RFP 117-22 Scanner- Barcode Printer.docx

7.1.1

MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

RFP#: 117-22

COMMBUYS # BD- 22-1206-40000-40000-79747

SCANNERS AND BARCODE PRINTERS

Date Issued: September 20, 2022

Contents

Attn: Bidder/s Request for Proposals (RFP) # 117-22 RFP Description: Scanners and Barcode Printers

Dear Madam/Sir, The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (“MBTA” or “Authority”), a corporate and a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, existing pursuit to Mass. Gen. Laws, ch 161A (as amended) invites Bidders to participate in the competitive bid 117-22. The Scope of Work is outlined below in Section 2. The MBTA may at its own discretion award contract(s) to one or multiple Bidders. All formal communication with the MBTA during the bidding period shall be only through the MBTA’s designated point of contact.

The MBTA’s designated point of contact for this solicitation will be:

Jimmy Moynihan Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 10 Park Plaza, Room 2810 Boston, MA 02116 Email: JMoymihan@MBTA.com The RFP shall be launched through COMMBUYS and proposals must be submitted electronically no later than 10/12/2022 2:00 PM, in full compliance with this RFP including but not limited to Section 3, Bidders Instructions and Procurement Process. This RFP shall remain in force until the execution of the Contract, or until modified or cancelled by the MBTA.

Respectfully, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

RFP #

COMMBUYS Bid # BD-

INTRODUCTION

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (“MBTA” or “Authority”) seeks the replacement of 80 warehouse parts scanners and 35 barcode printers. The MBTA uses an off the shelf software package for warehouse job duties; this is the system that automates and aids warehouse and stockroom duties. This software interfaces to both PeopleSoft Financials (called FMIS at the MBTA) which is the application of record for parts purchasing/usage and to Trapeze EAM (called MCRS2 at the MBTA) which is the application of record for vehicle maintenance.

All hardware devices are to be used at the main warehouse and all MBTA maintenance facility stockrooms, as well as IT offices for testing purposes.

The MBTA seeks a vendor to supply hardware, peripherals, warranty, maintenance plans, product training, and knowledge transfer. Hardware and peripherals bid shall be new and unused.

SCOPE OF WORK

Purchase of 80 scanners, their peripherals, 35 barcode printers, warranty.

Scanners Barcode Scanners and all Peripherals to include charge docking stations, spare batteries and independent battery chargers, testing cables, dock cables and network cabling per the specifications below.

Scanners must be plug-n-play with the current Koerber Advantage Platform software running on Honeywell CK75 and CK71 scanners. No coding updates shall be needed.

Scanners must be compatible with Koerber, formerly HighJump, Advantage Platform; iVanti’s Avalanche; Telnet; Bartender; and TCP/IP communications.

Scanner Operating System must be android or some other OS still under maintenance and having updates by its maker.

Scanner must have a laser capability to read a short-range barcode. QR/RFID reading not a requirement but a plus if available.

Scanners must be rugged enough for a warehouse environment.

Quantities needed:

Handheld Scanners: 80. Scanners must include a stylus and hand strap, Wi-Fi connectivity, alphanumeric keypad Spare batteries: 40; note that if batteries are sold 2/box, that would be 20 boxes.

Docking/charging stations: 20 that hold 2 scanners; 18 that hold one scanner with the other bay set up to charge 2 batteries; 2 that hold one scanner with the other bay set up to charge 2 batteries *and* can be directly connected to a PC/Laptop via USB/USB-C; 2 4-unit stations capable for 3 devices and dual battery charging; all U.S. cabling The minimum barcode scanner wireless communication encryption acceptable is defined at Wi-Fi Protected II (WPA2), with the preference to operate at WPA3.

The Handheld barcode scanners on the WLAN will have a wireless radio communication threshold optimally set at 802.11ax. This is permissive for radios of 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz (used today), with 6.0GHz capability and upgradeable to exclusive 6.0E for dense environments.

The vendor supplying this hardware must state how many of the quantities required are currently in stock and available to ship when the contract is awarded, and how many must be ordered. For those that must be ordered, what is the current backlog/delay for shipments.

Each scanner must be covered by warranty for a minimum of one year from the date of arrival and acceptance on site at MBTA. When the warranty ends there must be a written procedure to transition to a yearly maintenance contract by the manufacturer. Warranty and yearly maintenance agreement to include a five-day turn-around time to repair and return scanners. Warranty and yearly maintenance to include but not limited to wear and tear, accidental damage, firmware updates, cosmetic replacement, or repair.

Bidder shall have a toll free helpdesk for trouble-shooting scanner issues included as part of warranty and year 2+ maintenance plans.

Barcode Printers

Barcode printer specifications:

0. Barcode printers (quantity 30) must be able to print 1x3 inch glossy labels, thermal transfer, with a resolution of 300dpi or higher

0. Barcode printers (quantity 5) must be able to print 4x3 inch card stock, as well as 4x6 inch direct thermal, with a resolution of 300dpi or higher

0. Printer drivers must work with PeopleSoft 9.2 which uses GS1 Barcode Symbology protocols.

0. Printer drivers must work with Trapeze EAM, which supports only the following: Intermec printers using the IPL programming language and Zebra printers using the ZPL and EPL programming languages. To keep this plug and play, printers must work with the Zebra/ZPL-EPL currently in use at the MBTA warehouse and base location maintenance facility stockrooms.

Printers shall be able to connect to a LAN/WAN, network central print server, cloud managed appliance or an onboard print server, and not rely on a direct-to-pc USB connection link.

Warranty on all printers must be specified: length of duration, work covered, company doing the warranty work, and whether mail/depot style or on-site.

Post-warranty maintenance plan must be specified: cost, duration, work covered, company doing the maintenance, whether mail/depot style or on-site.

Preferable capability to disable any Wi-Fi/Bluetooth printer capabilities from a locked Management interface for full security management/control.

Proof of Concept Semi finalists shall provide the Evaluation Committee with one scanner and one printer as bid in their response. These devices will be used to evaluate whether the solution is, in fact, plug-n-play with minimal changes. An acceptable change would be a new version of telnet; an unacceptable change would require Koerber software re-programming.

All devices and printers will be sent back to the bidder in the same packing in which it arrived. [can we require the bidder to pay the freight cost both ways?]

Expected Contract Duration

The contract duration for purchase and warranty shall be for one year. Year two, which would include only the yearly maintenance, to specify: cost, duration (i.e. one year), work covered, maintenance company, whether mail/depot style or on-site. Year two to be billed in year two. Year two and after continuance shall be at the discretion of the MBTA and the needs of the warehouse and stockrooms.

Bidder shall be available, under separate POs, to supply additional scanners, peripherals, or printers as needed by the MBTA.

BIDDERS INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCUREMENT PROCESS

Bidders’ Conference The MBTA reserves the right to hold one or more Bidders’ conferences with all Bidders at any time prior to the Response Date. Bidders’ conferences will be held by telephonic or electronic means; no on-site due to Covid-19 concerns. If held telephonically or electronically, the Bidders’ conference will permit interactive communication between all Bidders and the MBTA. The MBTA will provide notice of any Bidders’ conference via COMMBUYS. If a Bidders’ conference is conducted by telephonic or electronic means, the notice will inform Bidders of the manner of the meeting.

Each Bidder, by submittal of its Response, acknowledges the opportunity to attend any Bidders’ conference, if held, was offered to all Bidders, and waives any right to challenge this procurement based on its attendance at, or failure to attend, a Bidders’ conference.

Each Bidder is encouraged to attend Bidders’ conferences, if held, with appropriate members of its proposed staff, and if requested by the MBTA, senior representatives of proposed team members identified by the MBTA. Nothing stated at any Bidders’ conference or included in a written record or summary of a Bidders conference will modify this RFP or any other part of the RFP unless it is incorporated in an addendum issued.

Procurement Method This RFP is issued pursuant to the following laws and regulations: Mass. Gen Laws, Ch. 161A; 801 CMR 21.00.

Bidder shall be responsible for making itself fully aware of, complying with, and in its Response addressing the impact of and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

This RFP will be launched and managed via COMMBUYS. Instructions for log-in and use of COMMBUYS are described in http://www.mass.gov/anf/docs/osd/forms/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids.docx Bidders may also contact the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us or the COMMBUYS Helpline at 1-888-MA-STATE. The Helpline is staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (Eastern Time), except on federal, state, and Suffolk county holidays.

It is the responsibility of Bidders to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS and to keep current the email address of the Bidder’s Designated Representative and to monitor that email inbox for communications from the MBTA, including responses to Bidder questions. The MBTA and the Commonwealth assume no responsibility if a Bidder’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with Bidder’s computer, network, or internet service provider (“ISP”) cause email communications sent to or from Bidder and the MBTA to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering.

Bidder shall review and study all documents thoroughly and report any discrepancies, omissions, technical queries, or other clarifications via COMMBUYS.

Questions and clarification requests submitted by Bidder will, together with MBTA’s responses, be made available to all Bidders via COMMBUYS.

MBTA DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE

Unless specifically stated otherwise in this RFP, Bidder must submit changes to Bidder’s designated representative and any other communications in to the MBTA’s Point of Contact via COMMBUYS. The MBTA’s Point of Contact is Jimmy Moynihan, JMoymihan@MBTA.com.

IDENTIFICATION OF BIDDER DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE

When submitting a Bid, the Bidder must identify to the MBTA’s Point of Contact its own Designated Representative to act on behalf of the Bidder relating to this procurement.

RFP Calendar and Delivery Instructions Bidder is required to prepare and submit all required documents to MBTA electronically via COMMBUYS.

The MBTA anticipates carrying out the procurement process in accordance with the schedule noted in the table below. All times are local Boston, Massachusetts, USA, times unless otherwise indicated. The schedule is subject to modification at the sole discretion of the MBTA. Bidders will be notified of any change by an addendum to this RFP.

TABLE: RFP CALENDAR

Dissemination of Confidential Information

Not Applicable Examination of RFP Each Bidder shall be solely responsible for examining, with appropriate care and diligence, the RFP and any addenda and material made available to Bidders by the MBTA, and for informing itself with respect to any and all conditions that may in any way affect the amount or nature of its Response, or the performance of the Contractor’s obligations under the Contract with the MBTA. Failure of the Bidder to so examine and inform itself shall be at its sole risk, and the MBTA will provide no relief for any error or omission.

The submission of a Response shall be considered prima facie evidence that the Bidder has made the above-described examination and is satisfied as to the conditions to be encountered in performing the Work and as to the requirements of the Contract.

Rules of Contact Starting on the date the RFP is issued and ending on the earliest of (a) the award and execution of the Contract, (b) rejection of all Responses by the MBTA, or (c) cancellation of the procurement, the following rules of contact shall apply. These rules are designed to promote a fair and unbiased procurement process. Contact includes face-to-face, telephone, email, or formal written communication.

The specific rules of contact are as follows:

1. No Bidder, or any of its team members, may communicate with another Bidder or its team members with regard to this RFP or either team’s Response, except that subcontractors that are shared between two or more Bidder teams may communicate with their respective team members so long as those Bidders establish a protocol to ensure that the subcontractor will not act as a conduit of information between the teams. This prohibition does not apply to public discussions regarding the RFP at any MBTA sponsored Bidders’ conferences.

1. No Bidder or representative thereof shall have any ex parte communications regarding the RFP, the Contract, or the procurement described herein with any member of the MBTA’s Board of Directors, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (“MassDOT”) Board of Directors, or with any MassDOT or MBTA staff, advisors, contractors, or consultants involved with the procurement, except for communications expressly permitted by the RFP or except as approved in advance at the MBTA’s Point of Contact’s sole discretion. The foregoing restriction shall not, however, preclude or restrict communications with regard to matters unrelated to the RFP, Contract, or procurement or from participation in public meetings of the MBTA or MassDOT Boards of Directors or any public or Bidder workshop related to this RFP.

1. Any communications determined by the MBTA, in its sole discretion, to be improper may result in disqualification.

1. Any official information regarding this RFP will be disseminated from the MBTA’s Point of Contact via COMMBUYS.

1. The MBTA will not be responsible for or bound by any oral exchange or any other information or exchange that occurs outside the official process specified herein.

1. The MBTA will not be bound by, and Bidders should not rely on, any oral communications regarding the RFP. Use of any information gathered or received from other agencies or entities shall be at the Bidder’s own risk.

Clarifications of Specifications, Questions and Answers Bidders shall review the RFP and any addenda issued by the MBTA prior to the Response Date, and request written clarification or interpretation of any perceived discrepancy, deficiency, ambiguity, error, or omission contained therein, or of any provision which the Bidder fails to understand or to which the Bidder is suggesting a change. Failure of the Bidder to so examine and inform itself shall be at its sole risk, and no relief for error or omission will be provided by the MBTA. Bidders shall submit, and the MBTA will respond to, questions and requests for written clarification in accordance with this Section 3.7.

Questions and clarification requests shall be minimized or aggregated to the extent possible. All questions and clarification requests shall be made by Bidder through the “Bid Q&A” tab in COMMBUYS. Such comments and questions may be submitted at any time prior to the applicable date specified in Section 3.3 or such later date as may be specified in any addendum and shall: (i) identify the document; (ii) identify the relevant section number and page number) or, if it is a general question, indicate so; and (iii) not identify the Bidder in the body of the question or contain proprietary or confidential information. Questions submitted in any other format or method than that described above will not be considered.

Responses to requests for clarification or questions will be provided in writing and issued by the MBTA’s Point of Contact via the COMMBUYS. In addition, the MBTA reserves the right to, in its sole discretion, not answer all questions submitted by Bidders.

It is the Bidder’s responsibility to verify the MBTA’s receipt of questions and clarification requests.

RFP Addendum The MBTA reserves the right to issue addenda to the RFP after initial publication.

It is each Bidder’s responsibility to monitor COMMBUYS for any addenda and any Bid Q&A records related to this RFP. The MBTA and the Commonwealth accept no responsibility and will provide no accommodation to Bidders who submit their Response based on an out-of-date RFP or on information received from a source other than COMMBUYS.

The Bidder shall acknowledge in its Technical Proposal Cover Letter (see Enclosure 1) receipt of all addenda and question and answer responses. Failure to acknowledge such receipt may cause the Response to be deemed non-responsive and be rejected.

MBTA Standard Contract and Terms & Conditions The MBTA does not encourage attempts to negotiate the Section 8.0 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Standard Contract Terms & Conditions. Many of these provisions are required by law; others are longstanding MBTA policy / practice. Accordingly, Bidders / proposers should only redline or object to provisions that they find absolutely unacceptable. Any rejection or modification of these provisions may disqualify a Bid / proposal as being non-responsive or non-compliant.

Confidentiality / Public Information Act Disclosure Requests Disclosure Waiver Each Bidder, by submitting a Response to the MBTA in response to the RFP, consents to the disclosures described in this RFP, including this Section and all other disclosures required by law, and expressly waives any right to contest, impede, prevent, or delay such disclosure, or to initiate any proceeding that may have the effect of impeding, preventing, or delaying such disclosure, under Mass. Gen. Laws, ch. 66 (the Massachusetts Public Records Law or “Public Records Law”) or any other law relating to the confidentiality or disclosure of information. Under no circumstances will the MBTA be responsible or liable to a Bidder or any other party as a result of disclosing any such materials. Each Bidder hereby further agrees to assist the MBTA in complying with these disclosure requirements.

Public Disclosure of Response Documents Subject to applicable law, after execution of the Contract, or in the event that the procurement is cancelled by the MBTA, the MBTA shall have the right to publicly disclose any and all portions of all Responses. The MBTA will not disclose material deemed confidential by the MBTA in accordance with Section 3.10.3, unless otherwise required by law.

Disclosure Process for Requests Under the Public Records Law All written correspondence, exhibits, reports, printed material, photographs, tapes, electronic disks, and other graphic and visual aids submitted to the MBTA during this procurement process, including as part of the response to this RFP, become the property of the MBTA upon their receipt by the MBTA and will not be returned to the submitting parties. Except as provided by applicable law, all materials submitted to the MBTA are subject to release as public records. Bidders shall familiarize themselves with the provisions of applicable law (including the Public Records Law) pertaining to disclosure of information in the MBTA’s possession. In no event shall the MBTA, or any of its agents, representatives, consultants, directors, officers, or employees, be liable to a Bidder or Bidder team member for the disclosure of all or a portion of a Response or related information submitted during this procurement.

If a Bidder has special concerns about information which it desires to make available to the MBTA but which it believes constitutes a trade secret, proprietary information, or other information excepted from disclosure, such responding Bidder shall specifically and conspicuously designate that information by placing “TRADE SECRET - PROPRIETARY” in the header or footer of each such page affected and by identifying such trade secret, proprietary information in the Technical Proposal Cover Letter (see Enclosure 1). Nothing contained in this provision shall modify or amend requirements and obligations imposed on the MBTA by the Public Records Law or other applicable law. The provisions applicable law, including the Public Records Law, shall control in the event of a conflict between the procedures described above and the applicable law.

If the MBTA receives a request for public disclosure of all or any portion of a Response or its related information that is designated as ”Trade Secret - Proprietary,” the MBTA will endeavor to use reasonable efforts to notify the applicable Bidder of the request. The Bidder can assert, in writing and at its sole expense, a claimed exception under the Public Records Law or other applicable law, within the time period specified in the notice issued by the MBTA and allowed under the Public Records Law. The Bidder can choose to defend any action seeking release of the records it believes to be confidential information. The Bidder shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the MBTA and its agents and employees in connection with the Bidder’s opposition to a public records request, and such indemnification shall include all damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) the MBTA incurs because of or arising out of the Bidder’s opposition to any public records request. This indemnification survives the MBTA’s cancellation or termination of this procurement or award and subsequent execution of a Contract. In submitting a Response, the Bidder agrees that this indemnification survives as long as any information submitted by the Bidder is in the possession of the MBTA.

The MBTA shall not under any circumstance be responsible for securing a protective order or other relief enjoining the release of information marked “Trade Secret – Proprietary” in any Response, nor shall the MBTA be in any way financially responsible for any costs associated with securing any such order or for any loss associated with the release of information marked “Trade Secret – Proprietary” or otherwise.

Business Conduct All Responses submitted by a Bidder to the MBTA shall be made without collusion with any other Bidder(s) submitting a Response to this RFP.

Bidder shall not directly or indirectly, in relation to this RFP, give, promise, attempt to give, or approve or authorize the giving of anything of value, including by transferring all or part of the remuneration payable under any Contract, to:

1. any person employed or representing the MBTA;

1. any other person, including any public official;

1. a political party or a labor union controlled by any governmental authority or political party; or

1. a charitable or other organization, or an officer, director, or employee thereof, or any person acting directly or indirectly on behalf of the same for the purpose of (i) securing any improper advantage for either Bidder or the MBTA; (ii) inducing or influencing a public official improperly to take any action or refrain from taking any action in order for either Bidder or the MBTA to obtain or retain business, or to secure the direction of business to either Bidder or the MBTA, or (iii) inducing or influencing a public official to use his or her influence with any governmental authority or public international organization for any such purpose.

Collusion By the submission of a Bid in response to the RFP, the Bidder represents and certifies that its Bid is made without collusion with any other Bidder submitting a Bid on the same commodity / service and is in all respects fair and without fraud.

Prices Each Bid must contain the unit price(s) and the grand total of the Bid. Bidders shall submit their pricing using Form D: Requested RFP Pricing Form. The unit price / rate shall prevail in case of an error in price extension. Prices submitted shall be valid throughout the Acceptance Period.

Acceptance Period From and after the Response Due Date identified in Section 3.3 (as amended) the MBTA shall have one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days to award a Contract based on this RFP. Such 180-day period is the “Acceptance Period.” The Bidder’s Bid is irrevocable and shall remain open and available for acceptance by the MBTA during the entirety of the Acceptance Period. The MBTA reserves the right to extend the Acceptance Period with respect to any or all Bidders upon obtaining the applicable Bidder’s written consent to such extension.

Eligible Entities Any contract resulting from this Bid will be available for use by all MassDOT divisions and departments.

Pre-Contractual Expenses The MBTA shall not be liable for any pre-contractual expenses incurred by the Bidder in connection with this RFP. The Bidder shall not include any such expenses as part of its proposal. Pre-contractual expenses include all expenses the Bidder incurs prior to the date the MBTA enters into a Contract with any Bidder (or prior to the MBTA’s withdrawal or cancellation of the RFP, as the case may be), such as, but not limited to, expenses the Bidder incurs in preparing its Bid, submitting its Bid to the MBTA, negotiating with the MBTA any matter related to this RFP, and inspection, testing, shipping, and return shipping of proposed goods or samples.

Tax Exemption The MBTA is exempt from Federal Excise Tax, including Transportation Tax, and will furnish properly executed tax exemption certificates upon request. The MBTA is also exempt from Massachusetts State Sales Tax — Exemption Number E-042-323-989. Such taxes should not be included in Bid prices.

The Bidder alone shall be responsible for payment of all federal, state and local taxes of all types and kinds applicable to any Agreement it enters into with the MBTA and/or to the compensation it receives from the MBTA or any other party in connection with such Agreement.

Insurance The insurance policies that the successful bidder shall carry are outlined in the attached Minimum Insurance Requirements document with this solicitation. The successful bidder shall submit proof of insurance for the requirements detailed at the time of submitting their bid. If proof of insurance is not available at the time the Bidder submits its Bid, the successful bidder certifies that it will carry such insurance policies and all costs associated with the insurance requirements are included in its Bid pricing. The successful bidder shall provide proof of all required insurance within three business days of conditional notice of award.

SUBMISSION OF RESPONSE

Response Submissions Responses shall be submitted via COMMBUYS.

Each Response shall be submitted in the following two parts:

1. Technical Response including:

· Bid Cover Letter

· Power of Attorney (as described in Section 4.2 of this RFP)

· Form A: Pre-Award Bidder Evaluation Data Form

· Form B: Technical Response

· Form C: Small Business Program Attestation Form

1. Price Response as a separate document, including:

· Form D: Price Response: Sections 1 – X. Bidders must respond to all sections.

The specific requirements for submission of the Technical Response are set forth in Form B.

The specific requirements for submission of the Price Response are set forth in Form D.

If a Bidder is a team, whether or not legally formed, the Bid Cover Letter shall be signed by all parties to the Bidder so that the Response is legally binding upon each member of the Bidder.

Any interlineations, erasures or overwriting in the Response will only be valid if they are initialed by the Authorized Signatories.

Bidders shall submit Responses including all forms and schedules and shall not remove pages from the provided forms. The Technical Response and Price Response shall be completely separate documents. Bidder Financials shall be included in Technical Proposal only.

Any Response which materially fails to meet the Response requirements of the RFP will be found non-responsive without further evaluation unless the evaluation team, at its discretion, determines that the non-compliance is insubstantial and can be corrected. In these cases, the evaluation team may allow the Bidder to make minor corrections to the Response.

Power of Attorney Bidder shall enclose a power of attorney in its own form, duly signed by a legally authorized officer of the Bidder authorizing the Authorized Signatories to sign the Response and bind the Bidder to the Response.

Acceptance of Response The Response constitutes a binding offer by the Bidder to enter into the Contract, and the MBTA shall have the right to accept or reject such offer and/or any conditions proposed in full or in part. If the Response is accepted, the Bidder shall conclude the Contract with the MBTA based on the RFP, any addenda, the Response and any agreed amendments or modifications thereto. Until the formal Contract is signed, Bidder has no authority to proceed with the Scope of Services or to incur any costs for which MBTA may be held liable. The MBTA shall have no obligations to Bidder until a formal contract has been entered into.

Incomplete Response If Bidder does not fully comply with this RFP, or if the Response is incomplete or vague, the Response may not be considered, unless the MBTA in its absolute discretion decides otherwise.

MBTA POLICIES

Small, Minority, Women, and Other Disadvantaged Businesses It is the policy of the Commonwealth and the MBTA to ensure non-discrimination in the procurement of goods and services. It is the MBTA’s intention to create a level playing field on which all contractors and subcontractors can compete fairly for contracts. The MBTA promotes equity of opportunity in state contracting; and to that end; encourages full participation of certified small, minority, women, and other disadvantaged owned businesses as those terms are defined by the Commonwealth’s Supplier Diversity office. The MBTA further recognizes the importance of meaningful partnerships involving subcontracting with certified small minority, women and other disadvantaged owned businesses.

SELECTION PROCESS AND EVALUATION

Response Opening and Confidentiality Subject to applicable law, prior to Contract execution, the MBTA intends to treat all information received from each Bidder as confidential information to be used for the purpose of evaluating the Response.

Responsiveness Review and Basis of Award The MBTA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine if a Bid is responsive and the Bidder is responsible. In determining whether a Bidder has the ability to perform successfully under the terms and conditions of the proposed procurement, the MBTA will consider such matters as the Bidder’s integrity, compliance with public policy (e.g., EEO record, attainment of DBE goal, debarment status, etc.), record of past performance, and financial and technical resources. Bidder is required to complete Form A: Pre-Award Bidder Evaluation Data Form.

Upon receipt, the Technical Responses will be reviewed for responsiveness to the RFP requirements. The Technical Responses will be reviewed for (i) deficiencies and minor informalities, irregularities, and apparent clerical mistakes which are unrelated to the substantive content of the Response; (ii) conformance to the RFP instructions regarding organization and format; and (iii) the responsiveness of the Bidder to the requirements set forth in this RFP. The MBTA may request Bidder clarification of any minor informalities, irregularities, and apparent clerical mistakes, after which the MBTA may evaluate the Response, at the MBTA’s sole discretion.

Those Technical Responses not responsive to this RFP may at the MBTA’s sole discretion be excluded from further consideration and the Bidder will be so advised.

After completion of the evaluation of the remaining Technical Responses, the remaining Price Responses will be reviewed for responsiveness to the RFP requirements. The Price Responses will be reviewed for (i) deficiencies and minor informalities, irregularities, and apparent clerical mistakes which are unrelated to the substantive content of the Response; (ii) conformance to the RFP instructions regarding organization and format; and (iii) the responsiveness of the Bidder to the requirements set forth in this RFP. The MBTA may request Bidder clarification of any minor informalities, irregularities, and apparent clerical mistakes after which the MBTA may evaluate the Response, at the MBTA’s sole discretion.

Those Price Responses not responsive to this RFP may at the MBTA’s sole discretion be excluded from further consideration and the Bidder will be so advised.

The MBTA may also exclude from consideration any Bidder whose Response contains a material misrepresentation.

Evaluation and Notification The MBTA will evaluate each Response and seek clarifications as necessary through requests for clarification or in meetings to be arranged at MBTA discretion. The MBTA will evaluate Responses based on a combination of Pass/Fail Criteria, Technical Evaluation Criteria, and Price Responses. The process may, at the MBTA’s sole discretion, include (i) requests for additional written information or clarification from any Bidder; (ii) requests for oral interviews; (iii) requests for best and final offers (”BAFOs”); and/or (iv) a negotiations phase.

Pass/Fail Evaluation The Proposal will be evaluated based on the Pass/Fail Evaluation Criteria identified below. Each Bidder must obtain a “pass” on all Pass/Fail Evaluation Criteria in order for its Response to be eligible for selection. The MBTA may request Bidder clarification on a Pass/Fail Evaluation Criteria, after which MBTA may re-evaluate the Response, at MBTA’s sole discretion.

Technical Response Criteria Each criterion will be evaluated considering all of the information included in the Technical Proposal related to the criterion, as well as other information gathered from references, presentations, and on-site The MBTA may at its own expense and upon reasonable notice, visit and inspect current operations of the Bidder and/or any proposed subcontractors, including the premises, facilities, equipment, personnel and other resources, and carry out related appraisals as part of the Response evaluation prior to entering into any Contract.

The Technical Evaluation Criteria are identified and detailed below.

Technical Response Evaluation Criteria Scanner specifications including: durability? Battery life? Size of window? OS and updates?

Printer specifications including: DPI? Connectivity options? Size/Dimensions?

Warranty Specifications including: Coverage? Turn-around time?

After warranty end what is the transition plan to yearly maintenance?

Bidder’s references and/or Logo “wins”

The Technical Evaluation Criteria will be rated using a numerical rating approach. This will be based on the following scoring scale.

Excellent (5 Points Awarded): The Bidder has presented and supported an approach that is considered to significantly exceed stated criteria in a way that is beneficial to the MBTA. This rating indicates a consistently outstanding level of quality, with very little or no risk that this Bidder would fail to meet the requirements of the solicitation. There are no weaknesses.

Good (4 Points Awarded): The Bidder has presented and supported an approach that is considered to meet the stated criteria. This rating indicates a generally better than acceptable quality, with little risk that this Bidder would fail to meet the requirements of the solicitation. Weaknesses, if any, are very minor and not material to the Response. Correction of the weaknesses would not be necessary before the Response would be considered further.

Satisfactory (3 Points Awarded): The Bidder has presented and supported an approach that is considered to possibly meet the stated criteria. This rating indicates a level of risk to the MBTA. Weaknesses exist but may be corrected through requests for clarification.

Fair (2 Point Awarded): The Bidder has presented and supported an approach that fails to meet stated criteria and would pose a clear risk to the MBTA. The issues may be susceptible to correction through major and lengthy discussions. Such a response is considered marginal in terms of the basic content or amount of information provided for evaluation.

Poor (1 Points Awarded): The Bidder has presented and supported an approach that indicates significant weaknesses or unacceptable quality or fails to include evidence that it can provide the services requested. The Response fails to meet the stated criteria or lacks essential information. There is no reasonable likelihood of success; weaknesses are so major or extensive that a major revision to the Response would be necessary.

Bidders must obtain a minimum average score of 2 from the Selection Committee on each Technical Evaluation Criterion and rank among the top three highest Technical Proposal Scores in order to qualify for semi-finalist Teams Meeting. Due to Covid, there will be no on-site meetings.

The Bidders who maintain a minimum average score of 2 from the Selection Committee on each Technical Evaluation Criterion after the semi-finalist Teams meeting and who rank among the top three highest Technical Proposal Scores will progress to Price Proposal Evaluation.

Price Response Evaluation Price will be evaluated in combination with the Technical Evaluation Criteria listed above. While the MBTA seeks to minimize costs, the selection of a winning Proposal will be made on a best-value basis.

Basis of Award: Best – Value Proposal Bidder is advised that the MBTA shall not be bound to accept the lowest priced Response or the Response with the highest Technical Response Score. The selection will be made on a best-value basis, evaluating price along with other factors. For purposes of this procurement, all evaluation factors other than price, when combined, are more important than the lowest price. Therefore, the MBTA may decline to select the lowest-priced, technically acceptable Proposal, if the MBTA determines that another, higher-priced Proposal demonstrates sufficient additional technical merit to justify the additional cost. Similarly, price will be an important factor in differentiating between Proposals of comparable technical merit.

In order to make a selection, the MBTA will determine whether the Responses are responsive and evaluate the Pass/Fail Evaluation Criteria, Technical Evaluation Criteria and the and assign an overall Technical Proposal Score. After the determination of the Technical Proposal Score, the MBTA will evaluate the Price Responses of the remaining Bidders. If applicable, the MBTA will determine the best value by analyzing whether the perceived benefits of the higher priced Response merit the additional cost.

The MBTA will not select any Bidder that receives a rating of fail on any Pass/Fail Evaluation Criteria or less than an average of 2 on any Technical Evaluation Criteria. The MBTA will not select any Bidder that the MBTA determines has submitted a non-responsive Technical or Price Response or to have submitted any pricing information that is not reasonable. The MBTA reserves the right to accept or reject, at its sole discretion, any or all Responses in full or in part.

Successful Bidder The successful Bidder will be posted in COMBUYS. If applicable, all unsuccessful Bidders shall immediately return all confidential information to the MBTA.

MBTA Reserved

In connection with this RFP, the MBTA reserves to itself all rights (which rights shall be exercisable by the MBTA in its sole discretion) available to it under applicable laws, including without limitation, with or without cause and with or without notice, the right to:

a) Modify the RFP process in its sole discretion to address applicable law and/or the best interests of the MBTA.

b) Develop the work to be performed under the Contract in any manner that it, in its sole discretion, deems necessary. If the MBTA is unable to negotiate a Contract to its satisfaction with a Bidder, it may negotiate with the Bidder with the next highest ranked proposal, terminate this RFP and pursue other developments or solicitations relating to the work to be performed under the Contract, or exercise such other rights under the provisions of Massachusetts law as it deems appropriate.

c) Cancel this RFP in whole or in part at any time prior to the execution by the MBTA of a Contract, without incurring any cost, obligations, or liabilities.

d) Issue a new Request for Proposals after withdrawal of this RFP.

e) Not select any Bidder or cancel this procurement.

f) Reject any and all submittals and Responses received at any time.

g) Modify all dates set or projected in this RFP.

h) Terminate evaluations of Responses received at any time.

i) Exclude any potential Bidder from submitting any response to the RFP based on failure to comply with any requirements of those documents.

j) Suspend and terminate Contract negotiations at any time, elect not to commence Contract negotiations with any responding Bidder, and engage in negotiations with the Bidder with the next highest ranked proposal if negotiations are unsuccessful with the apparent successful Bidder.

k) Issue addenda, supplements, and modifications to this RFP.

l) Appoint an Evaluation Team to evaluate Responses, make recommendations to the MBTA and MassDOT Boards of Directors, and seek the assistance of MBTA, MassDOT, and consultant technical experts in Response evaluations.

m) Require confirmation or clarification of information furnished by a Bidder, require revised or additional information from a Bidder concerning its Response, and require additional information to clarify a Response.

n) Conduct presentations with Bidders, identify a short-list of Bidders, and conduct on-site visits at Bidder facilities.

o) Declare a competitive range, conduct discussions, and request Response revisions and best and final offers.

p) Seek or obtain data from any source that has the potential to improve the understanding and evaluation of the responses to this RFP.

q) Add or delete Bidder responsibilities from the information contained in this RFP.

r) Waive deficiencies in a Response, accept and review a non-conforming Response, or permit clarifications, revisions, or supplements to a Response.

s) Negotiate with a Bidder without being bound by any provision in its Response, or choose to award and/or execute the Contract without negotiations.

t) Disqualify any Bidder that changes its submittal without MBTA approval.

u) Disqualify any Bidder under this RFP for violating any rules or requirements of the procurement set forth in this RFP or in any other communication from MBTA.

v) Delay issuance of notice to proceed after execution of the Contract.

w) Conduct all or any portion of the Scope of Work itself.

x) Exercise any other right reserved or afforded to the MBTA under this RFP or available pursuant to applicable law.

This RFP does not commit the MBTA to enter into a Contract or proceed with the procurement described herein. The MBTA assumes no obligations, responsibilities, and liabilities, fiscal or otherwise, to reimburse all or part of the costs incurred or alleged to have been incurred by parties considering a response to and/or responding to this RFP. All of such costs shall be borne solely by each Bidder.

In no event shall the MBTA be bound by, or liable for, any obligations with respect to the work to be performed under the Contract until such time (if at all) as the Contract, in form and substance satisfactory to the MBTA, has been executed and authorized by the MBTA and, then, only to the extent set forth therein.

In submitting a response to the RFP, each Bidder is specifically acknowledging these disclaimers.

Appeal / Protest Procedures Bid appeals / protests relative to this procurement will be reviewed and adjudicated in accordance with the MBTA's Appeals / Protest Procedure - Goods & Services. A copy of this procedure is available online at www.mbta.com.

CONTRACT STRUCTURE

The contract (“Contract”) between the MBTA and the winning Bidder shall be formed by the following sections (“Sections”) of COMMBUYS # BD- 22-1206-40000-40000-79747 and RFP # 117-22 in order of precedence.

Any change orders or amendments, the most recent having precedence Memorandum of Contract Standard Contract and Terms & Conditions Scope of Work Insurance Requirements Contractor Proposal Contractor Fee for Service; Pricing & Invoicing

Enclosure 1 – Bid Cover Letter

10 Park Plaza, Suite 2810 Boston, MA 02116

Instructions: Bidders shall complete the Bid Cover Letter below with their company name and completed check boxes to indicate the bid documents that constitute their bid. The Bid Cover Letter should be included with all bid documents submitted to the MBTA.

Bidder (Company Name):

The undersigned Bidder having carefully examined and understood the documents included in the Request for Proposals (“RFP”), hereby offers to MBTA the “Bid” as contained in the following responses enclosed with this letter:

Note: Section 8 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Standard Contract is NOT to be submitted; it is not completed until award

We confirm that our Bid is in exact accordance with the solicitation with no exceptions to, or comments upon, the solicitation documents. We confirm that the submission of our Bid with the signature below makes all certifications as outlined in the solicitation documents. This Bid shall constitute a binding offer open for acceptance by the MBTA.

We confirm that this Bid has been prepared and is compliant with the solicitation instructions and agree to conduct ourselves in accordance with the solicitation. We confirm receipt of all addenda related to this solicitation. We confirm the 180 days Acceptance Period of this Proposal.

The undersigned are authorized to sign on behalf of and to bind __________________________ (include Bidder’s name) to the provisions of this Bid.

Bidder (company name):

Authorized Representative Name:

(BLOCK LETTERS)

Authorized Representative’s Signature:

Title:

Date:

Form A: Pre-Award Bidder Evaluation Data Form Pre-Award Bidder Evaluation Data

Name of Firm:

Federal Identification Number:

Legal Address:

Contact Name:

Telephone Number:

Email:

Date Organized:

State Incorporated:

Names of Officers or Partners:

Please provide details of any litigation, suits, or court action taken or pending against Bidder below: