Midsize Business (MDB) Program RFI.docx

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES

Request for Information XXXXXXXXXX

Midsize Business (MDB) Program

Summary The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Commonwealth) issues this Request for Information (RFI) to solicit feedback and capability information from Pennsylvania-based businesses that may be interested in participating in the Commonwealth’s Midsize Business (MDB) Program.

Specifically, this request seeks information from which the Commonwealth can better understand supplier availability, capabilities, and capacity within targeted industry categories where MDB participation is currently limited. The Commonwealth desires to expand the pool of certified MDB firms to increase opportunities to reserve solicitations for midsize Pennsylvania businesses.

This RFI is an earnest attempt to identify and engage qualified suppliers and encourage them to complete the self-registration process that is required to participate in the MDB Program. We invite you to participate in this market research effort, which is not tied to any current procurement opportunity. As part of this process, we welcome the submission of a one-page capability statement in your areas of interest. These materials will help us better understand available capabilities and may inform future procurement opportunities where the MDB program could be considered.

Background The Department of General Services (DGS) administers programs designed to promote participation by micro, small, small diverse, and midsize businesses in Commonwealth contracting opportunities. The MDB Program is intended to increase contracting opportunities for Pennsylvania-based midsize businesses by allowing certain procurements to be reserved for certified MDB firms to compete on a larger scale. Below are the eligibility requirements for MDB certification:

· Independently owned business

· Up to 750 employees

· Average three-year gross revenues not exceeding $141 million

Currently, participation in several industry categories is limited, restricting the Commonwealth’s ability to utilize MDB set asides effectively. This RFI is intended to increase awareness of the program and identify qualified businesses in underrepresented industries.

Suppliers are requested to provide complete and detailed responses to all sections below.

Issues to Be Addressed The Commonwealth is seeking information from suppliers operating in the following industry categories where MDB participation is currently limited. We encourage interested businesses to ensure they are (a) registered to do business with the Commonwealth in our PA Supplier Portal and (b) self-certified as an MDB by applying for self-certification via the PRISM Platform.

· Building Design Services

· Construction Contractor

· Construction Non-Stocking Supplier

· Construction Stocking Supplier

· Information Technology Goods & Services

· Procurement Goods

· Procurement Services

RFI Deliverables Suppliers are invited to submit a one-page capability statement highlighting their experience and capabilities in the applicable category. If your business operates across multiple categories, you may submit a separate one-page capability statement for each.

Supplier capability statement should include the following:

· Primary point of contact information for outreach; this includes but not limited to name, phone number, and email address.

· Ensure your company is headquartered in Pennsylvania.

· Ensure your industry category above is visibly listed e.g. NAISC or UNSPSC Code

· Years in business

· Summary of relevant experience (public and/or private sector)

· Current certifications (if applicable)

Capability statement should be concise and not exceed three (3) pages.

Point of Contact:

The Commonwealth is requesting that all responses to this RFI be submitted via email to RA-SMALLBUSINESS@pa.gov with the subject line of Supplier Capability Statement Submission: RFI – Midsize Business (MDB) Program.

Disclaimer This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for future business, an offer for procurement or any other type of current or future procurement or contractual action and is only intended to gather input. The Commonwealth will not award a contract on the basis of this RFI nor will it pay for information it receives. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Commonwealth to form a binding contract. No party is bound by the information provided in response to this RFI.

Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is not liable for any costs or expenses incurred by the Respondent in the preparation of its responses.

Respondents needing confidential treatment for any proprietary information they furnish must clearly identify that in their respective Responses. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled in accordance with applicable law including the Right To Know Law, as amended.

All material submitted shall be considered the property of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and may be returned only at the Commonwealth’s option. Notwithstanding any Respondents copyright designations contained on responses, the Commonwealth shall have the right to make copies and distribute responses internally and to comply with public record or other disclosure requirements under the provisions of any Commonwealth or United States statute or regulation, or rule or order of any court of competent jurisdiction.

Respondents to this request shall not provide recommendations as to specific courses of action and shall not be deemed to be an advisor or consultant to the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth will evaluate the information presented and determine any subsequent course of action, which may consist of contracting for implementation of Commonwealth-determined work. Such work may be procured through any procurement method available, and respondents to this request may be considered for selection to perform such work.

Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the result of the review, nor will they be provided copies of it.

Commonwealth Reservation of Rights The Commonwealth reserves the right to consider or reject any and all responses to this request, to amend and/or reissue this request and to abandon and then recommence at any time, or not recommence, this process. All costs of any response to this request and participation in any presentations to the Commonwealth are solely the responsibility of the Respondent and the Commonwealth shall not be liable for payment of any such costs.