RFP 2024-08 Q&A - 02.19.25.pdf

# Question Answer

Should we fill out the form directly for Administrative Appendix C - Supplier Profile?

Yes, Supplier shall fill out the Administrative Appendix C Template and submit with its proposal response per RFP Section 5. Proposal Format, Table 2.

Can we include our HR and IT Research and Advisory Services as part of this contract? Our HR research is specifically designed to help manage IT teams effectively.

Advisory Services are not within the scope of this RFP. Supplier should propose IT Research Subscription Services and Optional Analyst Services in Tabs 2&3 of Exhibit B: Pricing.

Our Research and Advisory services are constantly evolving, with annual up-dates to reflect market changes. This means that services not currently proposed may become available in the future. Once we update our GSA, can we also update our VITA Contract to include these new services and pricing?

Refer to IT Research Subscription Services (VITA Standard Contract), Section 10. Fees, Ordering, and Payment Procedure, B.

Price Increases and Changes to IT Research Subscription Service Offerings regarding new services.

Table 2 states that there is a required File Name. I want to make sure that we understand that VITA wishes the cover letter and the EXSUM and table of contents to be separate word files?

Yes. Supplier shall submit each document as stated in Table 2 - Format of Supplier's Proposal of the RFP document.

Can VITA clarify expectations for user analytics and reporting capabilities (e.g., tracking access, usage statistics, engagement metrics)?

Refer to Exhibit A: Requirements, Service Delivery Requirements, Requirements #18 and 19.

The pricing sheet tab 4 states that these include volume discounts? Would the state prefer that we show volume discounts in Tab 2 and 3 or only in Tab 4?

Supplier shall provide optional additional value such as volume discounts in Tab 4 of Exhibit B: Pricing.

2024-08 IT Research Subscription Services Question and Answer Log

February 19, 2025

Are vendors able to add additional value items such as event tickets, certification course, consulting - day long analysts sessions on an ala cart type menu in Tab 4

The purpose of Tab 4 is to provide additional value to the Commonwealth. Offerings such as event tickets, certification courses, and consulting-day long analysts should be included in ITRSS offerings in Tabs 2&3 in Exhibit B: Pricing.

Can VITA clarify the evaluation criteria weightings between price, content quality, platform usability, and service levels?

The Evaluation Criteria and Weights are now available on eVA.

Are each of the durations required? i.e. is each vendor required to provide at least one license that is 3 months long etc.

Yes. Suppliers must provide at least one IT Research Subscription Service for each duration (3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and 12 month) listed in Exhibit B: Pricing.

RFP Section 6.C, Evaluation Criteria notes that “[t]he weights assigned to each of the evaluation criteria shall be posted in eVA prior to the due date and time for receiving proposals.” To ensure that Suppliers can make strategic decisions about proposal resource allocation and response emphasis based on evaluation criteria weights, would VITA consider posting these weights in eVA as soon as possible? Or providing the date these weights will be made available? Earlier access to the weights would enable Suppliers to develop more targeted, high-quality proposals that better address VITA’s priorities

Refer to #8.