RFP_1100_LLM3008_ATT_6_v1.docx

OFFER SHEET

Solicitation RFP 1100 LLM3008

By signing below, I represent and certify that I am submitting a binding Offer and am authorized to bind the Offeror to fully comply with the Solicitation to which I submit this Offer. I acknowledge that I have received, read, and understood the entire solicitation document packet sections, including any addenda issued, and agree to be bound by its terms.

By submitting this Offer, I certify the following statements are true now and will be for the term of any resulting contract:

1. That my firm and its principals (collectively “we” or “us”) are not currently suspended or debarred from bidding on any Federal, State, or City of Austin Contracts.

2. That we have not in any way directly or indirectly:

a. colluded, conspired, or agreed with any other person, firm, corporation, Proposer or potential Proposer to the amount of this Proposal or the terms or conditions of this Proposal.

b. paid or agreed to pay any other person, firm, corporation Proposer or potential Proposer any money or anything of value in return for assistance in procuring or attempting to procure a contract or in return for establishing the prices in the attached Proposal or the Proposal of any other Proposer.

3. That we have not received any compensation or a promise of compensation for participating in the preparation or development of the underlying Solicitation or Contract documents. In addition, we have not otherwise participated in the preparation or development of the underlying Solicitation or Contract documents, except to the extent of any comments or questions and responses in the solicitation process, which are available to all Proposers, so as to have an unfair advantage over other Proposers, provided that we may have provided relevant product or process information to a consultant in the normal course of its business.

4. That we have not participated in the evaluation of Proposals or other decision making process for this Solicitation and, if we are awarded a Contract, no individual, agent, representative, consultant, subcontractor, or sub-consultant associated with us, who may have been involved in the evaluation or other decision making process for this Solicitation, will have any direct or indirect financial interest in the Contract, provided that we may have provided relevant product or process information to a consultant in the normal course of its business.

5. In accordance with Chapter 176 of the Texas Local Government Code, that we:

a. do not have an employment or other business relationship with any local government officer of the City or a family member of that officer that results in the officer or family member receiving taxable income

b. have not given a local government officer of the City one or more gifts, other than gifts of food, lodging, transportation, or entertainment accepted as a guest, that have an aggregate value of more than $100 in the twelve month period preceding the date the officer becomes aware of the execution of the Contract or that City is considering doing business with the Offeror; and

c. do not have a family relationship with a local government officer of the City in the third degree of consanguinity or the second degree of affinity.

6. Pursuant to City Council Resolution No. 20191114-056, we are not currently and will not during the term of the Contract engage in practicing LGBTQ+ conversion therapy; referring persons to a healthcare provider or other person or organization for LGBTQ+ conversion therapy; or Contracting with another entity to conduct LGBTQ+ conversion therapy. If the City determines in its sole discretion that we have, during the term of the resulting Contract, engaged in any such practices, the City may terminate this Contract without penalty to the City.

7. Pursuant to Texas Government Code §2271.002, we verify that we do not boycott Israel and will not boycott Israel during the term of the resulting contract.

8. Pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 2275, we verify that if we have remote or direct access to communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems, the electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, or water treatment facilities as a result of any City contract, that we are not owned by or the majority of stock or other ownership interest of our firm is not held or controlled by:

a. individuals who are citizens of China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or a Governor-designated country; or

b. a company or other entity, including a governmental entity, that is owned or controlled by citizens of or is directly controlled by the government of China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or a Governor-designated country; or

c. headquartered in China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or a Governor-designated country.

9. Pursuant to ERCOT Protocols Section 16.1.4(1)(b), we verify that if we provide Critical Electrical Grid Equipment (CEGE) or Critical Electric Grid Services (CEGS), any CEGE or CEGS we provide were not manufactured, produced, created, or otherwise provided by a Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act (LSIPA) Designated Company.

Critical Electric Grid Equipment (CEGE). (1) Equipment accessible by means of routable connectivity that, as installed, can be used to gain remote access to or control of ERCOT System Infrastructure, the ERCOT Wide Area Network (WAN), or Market Information System (MIS), if such equipment, if destroyed, degraded, misused, or otherwise rendered unavailable would, within 15 minutes or less of its mis-operation, non-operation, or required operation, adversely impact the reliable operation of ERCOT System Infrastructure. Redundancy of affected facilities, systems, and equipment shall not be considered when determining adverse impact. (2) For Load Resources, this definition only applies to equipment used to send and receive ERCOT telemetry and ERCOT Dispatch Instructions. (3) For purposes of this definition, “reliable operation of ERCOT System Infrastructure” means operating elements of ERCOT System Infrastructure within equipment and electric system thermal, voltage, and stability limits so that instability, uncontrolled separation, or cascading failures of ERCOT System Infrastructure will not occur as a result of a sudden disturbance, including a cybersecurity incident, or unanticipated failure of system elements.

Critical Electric Grid Services (CEGS). Services and software provided by a vendor for the operation, control, monitoring, maintenance, or use of Critical Electric Grid Equipment (CEGE), excluding access specifically allowed by the purchaser for product warranty or support purposes.

ERCOT System Infrastructure. The Transmission Facilities, distribution facilities, Resources, Settlement Only Generators (SOGs), and Emergency Response Service (ERS) Resources that comprise the ERCOT System and the physical and virtual cyber assets used to control the ERCOT System.

Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act (LSIPA) Designated Company. An Entity (including an LSIPA Affiliate) that meets any of the company ownership or headquarters criteria listed in Texas Business and Commerce Code, Section 117.002(a)(2)(A)-(b)(2)(B) or Texas Government Code Section 2275.0102(a)(2)(A)-(b)(2)(B).

Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act (LSIPA) Designated Country. China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or a country designated by the Governor as a threat to critical infrastructure pursuant to Texas Business and Commerce Code, Section 117.003 or Texas Government Code, Section 2275.0103.

Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act (LSIPA) Affiliate. An Entity that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the LSIPA Designated Company. For purposes of this definition, “controls,” “controlled by,” or “under common control with” shall mean (1) the ownership of 20 percent or more of the outstanding securities of an Entity or (2) the power of an Entity, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, to direct the management and/or policies and procedures of another Entity. Ownership by an Entity of equity securities (whether publicly traded or not) of another Entity shall not result in control for purposes of this definition if the holder owns (in its name or via intermediaries) 20 percent or more of the outstanding securities of the Entity, and: (a) the securities are held as a passive investment; (b) the holder does not have representation on the Entity’s board of directors (or equivalent governing body) or vice versa; and (c) the holder does not in fact exercise influence over day-to-day management decisions.

10. Pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 2274, we verify that, if we have 10 or more full-time employees: (1) we do not have a practice, policy, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and (2) will not discriminate during the term of the resulting contract against a firearm entity or firearm trade association.

11. Pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 2276, we certify that, if we have 10 or more full-time employees: (1) we do not boycott energy companies; and (2) will not boycott energy companies during the term of the contract.

12. That we have and will continue to comply with the City’s Anti-Lobbying Ordinance, Chapter 2-7, Article 6.

No Lobbying Period. The No-Lobbying Period begins on the data this Solicitation was initially published and continues through the earlier of (i) 60-days following Council authorization of any contracts resulting from this Solicitation, (ii) the date the last resulting contract is signed, (iii) the date this Solicitation is cancelled.

Prohibited Communications. During the No Lobbying Period, Respondents to this Solicitation or their Agents, shall not make prohibited communications to City officials or City employees.

Ordinance. 20180614-056, Ordinance (austintexas.gov) Rules. Notice_of_Rule_Adoption_ALO_2019.pdf (austintexas.gov)

Company Name:

ACCEPTANCE BY THE CITY

For City Staff only. The City will complete and sign this section only if the City accepts the Offer.

ACCEPTANCE: The Offer is hereby accepted. Contractor is now bound to sell the materials or services specified in the Contract.

Nonresident Bidder ProvisionS

Instruction. Offerors shall read and check the applicable boxes in response to both certifications below.

OFFEROR HEREBY CERTIFIES

(Check One) ☐YES ☐NO Offeror IS (YES) or IS NOT (NO) a Non-resident Bidder in accordance with Texas Government Code Ch. 2252.002.

If “YES” is checked, provide the name of the State where Nonresident Bidder's Principle Place of Business is located.

(State)

OFFEROR HEREBY CERTIFIES

(Check One) ☐YES ☐NO Offer INCLUDES (YES) or DOES NOT INCLUDE (NO) Equipment, Supplies and/or Materials in accordance with Texas Government Code Ch. 2252.002

If “YES” is checked, provide the name of the State where majority of the Equipment, Supplies and/or Materials were manufactured.

(State)

Reciprocal Preference. In accordance with Texas Government Code Ch. 2252.002 (see below), the City must apply a reciprocal preference to a Nonresident Bidder’s offer, consistent with the applicable preference granted by the state of the Nonresident Bidder’s principal place of business. The City will also apply a reciprocal preference to a Resident Bidder or Nonresident Bidder’s offer, consistent with the applicable preference granted by the state where the majority of the equipment, supplies and/or materials were manufactured.

Resident bidder. An Offeror whose principal place of business is in Texas, including a contractor whose ultimate parent company or majority owner has its principal place of business in Texas.

Nonresident Bidder. An Offeror that is not a Resident Bidder.

Statute: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.2252.htm local business CERTIFICATION (optional)

LOCAL BUSINESS PREFERENCE – PROCUREMENT PROGRAM

To encourage Local Businesses to participate in City solicitations and to increase the opportunities to do business with the City, the City of Austin maintains a Local Business Preference Procurement or “Local Preference” Program.

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

1 Instructions. Offerors meeting the following criteria are encouraged to complete this form and include it with their Offer.

1.1 Local Business. The City defines a Local Business as any person or corporate entity with Headquarters located within the Local Area. The City defines Headquarters as (a) the location of the owners or leadership, where they provide direction and management of the entity, and/or (b) the location of the entity’s Administrative Center, where most of the entity’s important business and operational activities are managed.

1.2 Local Area. The City defines the Local Area as being within the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), including all areas within Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties, or “Greater Austin”.

2 Confirmation. The City may request additional information to confirm the Offeror’s Headquarters, including resources like the following (https://geomap.ffiec.gov/ffiecgeomap/) and (https://mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/).

3 Misrepresentation. If the City determines any of the Offeror’s information regarding their Headquarters is incorrect, the City may withhold any available preference. If the City determines the error was intentional, the City may disqualify the Offeror from any resulting contract as being non-responsible. If the Offeror is awarded the contract, and the misrepresentation is discovered after contract award, the City reserves the right to void the contract.

OFFEROR CERTIFICATION

Headquarters Address Physical Address of Offeror’s Headquarters:

Headquarters Certification Functions provided at Offeror’s Headquarters, as defined above (check at least one).

☐ Location of the entity’s Owners or Leadership ☐ Location of entity’s Administrative Center

SMALL BUSINESS PREFERENCE – PROCUREMENT PROGRAM

To encourage Small Businesses to participate in City solicitations and to increase the opportunities to do business with the City, the City of Austin maintains a Small Business Preference Procurement or “Small Business” Program. See details regarding the City’s Small Business Procurement Program on AustinTexas.gov at: https://www.austintexas.gov/financial-services/small-business-program 1 Instructions. Offerors may identify themselves as a recognized Small Business at their option. Offerors meeting the following criteria are encouraged to complete this form and include it with their Offer.

1.1 Who May Participate. Incentives under the Small Business Procurement Program are available to the following Offerors.

A. Small Business Primes. Offerors that are Small Businesses themselves (Primes) may receive full preference, or B. Small Business Subs. Offerors that are not Small Businesses but include one or more Subcontractors that are Small Businesses (Subs) may receive partial preference. To qualify for the Small Business Subs incentives, combined Small Business subcontracting values must meet or exceed 5% of the total contract amount. If subcontracting values are not included in the Subcontracting Plan the Offer cannot receive partial preference.

1.2 Small Business Definition. The City defines Small Businesses as any person or corporate entity holding a recognized Certification that, among the Certification’s requirements, includes compliance with the US Small Business Administration’s Small Business Size Standard.

1.3 Certifications Recognized. At this time, the City recognizes the following Certifications in determining a Small Business for purposes of this program. (see Small Business Program on AustinTexas.gov here: https://www.austintexas.gov/page/small-business-program).

2 Confirmation. The City may request additional information to confirm the Offeror’s Certification and status, including contacting the certifying entity.

3 Misrepresentation. If the City determines any of the Offeror’s information regarding their Certification is incorrect, the City may withhold any available preference. If the City determines the error was intentional, the City may disqualify the Offeror from any resulting contract as being non-responsible. If the Offeror is awarded the contract, and the misrepresentation is discovered after contract award, the City reserves the right to void the contract.

OFFEROR CERTIFICATION (Select/Check One, Not Both) ☐ Offeror is a Small Business Certifying Entity:

Certification Name (ACRONYM):

Certification Number:

Certification Expiration Date:

☐ Offeror is Not a Small Business but will use Small Business Subcontractor(s) Complete the attached Subcontracting Plan – No MBE/WBE Goals Form

Employer certification wage theft ordinance – responsibility criteria

WAGE THEFT

Any Employer that submits an offer to the City seeking award of a city contract prior to awarding a contract are required to certify that they have not been adjudicated for certain offenses related to wage theft. See City of Austin Ordinance No. 20221201-031. “Wage theft” and “adjudicated” are to be understood per the definitions set forth in Austin City Code Chapter 4, § 4-22-1 (G) and (H).

All Employers are required to complete the City of Austin Wage Theft Training within 30 days of being awarded a contract with the City.

Contact the Wage Compliance Team to register for a class.

I hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Texas, that the below certification is true and correct and that I am authorized to make the following certification on behalf of the firm listed herein.

CERTIFICATION:

This firm has NOT been adjudicated for wage theft related incidents as defined in Austin City Code Chapter 4, § 4-22-1 (G) & (H) within five (5) years prior to the above-stated date. Furthermore, this firm agrees to abide by the items outlined in Section 4-22-5 (B) and Section 4-22-6 (A) of the Austin City Code.

Name of Employer - Print Full Legal Entity Name of Firm

Signature of Authorized Person

Print Name of Person Making Certification for Firm

Title of Person Making Certificate

Print City and State Where Signed

EMPLOYER CERTIFICATION – WAGE THEFT PROGRAM

If you have questions or need more information, contact us at wagetheft@austintexas.gov

Subcontracting Plan (Optional) – No mbe/wbe goals

(Complete only if applicable, add additional pages as necessary) Subcontractor

Complete only if Subcontractor is recognized Small Business [see link above]

(Complete only if applicable, add additional pages as necessary) Subcontractor

Complete only if Subcontractor is recognized Small Business [see link above]

Subcontractor

Complete only if Subcontractor is recognized Small Business [see link above]