RFI 00918.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NO. 00918

IT CABLING

INTRODUCTION

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) will be soliciting proposals for a single-tier contract for IT cabling equipment and installation. The resulting Master Contract 00918 is expected to be awarded to multiple vendors in up to six regions.

DES is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to IT cabling vendors to help in its research and information-gathering about the industry, the marketplace and the previous (current) cabling contract. This is not a solicitation, and vendors’ participation is voluntary. Responding to this RFI will not improve a vendor’s prospects in an upcoming competitive solicitation and not responding will not count against a vendor.

This RFI is divided into five sections:

· Section 1 - Deadlines and RFI questions.

· Section 2 - Information about this RFI.

· Section 3 - How to submit a response.

· Section 4 – Questions about IT cabling

· Section 5 – Company information

SECTION 1 – DEADLINES AND RFI QUESTIONS

IMPORTANT DATES:

QUESTIONS: Questions or concerns regarding this RFI may be directed to the following Procurement Coordinator for the RFI:

RFI Procurement Coordinator

Subject Line: RFI No. 00918

Questions and answers will be posted to WEBS. Only respondees who have properly registered in WEBS at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs and downloaded the original RFI directly via WEBS will receive notification of an RFI amendment or Q&A document.

SECTION 2 – INFORMATION ABOUT THE RFI

2.1. OBJECTIVES OF THE RFI:

· To learn about the field of vendors in different regions of Washington

· To understand how to ensure adequate responses to requests for cabling work in all regions of Washington while optimizing opportunities for vendors

· To establish an appropriate level of minimum qualifications for vendors that will ensure customers can trust the capabilities of cabling firms they seek to hire AND that establishes a level playing field for vendors that does not inappropriately exclude vendors

2.2. INCURRED EXPENSES. Respondents are advised that Enterprise Services will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI.

2.3. FUTURE SOLICITATION. Enterprise Services might use information gathered through this RFI to develop a solicitation; however, this RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a promise to issue a solicitation in the future, and does not commit Enterprise Services to contract for any supply or service. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be posted on WEBS at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs. It is the responsibility of the potential bidders to register in WEBS and monitor that site.

2.4. PUBLIC RECORDS DISCLOSURE ACT. All documents submitted to Enterprise Services as part of this RFI will become public records. Such records are subject to public disclosure unless specifically exempt under RCW chapter 42.56.

SECTION 3 – HOW TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE

3.1. SUBMITTING RESPONSES.

Email Response To:

Subject Line: RFI No. 00918

3.2. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Enterprise Service is interested in learning about the industry standards as they relate to respondents’ line of business or the industry. Respondents may also describe concerns or suggest equal or alternative ways of conducting business by providing a detailed description, supporting documentation, and any associated exceptions to such industry standards.

SECTION 4 – QUESTIONS ABOUT IT CABLING

1. For current contract vendors: How did the two-region model work?

a. For example: Why did you bid/not bid in southern central Washington (e.g., Benton County) or southwest Washington (e.g., Clark County) or any other area of the state?

b. Should there be more regions, such as on the region map below?

2. For all vendors: Please put an X in the box for the region(s) in which you would seek to provide service if we went to the six-region model:

Southwest

Olympic

King-Snohomish etc.

North Central

Eastern

South Central

All regions

3. Please explain any reasons why you would NOT respond to work-request inquiries in the region(s) that you have marked.

4. Materials markup preference: Cost-plus v. list-minus?

Why?

5. Would you be a bidder on this solicitation if we made capability for both inside AND outside work a contractor requirement?

Why or why not?

6. The biggest issue facing the new cabling contract is customer coverage. DES has direct evidence of customers on the current cabling contract – in several areas of the state – failing to attract contract vendors to take on advertised cabling projects. DES is considering several options for the new contract to address this:

a. Tracking vendor responses to customer work requests with perhaps a requirement that vendors respond to a certain percentage of work requests or risk losing contract-vendor status. Comments:

b. Shortening the maximum term of the contract – for instance, to three years. Comments:

c. Along with b. above, and after a survey of the cabling marketplace for instances of non-responsiveness, offering a “refresh” at a specified interval (e.g., 18 months) to allow the state to add potential new contractors via the same mechanisms as used for the original award. Comments:

7. Please suggest other remedies to ensure all areas of the state are covered by contract vendors:

8. (Optional) Please share any thoughts, opinions or comments that you believe would make State Contract 00918 a better contract for you, the vendor, and contract customers.

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SECTION 5 – COMPANY INFORMATION

Company:

Company Information

Legal company name (from business license) and address:

Federal Tax ID No. (TIN) If TIN is a Social Security number, provide only the last four digits

If yes, provide MWBE certification no.

If yes, what is your business size?

Small |_| Mini |_| Micro |_|

If yes, provide WSDVA certification no.

Point of contact

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