RFP-202605094_Amendment1.docx

This is an amendment to a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Materials Management, for a Stewardship Organization to operate the state's Packaging Stewardship Program. Amendment 1 modifies three key aspects of the original solicitation: the proposal due date has been extended to August 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. local time; the Technical Solution Functional Requirements have been clarified to specify that the awarded bidder will be responsible for designing, implementing, hosting, and maintaining an integrated digital solution comprising a secure multi-user portal, public-facing website, and field data collection application; and cost proposal form definitions have been revised for clarity. The mandatory virtual Bidders' Conference is scheduled for June 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. local time, with questions due by 11:59 p.m. on the same date. The initial contract period runs from September 15, 2026 through January 30, 2030, with three optional renewal periods extending through January 30, 2036, contingent on continued funding and satisfactory performance. The Department anticipates one award.

The amendment clarifies that bidders must include all Technology/IT Systems costs and Software Licensing and Subscriptions costs in their proposals and cannot presume the State of Maine Office of Information Technology will provide licenses or environments for use. Technology/IT Systems costs cover digital infrastructure and computing resources including hosting, cloud storage, APIs, integration tools, monitoring systems, databases, and data acquisition or licensing fees, typically billed monthly or per service. Software Licensing and Subscriptions cover fees for acquiring, subscribing to, or renewing access to licensed software and platforms required for program delivery or reporting, including data management systems, workflow tools, visualization or mapping software, user authentication, survey platforms, and mobile or desktop applications, typically billed per license or subscription. All funding derives from the Packaging Stewardship Fund, which is supported by producer registration fees, annual producer fees, and municipal reimbursements deposited to and disbursed by the awarded bidder, with the State of Maine receiving its $300,000 annual administration fee by January 30 each year beginning 2027.