RFP_1100_LLM3008_ATT_2_v1.pdf

Solicitation

INSTRUCTIONS

RFP 1100

LLM3008

Solicitation Instructions Page 1

Revised 04/30/2025

1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

1.1 Invitation. The City of Austin invites all Responsible Offerors to submit Proposals to provide the goods and/or services described in this Solicitation.

1.2 Documents. This Request for Proposals (“RFP” or “Solicitation”) is composed of all documents listed in the Attachments section of the Solicitation Cover Sheet.

1.3 Process. The process described in this RFP is the Competitive Sealed Proposals process. This process is procedurally compliant with the competitive proposal processes prescribed by Texas Local Government Code Ch. 252 and Ch. 271.

1.4 Changes. The City may change or revise any of the contents of this Solicitation through the issuance of a written Addendum. Any Addenda issued will be added to the Attachments section of the Solicitation Cover Sheet. The Version number displayed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet will indicate the number of Addenda issued. Any explanation, clarification, interpretation or change to the Solicitation made in any other manner is not binding upon the City, and Offerors shall not rely upon such explanation, clarification, interpretation, or change. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of the Contract are not binding.

1.5 Review of Documents. Offerors shall review the entire Solicitation, as revised. Offerors shall notify the Authorized Contact Person(s) listed on the Solicitation Cover Sheet in writing of any omissions, ambiguities, inconsistencies or errors in the Solicitation prior to the Offer Due Date and Time displayed in the Important Dates section of the Solicitation Cover Sheet. Offerors shall also notify the City of any Solicitation contents the Offeror believes may be unreasonably restrictive.

1.6 Cancellation. The City reserves the right to cancel this Solicitation at any time for any reason and to resolicit the goods and services included in this Solicitation.

2 PUBLICATION AND NOTICES

2.1 Publication. This Solicitation was published on the City’s financial services website, Austin Finance Online, as of the Published date displayed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet section.

2.2 Email Notices. On the Solicitation’s Published date, email notices regarding this Solicitation were issued to all vendors registered in Austin Finance Online, that had previously selected the NIGP Codes displayed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet section. All subsequent email notices regarding this Solicitation will be limited to those vendors or other persons that subscribe to this Solicitation in Austin Finance Online.

2.3 Newspaper Notices. If applicable, one or more notices of this Solicitation were published in the newspaper as required by statute.

2.4 Third-Party Notices. Austin Finance Online is the only source of official notices regarding this Solicitation.

Prospective Offerors shall not rely on any notices concerning this Solicitation received from sources other than Austin Finance Online.

3 COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETINGS

CITY OF

AUSTIN

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3.1 Authorized Contact Persons. The names and contact information for the authorized contact persons for this Solicitation are displayed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet. Offerors needing assistance contacting an Authorized Contact Person regarding this Solicitation may also contact Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement’s main line at (512) 974-2500 and request assistance from any member of Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement’s management team. Offerors may direct specific questions concerning subcontractors and responding to the Minority-owned Business Enterprise and Women-owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program requirements to the ASMBR contact, also listed on the Solicitation Cover Sheet.

3.2 Questions. Offerors shall submit any questions concerning this Solicitation in writing via e-mail to the Authorized Contact Persons displayed on the Solicitation Cover Sheet. The City will respond to all questions received by the Questions Due Date and Time displayed on the Solicitation Cover Sheet. The City will publish one or more Addenda displaying all timely received questions and the City’s responses to each for any information not already contained in the solicitation.

3.3 Vendor Help Desk. For general questions concerning the City’s online financial services system, Austin Finance Online, Vendor Connection (“Vendor Connection”), Offerors may contact the Vendor Help Desk at (512) 974-2018. Assistance from the Vendor Help Desk is limited to navigating and using Vendor Connection only. The Vendor Help Desk will not respond to any questions concerning a specific Solicitation.

3.4 Pre-Offer Conferences. The City may hold one or more pre-offer conferences to review the Solicitation and to receive verbal questions. The Solicitation Cover Sheet will display if a Pre-Offer Conference is being held and if attendance at this meeting is mandatory. If a Pre-Offer Conference is planned, the date, location, time, and any other necessary information regarding this meeting will also be displayed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet. Attendance at any Pre-Offer Conference will be recorded and will be included in an Addendum published following the meeting. As the Solicitation is subject to changes (See Solicitation Instruction, 1.4 Changes.) Offerors shall not rely on verbal exchanges that may occur at a Pre-Offer Conference. Offerors shall continue to submit all questions in writing. (See Solicitation Instructions, 3.2 Questions.)

3.5 Site Visits. The City may hold one or more site visits to allow prospective Offerors to inspect the location(s) where work under any resulting contract will be performed and to receive verbal questions. The Solicitation Cover Sheet will display if a Site Visit is being held and if attendance at this meeting is mandatory. If a Site Visit is planned, the date, location, time, and any other necessary information regarding this meeting will also be displayed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet. Attendance at any Site Visit will be recorded and will be included in an Addendum published following the meeting. As the Solicitation is subject to changes (See Solicitation Instruction, 1.4 Changes.) Offerors shall not rely on verbal exchanges that may occur at a Pre-Offer Conference. Offerors shall continue to submit all questions in writing. (See Solicitation Instructions, 3.2 Questions.)

3.6 No-Lobbying. In accordance with Austin City Code, sec. 2-7-101, et. seq., Austin City Ordinance no.

20180614-056, and applicable Administrative Rules, this Solicitation is subject to certain limits on communication by Offerors and their agents. The No-Lobbying period for this Solicitation starts on the Published Date displayed on the Solicitation Cover Page and continues through the earliest of the following: (i) the Solicitation is cancelled, (ii) the last of any resulting contract(s) are executed, or (iii) 60-days following Council authorization of the last contract resulting from this Solicitation. The No-Lobbying Period continues throughout the completion of the solicitation process. During the No-Lobbying Period, Offerors, Respondents and/or their Agents shall not make any prohibited communications to City Officials

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Solicitation Instructions Page 3 or City employees other than the Authorized Contact Persons. Respondents include both prospective and actual Offerors.

4 OFFER PREPARATION

4.1 Offer Submittals. Offerors intending to respond to this Solicitation shall download and complete each of the Submittal documents listed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet. Submittal documents will include additional Solicitation instructions specific to its contents. Offerors will complete each Submittal in accordance with the instructions in the submittal. At a minimum, submittals will include a Price Offer, a Technical Offer, and an Offer and Certifications submittal.

4.2 Alternate Offers. Unless excluded elsewhere in the Solicitation, Offerors may submit alternative Offers, in addition to their primary Offer. Offerors seeking to submit an alternative Offer may include with their completed Submittals, any alternative Submittals as applicable.

4.3 Exceptions. Offerors shall indicate if they take exception to any portions of the Solicitation in their Proposal. Any exceptions included in the Proposal may negatively impact the City’s evaluation of the Proposal or may cause the City to reject the Proposal entirely.

4.4 Offer Acceptance Period. All Offers are valid for a period of one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days subsequent to the RFP closing date unless a longer acceptance period is offered in the proposal.

4.5 Proprietary and Confidential Information. All Offers received and opened by the City are subject to the Texas Government Code, Ch. 552, and will be made available to the public. Offerors seeking to keep any portions of their Offer confidential shall mark each such portion as “Proprietary.” The City will, to the extent allowed by law, endeavor to protect such information from disclosure. The City may request a review and determination from the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Texas, of any Proposal contents marked as “Proprietary.” A copyright notice or symbol is insufficient to identify proprietary or confidential information.

4.6 Cost of Offer Preparation and Participation. Offerors are responsible for all costs related to the preparation of their Offer and incurred while participating in this Solicitation process.

4.7 Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) Procurement Program. If the solicitation includes an MBE/WBE Program Compliance Plan or Offeror intends to subcontract, the Offeror shall comply with the provisions of Chapters 2-9A and B, of the Austin City Code and the terms of the Compliance Plan or Subcontractor Utilization Plan as approved by the City (the “Plan”).

4.8 Wage Theft. This Solicitation is subject to City Code, Chapter 4-22 Wage Theft (Ordinance No. 20221201- 031 | Code of Ordinances | Austin, TX | Municode Library). In accordance with City Code, Ch. 4-22, any Employer that submits an Offer to the City is required to provide certification (see the Employer Certification Wage Theft Ordinance – Responsibility Criteria included in this the Solicitation) that they have not been adjudicated for Wage Theft related incidents within five (5) years prior to the date set forth within the Employer Certification Wage Theft Ordinance – Responsibility Criteria. Additionally, City Code, Ch. 4- 22 Wage Theft, requires all Employers to complete a training program designed by the Wage Theft Coordinator on federal and state wage laws and the provisions of City Code, Ch. 4-22 Wage Theft. All Employers must complete the City of Austin Wage Theft Training within 30 days of being awarded a contract with the City. Contact the Wage Compliance Training to register for training or additional information at wagetheft@austintexas.gov.

4.9 Bid Bond. (“Bond”) (Applicable to procurements requiring a Payment and/or Performance Bond). All Offers shall be accompanied by a Bid Bond in an amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the total https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1201313 https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1201313 mailto:wagetheft@austintexas.gov

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Offer. The Bid Bond must have a Power of Attorney attached, issued by a solvent surety authorized under the laws of the State of Texas and acceptable to the City. The Bid Bond accompanying the Offer of the apparent successful Offeror will be retained until a Contract is awarded and the successful Offeror executes the Contract and furnishes any required bonds and insurance, after which the Bid Bond will be returned to the Offeror. The Bid Bond provided by the next lowest or next Best Offeror will be retained until a Contract is awarded. All other Bid Bonds will be returned within a reasonable amount of time necessary to make an award recommendation.

4.10 Payment Bond. (May also include a Bid Bond/Guarantee). The Contractor shall provide a Payment Bond in an amount equal to $4,000,000 of the Contract amount within 14 calendar days after notification of award. The Payment Bond serves as security for the faithful payment of all of the Contractor’s obligations for subcontracts, work, labor, equipment, supplies, and materials furnished under the Contract. The Payment Bond shall be issued by a solvent company authorized to do business in the State of Texas and shall meet any other requirements established by law or by the City pursuant to applicable law. The Surety must obtain reinsurance for any portion of the risk that exceeds 10% of the Surety’s capital and surplus.

For bonds exceeding $100,000, the Surety must also hold a certificate of authority from the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury or have obtained reinsurance from a reinsurer that is authorized as a reinsurer in Texas and holds a certificate of authority from the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. The Payment Bond shall remain in effect throughout the term of the Contract and shall be renewed for each respective extension.

4.11 Performance Bond. (Must also include a Bid Guaranty/Bond). The Contractor shall provide a Performance Bond in an amount equal to $4,000,000 of the Contract amount within 14 calendar days after notification of award. The Performance Bond serves as security for the faithful performance of all of the Contractor’s obligations under the Contract. The Performance Bond shall be issued by a solvent company authorized to do business in the State of Texas and shall meet any other requirements established by law or by the City pursuant to applicable law. The Surety must obtain reinsurance for any portion of the risk that exceeds 10% of the Surety’s capital and surplus. For bonds exceeding $100,000, the Surety must also hold a certificate of authority from the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury or have obtained reinsurance from a reinsurer that is authorized as a reinsurer in Texas and holds a certificate of authority from the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. The Performance Bond shall remain in effect throughout the term of the Contract and shall be renewed for each respective extension.

5 OFFER SUBMISSION

5.1 Electronic Offers. All Offers in response to this solicitation shall be submitted electronically (electronic documents) to the City of Austin using the Solicitation’s eResponse function, available through the City’s online financial system, Austin Finance Online. To submit Electronic Offers using the eResponse function, Offeror’s must first be registered as a vendor with the City of Austin in Austin Finance Online. See Instructions, Submitting Offers in Austin Finance Online. For any questions or problems concerning eResponse, please contact vendor@austintexas.gov and copy the Procurement Specialist listed on the Cover Sheet. For immediate attention, call 512-974-2467.

5.2 Due Date and Time for Electronic Offers. Electronic Offers in response to this Solicitation shall be submitted via eResponse by the Offer Due Date and Time displayed in the Important Dates section of the Solicitation Cover Sheet. The system time within Austin Finance Online shall be the official time of record for Electronic Offers.

5.3 Withdrawing Electronic Offers. Electronic Offers submitted online in response to this Solicitation may be withdrawn, revised, and resubmitted using the eResponse function any time prior to the Solicitation’s https://assets.austintexas.gov/purchase/downloads/Submitting-Offers-in-AFO.pdf mailto:vendor@austintexas.gov

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Due Date and Time. Withdrawn Electronic Offers may be resubmitted, with or without modifications, up to the Solicitation’s Due Date and Time.

5.4 Late Electronic Offers. The Solicitation’s eResponse function in Austin Finance Online will not allow Electronic Offers to be submitted past the Solicitation’s Due Date and Time.

5.5 Opening Electronic Offers. The information regarding Electronic Offers will become available on or shortly after the Offer Opening Date and Time stated on the Solicitation’s Cover Sheet. When Electronic Offers are opened, the names of each Offeror would be displayed within the Solicitation’s eResponse section. For Solicitations conducted via Competitive Sealed Bidding, the Price Offer for each Offeror will also be displayed in the eResponse section.

6 OFFER EVALUATION

6.1 Bases of Competition. The City may compare Offers based on groups or categories and will choose the basis or bases of competition that best meets the City’s needs for the resulting contracts. The basis or bases of competition for each RFP will be described in section 11, Evaluation of Offers below.

6.2 Minimum Responsiveness. Proposals are Minimally Responsive when they include all of the Submittals listed in this Solicitation, completed and with sufficient detail in each to evaluate the Proposal in accordance with the Solicitation’s Instructions. Proposals that are not Minimally Responsive may be deemed non-responsive and rejected.

6.3 Responsibility. An Offeror is responsible if they have the financial and practical ability, resources, expertise, past performance, and positive compliance history with all City ordinances. An Offer may be rejected if an Offeror is determined to not be responsible.

6.4 Clarifications. Any time after the opening of Proposals, the City may contact Offerors to ask questions about their Proposal’s contents in order to better understand these contents as-written. Responses to clarification questions, whether done verbally or submitted in writing, do not change the Proposal’s contents. Clarifications are not to be confused with Discussions as described herein.

6.5 Evaluation. Proposals that are Minimally Responsive will be evaluated based on the Evaluation Factors listed in Section 11.1 of the Solicitation Instructions. Evaluation Factors correspond to their specified Submittals and shall indicate their respective weighting next to each. Proposal submittals not identified as Evaluation Factors will be evaluated on a pass / fail basis in accordance with the Solicitation’s Instructions and any further instructions within each Solicitation. Although minimum responses are required in all Submittals, the Submittals identified as Evaluation Factors will be used to differentiate the Proposals and to identify which Proposal(s) represent the Best Value to the City. The City’s evaluation may be made without Clarifications or Discussions with Offerors. Proposals should, therefore, include the Offeror’s most favorable terms.

6.6 Discussions and Proposal Revisions. After completing initial evaluations, the City may enter into discussions (communications which may include negotiations and feedback about the Proposal submitted) with one or more Offerors submitting the highest rated Proposal(s). Following the completion of Discussions, the City may request Proposal revisions from these Offerors. The City may seek multiple rounds of Discussions and Proposal revisions as deemed necessary by the City. The City may revise its initial evaluations depending on the contents of any Proposal revisions received following these Discussions.

6.7 Interviews/Presentations. The City may require that one or more Offeror submitting the highest rated Proposals participate in interviews and/or presentations.

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7 CONTRACT AWARD AND EXECUTION

7.1 Award Determination. City staff will recommend Contract award to the Offeror(s) submitting the highest rated Proposal(s) based on the Evaluation Factors set forth in this Solicitation. The Award Determination will be published to Austin Finance Online and notice will be sent to all Offerors subscribed to the Solicitation.

7.2 Multiple Awards. If the City determines that multiple contracts are needed, the City will award one or more additional contracts to the Offeror(s) submitting the next highest rated Proposal(s).

7.3 Contract Execution. Contracts within the City Manager’s authority will be awarded and executed simultaneously. Contracts above the City Manager’s authority will be executed following their authorization by the Austin City Council.

8 ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

8.1 Solicitation File. All documents included in this Solicitation, and all timely received Offers in response to this Solicitation, except for Offer contents deemed by Offerors to be proprietary and confidential, will be available for public inspections upon the execution of the contract.

8.2 Debriefings. Offerors may request a debriefing meeting to ask any questions concerning the Solicitation’s contents, process, or the evaluation of their Offer. Debriefing meetings are informal exchanges and may be requested anytime following the earlier of (i) after the contract resulting from this Solicitation is executed, or in the case of multiple awards, the last contract is executed; (ii) the date the Solicitation is cancelled. Debriefings are not public called meetings in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and are usually limited to a single Offeror and any of their representatives. Only information regarding the Solicitation documents and the Offeror’s Offer (including City’s evaluation of the Offer) in response to the Solicitation will be discussed.

8.3 Reservations. The City reserves the right to: (i) specify approximate quantities in the Solicitation; (ii) extend the Solicitation due date and time; (iii) add additional terms or modify existing terms in the Solicitation; (iv) reject an Offer containing exceptions, additions, qualifications or conditions not called for in the Solicitation; (v) reject an Offer received from an Offeror who is currently debarred or suspended by the City, State, or Federal Government; (vi) reject an Offer that contains fraudulent information; (vii) reject an Offer that has material omissions; (viii) reject any or all Offers; (ix) procure any goods or services included in this Solicitation by other means; (x) consider and accept alternate Offers, if specified in the Solicitation, when most advantageous to the City; (xi) reject an Offer if prices in the Offer are unbalanced (some prices are significantly high and other prices are significantly low) and/or (xii) waive any minor informality in any Offer or procedure so long as the deviation does not affect the competitiveness of the Solicitation process.

8.4 Protests. Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement has the authority to settle or resolve any claim of an alleged deficiency or protest. The procedures for notifying the City of Austin of an alleged deficiency or filing a protest are listed below. If you fail to comply with any of these requirements, Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement may dismiss your complaint or protest.

8.4.1 Protest regarding the Solicitation (Pre-Submittal Protest). Any protest regarding the Solicitation by the City shall be filed no later than five (5) business days prior to the due date and time for proposals.

Any protest filed after that date which raises issues regarding the Solicitation will not be considered.

8.4.2 Protests regarding the evaluation of Proposals. Any protest regarding the evaluation of Proposals by the City shall be filed with the City no later than five (5) business days after the notification of award

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Solicitation Instructions Page 7 recommendation is posted on Austin Finance Online, or notification that the protestor’s status as a Offeror has changed, such as notification that an Offer has been found to be non-responsive or an Offeror has been found to be non-responsible. Any protest filed after such date which raises issues regarding the evaluation will not be considered. Offerors may only protest the evaluation of their Proposal.

8.4.3 Protest Regarding Award of Contract (Post-Award Protest). Any protest regarding the award of the contract shall be filed no later than ten (10) business days after the date of award. Any protest regarding the award of the contract filed after such date will not be considered.

8.4.4 You shall submit your protest in writing, and it shall include the following information: (i) your name, address, telephone, and email address; (ii) the Solicitation number; (iii) the specific facts and/or law upon which the protest of the Solicitation or the award is based, including all pertinent documents and evidence thereto; and (iv) the form of relief requested.

8.4.5 Your protest shall be concise and presented logically and factually to help with the City’s review.

8.4.6 When the City receives a timely written protest, Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement will determine whether the grounds for your protest are sufficient. If Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement decides that the grounds are sufficient, Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement will schedule a protest hearing, usually within five (5) business days. If Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement determines that your grounds are insufficient, the City will notify you of that decision in writing.

8.4.7 The protest hearing is informal and is not subject to the Open Meetings Act. The purpose of the hearing is to give you a chance to present your case, it is not an adversarial proceeding. Those who may attend from the City are: representatives from the department that requested the purchase, the Department of Law, Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement, and other appropriate City staff. You may bring a representative or anyone else that will present information to support the factual grounds for your protest with you to the hearing.

8.4.8 A decision will usually be made within fifteen (15) calendar days after the hearing.

8.4.9 The City will send you a copy of the hearing decision after the appropriate City staff has reviewed the decision.

8.4.10 When a protest is filed, the City usually will not make an award until a decision on the protest is made. However, the City will not delay an award if the City Manager or Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement determines that the City urgently requires the supplies or Services to be purchased, or failure to make an award promptly will unduly delay delivery or performance. In those instances, the City will notify you and make every effort to resolve your protest before the award.

8.5 Interested Parties Disclosure. As a condition to entering the Contract, the Business Entity constituting the Offeror must provide the following disclosure of Interested Parties to the City prior to the award of a contract with the City on Form 1295 “Certificate of Interested Parties” as prescribed by the Texas Ethics Commission for any contract award requiring council authorization. The Certificate of Interested Parties Form must be completed on the Texas Ethics Commission website, printed, and signed by the authorized agent of the Business Entity with acknowledgment that disclosure is made under oath and under penalty of perjury. The City will submit the “Certificate of Interested Parties” to the Texas Ethics Commission within 30 days of receipt from the successful Offeror. The Offeror is reminded that the provisions of Local Government Code 176, regarding conflicts of interest between the Offerors and local officials remain in

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Solicitation Instructions Page 8 place. Link to Texas Ethics Commission Form 1295 process and procedures below:

https://ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295/.

9 DEFINITIONS

Whenever a term defined by the Uniform Commercial Code, as enacted by the State of Texas, is used in the Contract, the UCC definition shall control, unless otherwise defined in the Contract.

“Addendum” means a written instrument issued by the Contract Awarding Authority that modifies or clarifies the Solicitation prior to the Due Date. “Addenda” is the plural form of the word.

“Austin Financial Services – Central Procurement” refers to the line of business within the City of Austin’s, Austin Financial Services, responsible for the City’s procurement business function.

“Best Offer” means the best evaluated Offer in response to a Request for Proposals or Request for Qualifications/Statements.

“Best Offeror” means the Offeror submitting the Best Offer.

“City” means the City of Austin, a Texas home-rule municipal corporation.

“Offer” means a complete signed response to a Solicitation including, but not limited to, a Request for Proposals.

“Offeror” means a person, firm, or entity that submits an Offer in response to this Solicitation. Any Offeror may be represented by an agent after submitting evidence demonstrating the agent’s authority. The agent cannot certify as to his own agency status.

“Proposal” means a complete, properly signed Offer to a Request for Proposals.

“Chief Procurement Officer” means the officer of Austin Financial Services – Central Procurement and the principal recipient of procurement authority from the City Manager.

“Request for Proposals” means all documents utilized for soliciting Proposals.

“Responsible Offeror” means the financial and practical ability of the Offeror to perform the Contract and takes into consideration resources, expertise, and past performance of the Offeror as well as compliance with all City ordinances concerning the purchasing process.

“Responsive” means meeting all the requirements of a Solicitation.

“Solicitation” means this Request for Proposals or RFP.

“Wage Theft” means any action by an employer that secures performance of a service by agreeing to provide compensation for the service and, after the service is rendered, fails to make full payment.

10 PROPOSAL SUBMITTALS

10.1 Executive Summary. Provide an Executive Summary that summarizes your RFP response and confirms you will comply with the requirements, provisions, terms, and conditions specified in this solicitation. The Executive Summary should be in the form of a standard business letter on official business letterhead and signed by an authorized representative of Offeror. Include the complete name and address of your firm, telephone number, and email address of the person the City of Austin should contact regarding your firm’s response.

https://ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295/

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10.2 Authorized Negotiator: Include name, address, email, and telephone number of a person in your organization authorized to negotiate Contract terms and render binding decisions on Contract matters.

10.3 Program. Provide all details you deem necessary for the City to evaluate your ability to perform the Scope of Work. Includes requirements, implementation, safety, and minimum qualifications.

10.3.1 Minimum Qualifications: Offerors that do not meet the minimum qualifications will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for award.

Minimum Qualifications Submittal

a. Safety Program: Offeror shall demonstrate an established safety program.

Provide an overview or table of contents of your safety manual.

b. OSHA Training: Offeror shall demonstrate compliance with OSHA 29CRF 1910.269 Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution.

Offeror shall include training records for employees, OR OSHA training certificate OR Confirmation of Offeror training program which includes a list of employees that have completed the training.

c. OSHA Annual Incident Rate Offeror shall provide the most recent three years of OSHA 0300 National/Company logs.

10.3.2 Requirements

a. Provide a comprehensive description of your understanding of the requirements and a detailed plan for executing the Scope of Work. The Offerors response shall outline the approach, methodologies, and key factors that ensure effective delivery of services. Include a thorough explanation of your company’s quality assurance program, demonstrating how it supports work efficiency, safety, and compliance with all Scope of Work requirements.

b. Provide a statement of your compliance and regulations with the Work, including the approach to managing assignments, as well as applicable rules and regulations of Federal, State, and Local governing entities.

c. Describe your approach to meeting the requirements for Storm Restoration Events, and Emergency Response needs as described in the Scope of Work.

10.3.3 Implementation

a. Describe your plan for contract initiation. Provide details of ramp up with estimated timeline to be fully staffed and equipped per the requirements in this Solicitation.

b. Describe how you will perform services described in the Scope of Work. Include the materials and equipment you will use to perform the services under this contract. Additionally, provide a list of available equipment beyond the required minimum specified and the corresponding availability and rates.

c. Elaborate on your company’s quality assurance program to demonstrate work efficiency and completion in accordance with the Scope of Work.

10.3.4 Safety

a. Describe your safety program and how you will ensure compliance under the requirements of this Solicitation. What additional safety practices do you take to ensure protection of

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Solicitation Instructions Page 10 employees, electric utility customers, and the public? If your quality assurance program includes a safety component, please describe it.

b. Describe your firm’s safety training program, including certifications, frequency of training, and any additional requirements for staff working near energized equipment.

10.4 Staffing Plan. Offerors shall provide the information below:

10.4.1 Project Management Structure.

a. Provide a general explanation and an organizational chart which specifies project leadership and reporting responsibilities, and interface the team with City project management and team personnel. Describe whether there will be a staff person dedicated to overseeing work assigned by the City, their title and role, and tracked sheet submissions.

10.4.2 Staff Recruitment & Retention.

a. Provide details on your recruiting and retention program of employees, and how you will ensure staffing levels continue to be met. Describe the average retention rate for employees performing services similar to the Scope of Work. Explain your onboarding process and ongoing training provided to employees. What other investments do you make in your employees to promote retention?

b. Describe the benefits package offered to employees.

c. Provide information on your employee evaluation plan. What is the frequency and how will you provide observation and feedback to employees through the Contract?

10.5 Experience and Personnel. Offerors shall provide a description of their qualifications to assume the responsibilities required for this opportunity, including:

10.5.1 Firm History and Presence.

a. Describe all factors that contribute to the effectiveness of your services and what value you can add by partnering with the City. Offeror shall outline firm’s history and length of presence in the business of providing overhead distribution electrical services.

10.5.2 Relevant Company Experience.

a. Experience providing the same or similar services described in the Scope of Work. The

City considers Corporate Experience as work conducted by Offeror’s employees, not individual experience resulting from work at another firm.

10.5.3 References.

a. Offeror shall demonstrate a record of positive past performance. The City at its discretion may check references and/or past or current clients to determine the Offeror’s experience and ability to provide the services described in this Solicitation.

Provide a minimum of three references for similar work performed. For each reference, include the name of the entity, a brief description of the work completed, when the work was completed, and the name and email address of a representative who can verify performance.

10.5.4 Personnel Qualifications.

a. Offerors shall provide the names and qualifications of all professional personnel who will be assigned to this project. Identify key people by name and title. Do not include experience unless personnel assigned to this project will actively participate for more

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Solicitation Instructions Page 11 than 40 hours per year. Provide resumes or bios, preferably minimized to one (1) page per individual person and specify the number of years of experience working on energized conductors and equipment.

10.6 Price Proposal. Whichever Offeror offers the City the most competitive price will be awarded the maximum amount of points. Remaining points will be distributed on a pro-rated basis.

Altering the Price Sheet or taking exceptions may jeopardize acceptance of your Offer. The quantities noted on the Price Sheet are estimates and not a guarantee of actual volume. Quantities are provided as a guide based on historical or anticipated usage.

A “no bid” or no response (space left blank) will be interpreted by the City that the Offeror does not wish to propose on that item. Be advised, a “no bid” or no response may be considered as non-responsive and may result in disqualification of the Offer. Prices offered shall be all inclusive of fees not expressly allowed in the scope of work. The Offeror shall not charge separately for administrative, overhead, per diem, and shipping or transportation costs (travel time, fuel surcharges, mileage, stop-free, etc.)

Within Category 1, Offerors must provide wage rates for workers who will perform services on the Contract. Wage rates must meet or exceed the Prevailing Wage Rates and Payroll Reporting as outlined in Section 00830HH Wage Rates for Heavy and Highway Construction or 00830BC Wage Rates for Building Construction.

Bill Rates shall be inclusive of all costs to provide services as specified in this Solicitation, with the exception of Storm Restoration Events as described within the Scope of Work in Section 6.1.D. Offeror shall propose Hourly Labor Rates for each title/function of category OH1 – Hourly Labor Rate. The Overtime bill rate will be paid at a 1.50% markup of the Hourly Labor Rate. Calculations will be applied automatically once Hourly Labor Rate has been captured. Category OH2 shall be inclusive of all costs to provide maintained equipment, and encompass all associated costs, fees, overhead, and any other amounts to be charged.

10.7 Local Business Preference – Optional. The City of Austin seeks to promote additional opportunities for Local Businesses to participate under City contracts. Local Businesses responding to this Solicitation may be eligible to receive preference as described in the Local Business Preference Form, included with this Solicitation (see Offer and Certification Form). To receive this preference, Offerors must complete the form and include the completed form with their Offer.

Note: Local Business Preference may not be allowable, and will not be provided, in solicitations subject to federal funding.

10.8 Small Business Preference – Optional. The City of Austin seeks to promote additional opportunities for Small Businesses to participate under City contracts. Small Businesses responding to this Solicitation, and their subcontractors, may be eligible to receive preference as described in the Small Business Preference Form, included with this Solicitation. To receive this preference, Offerors must complete the form and include the completed form with their Offer.

10.9 Local and Small Businesses Points. Proposals from Local Business and Small Businesses will be assigned points based on the following.

Total Proposal Value (Aggregate) Local Points

Small Points (highest of either Prime or Sub)

Prime Sub

$78,000 to $499,999 10 10 4

Solicitation

INSTRUCTIONS

Solicitation Instructions Page 12

$500,000 to $50 million 6 6 2

Above $50 million 0 0

11 EVALUATION OF OFFERS

11.1 Evaluation Criteria

11.2 Interviews and/or presentations, Optional. The City will score proposals on the basis or bases of the criteria listed above. The City may select a “short list” of Offerors based on those scores. “Short-listed” Offerors may be invited for presentations, demonstrations, or discussions with the City. The City reserves the right to re-score “short-listed” proposals as a result, and to make award recommendations on that basis or bases.

RFP Evaluation Factors Maximum PointsPr

Program 25 Staffing Plan 20 Experience and Personnel 20 Price 15 Small Business Preference Up to 10 Local Business Preference Up to 10 Total Up to 100