conditions

• Attachment C: Cost Detail

• Attachment D: Responder Forms o Veterans Preference Form (If Applicable) o Workforce Certification (If Anticipated Contract And All Extensions Exceed $100,0000) o Equal Pay Certificate Form (If Anticipated Contract And All Extensions Exceed $500,0000)

• Attachment E: References Form

• Attachment F: Business Requirements

• Attachment G: Solution Platform

• Attachment H: Accessibility

• Attachment I: Operations Standards (Informational purposes)

• Attachment J: Refrigeration Unit Totals/Types by MN Veterans Home Addresses (Informational purposes)

• Attachment K: Facility Maps (Informational purposes)

Sample Contract

• Exhibit A: Contract Terms

• Exhibit B: Insurance Requirements

• Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

• Exhibit D: Pricing

SECTION 1 – INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDERS

Steps for Completing Your Response

Follow the steps below to complete your response to this Solicitation:

Step 1: Read the solicitation documents and ask questions, if any Step 2: Write your response Step 3: Submit your response

Incomplete Submittals

A response must be submitted along with any required additional documents. Incomplete responses that materially deviate from the required format and content may be rejected.

STEP 1 – READ THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT & ASK QUESTIONS, IF ANY

How to Ask Questions

The contact person for questions is:

MNIT IT Procurement it.procurement@state.mn.us

Questions should be emailed to the contact by August 5, 2024 Other personnel are not authorized to answer questions regarding this Solicitation.

STEP 2 – WRITE YOUR RESPONSE

The Proposal Content section is in Section 4. Prepare a written response and supply all requested content. Responses should address the requested information and documents detailed in Section 4. DO NOT INCLUDE Non-Public/Trade Secret data (as defined by Minn.

Stat. § 13.37).

Review, sign, and include the Responder Declarations with your response.

STEP 3 –SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE

Where to Send Your Response

All responses to this solicitation (termed an “Event” within SWIFT) must be submitted through SWIFT using the Supplier portal (https://mn.gov/supplier). Training and documentation on how to submit your response is available through the Supplier portal link above. Fax, e-mail, and printed responses will not be accepted or considered. All costs incurred in responding to this solicitation will be borne by the responder.

Late responses will not be considered. Responses received after End Date above will not be considered, even if errors or delays were caused by issues outside of responders’ control. If you need assistance please contact the SWIFT Vendor Assistance Helpline at 651-201-8100, Option 1, and then Option 1.

By submitting a response, your company is making a binding legal offer for the period of time set forth below in Section 6, Conditions of Offer.

https://mn.gov/supplier

SECTION 2 – SUMMARY OF SCOPE

Procurement Overview and Goals.

The Minnesota Department of Information Technology Services (MNIT) is partnering with the MN Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) (collectively State) to request proposals for a remote continuous temperature monitoring system to monitor, alert, and report on refrigeration systems used for storage of dietary and medical supplies. This request for proposals is seeking a vendor to provide a configurable/customizable off-the-shelf software solution for refrigeration units in up to eight MN Veterans Homes, see Attachment J: Refrigeration Unit Totals/Types by MN Veterans Home Addresses and Attachment K: Facility Maps. The State anticipates starting with deployment in Minneapolis in year one of the resulting contract, with phased implementation possible for MN Veterans Homes in Preston, Bemidji, Silver Bay, Luverne, Montevideo, Hastings, and Fergus Falls. The high-level business requirements for this system include:

• A robust remote monitoring system that can work in basements, remote areas of buildings, or areas with poor signal (cinder block or stone walls).

• Monitoring, alerts, and reporting on temperatures of refrigerators, freezers, combination units, and coolers (this includes free-standing and walk in units).

• Allowance for alert thresholds to be set and the ability to alert via text, call, and email if temperatures are too high, low, or no data is available.

• State access to make changes on who receives notifications, providing flexibility by location, and the product refrigerated.

• Out-of-the-box and custom reporting.

• Installation by the selected vendor.

• High levels of support, reliability, and easy maintenance processes.

• Vendor provided training.

• See Attachment F for a complete list of functionalities to meet business requirements.

The goal of this project is to identify a solution which provides remote continuous temperature monitoring of refrigeration units in the Minnesota Veterans Homes. The solution will provide remote alerting options in real-time to eliminate the loss of product or compromised product safety due to refrigeration malfunction and power loss. The system reporting data is needed to support compliance requirements necessary for adequate temperature monitoring of refrigeration systems and provide information on the reliability and maintenance needs of the refrigeration units.

Business Overview

The Minnesota Veterans Homes provide residential and medical care to eligible Veterans and their dependents within the licensed facilities. This includes nearly 900 residents in eight different skilled nursing settings and domiciliary program environments across the state of Minnesota.

Each Minnesota Veterans Home design and operation is unique, which includes various numbers of refrigeration units for dietary and medical supplies, located in various places throughout each facility. The number and type of refrigeration units vary for each location, some may include both commercial and residential type equipment. Each facility utilizes various in-house staff and commercial companies for repair and preventative maintenance of equipment.

The residents within these homes, often due to advancing age or conditions, require and deserve high safety standards and regulation of refrigeration units to ensure food and medication is stored at adequate temperatures to prevent foodborne illness and compromised safety of food and medication. Identifying a system to provide alerting of temperature issues remotely will help to prevent food and medication loss and ensure each home is meeting strict regulatory standards which are monitored and surveyed by both state and federal regulatory departments.

Responders to this RFP will be expected to provide a combination of software, equipment, project leadership, and services such as installation, training, education, and support to successfully install and support the initiation of the system. This will be the first solution of its type in Minnesota Veterans Homes. Currently homes are monitoring temperatures by manually checking an internal thermometer and recording temperatures at set time periods.

The business, technical, and IT Security requirements are intended to define overall functions of the software and equipment to support continuous temperature monitoring of identified refrigeration units. The selected Responder needs to support the day-to-day, on-going operations, IT technical components as well as understanding the IT security components in support of the vendors proposed remote continuous temperature monitoring system for dietary and medical supplies.

Responders are encouraged to propose additional tasks or activities if they will substantially improve the results of the project. These items should be separated from the required items on Attachment C: Cost detail.

Sample Tasks.

The project will be a collaborative effort between the State and the selected Responder. Below is a list of anticipated tasks:

• Evaluate and propose a continually functioning system with adequate equipment and functionality to remotely monitor all identified commercial and residential units within each Veterans Home and transmit data regarding the refrigeration status.

• Provide quality assurance and testing, including functional, user acceptance, accessibility, security, performance, and useability testing to ensure the solution is meeting the needs and requirements of the facility to continuously monitor all identified refrigeration units successfully.

• Deliver a fully functional, production software solution.

• Work closely with State staff to configure the solution to meet the State’s needs.

• Provide detailed technical information as requested by the State related to system requirements.

• Train State staff on all roles that use the solution and provide training documentation/manuals.

• Provide on-going maintenance and support to State staff and the solution, provide software patches and/or updates to maintain consistent system health, integrity, and optional usability, and make users aware of software changes or enhancements.

SECTION 3 – PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Anticipated Contract Term.

The term of this contract is anticipated to be from September 2024 to August 2026, with the option to extend up to an additional three years in increments determined by the State.

Question and Answer Instructions.

All questions should be submitted no later than the date and time listed in Section 1, Instructions to Responders. The State is not obligated to answer questions submitted after the question due date and time.

Only personnel listed above are authorized to discuss this solicitation with responders. Contact regarding this solicitation with any personnel not listed above could result in disqualification. This provision is not intended to prevent responders from seeking guidance from state procurement assistance programs regarding general procurement questions.

If a Responder discovers any significant ambiguity, error, conflict, discrepancy, omission, or other deficiency in the solicitation, please immediately notify the contact person detailed above in writing of such error and request modification or clarification of the document.

Additional Tasks or Activities.

Responders are encouraged to propose additional tasks, activities, or goods above and beyond the scope of what is requested in this solicitation if they will substantially improve the results of this procurement. Any costs associated with these additional tasks, activities, or goods should be clearly marked and separated from costs associated with the tasks, activities, or goods specifically requested under this solicitation. Because cost is a factor in the evaluation of responses to this solicitation, failure to separate costs for additional tasks, activities, or goods may result in those costs being included in a responder's cost proposal and result in a lower cost score for that proposal.

Tier 2 In-Person Demonstration.

Responders participating in the Tier 2 evaluation are requested to conduct an in-person demonstration of their product at the Minneapolis Veterans Home (5101 Minnehaha Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55417). This demonstration is important to verify connectivity and successful product use within the Veterans Home environment. It is our expectation that responders will cover any expenses associated with the in-person demonstration.

SECTION 4 – PROPOSAL CONTENT

Please submit the following information:

1. Work Plan. Responder should provide a description of the deliverables to be provided by the Responder along with a detailed work plan that identifies the major tasks to be accomplished and be used as a scheduling and managing tool, as well as the basis for invoicing. This document should NOT list cost detail. If cost detail is included in this document, the State may disqualify the proposal as non-responsive. The work plan should show the Responder’s overall design of the project for each specific location. It should demonstrate an Understanding of the Project objectives, goals, and the services/ tasks requested in this RFP, and any problems anticipated in accomplishing the work. Specifically, the proposal should demonstrate the Responder's view and understanding with the project elements, a summary of its solution(s) that address the business problems presented and knowledge of the requested services and/or deliverable, as well as Responder’s view and understanding of the nature of the contract.

2. Functional Requirements and Solution Platform. Complete Attachment F: Business Requirements, and Attachment G: Solution Platform.

3. Qualifications and Experience. Responder should provide an outline of background and experience with examples of similar work done by the Responder and a list of personnel who will conduct the project, detailing their training, and work experience. This component of the Proposal should include previous experiences that will demonstrate the Responder’s ability to deliver the services requested in this RFP. For example, detail experience deploying refrigeration monitoring in long-term care or nursing care settings including a dietary department with de-centralized dining with multiple types of refrigeration units. At a minimum, resumes should be provided for employees who would be assigned lead responsibilities on this project. Resumes or other information about project personnel should not, if possible, contain personal telephone numbers, home addresses, or home email addresses.

If it is necessary to include personal contact information, please clearly indicate in the response that personal contact information is being provided.

4. References. Responder should complete and submit Attachment E: Reference Form with their response. Responder should submit two completed reference forms with each reference’s company name and contact information with their response. At least one of the references should be in a long-term care/nursing care setting including a dietary department with de-centralized dining. The product should be used on multiple types of refrigeration units include free-standing and walk-in refrigeration units.

The State reserves the right to verify the information submitted on Attachment E before an award is made. The State reserves the right to contact the references listed in Attachment E. The solicitation response will be rejected if the State, in its sole discretion, receives information that indicates the responder is non-responsible or non-responsive.

5. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Describe how responder’s policies and practices promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in areas such as:

• hiring practices,

• supply chain management,

• subcontracting, etc.

Detail the responder’s demographic breakdown and any other information pertinent to efforts in this area.

6. Accessibility of Services or Products. Responders should complete, in an accessible format, the Section 508 and Web

Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 A and AA sections in a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®)

2.0 (or newer) for all software, hardware, and websites (as applicable) as proposed in response to the solicitation.

Vendors can use the VPAT form from the ITIC VPAT site. (Under “Resources,” select the “INT” option. The EN 301 549 section can be left blank or deleted. Do NOT use the “508” version as it does not include the WCAG 2.1 criteria.

https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat

For systems with multiple interfaces (such as an admin and user interface), complete a VPAT for each interface.

These documents may be scored according to the solicitation evaluation.

Responders are encouraged to reference the “Vendor VPAT Guidance” in the “Products” tab on the Accessible IT Procurement page (https://mn.gov/mnit/about-mnit/accessibility/it-procurement.jsp) for information and instructions on completing the VPATs. Respondents should also review the related guidance documents on the same site for solicitation reviewers to understand expectations. The responder is strongly encouraged to provide remarks and explanation that both support compliance and detail any deficiencies, as even if you claim “supports” unless there are remarks and explanations, you may score low.

In addition, Responders should complete and submit “Attachment H: Accessibility”.

7. Cost Detail. Complete and submit Attachment C, “Cost Detail,” attached to this solicitation.

8. License Agreements, Maintenance Agreements, or Other Terms and Conditions. The State may require Responder to provide any license agreements, maintenance agreements or any other terms and conditions relevant to the work under a resulting contract. Review and approval by the State will be required prior to contract execution. In the event Responder fails to comply with a request under this provision, Responder agrees that it will not seek to enforce terms and conditions of any such agreement against the State. Further, failure to provide any of the pertinent documents upon request may result in the State not agreeing to sign any additional documents, rejecting your response, or cancelling the award.

Submit all requested documentation, including, but not limited to, the following documents:

1. Attachment A: Responder Declarations

2. Attachment B: Exceptions to State's Terms and Conditions

3. Attachment C: Cost Proposal

4. Attachment D: Responder Forms

a. Veterans Preference Form (If Applicable)

b. Workforce Certification (If Proposal Exceeds $100,000, Including Extension Options)

c. Equal Pay Certificate Form (If Proposal Exceeds $500,000, Including Extension Options)

5. Attachment E: Reference Form

6. Attachment F: Business Requirements

7. Attachment G: Solution Platform

8. Attachment H: Accessibility

DO NOT INCLUDE Non-Public/Trade Secret data (as defined by Minn. Stat. § 13.37).

https://mn.gov/mnit/about-mnit/accessibility/it-procurement.jsp https://mn.gov/mnit/about-mnit/accessibility/it-procurement.jsp

SECTION 5 – EVALUATION PROCEDURE AND CRITERIA

The State will conduct an evaluation of responses to this Solicitation. The evaluations will be conducted using a two-tier scoring methodology described below.

TIER 1

1.1 Phase 1 - Responsiveness and Pass/Fail Requirements. The purpose of this phase is to determine if each response complies with mandatory requirements. The State will first review each proposal for responsiveness to determine if the Responder satisfies all mandatory requirements. The State will evaluate these requirements on a pass/fail basis.

Mandatory Requirements. The following will be considered on a pass/fail basis:

• Responses must be received by the due date and time specified in this RFP.

1.2 Phase 2 - Evaluate Responses. Only responses found to have met Phase I criteria will be considered in Phase II.

In Tier 1, responses will be rated as follows:

The factors and weighting on which responses will be judged are:

1. Work Plan 150 points

2. Business Requirements and Solution Platform 400 points

3. Qualifications and Experience 200 points

4. References 50 points

5. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 50 points

6. Accessibility of Services or Products 50 points

7. Cost Detail 100 points

1000 points

8. Preference Points (if applicable) 120 points (in addition to 1,000 available)

Preferences points are described under Solicitation Terms and will be applied to the total score after points have been awarded. Each Responders’ total score in Tier 1 will consist of the technical score, cost score, and preference points, if applicable.

1.3 Phase 3: Shortlist. Each Responder will be ranked based on each Responder’s Tier 1 total score. The State will shortlist the highest scoring Responders by determining the natural break in Responders’ scores. Only the highest scoring Responders in Tier 1 will advance to Tier 2.

TIER 2

2.1 Phase 1 - Evaluate Responders. All Responders’ scores will be re-set to zero prior to beginning Tier 2.

In Tier 2, Responders will be rated as follows:

The factors and weighting on which responses will be judged are:

1. Interview/Demonstration 600 points

2. Cost Detail 400 points

1000 points

3. Preference Points (if applicable) 120 points (in addition to 1,000 available)

Preferences points are described under Solicitation Terms and will be applied to the total score after points have been awarded. Each Responders’ total score in Tier 2 will consist of the technical score, cost score, and preference points, if applicable.

2.2 Phase 2 - Select Finalist(s). Each Responder will be ranked based on each Responder’s Tier 2 Phase 1 total score. The State will shortlist the highest scoring Responders by determining the natural break in Responders’ scores. Only the highest scoring Responder(s) in Tier 2 may be invited to the Invitation to Negotiate selection process.

Invitation to Negotiate (Optional)

The State may invite the highest-scoring Responders (“Finalists”) to negotiate based on best value as determined by this evaluation process. The State may engage Finalists in individual negotiations to determine which finalist provides the best value to the State.

The State and a Finalist may negotiate any aspect of a Finalist’s proposal. The State may terminate negotiations with a Finalist at any time if in its sole discretion the Finalist’s proposal does not provide best value to the State. At the conclusion of negotiations, the State will document its rationale and make an award to the Finalist whose negotiated proposal represents the best value to the State. The State reserves the right to award to multiple Finalists if in the best interest of the State.

It is anticipated that the evaluation and selection will be completed by September 2024.

SECTION 6 – SOLICITATION TERMS

Competition in Responding The State desires open and fair competition. Questions from responders regarding any of the requirements of the Solicitation must be submitted in writing to the Solicitation Administrator listed in the Solicitation before the due date and time. If changes are made the State will issue an addendum.

Any evidence of collusion among responders in any form designed to defeat competitive responses will be reported to the Minnesota Attorney General for investigation and appropriate action.

Addenda to the Solicitation Changes to the Solicitation will be made by addendum with notification and posted in the same manner as the original Solicitation. Any addenda issued will become part of the Solicitation.

Data Security - Foreign Outsourcing of Work is Prohibited All storage and processing of information State data shall take place solely within the continental United States, all production and disaster recovery data centers that store, process, or transmit State data shall be located in the continental United Sates, and all monitoring and support of any cloud services shall take place solely within the continental United States. This provision also applies to work performed by subcontractors at all levels.

Joint Ventures The State allows joint ventures among groups of responders when responding to the solicitation. However, one responder must submit a response on behalf of all the others in the group. The responder that submits the response will be considered legally responsible for the response (and the contract, if awarded).

Withdrawing Response A responder may withdraw its response prior to the due date and time of the Solicitation. For solicitations in the SWIFT Supplier Portal, a responder may withdraw its response from the SWIFT Supplier Portal. For solicitations done any other way, a responder may withdraw its response by notifying the Solicitation Administrator in writing of the desire to withdraw.

After the due date and time of this Solicitation, a responder may withdraw a response only upon showing that an obvious error exists in the response. The showing and request for withdrawal must be made in writing to Solicitation Administrator within a reasonable time and prior to the State’s detrimental reliance on the response.

Rights Reserved The State reserves the right to:

• Reject any and all responses received;

• Waive or modify any informalities, irregularities, or inconsistencies in the responses received;

• Negotiate with the highest scoring Responder[s];

• Terminate negotiations and select the next response providing the best value for the State;

• Consider documented past performance resulting from a State contract may be considered in the evaluation process;

• Short list the highest scoring Responders;

• Require Responders to conduct presentations, demonstrations, or submit samples;

• Interview key personnel or references;

• Request a best and final offer from one or more Responders;

• The State reserves the right to request additional information ; and

• The State reserves the right to use estimated usage or scenarios for the purpose of conducting pricing evaluations. The State reserves the right to modify scenarios, and to request or add additional scenarios for the evaluation.

Samples and Demonstrations Upon request, Responders are to provide samples to the State at no charge. Except for those destroyed or mutilated in testing, the State will return samples if requested and at the Responder’s expense. All costs to conduct and associated with a demonstration will be the sole responsibility of the Responder.

Responses are Nonpublic during Evaluation Process All materials submitted in response to this Solicitation will become property of the State. During the evaluation process, all information concerning the responses submitted will remain private or nonpublic and will not be disclosed to anyone whose official duties do not require such knowledge. Responses are private or nonpublic data until the completion of the evaluation process as defined by Minn. Stat. § 13.591. The completion of the evaluation process is defined as the State having completed negotiating a contract with the selected responder. The State will notify all responders in writing of the evaluation results.

Trade Secret Information

9.1 Responders must not submit as part of their response trade secret material, as defined by Minn. Stat. § 13.37.

9.2 In the event trade secret data are submitted, Responder must defend any action seeking release of data it believes to be trade secret, and indemnify and hold harmless the State, its agents and employees, from any judgments awarded against the State in favor of the party requesting the data, and any and all costs connected with that defense.

9.3 The State does not consider cost or prices to be trade secret material, as defined by Minn. Stat. § 13.37.

9.4 A responder may present and discuss trade secret information during an interview or demonstration with the State, if applicable.

Conditions of Offer Unless otherwise approved in writing by the State, Responder’s cost proposal and all terms offered in its response that pertain to the completion of professional and technical services and general services will remain firm for 180 days, until they are accepted or rejected by the State, or they are changed by further negotiations with the State prior to contract execution.

Award Any award that may result from this solicitation will be based upon the total accumulated points as established in the solicitation. The State reserves the right to award this solicitation to a single Responder, or to multiple Responders, whichever is in the best interest of the State, providing each Responder is in compliance with all terms and conditions of the solicitation. The State reserves the right to accept all or part of an offer, to reject all offers, to cancel the solicitation, or to re-issue the solicitation, whichever is in the best interest of the State.

Requirements Prior to Contract Execution Prior to contract execution, a responder receiving a contract award must comply with any submittal requests. A submittal request may include, but is not limited to, a Certificate of Insurance.

Targeted Group, Economically Disadvantaged Business, Veteran-Owned and Individual Preference Unless a greater preference is applicable and allowed by law, in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 16C.16, businesses that are eligible and certified by the State as targeted group (TG) businesses, economically disadvantaged (ED) businesses, and veteran-owned businesses will receive points equal to 12% percent of the total points available as preference.

For TG/ED/VO certification and eligibility information visit the Office of Equity in Procurement website at https://mn.gov/admin/business/vendor-info/oep/ or call the Division’s Helpline at 651.296.2600.

Reciprocity State shall comply with Minn. Stat. § 16C.06, subd. 7, as that applies to a non-resident vendor. This paragraph does not apply for any project in which federal funds are expended.

https://mn.gov/admin/business/vendor-info/oep/ https://mn.gov/admin/business/vendor-info/oep/