RFP 24_012 K_5 Literacy Curriculum.pdf

Request for Proposal (RFP)

Request for Proposal (RFP) to provide

K-5 Literacy Curriculum

# 24-012

NIGP: 20843

Union County School District

Copies of the RFP are available by e-mailing or mailing a request for the RFP to:

David Murphy, Ed.D.

Union County School District 124 Hughes Street Blairsville, Georgia 30512 E-Mail: dmurphy@UCSDchools.org

Return RFP submissions to:

Attn. David Murphy 124 Hughes Street

Blairsville, GA 30512

The Union County Board of Education reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive technicalities.

Solicitation Issue Date: Friday, April 19, 2024

Proposal Packages Due: Monday, May 20, 2024 @ 12:00:00 pm

REQUEST FOR SEALED PROPOSAL

Request for Proposal:

K-5 Literacy Curriculum # 24-012

Purpose and Overview:

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit one or more established providers of curricula to provide the Union County School District with evidence-based, researched, and reviewed curricular and instructional materials in English Language Arts (ELA) that are aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) from Kindergarten through Grade 5 for ELA which are found on the GaDOE’s approved providers list and meets all eight (8) components of foundational literacy skills and structured literacy for grades Kindergarten through Grade 3 as outlined in HB 538 at the “Strongly Recommended” level.

All respondents to this RFP are subject to instructions communicated in this document, and are cautioned to completely review the entire RFP and follow instructions carefully. The Owner reserves the right to reject any proposals, and to waive technicalities and informalities at their discretion.

RFP Administrator:

David Murphy, Ed.D.

124 Hughes Street Blairsville, Georgia 30512

E-Mail: dmurphy@UCSDchools.org

Submission of Sealed Proposals:

Attn. David Murphy 124 Hughes Street Blairsville, GA 30512

Submit proposal in a sealed, opaque envelope addressed to the RFP Administrator noted above. Envelopes need to be plainly marked with the RFP# and title.

Deadline to receive proposals: 12:00:00 p.m. legally prevailing time on Monday, May 20, 2024.

Proposals are due at the time and date specified. Proposals will not be accepted after the date and time above. There will be no public opening of proposals. Proposals submitted via facsimile or otherwise not sealed will be rejected. Proposals received after the date and/or time noted above will not be opened.

The Union County Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to accept other than the low proposal when the interest of the school District can be better served. The Board reserves the right to waive any informalities in, or reject, any or all proposals or any part of a proposal. In the event of equal proposals, preference will be given to the local Proposer.

RFP Schedule of Events:

RFP Advertisement Dates:

Posted on the Georgia Procurement Registry 04/19/2024 through 05/20/2024 Posted on the District website 04/19/2024 through 05/20/2024

Deadline to Submit Questions 05/03/2024 (noon, ET) Deadline to Respond to Questions 05/10/2024 (4:00 p.m., ET) Deadline to Submit Proposal: 05/20/2024 (12:00:00 pm, ET) Board Approval: First Regular or Called Meeting Opportunity

A. GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING PROPOSAL

A.1 RFP Amendments

The Union County School District is not responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur when proposal information is copied from the Georgia Procurement Registry or the School District Website (www.UCSchools.org) by proposal posting subscriber websites.

The Union County School District reserves the right to amend the Request For Proposal prior to the deadline of proposal submission. RFP amendments will be issued as written Addendum.

A.1.1 Addendum will be posted on the Union County School District website.

A.1.2 The Acknowledgement of Addenda form is to be returned with proposal. See Attachment “B”

A.2 Withdrawing a Proposal

Prior to the proposal due date, a submitted proposal may be withdrawn by the Proposer by submitting a written request emailed to the Union County School District RFP Administrator named above. All such requests must be signed by a person authorized to sign for the Proposer.

A.3 Cost For Developing Proposal

The cost for developing the proposal is the sole responsibility of the Proposer. The Union County School District will not provide reimbursement for such costs.

A.4 Questions and Restricting Communications With Staff

A.4.1 All questions concerning this RFP must be submitted in writing via email to the RFP Administrator noted above. No questions other than written will be accepted. No response other than written will be binding upon the Union County School District.

A.4.2 From the issue date of this RFP until the award is made, Proposer(s) are not allowed to communicate for any reason with any Union County School District staff except through the RFP Administrator named herein. The Union County School District reserves the right to reject the proposal of any Proposer(s) violating this provision.

A.5 Cancellation of RFP

The Union County School District reserves the right to cancel this RFP at any time and will not be liable for any cost/losses incurred by the Proposers throughout this process.

B. PROPOSAL OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF WORK

B.1 Objective

The objective of the RFP is to select a Proposer who will provide goods and/or services outlined in this RFP to the Union County School District. All qualified Proposers are invited to participate by submitting responses, as further defined below. After evaluating all Proposer responses received prior to the closing date and time of this RFP, the Union County School District will determine whether or not to conduct negotiations with responsive and responsible Proposers. After a careful evaluation of responses, an award recommendation will be presented to the Board of Education and a Purchase Order will be issued to the successful proposer.

B.2 Scope of Work (Base Proposal)

The Union County Board of Education requests proposals from qualified vendors to provide elementary curricula with up-to-date evidence-based, researched, and reviewed curricular and instructional materials in English Language Arts (ELA) that are aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) from Kindergarten through Grade 5 for ELA which are found on the Georgia Department of Education’s approved providers list and meets all eight (8) components of foundational literacy skills and structured literacy for grades Kindergarten through Grade 3 as outlined in HB538 at the “Strongly Recommended” level.

The Union County School District (UCSD) seeks a comprehensive ELA curriculum that will effectively support teaching and learning of all learners in all classrooms in Kindergarten through Grade 5. UCSD seeks curricular materials and approaches that are culturally responsive; explicitly support English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and students in need of additional intervention; allow for enrichment and acceleration; and provide easy-to-understand resources for parents/guardians. Digital tools and formative assessments in the hands of teachers must allow for differentiated instruction and timely support to students, including accessibility features.

C. SCHEDULE and SPECIFICATIONS

C.1 Scope of Services

The following list of requirements, although extensive, is not exhaustive and is intended to provide interested Respondents with sufficient basic information to submit proposals meeting minimum requirements, but is not intended to limit a proposal’s content or exclude any relevant or essential information. Proposals should address the entire scope of services requested. In this RFP, Curricular and Instructional Materials are defined to be the comprehensive curricula and materials needed for the total instructional experience for all diploma-bound learners in every classroom, aligned to the State Standards. Materials should utilize current evidence-based and research-based practices; align to State Standards in preparation for increased achievement on Georgia Milestones Assessments and other measures of college and career readiness; and provide explicit instruction of key shifts in daily lesson materials as outlined by the State Standards;

Proposals must comply with the following requirements:

• Learning will be enhanced by adherence to a curriculum that promotes continuity and cumulative acquisition and application of skills and knowledge from grade to grade and from school to school. The curriculum should reflect the best knowledge of the growth and development of learners, the needs of learners, and the desires of the community, state law, and state board of education rules;

• The focus of the curriculum shall promote: (1) An opportunity for every student to participate, and (2) Achievement at the highest level in every curricular area for every student.

• The curriculum shall provide teachers, students, and parents/guardians with the expectations of what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade level and course.

C.1.1 Requirements for ELA Curriculum The comprehensive curriculum for ELA content described above must include the following:

A. Include Lexile® Framework measures for Reading/English with Lexile measures

a. reportable at the student and classroom levels; and

b. available to parents/guardians, current grade-level teacher, and next grade-level teacher (Respondents should submit Lexile instructional resource (text) measures regarding the reading comprehension levels of Instructional Materials as part of the response).

B. Be grounded in complex texts, both informational and literary, that are diverse in terms of perspective, topic, genre, and time period.

C. Include close reading passages and integrate challenging text-specific questions that support students’ deep analysis through evidence-based writing and discussion.

D. Include reading strategies to support comprehension and provide opportunities for students to build knowledge, insight, and central ideas through close reading of specific texts.

E. Provide opportunities for regular independent reading of texts that appeal to students’ interests while developing both knowledge base and joy for reading.

F. Include qualitative and quantitative measures for all texts.

G. Provide a systematic approach to academic language acquisition and vocabulary prevalent in complex texts through reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

H. Emphasize writing instruction for the three types of writing: argument, informative/explanatory, and narrative, as specified in the State Standards.

a. Provide frequent opportunities for students to write in response to text.

b. Support both process-writing and on-demand writing.

c. Support critical and creative thinking, including opportunities for inductive reasoning.

I. Include assessments, available digitally, that regularly and systematically offer assessment opportunities that are interactive and engaging and measure progress on reading comprehension and analysis as well as writing skills using materials and experiences outlined above.

C.1.2 Additional Requirements for ELA Curriculum

A. Kindergarten Through Grade 2

a. Curricular and Instructional Materials include 45–60 minutes of daily instruction for all aspects of foundational reading, including a specific scope and sequence for teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency.

b. Curricular and Instructional Materials must include resources and assessments that measure foundational skills.

B. Grade 3 Through Grade 5

a. Curricular and Instructional Materials include equal measures of literary and informational texts.

b. Curricular and Instructional Materials include specific anchor texts within a sequence or collection of texts.

c. Curricular and Instructional Materials include at least 80 percent of tasks and question that are text dependent which elicit sustained attention to the specifics of the text.

d. Curricular and Instructional Materials are designed for whole-group, small-group, and individual instruction that cultivate student responsibility and independence.

e. Curricular and Instructional Materials regularly and systematically build in the time, resources, and suggestions required for adapting instruction to allow teachers to guide all students to meet grade-level standards (e.g., alternative teaching approaches, pacing, instructional delivery options, suggestions for addressing common student difficulties, remediation strategies).

f. Curricular and Instructional Materials clearly expect that student writing should be responsive to the needs of the audience and the particulars of the text in question.

g. Curricular and Instructional Materials embrace significant grammar and language conventions.

C.2 Technical Requirements

The Respondent’s proposal shall identify and describe:

C.2.1 Applicable technical requirements and recommended configurations necessary to fully implement and utilize the digital or online Curricular and Instructional Materials including but not exclusive to:

a. Hardware requirements;

b. Operating system requirements;

c. Software requirements;

d. Browser-specific requirements;

e. Network and security requirements;

f. Licensing models; or

g. Copyright and fair use guidelines.

C.2.2 Software must be compatible with Chromebook usage and the UCSD’s single sign-on program (Clever).

C.2.3 Processes and provisions regarding the automated exchange of data between the

Respondent and UCSD student information (PowerSchool).

C.2.4 Processes and provisions regarding the handling, use, storage, and retention of UCSD data and information to ensure the privacy of staff, students, and parents/guardians, consistent with the UCSD General Contract Articles and elsewhere in this RFP.

C.2.5 Processes and provisions to provide ongoing technical support to staff, students, and parents/guardians.

C.2.6 Examples of similarly completed projects, or projects in progress, that demonstrate the

Respondent’s expertise and capabilities in each of the above-listed areas. Examples might include, for example, detailed descriptions supported by screenshots, references, websites or apps for UCSD review.

The Respondents shall submit sample materials, after the close of the RFP and only if contacted by UCSD following the initial review of the submission.

C.3 Pricing

The Respondent’s proposal shall include a completed pricing sheet provided for each curricula, or portion of curricula, that the Respondent is proposing under this RFP, including pricing for the various types of Curricular and Instructional Materials offered by the Respondent. Pricing shall include pricing based on contract lengths of one (1), two (2) and three (3) years.

C.4 Timeline

UCSD’s tentative implementation plan for the curricula selected under this RFP is for full implementation for all diploma-bound UCSD students by the 2024–2025 school year.

C.5 Data Privacy and Security

As specified in more detail in the UCSD Policies and Regulations and elsewhere in this RFP, the Respondent will comply with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances applicable to this project, including but not limited to the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, and its implementing regulations (34 C.F.R. part 99), the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”), 15 U.S.C. § 6501-6505, and its implementing regulations (16 C.F.R. § 312, et seq.), the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, (“PPRA”) 20 U.S.C, § 1232(h) and its implementing regulations (34 C.F.R. § 98.1 et seq.).

C.6 Training and Professional Development

The proposal shall describe the initial training and professional development necessary to begin implementation of the proposed curriculum. The training plan should include mechanisms to train district teachers and central services specialists who, in turn, will train school staff and provide support districtwide, including availability of digital professional learning tools. The professional development plan should be designed to supplement, not supplant, the district’s existing approach to professional development that includes:

development of school and district expertise and capacity to deliver training districtwide; a focus on equity and cultural proficiency; school-based embedded support from school and district staff; and development of blended professional learning models that include both face-to-face and virtual learning.

C.7 Selection Process

It is the intention to award to the most favorable Respondent(s) based on the evaluation criteria. However, the Board reserves the right to make awards according to the best interest of UCSD.

UCSD reserves the right to add or delete Respondents, as well as Curricular and Instructional Materials and professional development, as needed or piloted, should its requirements change during the contract term. Also, nothing in this RFP precludes UCSD from utilizing other Curricular and Instructional Materials either developed by UCSD or otherwise at any point during the contract term.

C.8 Adherence to Specifications / Equivalent Brands:

Specifications in this Request for Proposal may have been identified, described and referenced by a brand name or trade name/mark that is intended to be descriptive, but not restrictive, and is used to indicate the quality and characteristics of products that may be offered. Other products may be considered for award if such products are clearly identified and include such information as necessary to provide adequate basis for determining the quality and functional capabilities of the product being offered detailing the reason(s) why and how the proposed items will meet the specifications and not be considered an exception, and submit adequate information to document this claim. The Union County School District reserves the right to be the sole judge of what is equal or equivalent. Proposals which do not comply with these requirements are subject to rejection.

If you fail to name an alternate brand it will be assumed that you are proposing, and will be required to furnish, goods identical to the proposal standard. The Union County School District reserves the right to request product demonstrations and/or samples from any Proposers prior to proposal award. Failure to provide data or product demonstrations/samples may be considered valid justification for rejection of proposal.

D. COST PROPOSAL

D.1 See Cost Proposal Form. All relevant, applicable costs and fees are to be included in the Cost

Proposal.

Proposer(s) shall submit their cost responses into the Cost Proposal Form provided herein. Proposer(s) shall not deviate from the structure established in the Cost Proposal Form. Submission of incomplete Cost Proposal Forms or Cost Proposal Forms that deviate from the clearly established structure may result in the rejection of a proposal as non-responsive.

E. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Upon opening of the proposals, all proposals received will be reviewed to ensure that all required forms and information have been submitted by the Proposer and in the order stated in section H below.

All proposal packages must include the following applicable items and attachments in the order specified below:

A. Company Profile (see E.2) B. Business Litigation information (see E.3; Circle Appropriate Answer) C. Implementation Plan and Timeline D. Product specifications E. Cost Proposal Form (Attachment A) F. Acknowledgement of Addenda (Attachment B) G. Proposal Certification (Attachment C) H. Statement of Proposer’s Qualifications (Attachment D) I. Proposer’s References (Attachment E)

E.1 Number of Copies (2)

Submit 1 original and 1copy of proposal in a sealed opaque envelope. Proposals must be submitted on 8 1/2” x 11” letter size white bond paper, single-sided, typed, stapled/fastened in upper left hand corner. Fancy bindings, report covers, colored displays and promotional material are not desired unless specifically requested.

E.1.1 Submit proposal in a sealed, opaque envelope addressed to the RFP Administrator noted above. Envelopes are to be plainly marked with the RFP# and title.

E.2 Company Profile

The Proposer will include with proposal, the legal form of its business organization, that state in which incorporated (if a corporation), the types of business ventures in which the organization is involved and the office location that will be the point of contact for the project described in this RFP.

E.2.1 Dun and Bradstreet Report Proposers are to include with proposal a recent Dun and Bradstreet Business Information Report including; Company Snapshot, Creditworthiness, Payment History & Trends, Public Filings, History & Operations, and Banking & Finance.

E.2.2 Proposers that do not provide the D&B Business Information Report may be required to provide a current financial statement.

E.3 Business Litigation (answer required) The Proposer will disclose any involvement by the organization or any officer or principal in any business litigation within the last five (5) years which may have a material impact or effect on the products and services requested in this RFP. The disclosure is to be submitted with proposal and will include an explanation as well as the current status and/or disposition of such litigation.

I have disclosed all business litigation information: Yes No N/A

E.4 Best and Final Offer

Since the Union County School District has the discretion to award the project on the basis of the initial RFP responses without exercising the discretionary right to negotiate, the Union County School District strongly encourages Proposers to provide its “Best and Final Offer” to this RFP.

E.4.1 Proposer(s) shall submit their cost responses into the Cost Proposal Form provided herein. Proposer(s) shall not deviate from the structure established in the Cost Proposal Form. Submission of incomplete Cost Proposal Forms or Cost Proposal Forms that deviate from the clearly established structure may result in the rejection of a proposal as non-responsive.

E.4.2 If required/applicable in this RFP, include with proposal, complete product specifications showing the make and model of the supplies quoted.

E.5 Presentations/Demonstrations The Union County School District reserves the right to require demonstration(s) of capabilities related to proposals received. Proposers must be prepared to discuss the salient points of their proposal within five (5) business days of the request. No presentations, individually or collectively, will be made without such invitation by the Union County School District.

F. EVALUATION:

F.1 Suspension and Debarment

The Union County School District will check the SAM website at http://www.sam.gov to determine if a bidder/Proposer is listed.

F.2 Evaluation of Response(s)

In most instances where possible, all contracts and open market orders will be awarded to the lowest responsible Cost Proposal meeting all proposal requirements and specifications. The Union County School District reserves the right to evaluate all responsive proposals based on low cost proposal, then stated evaluation criteria and select the proposal that is determined to be the most advantageous to the Union County School District. In scoring against the stated criteria, the Union County School District may consider such factors as accepted industry standards and a comparative evaluation of all other qualified RFP responses in terms of differing price, quality, and contractual factors.

F.2.1 Evaluation Committee Union County School District, at its sole discretion, will select the proposal which best fulfills the requirements and provides the best value. Proposals received by the closing deadline will be evaluated. Proposals will be evaluated on completeness of response, experience and/or qualifications, quality of service proposed, and cost. Union School District’s intent is to award the contact to the firm which, based upon the selection committee’s evaluation, is the responsible and responsive proposal determined to be the most advantageous to the District, and the most qualified firm for the work proposed.

20% Factor: Training, Company’s training program to inform District personnel.

30% Factor: Relevant Experience and Qualifications, including the demonstrated ability of the company in successfully implementing curriculum of a similar scope to other school districts, total number of public school districts serviced by company. Additional factors for a firm’s suitability will include the firm’s office location/proximity to the school district, customer service, sense of urgency, and professionalism.

30% Factor: Cost, to provide services, including the firm’s apparent fit to the District.

10% Factor: The Company’s Curriculum products, and management team.

10% Factor: Evaluation of the submitted Proposal.

F.2.2 Ranking Upon completion of the evaluation process and presentations (if requested) by the Evaluation Committee, the proposals will be ranked in descending Points Total order, High to Low. The proposal receiving the highest points total will be recommended to the Board of Education for award.

G. AWARD

Awards on proposals will be approved by the Board of Education on the first practical BOE meeting date after the RFP deadline. The Union County School District reserves the right to accept other than the lowest cost proposal, or the highest points total ranked proposal when the interest of the Union County School District can be better served. Where time is of the essence, the best delivery date offered will be taken under consideration in awarding proposals.

G.1 Low Dollar Proposal Award

In most instances where possible, all contracts and open market orders will be awarded to the lowest responsible Cost Proposal meeting all proposal requirements and specifications. The Board reserves the right to waive any informalities in, or reject, any or all proposals or any part of a proposal.

G.2 Tie Proposals

In the event of equal proposals, preference will be given to the local Proposer (a person who

(1) has a place of business located in Union County, Georgia; (2) which is staffed by an employee or employees as their permanent employment year round in the normal course of business).

G.3 Split/Multiple Awards The Union County School District reserves the right to make multiple awards or to award a contract by individual line items/services or alternatives, by group of line items/services or alternatives, or to make an aggregate award, whichever is deemed most advantageous to the Union County School District. If the Union County School District determines that an aggregate award to one Offeror is not in the Union County School District’s best interest, “all or none” offers shall be rejected.

H. CONTRACTS:

H.1 Funding Approval and Availability

The fiscal year for Union County School District begins July 1 and ends June 30. This solicitation and any resulting contract(s) may contain renewal and extension options that are subject to approval and funding of the Union County Board of Education which shall terminate absolutely without further obligation on the part of the Union County Board of Education at the end of the fiscal year following the date of solicitation and at each June 30 renewal anniversary date thereafter unless the successful vendor is notified otherwise and agrees in writing to the exercise of renewal and extension options. No purchase will be made if funding is not approved by the Union County Board of Education. O.C.G.A. 20-2-506 shall apply to all multi-year lease, purchase, or lease purchase contracts.

H.2 Copy of Contract Form (if applicable)

If applicable to the requirements of this RFP, proposals are to include a non-executable, reviewable copy of the contract being proposed including the vendor’s proposed timeline for implementation, vendor’s implementation responsibilities, Union County School District’s implementation responsibilities and the vendor’s support responsibilities after implementation.

I. GENERAL CONDITIONS:

I.1 Equal Opportunity

The Union County School District is an Equal Opportunity Educational Employer and Provider and, therefore, promotes equal opportunity for all persons, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, or national origin with vendors and/or contractors doing business with the Board.

I.3 Fraternization

Company staff associating with any student or teacher on campus shall be prohibited. Failure to comply with this requirement can subject personnel to being banned from campus.

I.4 No Smoking Campus

Visitors, including Company’s employees, are prohibited from smoking on Union County School District property.

I.5 All of Company’s employees are to wear some form of company identification when performing work on school premises and must check in at the school main office when entering/exiting school property.

J. ACCESS TO PRICING INFORMATION:

J.1 Open Records

Proposers are cautioned that any documentation submitted with or in support of a proposal will become subject to public inspection under the Georgia Open Records Act. Labeling such information as “Confidential,” “Proprietary,” or in any other manner may not protect this material from public inspection upon request. By submitting a proposal in response to this Request For Proposal, the Proposer agrees that it will not request, and will not authorize anyone on its behalf to request any other Proposer's response to this Request For Proposal until such time as the Union County School District has selected the successful Proposer. Likewise, Proposer will not utilize any information contained in any other Proposer's response to this Request for Proposal regardless of how that information is obtained, in formulating any response to this Request for Proposal. Violation of these assurances is grounds for rejection of the Proposer's response.

J.1.1 After an award is made, the chosen vendor and amount will be posted on the Georgia Procurement Registry upon the Registry Closing and Award/Non-Award letters will be mailed within five (5) business days. Other information relating to an RFP that is not listed on the school District website is available through an Open Records request. After receipt of the Open Records request and prior to any record retrieval, the requestor will be provided with a cost estimate of the costs to access the documents and for photocopies, and the day/time such records will be available for viewing. If records are to be copied and mailed, full payment must be received prior to delivery of the records. Payment options are limited to U.S. currency, company checks or money orders (no personal checks).

J.2 Notice of Award Disclaimer The proposal tabulation shall not be construed as “notice of award,” it merely is a record of the proposal prices that were submitted. In most instances, all contracts and open market orders will be awarded to the lowest responsible proposal meeting all specifications, however, the Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to accept other than the low proposal when the interest of the school District can be better served.

J.3 Notice Of Award

Notice of Award will be provided to all that submitted a cost proposal.

PROPOSAL PROTEST PROCEDURES

A. Any protest shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the UCSD designated Protest official at the designated UCSD. A protest of a solicitation shall be received by the named individual before the offer due date. The protest shall be filed within ten (10) days from the award notice and shall include:

1. The name, address, and telephone number of the protestor,

2. The signature of the protestor or an authorized representative of the protestor;

3. Identification of the purchasing agency and the solicitation or contract number;

4. A detailed statement of the legal and factual grounds of the protest including copies of relevant documents:

5. The form of relief requested.

B. A written response to the protest will be made within 30 days from receipt of the protest and all items indicated above.

C. The UCSD shall in all instances disclose information regarding protests to the State

Agency funding the project.

NON-COLLUSION STATEMENT

"I certify that this proposal is made without prior understanding, agreement or connection with any corporation, firm or person submitting a proposal for the same materials, supplies, or equipment, and is in all respect fair and without collusion or fraud. I understand that collusive proposaling is a violation of State and Federal law and can result in fines, prison sentences, and civil damage awards. I agree to abide by all conditions of this proposal and certify that I am authorized to sign this proposal for the Proposer per O.C.G.A.50-5-67. I further certify that the provisions of the official code of Georgia annotated 45-10-20 et seq. have not and will not be violated in any respect."

DUTY TO EXAMINE

It is the responsibility of each proposer to examine the entire solicitation, seek clarification in writing, and check its offer for accuracy before submitting the offer. Lack of care in preparing an offer shall not be grounds for withdrawing the offer after the offer due date and time nor shall it give rise to any contract claim.

ATTACHMENT “A”

COST PROPOSAL FORM

RFP #24-012

(PRINT LEGIBLY)

Company Name:

By:

Title:

Address:

Phone: Fax:

Email address:

Having carefully examined the Request for Proposal documents provided and held to actual or implied knowledge of the premises and conditions affecting the work, the undersigned proposes to furnish all service, labor and materials called for by them. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of 120 days after time set for opening of proposals has been called on the date of opening.

Base Proposal:

One-Year Contract Two-Year Contract Three-Year Contract

Please provide this page serving as the cover page for any additional detailed billing information which may be needed.

The undersigned agrees to provide service with an adequate force and equipment in accordance with the requirements herein, commencing on __________________________, 2024 and finishing on/by

, 2024.

Signature of Proposer (use blue ink) Date

ATTACHMENT “B”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ADDENDA

The Offeror has examined and carefully studied the following Addenda, receipt of all of which is hereby acknowledged:

Addendum No. _____ dated _________________ Acknowledgement ________________ Initial

Offerors must acknowledge any issued addenda. Proposals which fail to acknowledge the Offeror’s receipt of any addendum will result in the rejection of the proposal if the addendum contained information which substantively changes the RFP requirements.

ATTACHMENT “C”

PROPOSAL CERTIFICATION

We propose to furnish and deliver any and all of the deliverables and services named in the attached Request For Proposal for which prices have been set. The price or prices offered herein shall apply for the period of time stated in the Request For Proposal.

We further agree to strictly abide by all the terms and conditions contained herein as modified by any attached special terms and conditions, all of which are made a part hereof. Any exceptions are noted in writing and included with this proposal.

It is understood and agreed that this proposal constitutes an offer, which when accepted in writing by the Union County School District, and subject to the terms and conditions of such acceptance, will constitute a valid and binding contract between the undersigned and the Union County School District.

It is understood and agreed that we have read the specifications shown or referenced in this Request For Proposal and that this proposal is made in accordance with the provisions of such specifications. By our written signature on this proposal, we guarantee and certify that all items included in this proposal meet or exceed any and all such specifications. We further agree, if awarded a contract, to deliver goods and services which meet or exceed the specifications.

It is understood and agreed that this proposal shall be valid and held open for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days from proposal opening date.

PROPOSER SIGNATURE AND CERTIFICATION

I certify that this proposal is made without prior understanding, contact, or connection with any corporation, firm, or person submitting a proposal for the same materials, supplies, equipment, or services and is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud. I understand collusive proposaling is a violation of State and Federal Law and can result in fines, prison sentences, and civil damage awards. I affirm that there is no relationship between Proposer and a member of the Union County Board of Education, employee or elected member. I agree to abide by all conditions of the proposal and certify that I am authorized to sign this proposal for the Proposer. FURTHER, it is the Union County Board of Education’s policy that our employees and agents shall not accept from customers, contractors, and suppliers of property, goods, or services; or from other persons, any gifts, benefits, or unusual hospitality that may in any way tend to influence or have the appearance of influencing them in the performance of their jobs.

Signature of Proposer (use blue ink) Date

ATTACHMENT “D”

STATEMENT OF PROPOSERS QUALIFICATIONS

Legal Name of Proposer_________________________________________________________________

Business Address______________________________________________________________________

Business Phone Number:______________________ Business Fax number________________________

Plan of Organization: (Proprietorship) (Corporation) (Partnership) (Other)

When Organized?_________________ When Incorporated? __________________

Number of years engaged in the contracting business under the present firm name:_____

D-U-N-S Number________________________________________________________

Credit Available for this Contract:____________________________________________

Contracts now in hand; Gross Amount:________________________________________

Have you ever refused to sign a contract at your original proposal? __________________

Have you ever defaulted on a contract?________________________________________

Remarks: ________________________________________________________________

(The above statements must be subscribed and sworn to before a Notary Public)

Date____________________________________________

Firm Name_______________________________________

By______________________________________________

Title_____________________________________________

Sworn to and subscribed before me this:

____________________________day of___________________________, __________.

NOTARY PUBLIC STAMP

ATTACHMENT “E”

PROPOSER’S REFERENCES

List 3 references for the most closely related projects (preferably for other public school systems) completed in the last 3 years

I. Company____________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip____________________________________________________________

Contact Person___________________________________________________________

Telephone_____________________________Fax_______________________________

Description of type work that was done________________________________________

II. Company_____________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip____________________________________________________________

Contact Person___________________________________________________________

Telephone_____________________________Fax_______________________________

Description of type work that was done________________________________________

III. Company____________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip____________________________________________________________

Contact Person___________________________________________________________

Telephone_____________________________Fax_______________________________

Description of type work that was done________________________________________