RFP202603041 Amendment .docx

This is a Solicitation Amendment issued by the State of Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, extending the proposal submission deadline for RFP 202603041 concerning Telecommunications Equipment and Advocacy Services. The original solicitation requested comprehensive services including operation of a toll-free telecommunications line accessible via videophone, TTY, and voice during business hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday); maintenance of updated websites for information and referral purposes; statewide outreach and consumer satisfaction surveying; and operation of a statewide distribution system for specialized telecommunications equipment such as TTYs, hearing aids, tablets, tele-coil technology, and voice-amplified phones available on both loan and cost-sharing bases. The amendment extends the proposal submission deadline from April 24, 2026, to April 30, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. local time, with proposals to be submitted via the Vendor Self Service System. Questions from bidders must still be submitted by April 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. local time. The contract term runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with four optional renewal periods available through June 30, 2031.

The State anticipates making one award totaling $676,479, comprised of two separate, non-interchangeable budgets: $306,153 for Civil Rights advocacy services and $370,326 for the Telecommunications Equipment Program. Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale comprising Organization Qualifications and Experience (30 points), Proposed Services (45 points), and Cost Proposal (25 points), with the lowest-cost proposal receiving the full 25 points. The contract includes provision of individual and systemic advocacy services statewide to Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, with services targeted for approximately 200-220 consumers annually. Payment terms are anticipated to be net 30 upon receipt of accurate and acceptable invoices. The RFP document does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to particular organizational types, references to incumbent vendors, or specific existing infrastructure requirements. All proposals must remain valid and binding for 180 days from the bid opening date, and the State reserves the right to negotiate with the awarded bidder, reject any or all proposals, or make multiple awards.