RFQ_PixBlaster_Braille_Embossers_.pdf

FY25-DEISES-029 / R00B5600119A

eMMA Solicitation #: BPM050579

Title: PixBlaster Braille Embossers

Release Date: April 9, 2025

Small, Minority and Veteran-owned businesses are encouraged to respond to this solicitation.

Maryland State Department of Education

RFQ # FY24-DEISES-029 /R00B5600119A

PixBlaster Braille Embossers

Request for Quotation

Issue Date: April 9, 2025

Title: PixBlaster Braille Embossers

Procurement Officer: Merl Eustache Webster, Procurement Officer merl.eustachewebster@maryland.gov

THIS SOLICITATION SHALL BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SMALL PROCUREMENT

REGULATIONS DESCRIBED IN COMAR 21.05.07.

I. Background and Purpose

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Vision Loan Bank serves all Maryland local education agencies and nonpublic schools. The purpose of the Vision Loan Bank is to maintain an inventory of equipment that can be borrowed by local education agency or nonpublic school professionals who work with children/students who are blind or visually impaired.

The equipment available for loans helps remove barriers to access educational resources for students who are visually impaired. It also allows professionals and students to try a device prior to making a purchasing decision.

Loan periods are up to one year. Borrowers agree to protect the equipment from damage or loss.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) recognizes the importance of laying an adequate foundation for school readiness, educational development, learning and success. The Vision Loan Bank provides a vital and successful service to professionals who support infants, toddlers, school-age children, and youth who are blind or visually impaired. It also supports access and equity in learning, educational progress, and achievement. MSDE remains committed to the implementation of the Vision Loan Bank through providing the highest quality and most updated equipment available.

II. Mandatory Requirements:

1. The bidder must provide new, unused PixBlaster Braille Embossers that produce high-quality braille and tactile graphics.

2. The embossers must:

• Be designed for use with American Printing House’s (APH) BrailleBlaster software

• Be suitable for classroom teachers and students who use Braille regularly

• Work as a printer on school networks

• Is compatible with Windows, MAC, PC and mobile devices

• Support translation programs

• Be designed with accessible features

• Include a warranty that is honored by the manufacturer

III. Other Requirements (if applicable)

1. Knowledge of accessible design to ensure that developed content meets minimum accessibility requirements as established in state and federal law.

mailto:merl.eustachewebster@maryland.gov

PixBlaster Braille Embossers

IV. Term of Contract

A single contract will be awarded to the Offeror/s that best meet the needs of the evaluation criteria. The anticipated term of the contract resulting from this solicitation shall begin on or about April 15, 2025, and will expire on December 31, 2025.

V. Place of Work/Delivery

Materials will be delivered to Dr. Paige Bradford, Section Chief, Specialized Instruction, Division of Early

Intervention and Special Education Services, 9th Floor, Maryland State Department of Education, 200 West

Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

V. Questions

Questions shall be submitted by April 11, 2025, by 2 PM.

All questions should be addressed in writing to the Procurement Officer. Please put the RFQ # and Title in the subject line of your email. Note: All responses to questions submitted, if any, shall only be posted on eMaryland

Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) as an Addendum and or Q & A after the due date of questions are received. It is beneficial to be registered with “eMMA” to access the addendums and any other pertinent information. There may be other opportunities from State agencies there. There shall be no mailing of the Addendums. The link to

“eMMA” to register is as follows:

https://emma.maryland.gov/page.aspx/en/sup/registration_extranet_manage

VI. Bid Submission Information and Due Date

Bids are due by April 18, 2025 by 2 PM EST.

In accordance with COMAR 21.03.05, bids are to be submitted electronically through eMaryland Marketplace

Advantage (eMMA) following the Quick Reference Guides (QRG) labeled “3 - eMMA QRG Responding to

Solicitations (IFB)” for single envelope submissions. The Bidder must submit a letter of interest, a resume that demonstrates the required qualifications for the services requested and the signed bid form Exhibit A (include

ALL final costs for completing the project) to provide the service detailed in the Scope of Work. The submission must be received by April 18, 2025, by 2 p.m. If you have not done business with MSDE or the State of

Maryland, or a significant amount of time has elapsed, please submit an updated W-9 with your bid. Bids will not be opened publicly.

VII. Award

An award will be made based on the most advantageous offer to the State of Maryland considering price after meeting the evaluation criteria found in this solicitation. Vendors must first meet all the mandatory requirements.

An award will be made based on the lowest price. Bids will not be considered by vendors who do not meet all the mandatory requirements. Total Bid Price will be the lowest price total on Exhibit A - Bid Form.

VIII. Billing https://emma.maryland.gov/page.aspx/en/sup/registration_extranet_manage https://procurement.maryland.gov/emma-qrgs/

PixBlaster Braille Embossers

The contractor shall bill the Department monthly for the work performed the previous month. The total cost of work may not exceed $50,000.00 for the term of the contract. All invoices must be on the contractor’s letterhead, must be signed and dated, and must include the following:

1. The contractor’s name and mailing address;

2. The contractor’s Federal Tax Identification or Social Security Number;

3. The State assigned Contract Control Number;

4. The State assigned blanket purchase order number;

5. The goods and services provided;

6. The time period covered by the invoice;

7. The amount of requested payment; and

8. Documentation to support invoice requested amount.

The Department reserves the right to reduce or withhold Contract payment in the event the Contractor does not provide the Department with all required deliverables within the time frame specified in the Contract or otherwise breaches the terms and conditions of the Contract until such time as the Contractor brings itself into full compliance with the Contract.

Any action on the part of the Department, or dispute of action by the Contractor, shall be in accordance with the provisions of Md. Code Ann., State Finance and Procurement Article §§ 15-215 through 15-223 and with

COMAR 21.10.04.

The State is generally exempt from federal excise taxes, Maryland sales and use taxes, District of Columbia sales taxes and transportation taxes. The Contractor, however, is not exempt from such sales and use taxes and may be liable for the same.

Invoices for final payment shall be clearly marked as “FINAL” and submitted when all work requirements have been completed and no further charges are to be incurred under the Contract. In no event shall any invoice be submitted later than 60 calendar days from the Contract termination date.

X. Invoicing Instructions:

Payment by the State requires a proper invoice to be submitted. Payments are made on a net 30 Schedule.

A. An invoice not satisfying the requirements of a Proper Invoice (as defined at COMAR 21.06.09.01 and .02) cannot be processed for payment. To be considered a Proper Invoice, invoices must include the following information, without error:

1) Contractor name and address.

2) Remittance address.

3) Federal taxpayer identification (FEIN) number, social security number, as appropriate.

4) Invoice period (i.e., time period during which services covered by invoice were performed);

5) Invoice date.

6) Invoice number.

7) State assigned Contract number.

8) State assigned Purchase Order number(s).

9) Goods or services provided.

10) Amount due; and

11) Any additional documentation required by regulation or the Contract.

12) Consultants must submit a consultant log with their invoice.

PixBlaster Braille Embossers

B. The State is generally exempt from federal excise taxes, Maryland sales and use taxes, District of Columbia sales taxes and transportation taxes. The Contractor: however, is not exempt from such sales and use taxes and may be liable for the same.

C. Invoices for final payment shall be clearly marked as “FINAL” and submitted when all work requirements have been completed and no further charges are to be incurred under the Contract. In no event shall any invoice be submitted later than 60 calendar days from the Contract termination date.

XI. Partial/Multiple Consultants:

The MSDE reserves the right to award contracts to multiple consultants for the services and materials required in this RFQ.

XII. Non-Hiring of Employees

No official or employee of the State of Maryland, as defined under State Government Article, §15-102, Annotated

Code of Maryland, whose duties as such official or employee include matters relating to or affecting the subject matter of this contract, shall during the pendency and term of this contract and while serving as an official or employee of the State, become or be an employee of the Contractor or any entity that is a subcontractor on this contract.

XIII. Most Favorable Bid Price:

The State reserves the right to award the contract to the responsive and responsible bidder submitting the most favorable bid price for providing the goods and services, as specified in this RFQ.

XV. Tie-bids

If bids are received from responsive and responsible Bidders that are identical in prices, terms and conditions, and which meet all requirements set forth in the solicitation, an award will be made in accordance with State

Regulations 21.05.02.14B. If a tie still exists, the Bidder with the most experience shall be used to determine the successful Bidder.

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

PixBlaster Braille Embossers

EXHIBIT A

BID FORM

(DO NOT ALTER OR AMEND THIS FORM except to include Unit and total cost)

DETAILED COST CATEGORY

(Item Requested) Qty Cost per

Unit

Total Cost

Ten (10) PixBlaster Braille Embossers as described in

(paragraph II Mandatory Requirements)

TOTAL PROJECT COST

*Submit this Exhibit A and all supportive itemized pricing, a letter of interest and a resume.

Exhibit A: Price per day or per hour is to include all costs incurred both direct and indirect in delivering a product or service, which includes, but is not limited to travel, lodging, food, etc. All bids submitted shall be identified with RFQ #.

◆ Late bids shall not be accepted.

◆ Faxed or mailed bids shall not be accepted.

VENDOR’S NAME:

Print

VENDOR’S ADDRESS:

City State Zip

VENDOR’S FEDERAL ID or SS#

NAME OF AUTHORIZED:

Print

SIGNATURE:

TITLE:

TELEPHONE NO: DATE:

E-MAIL:

PixBlaster Braille Embossers

FAX NO.

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE STATE OF MARYLAND?

IF NOT, PLEASE REGISTER HERE: https://businessexpress.maryland.gov/

YOUR BUSINESS MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF MARYLAND TO BE AWARDED A

CONTRACT.

ARE YOU A REGISTERED SMALL BUSINESS? YES NO

IF YES: MARYLAND STATE CERTIFICATION #

IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED AS A SMALL BUSINESS, PLEASE VISIT THE

FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION:

http://goma.maryland.gov/Pages/sbr-Program.aspx

ARE YOU A REGISTERED MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE? YES NO

IF YES: MARYLAND STATE CERTIFICATION #

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE IF YOUR BUISNESS QUALIFIES AS AN

MBE/VSBE/DBE WITH THE STATE OF MARYLAND, PLESE VISIT THE MARYLAND

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

https://businessexpress.maryland.gov/ http://goma.maryland.gov/Pages/sbr-Program.aspx https://www.mdot.maryland.gov/tso/pages/index.aspx?pageid=90 https://www.mdot.maryland.gov/tso/pages/index.aspx?pageid=90

PixBlaster Braille Embossers