RFP 11DIDS-S1139 Final.docx

STATE OF NEVADA

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Purchasing Division 515 East Musser Street, Suite 300 │ Carson City, NV 89701 Phone: 775-684-0170 │ Fax: 775-684-0188

Request for Proposal: 11DIDS-S1139

For

RURAL NEVADA SPECIFIC WEIGHTED CASELOAD STUDY

Release Date: 05/01/2020

Deadline for Submission and Opening Date and Time: 06/10/2020 @ 2:00 PM

Refer to Section 7, RFP Timeline for the complete RFP schedule

For additional information, please contact:

Christine Phipps, Purchasing Officer I

State of Nevada, Purchasing Division

515 E. Musser Street, Suite 300

Carson City, NV 89701

Phone: 775-684-0195

Email address: c.phipps@admin.nv.gov

Refer to Section 8 for instructions on submitting proposals

VENDOR INFORMATION SHEET FOR RFP 11DIDS-S1139

Vendor Shall:

A) Provide all requested information in the space provided next to each numbered question. The information provided in Sections V1 through V3 shall be used for development of the contract;

B) Type or print responses; and

C) Include this Vendor Information Sheet in Section III of the Technical Proposal.

Street Address:

City, State, Zip Code:

Telephone:

Fax:

Toll Free:

including address if different than above

Name:

Title:

Address:

Email Address:

Telephone Number:

Fax:

Name:

Title:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospective vendors are advised to review Nevada’s ethical standards requirements, including but not limited to NRS 281A, NRS 333.800, and NAC 333.155.

All applicable Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) documentation can be found at: www.leg.state.nv.us/law1.cfm.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The State of Nevada Purchasing Division, on behalf of the Department of Indigent Defense Services (DIDS) is requesting proposals from qualified vendors to assist DIDS in determining the appropriate numerical caseload/workload standards for providers of indigent legal representation in the rural counties of the state of Nevada.

DIDS seeks to procure the services of a vendor to conduct a study, to be performed in consultation with DIDS, which can be used as a basis for stipulating numerical caseload/workload standards for rural Nevada indigent defense providers. The selected vendor will work in consultation with DIDS at all stages of the study, including the conduct of the study itself. The study must result in the production of recommended caseload standards for rural indigent defense providers that accounts for (a) variation in counties and courts, (b) variation in delivery models, and (c) the variation in distance between courts.

DIDS requests proposals from qualified vendors which may include, but are not limited to, private sector firms, not-for-profit organizations, and public or private institutions such as universities or colleges with expertise in conducting research like research described in later sections of this RFP.

Anticipated Start Date: Start August 31, 2020 with a must be completed by date of June 30, 2021.

Agency Responsible for administering the project: The Department of Indigent Defense Services (DIDS)

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

High level goals and objectives of the project are that vendors will be expected to produce the following:

The appropriate numerical caseload/workload standards for each provider of mandated representation, whether public defender, assigned counsel program, or contract defender.

Recommendations for the means by which those standards will be implemented, monitored, and enforced on an ongoing basis, consistent with NRS 180.

An accessible template by which courts, counties, defense providers, or other stakeholders can determine the number of additional attorneys, investigators, and other non-attorney staff, as well as the amount of other necessary in-kind resources, to comply with the caseload/workload standards.

GENERAL INFORMATION/COMMENTS

Motivation for the Project

In 2019, the Nevada Legislature established the Board of Indigent Defense Services (BIDS) and the Department of Indigent Defense Services (DIDS) through AB81, now codified in NRS 180. Among other things, BIDS has been tasked with establishing guidelines to be used to determine the maximum caseloads for attorneys who provide indigent defense services.

BIDS and DIDS are responsible for improving the representation of indigent defendants through several steps. First, BIDS must establish minimum standards and regulations for the delivery of indigent defense services to ensure that such services meet the constitutional requirements and do not create any type of economic disincentive or impair the ability of the defense attorney to provide effective representation. After the regulations are imposed, DIDS must oversee the rural indigent defense attorneys to ensure that the minimum standards and regulations set forth by BIDS are being followed. In addition, DIDS helps local systems in their compliance with the minimum standards by creating a formula for determining the maximum amount that a county may be required to pay for the provision of indigent defense services.

The standards and regulations are currently in development. However, DIDS and BIDS are moving ahead ambitiously and believes that a weighted caseload study setting forth indigent defense caseload standards is a critical step in BIDS’ efforts to provide a statewide framework for quality legal representation.

The results of the weighted caseload study will be used to create a caseload standard for rural indigent defense attorneys in Nevada.

The Structure of Nevada’s Indigent Defense System

Nevada is composed of 17 counties. Until this point, counties and courts have received very little state-level oversight with regards to indigent defense practices. With indigent defense historically funded at the county-level, each county has made independent decisions about the structure and delivery of its indigent defense services.

Carson City and Storey County, alone among the rural jurisdictions, use the Nevada State Public Defender’s office to provide primary (but not conflict) representation. Only the three rural counties of Elko, Humboldt, and Pershing have a county funded and administered public defender office, furnished and equipped at government expense and staffed by full-time government employees who receive a salary and benefits. Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda, Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, and White Pine counties instead provide right to counsel services by contracting with private attorneys. Each county sets forth its own compensation mechanisms. Cities receive almost no direction at all from the state about how to provide representation to indigent defendants charged in the municipal courts with misdemeanors that carry possible jail sentences. There are four free-standing municipal courts in all the 15 rural counties combined: Fallon Municipal Court within Churchill County; Fernley Municipal Court and Yerington Municipal Court within Lyon County; and Ely Municipal Court within White Pine County.

The variation across courts in delivery systems and payment schemes offers critical motivation for a weighted caseload study that can provide meaningful and objective standards for quality representation across the state. For more information on the structure of Nevada’s trial courts, please see the Annual Report of the Nevada Judiciary at https://nvcourts.gov/Supreme/Reports/Annual_Reports/2019_Annual_Report/

Previous Caseload Studies

Studies in states including Texas, Missouri, Massachusetts, Louisiana and Michigan have recently addressed the best ways to develop caseload standards. These studies were based on empirical research, took account of their unique state-level legal frameworks, and drew upon the expertise of local defenders and other stakeholders. While the details of any particular study may differ from what is required in this RFP, they may provide bidders with guidance when completing the study defined in this RFP.

These studies often involve two phases. The first phase begins with timekeeping where defenders track in detail their work, which allows the researchers to quantify how much time defenders put into specified activities in different classes of case. In other words, this first phase answers the question, “What is?” The second phase convenes a meeting of experts and key stakeholders, commonly called a Delphi Panel, which is tasked with developing recommendations for the final caseload standards, and, pursuant to Delphi principles, participate in a series of iterative discussions whereby meeting members are repeatedly polled until they reach consensus on ideal caseload limits. The second phase answers the question, “What should be?”

As BIDS/DIDS were only recently established, there will likely be a necessity for obtaining extensive information about local indigent defense systems at the county, city/town, and court level. This can be accomplished with an on-line survey that can serve as a benchmark foundation for various efforts by the indigent defense authority going forward in its mandated responsibilities.

DIDS is requesting proposals, solutions, and concepts for a weighted caseload study to be used to create a caseload standard for indigent defense attorneys in the rural counties of the State of Nevada.

As part of your response to this RFP, please feel free to include any additional comments or suggestions your company believes would be helpful to the DIDS. However, generic marketing brochures, marketing resumes, and other non-project specific materials may be discarded without consideration and are not encouraged.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Scope of Work (SOW) details the services requested. Vendors with comments/suggestions may use track changes and submit this document with their response.

Vendors on this RFP may plan a study drawing on some version of the two phases mentioned above, although DIDS is also interested in new and innovative approaches. Vendors should be aware that while the studies performed by other states or prior to the issuance of this RFP may provide insight into the area being studied or the methodologies used, they should not unduly direct or influence the conduct of the study to be completed as a result of this procurement. DIDS is requesting proposals for a new, empirically based, methodologically sound, and objective study of appropriate caseload/workload standards in the rural counties of the state of Nevada.

Given the diversity of Nevada counties and courts, bidders will be expected to identify a strategy in their proposal for selecting a representative sample of rural counties and courts in which to conduct the caseload study. This study excludes Clark and Washoe counties. Study sites should be selected to represent the full range of rural counties and courts in Nevada.

Through the study, vendors will be expected to produce the following:

The appropriate numerical caseload/workload standards for each provider of mandated representation, whether public defender, assigned counsel, or contract defender.

Recommendations for the means by which those standards will be implemented, monitored, and enforced on an ongoing basis, consistent with NRS 180.

An accessible template by which courts, counties, defense providers, or other stakeholders can determine the number of additional attorneys, investigators, and other non-attorney staff, as well as the amount of other necessary in-kind resources, to comply with the caseload/workload standards.

In doing so, Vendors will be expected to develop, in collaboration with the DIDS, a complete list of all relevant categories of cases that may be handled by the attorneys in question. Vendors will also be expected to consider:

The qualifications and experiences of the attorneys

The distance between courts and attorney offices

The time needed to interview clients and witnesses, considering travel time and location of confidential interview facilities

Whether attorneys work on a part-time basis

Whether attorneys exercise supervisory responsibilities

Whether attorneys are supervised

Whether attorneys have access to adequate staff investigators, other non-attorney staff, and in-kind resources.

Vendors should be prepared to assess attorney time required in activities including the following:

Client communication

Meetings and negotiations with opposing counsel or other officials

Requesting, receiving, and reviewing discovery materials

Investigation of the facts of the case

Research into the law and legal issues in the case

Drafting of pleadings, motions, or correspondence

Preparation for trial

Time spent in court

Identifying and addressing collateral consequences

Sentencing research and advocacy

Administrative tasks

Non case-specific tasks such as traveling, waiting in court, training, supervision, or vacation.

COMPANY BACKGROUND

VENDOR INFORMATION

Vendors shall provide a company profile in the table format below.

Company name:

Ownership (sole proprietor, partnership, etc.):

State of incorporation:

Date of incorporation:

# of years in business:

List of top officers:

Location of company headquarters, to include City and State:

Location(s) of the office that shall provide the services described in this RFP:

Number of employees locally with the expertise to support the requirements identified in this RFP:

Number of employees nationally with the expertise to support the requirements in this RFP:

Location(s) from which employees shall be assigned for this project:

Pursuant to NRS 333.3354, the State of Nevada awards a five percent (5%) preference to a vendor certifying that its principal place of business is in Nevada. The term ‘principal place of business’ has the meaning outlined by the United States Supreme Court in Hertz Corp v. Friend, 559 U.S. 77 (2010), typically meaning a company’s corporate headquarters. This preference cannot be combined with any other preference, granted for the award of a contract using federal funds, or granted for the award of a contract procured on a multi-state basis. To claim this preference a business must submit a letter with its proposal showing that it qualifies for the preference.

Please be advised, pursuant to NRS 80.010, a corporation organized pursuant to the laws of another state shall register with the State of Nevada, Secretary of State’s Office as a foreign corporation before a contract can be executed between the State of Nevada and the awarded vendor, unless specifically exempted by NRS 80.015.

The selected vendor, prior to doing business in the State of Nevada, shall be appropriately licensed by the State of Nevada, Secretary of State’s Office pursuant to NRS 76. Information regarding the Nevada Business License can be located at http://nvsos.gov.

Nevada Business License Number:

Legal Entity Name:

Is “Legal Entity Name” the same name as vendor is doing business as?

Yes

No

If “No”, provide explanation.

Has the vendor ever been engaged under contract by any State of Nevada agency?

Yes

No

If “Yes”, complete the following table for each State agency for whom the work was performed. Table can be duplicated for each contract being identified.

Name of State agency:

State agency contact name:

Dates when services were performed:

Type of duties performed:

Total dollar value of the contract:

Are you now or have you been within the last two (2) years an employee of the State of Nevada, or any of its agencies, departments, or divisions?

Yes

No

If “Yes”, please explain when the employee is planning to render services, while on annual leave, compensatory time, or on their own time?

If you employ (a) any person who is a current employee of an agency of the State of Nevada, or (b) any person who has been an employee of an agency of the State of Nevada within the past two (2) years, and if such person shall be performing or producing the services which you shall be contracted to provide under this contract, you shall disclose the identity of each such person in your response to this RFP, and specify the services that each person shall be expected to perform.

Disclosure of any significant prior or ongoing contract failures, contract breaches, civil or criminal litigation in which the vendor has been alleged to be liable or held liable in a matter involving a contract with the State of Nevada or any other governmental entity. Any pending claim or litigation occurring within the past six (6) years which may adversely affect the vendor’s ability to perform or fulfill its obligations if a contract is awarded as a result of this RFP shall also be disclosed.

Does any of the above apply to your company?

Yes

No

If “Yes”, please provide the following information. Table can be duplicated for each issue being identified.

Date of alleged contract failure or breach:

Parties involved:

Description of the contract failure, contract breach, or litigation, including the products or services involved:

Amount in controversy:

Resolution or current status of the dispute:

Status of the litigation:

Vendors shall review and provide if awarded a contract the insurance requirements as specified in Attachment D, Insurance Schedule for RFP 11DIDS-S1139.

Company background/history and why vendor is qualified to provide the services described in this RFP. Limit response to no more than five (5) pages.

Provide a brief description of the length of time vendor has been providing services described in this RFP to the public and/or private sector.

Financial information and documentation to be included in accordance with Section 8.5, Part III – Confidential Financial Information.

Federal Tax Identification Number

SUBCONTRACTOR INFORMATION

Subcontractors are defined as a third party, not directly employed by the contractor, who shall provide services identified in this RFP. This does not include third parties who provide support or incidental services to the contractor.

Does this proposal include the use of subcontractors?

Yes

No

If “Yes”, vendor shall:

Identify specific subcontractors and the specific requirements of this RFP for which each proposed subcontractor shall perform services.

If any tasks are to be completed by subcontractor(s), vendors shall:

Describe how the work of any subcontractor(s) shall be supervised, channels of communication shall be maintained and compliance with contract terms assured; and

Describe your previous experience with subcontractor(s).

Provide the same information for any proposed subcontractors as requested in Section 3.1, Vendor Information.

Vendor shall not allow any subcontractor to commence work until all insurance required of the subcontractor is provided to the vendor.

Vendor shall notify the using agency of the intended use of any subcontractors not identified within their original proposal and provide the information originally requested in the RFP in Section 3.2, Subcontractor Information. The vendor shall receive agency approval prior to subcontractor commencing work.

VENDOR STAFF RESUMES

A resume shall be completed for each proposed key personnel responsible for performance under any contract resulting from this RFP per Attachment E, Proposed Staff Resume.

COST

Proposals will be evaluated and rated on efficient use of funds and overall cost-effectiveness, which includes budget plans that are consistent with the proposed action plan, administrative costs, justification for each requested budget line, and cost benefit. The decision will not be based on pay rate alone; it will be an evaluation of all the factors included in the proposal. Please be sure to address the following in the Cost Schedule form provide:

Staff Costs:

The costs should include the name and title of staff and hourly rate with the not to exceed amount.

Subcontracting:

Describe whether the proposed budget will include subcontracting with another service provider in order to complete the terms described in this RFP and, if so, provide a brief description of the purpose of the subcontract and the not to exceed amount.

Project Expenses:

Describe all project expenses including, but not limited to, travel, supplies, equipment, postage and all other expenses. Any equipment include in this section will become property of the State when the project is complete. This section should include a not to exceed amount.

This Attachment F – Cost Schedule can be found under the attachments tab located within the Bid Solicitation in NevadaEPro. Please complete and upload in the Attachments tab on your Quote. Also, please check the box on the Items tab See quote attachment.

FINANCIAL

PAYMENT

Upon review and acceptance by the State, payments for invoices are normally made within 45 – 60 days of receipt, providing all required information, documents and/or attachments have been received.

Pursuant to NRS 227.185 and NRS 333.450, the State shall pay claims for supplies, materials, equipment and services purchased under the provisions of this RFP electronically, unless determined by the State Controller that the electronic payment would cause the payee to suffer undue hardship or extreme inconvenience.

BILLING

The State does not issue payment prior to receipt of goods or services.

The vendor shall bill the State as outlined in the approved contract and/or payment schedule.

The State presently has a Procurement Card Program that participating State agencies may use to pay for some of their purchases. The Program is issued through a major financial institution and is treated like any other major credit card. Using agencies may desire to use the card as a method of payment. No additional charges or fees shall be imposed for using the card. Please indicate in your proposal response if you will accept this method of payment.

TIMELINESS OF BILLING

The State is on a fiscal year calendar. All billings for dates of service prior to July 1 shall be submitted to the State no later than the first Friday in August of the same year. A billing submitted after the first Friday in August that forces the State to process the billing as a stale claim pursuant to NRS 353.097, shall subject the contractor to an administrative fee not to exceed $100.00. This is the estimate of the additional costs to the State for processing the billing as a stale claim and this amount shall be deducted from the stale claims’ payment due the contractor.

WRITTEN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The Purchasing Division shall accept questions and/or comments in writing regarding this RFP as noted below:

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

All questions regarding this RFP should be submitted using the Bid Q&A feature in NevadaEPro.

To access the Bid Q&A:

Log into your Seller account on NevadaEPro.

Click the Bids Tab in the header.

Click View under Bid Q&A on the appropriate Bid Solicitation under the Open Bids section.

The deadline for submitting questions is as specified in Section 7, RFP Timeline.

All questions and/or comments shall be addressed using the Bid Q&A in NevadaEPro. If questions and answers require a material change to the Bid Solicitation, an Amendment will be posted in NevadaEPro and you will receive email notification.

RFP TIMELINE

The following represents the proposed timeline for this project. All times stated are Pacific Time (PT). These dates represent a tentative schedule of events. The State reserves the right to modify these dates at any time.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS, FORMAT AND CONTENT

GENERAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Vendors shall submit their proposals by using Create Quote through the State electronic procurement website, https://NevadaEPro.com, in accordance with the instructions below.

Refer to Instructions for Vendors Responding to a Bid in the Important Links section on the front page of NevadaEPro for instructions on how to submit a Quote using NevadaEPro.

The Quote/Proposal shall contain a maximum of four (4) attachments which may include:

Technical Proposal Confidential Technical (if applicable) Cost Proposal (if applicable) Confidential Financial (if applicable)

Note: Under the Items Tab the NevadaEPro system defaults to ‘No Bid’. Proposing vendors must uncheck the ‘No Bid’ box and that will allow the system to default to ‘See Quote Attachments’.

Proposals shall have a technical response, which may be composed of two (2) parts in the event a vendor determines that a portion of their technical response qualifies as “confidential” per NRS 333.020 (5) (b).

If complete responses cannot be provided without referencing confidential information, such confidential information shall be provided in accordance with Section 8.3, Part IB – Confidential Technical Proposal and Section 8.5, Part III Confidential Financial Information.

Specific references made to the section, page, and paragraph where the confidential information can be located shall be identified on Attachment A, Confidentiality and Certification of Indemnification and comply with the requirements stated in Section 8.6, Confidentiality of Proposals.

Proposals that do not comply with the requirements may be deemed non-responsive and rejected at the State’s discretion.

Although it is a public opening, only the names of the vendors submitting proposals shall be announced per NRS 333.335(6). Technical and cost details about proposals submitted shall not be disclosed.

Assistance for persons who are disabled, visually impaired or hearing-impaired who wish to attend the RFP opening is available. If special arrangements are necessary, please notify the Purchasing Division designee as soon as possible and at least two (2) days in advance of the opening.

For ease of evaluation, the technical and cost proposals shall be presented in a format that corresponds to and references sections outlined within this RFP and shall be presented in the same order. Written responses shall be in bold/italics and placed immediately following the applicable RFP question, statement and/or section.

Proposals are to be prepared in such a way as to provide a straightforward, concise delineation of capabilities to satisfy the requirements of this RFP. Expensive color displays, promotional materials, etc., are not necessary or desired. Emphasis shall be concentrated on conformance to the RFP instructions, responsiveness to the RFP requirements, and on completeness and clarity of content.

For purposes of addressing questions concerning this RFP, the sole contact shall be the Purchasing Division as specified on Page 1 of this RFP. Upon issuance of this RFP, other employees and representatives of the agencies identified in the RFP shall not answer questions or otherwise discuss the contents of this RFP with any prospective vendors or their representatives. Failure to observe this restriction may result in disqualification of any subsequent proposal per NAC 333.155(3). This restriction does not preclude discussions between affected parties for the purpose of conducting business unrelated to this procurement.

Any vendor who believes there are irregularities or lack of clarity in the RFP or proposal requirements or specifications are unnecessarily restrictive, or limit competition shall notify the Purchasing Division, in writing, as soon as possible, so that corrective addenda may be furnished by the Purchasing Division in a timely manner to all vendors.

If a vendor changes any material RFP language, vendor’s response may be deemed non-responsive per NRS 333.311.

The vendor understands and acknowledges that the representations made in its proposal are material and important and shall be relied on by the State in its evaluation of a proposal. Any misrepresentation by a vendor shall be treated as fraudulent concealment from the State of the true facts relating to the proposal.

PART IA – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

The Technical Proposal shall not include cost and/or pricing information. Cost and/or pricing information contained in the technical proposal may cause the proposal to be rejected.

Using Create Quote in NevadaEPro, vendors shall provide one (1) PDF Technical Proposal on the Attachments Tab that includes the following:

Section I – Title Page with the following information:

Part IA – Technical Proposal

Vendor Name:

Address:

Section II – Table of Contents

An accurate and updated table of contents shall be provided.

Section III – Vendor Information Sheet

The vendor information sheet shall be completed and signed by an individual authorized to bind the organization.

Section IV – State Documents

The State documents section shall include the following:

The signature page from all amendments signed by an individual authorized to bind the organization.

Attachment A – Confidentiality and Certification of Indemnification signed by an individual authorized to bind the organization.

Attachment B – Vendor Certifications signed by an individual authorized to bind the organization.

Copies of any vendor licensing agreements and/or hardware and software maintenance agreements.

Copies of applicable certifications and/or licenses.

Section V – Scope of Work

Vendors shall place their written response(s) to Section 2, Scope of Work in bold/italics immediately following the applicable RFP question, statement and/or section.

Section VI– Company Background

Vendors shall place their written response(s) to Section 3, Company Background in bold/italics immediately following the applicable RFP question, statement and/or section. This section shall also include the requested information in Section 3.2, Subcontractor Information, if applicable.

Section VII – Proposed Staff Resume(s)

Vendors shall include all proposed staff resumes per Section 3.3, Vendor Staff Resumes in this section.

This section shall also include any subcontractor proposed staff resumes, if applicable.

Section VIII – Other Informational Material

Vendors shall include any other applicable reference material in this section clearly cross referenced with the proposal.

PART IB – CONFIDENTIAL TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

Vendors only need to submit Part IB if the proposal includes any confidential technical information (Refer to Attachment A, Confidentiality and Certification of Indemnification).

If needed, vendors shall provide one (1) PDF Confidential Technical Proposal file that includes the following:

Section I – Title Page with the following information:

Part IB – Confidential Technical Proposal

Vendor Name:

Address:

Section II – Confidential Technical

Vendors shall cross reference the confidential technical information back to the technical proposal, as applicable.

PART II – COST PROPOSAL

Vendors shall submit pricing information on the Items Tab of their Quote in NevadaEPro.

Vendors shall provide additional pricing information as detailed in Section 8.4.4 if appropriate or required in accordance with Section 4, Cost.

The cost proposal shall not be marked “confidential”. Only information that is deemed proprietary per NRS 333.020 (5) (a) may be marked as “confidential”.

If needed, vendors shall provide one (1) PDF Cost Proposal file that includes the following:

Section I – Title Page with the following information:

Part II – Cost Proposal

Vendor Name:

Address:

Section II – Cost Proposal

Vendor’s shall place the information required per Section 4, Cost in this section.

PART III – CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

If needed, vendors shall provide one (1) PDF Confidential Financial Information file that includes the following:

Section I – Title Page with the following information:

Part III – Confidential Financial Information

Vendor Name:

Address:

Section II – Financial Information and Documentation

Vendors shall place the information required per Section 3.1.11 in this section.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF PROPOSALS

As a potential contractor of a public entity, vendors are advised that full disclosure is required by law.

Vendors are required to submit written documentation in accordance with Attachment A, Confidentiality and Certification of Indemnification demonstrating the material within the proposal marked “confidential” conforms to NRS §333.333, which states “Only specific parts of the proposal may be labeled a “trade secret” as defined in NRS §600A.030(5)”. Not conforming to these requirements shall cause your proposal to be deemed non-compliant and shall not be accepted by the State.

Vendors acknowledge that material not marked as “confidential” shall become public record and shall be posted to the Purchasing website upon contract award.

It is the vendor’s responsibility to act in protection of the labeled information and agree to defend and indemnify the State of Nevada for honoring such designation.

Failure to label any information that is released by the State shall constitute a complete waiver of any and all claims for damages caused by release of said information.

PROPOSAL PACKAGING

Vendors shall submit their proposals through the State electronic procurement website, https://NevadaEPro.com, in accordance with the instructions below.

Proposals shall be received via https://NevadaEPro.com no later than the date and time specified on the General Tab of the Bid Solicitation in NevadaEPro. Proposals that are not submitted by bid opening time and date shall not be accepted. Vendors may submit their proposal any time prior to the deadline stated in NevadaEPro. In the event that dates, and times specified in this document and dates times specified in NevadaEPro conflict, the dates and time in NevadaEPro shall take precedence.

Proposals submitted as physical copies, email, or any submission method other than via NevadaEPro shall not be considered.

PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND AWARD PROCESS

The information in this section does not need to be returned with the vendor’s proposal.

Proposals shall be consistently evaluated and scored in accordance with NRS 333.335 based upon the following criteria. The following criteria are listed in order of importance.

Cost

Cost proposals will be evaluated based on the following formula:

Lowest Cost Submitted by a Vendor = Price Factor

Proposers Total Cost

Price Factor X Weight = Cost Criteria Score

Effective July 1, 2017, a five percent (5%) preference will be awarded to businesses based in Nevada. A Nevada business is defined as a business which certifies either that its ‘principal place of business’ is in Nevada, as identified in Section 3.1, Vendor Information, or that a ‘majority of goods provided for the contract are produced’ in Nevada. The preference will be applied to the total score.

Financial stability shall be scored on a pass/fail basis.

Proposals shall be kept confidential until a contract is awarded.

The evaluation committee is an independent committee comprised of a majority of State officers or employees established to evaluate and score proposals submitted in response to the RFP pursuant to NRS 333.335.

The evaluation committee may solicit information from any available source concerning any aspect of a proposal and seek and review any other information deemed pertinent to the evaluation process.

Each vendor shall include in its proposal a complete disclosure of any alleged significant prior or ongoing contract failures, contract breaches, any civil or criminal litigation or investigations pending which involves the vendor or in which the vendor has been judged guilty or liable. Failure to comply with the terms of this provision may disqualify any proposal. The State reserves the right to reject any proposal based upon the vendor’s prior history with the State or with any other party, which documents, without limitation, unsatisfactory performance, adversarial or contentious demeanor, significant failure(s) to meet contract milestones or other contractual failures. Refer generally to NRS 333.335.

Clarification discussions may, at the State’s sole option, be conducted with vendors who submit proposals determined to be acceptable and competitive per NAC 333.165. Vendors shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and/or written revisions of proposals. Such revisions may be permitted after submissions and prior to award for the purpose of obtaining best and final offers. In conducting discussions, there shall be no disclosure of any information derived from proposals submitted by competing vendors. Any modifications made to the original proposal during the best and final negotiations shall be included as part of the contract.

A Letter of Intent (LOI) shall be issued in accordance with NAC 333.170 notifying vendors of the State’s intent to award a contract to a vendor, pending successful negotiations. Negotiations shall be confidential and not subject to disclosure to competing vendors unless and until an agreement is reached. All information remains confidential until the issuance of the formal Notice of Award (NOA). If contract negotiations cannot be concluded successfully, the State upon written notice to all vendors may negotiate a contract with the next highest scoring vendor or withdraw the RFP.

A Notification of Award (NOA) shall be issued in accordance with NAC 333.170. Vendors shall be notified that a contract has been successfully negotiated, executed and is awaiting approval of the Board of Examiners (BOE). Any award is contingent upon the successful negotiation of final contract terms and upon approval of the BOE, when required. Any non-confidential information becomes available upon written request.

Pursuant to NRS 333.700, any contract resulting from this RFP shall not be effective unless and until approved by the Nevada State Board of Examiners.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PROCUREMENT AND PROPOSAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The information in this section does not need to be returned with the vendor’s proposal.

This procurement is being conducted in accordance with NRS Chapter 333 and NAC Chapter 333.

The State reserves the right to alter, amend, or modify any provisions of this RFP, or to withdraw this RFP, at any time prior to the award of a contract pursuant hereto, if it is in the best interest of the State to do so.

The State reserves the right to waive informalities and minor irregularities in proposals received.

The State will post all official communication regarding this RFP on the NevadaEPro website at https://NevadaEPro.com. Any changes, amendments, or clarifications will be issued in the form of written responses to vendor questions, amendments, or addendum published on the NevadaEPro website entry for this RFP. Vendors should check this website frequently for notice of matters affecting the RFP prior to submitting a proposal. The vendors failure to periodically check for updates does not release the vendor from any additional requirements or information that may have been posted.

The failure to provide clearly marked, separate PDF file(s) for Part IB and Part III, which contain confidential information, trade secrets and/or proprietary information, shall constitute a complete waiver of any and all claims for damages caused by release of the information by the State.

Pursuant to NRS 333.350, the State reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received prior to contract award.

Pursuant to NRS 333.350, the State reserves the right to limit the scope of work prior to award, if deemed in the best interest of the State.

Pursuant to NRS 333.335, the State shall not be obligated to accept the lowest priced proposal, however, shall make an award in the best interest of the State of Nevada after all factors have been evaluated.

Proposals which appear unrealistic in the terms of technical commitments, lack of technical competence, or are indicative of failure to comprehend the complexity and risk of the project, may be rejected.

Proposals from employees of the State of Nevada shall be considered in as much as they do not conflict with the State Administrative Manual (SAM), NRS Chapter 281 and NRS Chapter 284.

Proposals may be modified or withdrawn by written notice received prior to the proposal opening time. Withdrawals received after the proposal opening time shall not be considered except as authorized by NRS 333.350(3).

Prices offered by vendors in their proposals are an irrevocable offer for the term of the contract and any contract extensions. The awarded vendor agrees to provide the purchased services at the costs, rates and fees as set forth in their proposal in response to this RFP. No other costs, rates or fees shall be payable to the awarded vendor for implementation of their proposal.

The State is not liable for any costs incurred by vendors prior to entering into a formal contract. Costs of developing the proposal or any other such expenses incurred by the vendor in responding to the RFP, are entirely the responsibility of the vendor, and shall not be reimbursed in any manner by the State.

Proposals submitted per proposal submission requirements become the property of the State, selection or rejection does not affect this right.

Any unsuccessful vendor may file an appeal in strict compliance with NRS 333.370 and NAC Chapter 333.

NRS 333.290 grants a preference to materials and supplies that can be supplied from a “charitable, reformatory or penal institution of the State” that produces such goods or services through the labor of inmates. The Administrator reserves the right to secure these goods, materials or supplies from any such eligible institution, if they can be secured of equal quality and at prices not higher than those of the lowest acceptable bid received in response to this solicitation. In addition, NRS 333.410 grants a preference to commodities or services that institutions of the State are prepared to supply through the labor of inmates. The Administrator shall apply the preferences stated in NRS 333.290 and 333.410 to the extent applicable.

Pursuant to NRS 333.338, the State of Nevada cannot enter into a contract with a company unless that company agrees for the duration of the contract not to engage in a boycott of Israel. By submitting a proposal or bid, vendor agrees that if it is awarded a contract it will not engage in a boycott of Israel as defined in NRS 333.338(3)(a).

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The information in this section does not need to be returned with the vendor’s proposal.

The awarded vendor shall be the sole point of contract responsibility. The State shall look solely to the awarded vendor for the performance of all contractual obligations which may result from an award based on this RFP, and the awarded vendor shall not be relieved for the non-performance of any or all subcontractors.

The awarded vendor shall maintain, for the duration of the contract, insurance coverages as set forth in the fully executed contract. Work on the contract shall not begin until after the awarded vendor has submitted acceptable evidence of the required insurance coverages. Failure to maintain any required insurance coverage or acceptable alternative method of insurance shall be deemed a breach of contract.

The State shall not be liable for Federal, State, or Local excise taxes per NRS 372.325.

The State reserves the right to negotiate final contract terms with any vendor selected per NAC 333.170. The contract between the parties shall consist of the RFP together with any modifications thereto, and the awarded vendor’s proposal, together with any modifications and clarifications thereto that are submitted at the request of the State during the evaluation and negotiation process. In the event of any conflict or contradiction between or among these documents, the documents shall control in the following order of precedence: the final executed contract, any modifications and clarifications to the awarded vendor’s proposal, the RFP, and the awarded vendor’s proposal. Specific exceptions to this general rule may be noted in the final executed contract. The State shall not indemnify vendor from any liability or damages, including but not limited to attorney’s fees and costs, arising under any contract resulting from this RFP.

State agencies and local governments (as defined in NRS 332.015) are intended third party beneficiaries of any contract resulting from this RFP and may join or use any contract resulting from this RFP subject to Nevada law . The State is not liable for the obligations of any local government which joins or uses any contract resulting from this RFP.

Any person who requests or receives a Federal contract, grant, loan or cooperative agreement shall file with the using agency a certification that the person making the declaration has not made, and shall not make, any payment prohibited by subsection (a) of 31 U.S.C. 1352.

Pursuant to NRS Chapter 613 in connection with the performance of work under this contract, the contractor agrees not to unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or age, including, without limitation, with regard to employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including, without limitation apprenticeship.

The contractor further agrees to insert this provision in all subcontracts, hereunder, except subcontracts for standard commercial supplies or raw materials.

PROJECT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The information in this section does not need to be returned with the vendor’s proposal.

Award of Related Contracts

The State may undertake or award supplemental contracts for work related to this project or any portion thereof. The contractor shall be bound to cooperate fully with such other contractors and the State in all cases.

All subcontractors shall be required to abide by this provision as a condition of the contract between the subcontractor and the prime contractor.

Products and/or Alternatives

The vendor shall not propose an alternative that would require the State to acquire hardware or software or change processes in order to function properly on the vendor’s system unless vendor included a clear description of such proposed alternatives and clearly mark any descriptive material to show the proposed alternative.

An acceptable alternative is one the State considers satisfactory in meeting the requirements of this RFP.

The State, at its sole discretion, shall determine if the proposed alternative meets the intent of the original RFP requirement.

State Owned Property

The awarded vendor shall be responsible for the proper custody and care of any State owned property furnished by the State for use in connection with the performance of the contract and shall reimburse the State for any loss or damage.

Inspection/Acceptance of Work

It is expressly understood and agreed all work done by the contractor shall be subject to inspection and acceptance by the State.

Any progress inspections and approval by the State of any item of work shall not forfeit the right of the State to require the correction of any faulty workmanship or material at any time during the course of the work and warranty period thereafter, although previously approved by oversight.

Nothing contained herein shall relieve the contractor of the responsibility for proper installation and maintenance of the work, materials and equipment required under the terms of the contract until all work has been completed and accepted by the State.

Travel

If travel is required, the following processes shall be followed:

All travel shall be approved in writing in advance by the Department.

Requests for reimbursement of travel expenses shall be submitted on the State Claim for Travel Expense Form with original receipts for all expenses.

The travel expense form, with original signatures, shall be submitted with the vendor’s invoice.

Vendor shall be reimbursed travel expenses and per diem at the rates allowed for State employees at the time travel occurs.

The State is not responsible for payment of any premium, deductible or assessments on insurance policies purchased by vendor for a rental vehicle.

Completion of Work

Prior to completion of all work, the contractor shall remove from the premises all equipment and materials belonging to the contractor. Upon completion of the work, the contractor shall leave the site in a clean and neat condition satisfactory to the State.

Right to Publish

All requests for the publication or release of any information pertaining to this RFP and any subsequent contract…