RFI 2502. Full-Service Online Lottery Platform and Online Game Options~1.pdf

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Massachusetts State Lottery Commission

150 Mount Vernon St., Dorchester, MA 02125

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Document Title:

Full-Service Online Lottery Platform and Online Game Options

COMMBUYS Number: BD-25-1062-LOT-LOTDO-105636

MSLC Document Number: RFI LOT 2502

RFI Release Date: August 6, 2024

RFI Response Due Date/Time: August 28, 2024 @ 10AM

I. General Procurement Information

A. RFI CONTACT INFORMATION:

Purchasing Entity: Massachusetts State Lottery Commission (“MSLC”) or

(“Lottery”)

Address: 150 Mount Vernon Street Dorchester, MA 02125

Procurement Contact: Lee Conroy

E-Mail Address: LConroy@masslottery.com

COMMBUYS Number: BD-25-1062-LOT-LOTDO-105636 MSLC Document Number: RFI LOT # 2502

B. GENERAL INFORMATION

Entities responding (“Respondents”) to this Request for Information (“RFI”) are invited to respond to individual sections or all of the inquiries in this document.

Responses to this RFI shall serve solely to assist Massachusetts State Lottery Commission (“MSLC” or “Lottery”) in understanding the current state of the marketplace with regard to the solicited information and/or to inform the MSLC in the development of a possible solicitation for a Request for Response (“RFR”) or a Request for Quotes (“RFQ”) in the future. The MSLC makes no assurance that an RFR or an RFQ will be issued at any later date as a result of the issuance of this RFI. The MSLC is not obligated to issue any RFR or RFQ or any other solicitation as a result of this RFI nor is the MSLC obligated to use any information received due to this RFI in any procurement it may issue in the future. The MSLC reserves the right to, at its sole discretion, use any solicited information including respondents’ responses and presentations, in part or in whole, to develop an RFR, RFQ or other solicitation in the future.

Responding to this RFI is entirely voluntary and will in no way affect the MSLC’s consideration of any proposal submitted in response to any subsequent solicitation, nor will any response serve as an advantage or disadvantage to the respondent in the course of any RFR or RFQ that may be subsequently issued or amended.

The MSLC reserves the right to modify, amend, change, or cancel the terms of this RFI at any time.

C. MSLC BACKGROUND

The MSLC was established by the legislature in 1971 in response to the need for revenues for the 351 cities and towns within the Commonwealth.

The Lottery has generated over $155 billion in revenues, awarded over $109 billion in prizes, returned over $33 billion in net profit to the Commonwealth for unrestricted local aid provided to cities and towns, and paid over $8.8 billion in commissions and bonuses to its statewide network of retailers.

Over the last 50+ years, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has grown to become one of the most successful lotteries in the nation and has continued to provide innovative and exciting games to its players in an ever-changing marketplace. General information about the MSLC, including its draw games, instant games, services and history can be found at www.masslottery.com.

D. RFI GOALS & QUALIFICATIONS

The MSLC is issuing this RFI to solicit information from vendors regarding their capabilities relative to the implementation of a configurable, scalable, and robust online lottery system and associated services.

In this RFI, the MLSC is soliciting responses from two categories of vendors:

1. Full-service online lottery platform providers

It is required that full-service online lottery platform provider respondents are currently operating an online lottery or have a contract to operate an online lottery (in the next twelve months) in a North American Association of State & Provincial Lotteries (“NASPL”) lottery or World Lottery Association (WLA) territory.

2. Online lottery game developers/providers

It is required that online lottery game developer/provider respondents are currently developing/providing games or have a contract to develop/provide games (in the next twelve months) for a North American Association of State & Provincial Lotteries (“NASPL”) lottery or World Lottery Association (WLA) territory.

Additionally, respondents are encouraged to share thoughts, insights and relevant knowledge directly related to the areas of online lottery even if the scope is not expressly covered by direct inquiries made within this RFI.

For the purpose of this RFI, respondent submissions will be referred to as “vendor information packages”.

All responses and information submitted in response to this RFI are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 66, Section 10, and Chapter 4, Section

7, Subsection 26. Any statements in submitted responses that are inconsistent with these statutes will be disregarded.

E. ESTIMATED PROCUREMENT CALENDAR

• Issuance of RFI August 6, 2024

• Respondent Question Deadline August 16, 2024, at 5:00PM ET

• Post Answers to Respondent Questions August 21, 2024 (posted to COMMBUYS)

• Respondent Submission Deadline August 28, 2024, at 10:00AM ET

• Presentations (Estimated) September 2024

*All dates are subject to change by the MSLC with notice on COMMBUYS. Respondents are required to monitor COMMBUYS for changes to the procurement calendar for this RFI.

NOTE: Questions concerning the RFI must be submitted in writing to:

Lee Conroy, Procurement Manager

ATTN: RFI LOT# 2502

E-mail Address: LConroy@masslottery.com

Contact with any other MSLC employee is expressly prohibited.

F. PRESENTATIONS

The MSLC requests that respondents to this RFI be available to provide a presentation to the Lottery Procurement Management Team. These presentations are expected to be held in September of 2024. The time limit and format are as follows:

• Full-Service Online Lottery Platform Providers o In-Person (hybrid with virtual participants will be considered) o Maximum Time: Two and a half hours (2.5 hours)

• Online Lottery Game Developers/Providers o In-Person (virtual will be considered upon request) o Maximum time: Ninety minutes (90 minutes)

Please Note:

• Respondents chosen to present will be provided with an assigned time slot after the closing of this RFI.

• Presentations and supporting materials should not deviate drastically from the initial proposal.

• The assigned time limit is inclusive of questions and answers during and/or at the end of the presentation.

• Submission of a response to this RFI does not guarantee the opportunity to provide a presentation to the MSLC.

G. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS/INFORMATION:

• The vendor information package must not be more than one hundred (100) pages in length. The submission must be provided electronically, with three (3) hard copies delivered to the following address by the response deadline.

Attn: Lee Conroy 150 Mount Vernon Street Suite 300 Dorchester, MA 02125

• Potential responding entities that have questions regarding this RFI may email them to the contact listed above. Responding entities may make inquiries and request clarification concerning this RFI only by submitting written questions via email.

Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Responses to inquiries and requests for clarification will be posted electronically and available to all interested parties through the Massachusetts COMMBUYS System. Communications as to this request with any other MSLC employee, MSLC subcontractor, or employee of the Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General will result in automatic disqualification.

• Response Submissions: All responses to this RFI are due no later than 10AM EDT on August 28, 2024. Interested Respondents must submit one (1) electronic copy of the response to the RFI in Microsoft Word or PDF format via COMMBUYS and three (3) hard copies. Responses must be received no later than the response due date and time indicated in the Event Calendar above or they may not be evaluated.

Respondents may contact the COMMBUYS Help Desk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us or call during normal business hours (8AM – 5PM, Monday – Friday) at 1-888-627-8283 or 617- 720-3197.

• Response Content: Responding entities should supply as much of the information requested as is within their business expertise. If there are relevant areas not directly explored by this RFI, Respondents are encouraged to share insights that will add value to this information process.

• Response Format: In responding to inquiries listed within the RFI, responding entities should indicate whether they can provide the specified service, function or feature in the product(s) that they offer. If a respondent cannot provide the specified service, function or feature, please state in your response. If a respondent declines to indicate whether they can provide any requested service, function or feature listed, please state in your response that you are declining to submit a response concerning that respective feature.

Respondents are encouraged to answer any questions that are within their professional knowledge and expertise.

• All responses and information submitted in response to this RFI are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 66, Section 10, and Chapter 4, Section 7, Subsection 26. Any statements in submitted responses that are inconsistent with these statutes will be disregarded.

H. USE OF RFI INFORMATION

Please note that this RFI is issued solely for the purpose of obtaining information. Nothing in this RFI should be interpreted as a commitment on the part of the MSLC to conduct a procurement as a result of the issuance of this RFI or to enter into a contract with any entity that responds to this RFI.

Information received in response to this RFI shall serve solely to assist the MSLC. No information received in response to this RFI is binding on the MSLC. Responding to this RFI is voluntary and will not affect consideration of any proposal submitted in response to any subsequent procurement or solicitation (if any). Nothing in this RFI and no action taken during the review process shall be interpreted as a commitment on the part of the MSLC.

The MSLC retains the right to request additional information from the respondents. The MSLC, in its sole discretion, will/may elect to request formal presentations from vendors and/or create an RFR or an RFQ which will include the detailed requirements and key success criteria for the procurement and be based, at least in part, on the responses received in response to this RFI.

The MSLC may request further explanation or clarification from any and or all responding entities during the review process. The MSLC has sole discretion and right to decide if the Lottery will pursue additional information from a respondent.

I. COMMBUYS

COMMBUYS is the official source of information for this RFI and is publicly accessible at no charge at www.commbuys.com. Information contained in this document and in COMMBUYS, including file attachments, and information contained in the related RFI Questions and Answers (Q&A), are all components of the RFI, as referenced in COMMBUYS.

Respondents are solely responsible for obtaining all information distributed for this RFI via

COMMBUYS.

It is each Respondent's responsibility to check COMMBUYS for:

http://www.commbuys.com/

• Any amendments, addenda or modifications to this RFI, and

• Any RFI Q&A records related to this RFI.

It is the responsibility of the prospective Respondent to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS and to keep current the email address of the Respondent’s contact person and to monitor that email inbox for communications from the Purchasing Department, including requests for clarification.

Respondents may not alter (manually or electronically) the RFI language or any RFI component files. Modifications to the body of the RFI, its specifications, or terms and conditions, which change the intent of this RFI are prohibited and may disqualify a response.

J. COSTS

By submitting a response to this RFI, responding entities agree that any costs incurred in responding to this RFI or in support of any activities associated with this RFI shall be the sole responsibility of the respondent. The MSLC shall not be held responsible for any costs incurred by any respondent in preparing the responses to this RFI.

K. REVIEW RIGHTS

Responses to this RFI may be reviewed and evaluated by any person(s) at the discretion of the MSLC, including independent consultants retained by the MSLC now or in the future.

L. PUBLIC RECORD

All responses and information submitted in response to this RFI are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 66, Section 10, and Chapter 4, Section 7, Subsection 26. Any statements in submitted responses that are inconsistent with these statutes will be disregarded.

M. INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM RESPONDING ENTITIES

1. Company Name (please list parent company as well, if applicable)

2. Company Address

3. Company Website

4. Contact name and information, including email address

5. Provide a description of your company and the basis of your expertise in offering a response to this RFI.

6. Include if you will be partnering with any third parties.

7. Explain in detail the system or product you are capable of delivering.

8. Please provide robust responses to as many areas applicable to your area of expertise as requested in Section II below.

9. State whether you are willing to adhere to the presentation requirements of this RFI.

II. Minimum Specific Requirements:

The objective of this RFI is to prepare for an RFR to conduct a competitive procurement process to secure online lottery services. The MSLC aims to gather information and insights on hardware, software, supporting systems, and services that are operationally sound, uphold the highest standards of integrity and security, minimize risk for the Lottery, and maximize revenue while ensuring customer satisfaction through quality and performance.

A. FOR FULL-SERVICE ONLINE LOTTERY PLATFORM PROVIDER RESPONDENTS

The vendor information package should include a detailed overview, including specific information as applicable to the following:

• Full-Service Platform Overview (design and architecture)

• Player Account Management System o Player Registration o Player Authentication o Player Database o Player Banking Services o Player Notifications o Geolocation Services o Payment/Cashing Options and Wallet Management

• Responsible Gambling Controls

• Accessibility. Meeting Americans with Disabilities Act Standards.

• Compliance with Association Standards (e.g. MUSL)

• Wagering Capabilities

• Claims and Payments

• Marketing and Promotion Development, Integration, and Capabilities

• Affiliate Retailer Program

• Engagement Features

• Game Offerings

• Third Party Game Integration

• Online Lottery System and Data Security o Disaster Recovery o Security Breach Protocols o Platform Resiliency

• Back Office System o Financial Management o Audit Trail Capabilities of Online Lottery System

• Reporting and Analytics

• Internal Control System Requirements and Specifics

• Implementation and Integration o Of Online Lottery System (Timeline and Milestones) o With Current MSLC Applications, User interfaces, and Portals

• Drawing Controls and Processing

• Maintenance

• Customer Support (for MSLC Staff and Players)

• Pricing Models

• General Best Practices, Lessons Learned, and/or Critical Points

• Optional and/or Additional Services.

B. FOR ONLINE LOTTERY GAME DEVELOPER/PROVIDER RESPONDENTS

The vendor information package should include a detailed overview, including specific information as applicable to the following:

• Game Offerings o Menu of available games o Demonstrations of games

• Security and Integrity of Games

• Integration with Full-Service Online Lottery Provider

• Pricing

• General Best Practices, Lessons Learned, and/or Critical Points

All respondents are encouraged to share thoughts, insights and relevant knowledge directly related to the areas of online lottery even if the scope is not expressly covered by direct inquiries made within this RFI.