REQUEST FOR QUOTES & QUALIFICATIONS

RFQQ K13991

WASHINGTON STATE

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

PREA Auditing Services

ISSUE DATE: June 16, 2026

PRE-BID CONFERENCE: 10:00 AM, June 24, 2026

BID DUE DATE: 4:00 PM, July 8, 2025

CONTENTS OF THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:

STATE OF WASHINGTON

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

TUMWATER, WASHINGTON

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFQQ NO. K13827

If you download this RFQQ from the Washington Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS) website located at https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov/home.html, you are responsible for either checking the website or sending your name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number to the RFQQ Coordinator in order for your organization to receive any RFQQ amendments or notices.

PROJECT TITLE:

Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) DOJ certified PREA Auditors.

INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE & BACKGROUND

Pursuant to PREA Standard 28 CFR 115.401-115.405 (“PREA Standards”), the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is issuing this RFQQ to solicit Bids for qualified contractor(s) for the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) to provide PREA auditing services for all DOC correctional facilities and community facilities located throughout Washington State to ensure they are compliant with the PREA National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape.

SCOPE OF WORK

Conduct PREA audits for the DOC facilities listed below to ensure all audit phase activities, including the possibility of corrective action plans. Bids are to be provided on a per facility basis.

Year 1:

(1) Olympic Correction Center: 11235 Hoh Mainline, Forks, WA 98331

(2) Eleanor Chase House RC: 427 W. 7th Ave. Spokane, WA 99204

(3) Brownstone RC: 223 S Browne St. Spokane, WA 99201

Year 2:

(1) Longview RC: 1821 1st Ave. Longview, WA 98632

(2) Olympia RC: 1800 11th Ave. SW Olympia, WA 98502

(3) Tacoma RC: 5601 6th Ave. Tacoma, WA 98406

Bidder shall identify the key personnel to be utilized in performing the work, and their experience and qualifications, as part of its proposal. If awarded a Contract, Bidder shall not make changes to such key personnel during the term of the Contract except as requested or approved by DOC. In the event that DOC is unable to approve a substitute auditor, DOC may contract with another Bidder for that work.

EXHIBIT I provides an example 2025 & 2026 Audit Schedule.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

All Bidders must meet the following minimum qualifications:

U.S. Department of Justice certified PREA auditor.

Bidders must demonstrate how they meet the minimum qualifications as part of their response in EXHIBIT C, Business Requirements Form. Bidders failing to demonstrate in their Bids that they meet these minimum qualifications will be considered non-responsive and will therefore be disqualified from further consideration.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

DOC may award up to six (6) Contracts (one for each facility) to provide the services described in this RFQQ. Each contract resulting from this RFQQ will initially run for a period of twenty-four (24) months.

RFQQ CONTENTS

RFQQ K13991

EXHIBIT A – Certification and Assurances EXHIBIT B – Bidder Profile Form EXHIBIT C – Business Requirements Form EXHIBIT C(1) – Auditor Requirements Form EXHIBIT D – Rate Proposal Form EXHIBIT E – Certification of Bid EXHIBIT F – Subcontractor Inclusion Plan EXHIBIT G – Issues List EXHIBIT H – Contract Model EXHIBIT H(1) – General Terms and Conditions EXHIBIT I – 2026 & 2027 Audit Schedule

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS

RFQQ COORDINATOR

The RFQQ Coordinator is the sole point of contact in DOC for this procurement. Upon receipt of this RFQQ, all communication between Bidders and DOC shall be in writing and with the following RFQQ Coordinator:

Any other communication will be considered unofficial and non-binding on DOC. Communication directed to anyone other than the RFQQ Coordinator may, at the RFQQ Coordinator’s discretion, result in disqualification of the Bidder. Bidders are to rely only on written statements issued by the RFQQ Coordinator.

SCHEDULE OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES

The dates listed below represent the current procurement schedule. DOC reserves the right to change the schedule as needed. Any changes to the schedule prior to Bid due date will be posted electronically on WEBS as an amendment to this solicitation. All dates after the bid due date are estimates and changes to these dates will not be communicated via WEBS.

Failure to meet any of the required deadlines will result in disqualification from participation in the procurement. All times are local at Tumwater, WA.

June 23, 2026

June 24, 2025

June 25, 2026

July 01, 2026

July 08, 2026

July 28, 2026

August 04, 2026

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION/PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

Materials submitted in response to this competitive solicitation shall become the property of DOC.

DOC is subject to the Public Records Act (Chapter 42.56 RCW). All Bids received shall remain confidential until announcement of the Apparent Successful Bidder; thereafter, the Bids shall be deemed public records as defined in the Public Records Act.

Any information contained in the Bid that is proprietary or confidential must be clearly designated. Each page claimed to be exempt from disclosure must reference the specific basis claimed under Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Public Records Act or other state or federal law that provides for the nondisclosure of your Bid information. Any portion which you claim to be proprietary, confidential, or exempt from disclosure must be clearly identified by the word “Proprietary” or “Confidential” printed on the lower right-hand corner of the page. Marking of the entire Bid or entire sections of the Bid as proprietary or confidential will not be accepted nor honored. Marking of the Bid as proprietary or confidential will be neither accepted nor honored. Any attempts to restrict disclosure through use of footers on every page and/or statements restricting disclosure will not be honored and may subject Bidder to disqualification.

To the extent consistent with Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Public Records Act, DOC shall maintain the confidentiality of Bidder’s information marked confidential or proprietary. If a request is made to view Bidder’s confidential or proprietary information, DOC will notify Bidder of the request and of the date that the records will be released to the requester unless Bidder obtains a court order enjoining that disclosure or the requester and Bidder reach an agreement on the extent of such disclosure, which agreement will be forwarded to DOC by the requester prior to DOC’s date for the proposed disclosure. If Bidder fails to obtain the requester’s agreement or a court order enjoining disclosure, DOC will release the requested information on the date specified.

A charge will be made for copying and shipping, as outlined in RCW 42.56. Requests for records pursuant to the Public Records Act must be submitted to DOC’s Public Records Officer (DOCPDU@doc1.wa.gov).

REVISIONS TO THE RFQQ

In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFQQ, addenda will be provided via e-mail to all Bidders who have provided their contact information to the RFQQ Coordinator. In addition, addenda will be published on WEBS. Questions and answers and any other pertinent information shall be considered an addendum to the RFQQ and also placed on WEBS. If the Bidder downloaded this RFQQ from WEBS, located at https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov/home.html, it is incumbent upon Bidder to either check the above-listed website or to notify the RFQQ Coordinator of Bidder’s interest in receiving any revisions via e-mail.

RIGHT TO CANCEL

DOC reserves the right to cancel or reissue this RFQQ, in whole or in part, at any time without obligation or liability. If DOC determines that one or more Bidders did not comply with the requirements of a particular Stage of the procurement, DOC reserves the right to cancel that Stage and/or all affected Stages, and require all Bidders to re-perform the Stage or affected Stages.

SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS PARTICIPATION

In accordance with the legislative findings and policies set forth in RCWs 39.26.005, 39.26.090, 39.26.240, 39.26.245, 39.19, and 43.60A.200, the State encourages participation by small businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). Participation by small businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and MWBEs may be either on a direct basis as a bidder or as a subcontractor to a Bidder. While the State does not give preferential treatment to MWBEs, it may give a preference to certified Veteran-owned businesses (a business certified by the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs under RCW 43.60A.190) or self-certified small businesses (as defined in RCW 39.26.010). No minimum level of MWBE or veteran-owned business participation shall be required, and responses will not be evaluated, rejected, or considered non-responsive on that basis. Bidders may contact the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) at https://omwbe.wa.gov/ and the Department of Veterans Affairs at https://www.dva.wa.gov/veterans-service-members-and-their-families/veteran-owned-businesses to obtain information on how to become certified and for potential subcontracting arrangements. Nothing in this section is intended to prevent or discourage participation from non-MWBEs or non-veteran-owned businesses.

In compliance with Department of Enterprise Services policy DES-090-06, for solicitations under $150,000 DOC intends to award to the lowest cost responsive and responsible small or veteran-owned Washington state bidder that best meets the requirements of the solicitation and presents the best value to DOC as determined by the DOC evaluation team in its sole discretion.

ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

Bids must provide 150 days for acceptance by DOC from the due date for the receipt of Bids.

MOST FAVORABLE TERMS

DOC reserves the right to make an award without further discussion of the Bid submitted. Therefore, the Bid should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms that the Bidder can propose. DOC reserves the right to contact a Bidder for clarification of its Bid during the evaluation process. In addition, if the Bidder is selected as the Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder, DOC reserves the right to enter into contract negotiations with the Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder, which may include discussion regarding the terms of the Bid.

DOC reserves the right to negotiate with the next highest ranked Bidder and to contract with that Bidder if a contract is not signed by the Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder (LRRB) within ten (10) business days after a Contract is presented by DOC.

INCORPORATION OF BID INTO CONTRACT

This RFQQ document (including any addenda and amendments), Bidder’s Bid (including any submissions made by Bidder to DOC after the Bid is submitted), electronic recordings of the oral presentation and the presentation materials, and any commitments made by the Bidder at the demo (if any) will become part of the representations and warranties of Bidder in the Contract and will be incorporated into and become attached to the Contract.

Bidders cannot treat the Bid as a “marketing” document, as it will become part of the contractual commitment of the Bidder. Bidders’ subject matter experts, project team, technical staff, and others, as appropriate, must be involved to ensure that all responses in the Bidder’s Bid are accurate, and can support the representations and warranties reflected in the Contract that are part of this RFQQ.

Any disclaimer or other language contained in a Bid that differs from the requirements described in this section will be disregarded by DOC and deemed to have no force or effect. If Bidder rejects the incorporation of any of the above materials into the resulting Contract, DOC will disqualify Bidder.

COSTS TO PROPOSE

DOC will not be liable to the Bidder for any costs related to responding to this RFQQ.

NO OBLIGATION TO CONTRACT

This RFQQ does not obligate the state of Washington or DOC to contract for goods or services specified herein.

REJECTION OF BIDS

DOC reserves the right at its sole discretion to reject any and all Bids received without penalty and not to issue a contract as a result of this RFQQ.

COMMITMENT OF FUNDS

The Secretary of DOC or their delegate are the only individuals who may legally commit DOC to the expenditure of funds for a contract resulting from this RFQQ. No costs chargeable to the proposed Contract may be incurred before receipt of a fully executed contract. No payments in advance or in anticipation of services to be provided under this contract shall be made by DOC.

ELECTRONIC PAYMENT

Washington State requires the use of electronic payments in its transactions. The successful bidder will be provided a form to complete with the contract to authorize such payment method.

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

SUBMISSION OF BIDS

Bids must be submitted by email. Late bids will not be accepted and will be automatically disqualified from further consideration.

Email bids to the RFQQ Coordinator, who is DOC’s sole point of contact for this procurement, at the email address identified in Section 2.1. The bid must be received by DOC no later than the time and date identified in section 2.2.

RESPONSIVENESS

All bids will be reviewed by the RFQQ Coordinator to determine compliance with administrative requirements and instructions specified in this RFQQ. Failure to comply with any part of the RFQQ may result in rejection of the bid as non-responsive. DOC, however, reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to waive minor administrative irregularities.

Bids must respond to the procurement requirements. Do not respond by referring to material presented elsewhere. The bid must be complete and must stand on its own merits. All bids and any accompanying documentation become the property of DOC and will not be returned.

RESPONDING TO REQUIREMENTS

Requirements Responses The Bidder must provide clear, concise, direct, detailed and specific responses to each item. Except where explicitly requested, do not submit marketing materials, white papers, brochures, customer testimonials, product or cut sheets, or other pre-printed materials in response to the requirements. Any such references will be disregarded by DOC. For requirements that state: “Describe …,” “Describe how . . .,” “Explain . . .,” or similar open-ended references, Bidder must respond with information as to how Bidder’s solution specifically meets the unique requirements or needs or solves the described problem.

Failure to provide any requested information in the prescribed format may result in disqualification of the Bidder. However, Bidders are allowed to make changes to a response form’s font types, font sizes, page orientation, headers and/or footers, and spacing.

Figures and tables must be numbered and referenced in the text of the Bid by that number. Foldouts containing charts, spreadsheets and oversize exhibits are permissible.

The Bidder must respond to each requirement. If a requirement cannot be/is not met by Bidders’ Bid, Bidder must explicitly state that it does not meet the requirement. Leaving any requirements blank, without any response, will result in a DOC evaluation of “Fail” for the requirement. A failure evaluation may cause the entire response to be eliminated from consideration. A failure evaluation will not automatically be a basis for disqualification if a Bidder provides a response that it believes complies with the requirement, but that DOC determines either partially meets or does not meet the requirement. DOC reserves the right to discuss with the Bidder how the proposed solution can meet or better meet DOC’s requirement.

The Bidder should include information in its response that is critical to service delivery and provide competitive advantage. DOC does not desire highly conceptual responses. DOC desires responses that are brief, clear, and directly address the specific requirement.

The Bidder must respond to requirements by providing the Bidder’s response as directed by the requirements document. The explanations in the Bidder’s response will only be reviewed by DOC for evaluation purposes, and will not operate to diminish the assurances provided elsewhere in the Bid. DOC reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to remove or require the removal of any or all the explanations in the Bidder’s response when incorporating the response into the Contract documents. Any information set forth in the Bidder’s response that identifies how Bidder intends to meet a requirement or references optional ways or means by which Bidder may approach or address a requirement will not affect Bidder’s obligation to meet the requirement.

The Bidder has an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications of DOC requirements prior to the submission of the Bid. Accordingly, DOC reserves the right to disregard any assumption or qualification in the Bid and evaluate the response based on our intended meaning of the requirement.

Any indication that a requirement “can be,” “could be,” or “may be” (or similar phrases) addressed using an option or approach shall nonetheless mean that Bidder can satisfy the applicable requirement.

BID CONTENTS

This section describes what is required in the Bid to be complete. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disqualification of a Bid as non-responsive. Bids must provide information in the same order as presented below and with the same headings. This will be helpful to the evaluators of the Bid, and should assist the Bidder in preparing a thorough response.

The Bid must include the following documents in the following order:

1. Transmittal Letter

2. Certifications and Assurances (EXHIBIT A)

3. Bidder Profile (EXHIBIT B), Bidder must include answers to the questions for all Subcontractors

4. Business Requirements Form (EXHIBIT C)

5. Auditor Requirements Form (EXHIBIT C(1))

6. Rate Proposal Form (EXHIBIT D)

7. Certification of Bid (EXHIBIT E)

8. Subcontractor Inclusion Plan (If required – See EXHIBIT F for instructions)

9. Issues List (EXHIBIT G) Transmittal Letter The Transmittal Letter must:

1. Be addressed to the DOC RFQQ Coordinator identified in Section 2.1.

2. Be submitted on the Bidder’s official business letterhead stationery.

3. Be signed and dated by a corporate officer, principal, manager, partner or other individual representative of the Bidder with the authorization to legally bind the Bidder.

4. Contain the following items in the following order:

a. An itemization of all materials and enclosures provided within the Bidder’s Bid.

b. Identification of all page numbers and Sections of the Bidder’s Bid that are marked as containing Confidential or Proprietary Data, with a statement of the basis for each claim of exemption or the particular exception from disclosure upon which the Bidder is making the claim.

Certifications and Assurances Form The Certifications and Assurances Form (EXHIBIT A) must be completed, signed, and submitted with the Bid.

**IMPORTANT** Please note that this RFQQ requires Bidders to certify on Attachment A that they/their subcontractors have the appropriate DOJ PREA certification. Bidders who do not satisfy this requirement will be administratively screened from further participation.

Bidder Profile Form The intent of the Bidder Profile Form (EXHIBIT B) is to collect information that will assist DOC in understanding the Bidder’s and any Auditor’s business.

Business Requirements Form The Bidder must complete and include the Business Requirements Form (EXHIBIT C). Bidder must provide detailed responses to each element of the Business Requirements Form. The responses in the Business Requirements Form will be incorporated into the Contract documents as a representation and warranty.

Auditor Requirements Form The Bidder Must complete and include the Auditor Requirements Form (EXHIBIT C(1)), for each Auditor they are proposing in response to this RFQQ. Bidder must provide detailed responses to each element of the Auditor Requirements Form, address the Auditor’s approach, methodology, to tasks required for this Project, and explain why they are the best qualified for the Project. The responses in the Business Requirements Form will be incorporated into the Contract documents as a representation and warranty. The audit schedule proposed on the Rate Proposal Form (EXHIBIT D) will be evaluated as part of the overall Auditor score.

Rate Proposal Form Bidder must submit pricing by completing the Rate Proposal Form (EXHIBIT D). DOC will not review or consider any Bidder cost or pricing information in any other portion of the Bid.

Certification of Bid The Certification of Bid (EXHIBIT E) must be completed, signed, and submitted with the Bid.

Subcontractor Inclusion Plan Bidders who intend to utilize subcontractors to perform work in this RFQQ must read the Subcontractor Inclusion Plan instructions and complete the accompanying form (EXHIBIT F) and return the completed form with the bid.

Issues List The Bidder must complete and include an Issues List as described in this section using EXHIBIT G. If Bidder has no concerns, exceptions, or objections to any of the terms or conditions contained in the Contract documents provided in this RFQQ the Bidder must state so on the form.

Issues, concerns, exceptions, or objections to any of the terms or conditions contained in the Contract Model (EXHIBIT H) and/or General Terms & Conditions (EXHIBIT H(1)) must be documented by the Bidder in the Issues List. The Issues List response must set out by section or paragraph a description of each issue, concern, exception, and/or objection. EXHIBIT G, Issues List, sets forth the Issues List template to be used for the response. An Issues List must be provided for the Contract Model and the General Terms and Conditions. Bidders will need to submit the Issues List on behalf of their Subcontractors.

In completing the Issues List, Bidder must describe, in business terms and not in proposed Contract or legal language, the issue, concern, exception or objection it has and then propose a compromise that is reasonable in light of the commitment being sought by DOC. The Issues List must provide the reason or rationale supporting the issue, concern, exception, or objection. Simply stating that a paragraph is "not acceptable" or supplying proposed Contract terms without describing (in business language) the reason or rationale will be considered non-responsive. If the Issues List fails to identify a particular term or condition, the term or condition will be deemed accepted, and DOC will not negotiate further changes to such paragraphs or sections. The Issues List provided to DOC must be attached to Bidder’s Bid in an unrestricted, editable Microsoft Word format.

DOC reserves the right to discuss the Issues List with the Bidders and applicable Subcontractors and require Bidders to clarify and supplement the Issues List at any time during the evaluation process. Any changes to the Issues List will require Bidder to clarify, revise, and resubmit the Issues List.

Contract Model and General Terms & Conditions The Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder will be expected to enter into a Contract containing Terms and Conditions that are substantially the same as those found in the Contract Model attached as EXHIBIT H and the General Terms and Conditions attached as EXHIBIT H(1). Under no circumstance should a Bidder submit its own standard contract terms and conditions in response to this solicitation. The Bidder may use the Issues List to submit exceptions to the contract documents. DOC will review requested exceptions and accept or reject the same at its sole discretion. Such exceptions will be reviewed and negotiated after selection of the Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder (LRRB). If the Bidder and DOC are unable to reach agreement on the terms of the Contract within ten (10) business days after the Contract is presented to the LRRB for signature, Bidder may be disqualified from the award under this RFQQ.

Redlined Bids Redlined Documents Will Not Be Reviewed: The Issues List is the mechanism to communicate issues and concerns on the Contract documents. Do not provide in the Bid, the Issues List, or otherwise, a redlined contract, paragraph, or clauses. Redlined text will only require DOC to make potentially inaccurate assumptions about what Bidder's specific issues or concerns might be. Redlined text will not be reviewed by DOC.

Bidder’s Standard Contract or Proposed Language Standard Bidder Contracts Will Not Be Reviewed: Do not provide a copy of Bidder's standard contract or proposed language to DOC in the Bid.

No Substantial Changes to Material Terms Bidders are reminded that this is a competitive solicitation for a public contract and that DOC cannot accept a Bid or enter into a Contract that substantially changes the material terms and specifications published in this RFQQ.

Use of the Issues List The Issues List frames discussions between DOC and Bidders regarding the terms and conditions contained in the Contract documents.

The Issues List will be used initially to determine the responsiveness of the Bid. Bids that are contingent upon DOC making substantial changes to material terms and specifications published in the RFQQ will be determined to be non-responsive. DOC will consider the number and nature of the items on the Bidder’s Issue List in determining the likelihood of completing a Contract with the Bidder. Unresolved issues regarding the material business terms of the Contract and Project documents may affect DOC’s selection of Bidders to advance to the next stage of the procurement.

PRE-BID Conference At the date and time set forth in the Solicitation Schedule, DOC will host a virtual pre-bid conference via Microsoft Teams to address questions, clear up ambiguities, respond to issues or concerns, and establish a common basis for understanding the Solicitation requirements. Bidder attendance at the pre-bid conference is optional. Bidders that wish to attend the pre-bid conference should review the Solicitation in its entirety and come prepared with questions or concerns to discuss with the Coordinator, DOC representatives, and other interested Bidders.

The pre-bid conference will be held via Microsoft Teams which allows for participation by video or by phone. The pre-bid conference will only be held if one or more Bidders RSVP to the Coordinator by the RSVP deadline set forth in the Solicitation Schedule. Bidders that sent a timely RSVP will be emailed the meeting link and call details prior to the scheduled pre-bid conference. The pre-bid conference will not be recorded.

DOC considers all oral communications unofficial and non-binding on DOC, including those communications made during the pre-bid conference. Bidders should rely only on written statements issued by the Coordinator or posted to WEBS. The Coordinator will gather questions during the pre-bid conference and, where appropriate, issue an official response via a solicitation amendment posted to WEBS.

VENDOR’S QUESTIONS AND DOC’S RESPONSES

Vendors may submit written questions and requests for clarification pertaining to this RFQQ to the RFQQ Coordinator identified in Section 2.1.

Vendor's questions must be in writing and sent by email. Questions received after the deadline date stated in the Schedule of Procurement Activities (Section 2.2) may or may not be answered at DOC's discretion.

The basic content of all vendor’s questions, and DOC's responses to the questions, will be published on WEBS. Authors of questions will not be identified in this published document.

DOC's response as set forth in a published questions and answers amendment shall take precedence over the RFQQ if a conflict exists between the two documents.

The only official responses of DOC with regard to vendor's questions will be those stated in writing from the RFQQ Coordinator.

COMPLAINTS

Vendors may submit a complaint by email to the RFQQ Coordinator no later than the complaint deadline identified in Section 2.2. The purpose of the complaint process is to settle unresolved vendor issues or concerns that were not resolved during the question and answer period. Vendors are expected to raise any issues they have concerning the RFQQ early in the RFQQ process. If a vendor believes the RFQQ unnecessarily restricts competition, contains inadequate or insufficient requirements, or utilizes an evaluation process that is unfair or flawed, the Bidder may submit a formal written complaint to the RFQQ Coordinator. The complaint process allows vendors to focus on the solicitation requirements and evaluation process and raise issues with these processes early enough to allow DOC to correct potential problems before bids are submitted and time is expended on evaluations. DOC’s Contracts Administrator will review the complaint and during this time the solicitation process may continue. If DOC does not find merit in the complaint, no further action will be taken. If DOC finds merit with the complaint DOC may take steps to intervene, such as requiring modification of solicitation requirements, modification of the schedule, or withdrawal of the RFQQ. The response to complaints, including any changes to the solicitation, will be posted on WEBS. The resulting decision is final with no further administrative appeal available. A complaint may not be raised again during the protest period.

DEBRIEFING OF UNSUCCESSFUL BIDDERS

Upon request, a debriefing conference will be scheduled with an unsuccessful Bidder. The request for a debriefing conference must be received by the RFQQ Coordinator within three (3) business days after the date on which the Bidder is notified of the Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB). The debriefing must be held within three (3) business days of the Bidder’s request.

Discussion at a debriefing conference is limited to a critique of the requesting Bidder’s Bid. Comparisons between Bids or evaluation of other Bids is not allowed. Debriefing conferences will be conducted by telephone and scheduled for a maximum of 30 minutes.

PROTEST PROCEDURE

This procedure is available to Bidders who submitted a response to this procurement document and who have participated in a debriefing conference. Upon completing the debriefing conference, the Bidder is allowed five (5) business days to file a protest of the procurement with the RFQQ Coordinator. Protests may be submitted by email to the RFQQ Coordinator.

Bidders protesting this procurement shall follow the procedures described below. Protests that do not follow these procedures will not be considered. This protest procedure constitutes the sole administrative remedy available to Bidders under this procurement.

All protests must be in writing and signed by the protesting party or an authorized Agent. The protest must state the grounds for the protest with specific facts and complete statements of the action(s) being protested. A description of the relief or corrective action being requested should also be included. All protests shall be addressed to the RFQQ Coordinator.

Only protests stipulating an issue of fact concerning the following subjects shall be considered:

· A matter of bias, discrimination, or conflict of interest on the part of an evaluator;

· Errors in computing the score, if any; or

· Non-compliance with procedures described in the procurement document or DOC policy.

Protests not based on procedural matters will not be considered. Protests will be rejected as without merit if they address issues such as: 1) an evaluator’s professional judgment on the quality of a Bid, or 2) DOC’s assessment of its own needs or requirements.

Upon receipt of a protest, a protest review will be held by DOC. The DOC Contracts Administrator or an employee delegated by the Contracts Administrator who was not involved in the procurement will consider the record and all available facts and issue a decision within five (5) business days of receipt of the protest. If additional time is required, the protesting party will be notified of the delay.

In the event a protest may affect the interest of another Bidder that submitted a Bid, such Bidder will be given an opportunity to submit its views and any relevant information on the protest to the RFQQ Coordinator.

The final determination of the protest shall:

· Find the protest lacking in merit and uphold DOC’s action; or

· Find only technical or harmless errors in DOC’s acquisition process and determine the DOC to be in substantial compliance and reject the protest; or

· Find merit in the protest and provide DOC options which may include:

· Correct the errors and re-evaluate all Bids, and/or

· Reissue the solicitation document and begin a new process, or

· Make other findings and determine other courses of action as appropriate.

If DOC determines that the protest is without merit, DOC will enter into a Contract with the Apparent Successful Bidder. If the protest is determined to have merit, one of the alternatives noted in the preceding paragraph will be taken.

EVALUATION AND CONTRACT AWARD

ALL ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR EVALUATION.

EVALUATION PROCEDURE

Responsive Bids will be evaluated strictly in accordance with the requirements stated in this solicitation and any addenda issued. The evaluation of Bids shall be accomplished by an evaluation team, to be designated by DOC, who will determine the best Bid for DOC.

DOC will perform the evaluation in 3 stages. For each stage, DOC will select which Bidder(s) may proceed to the next stage.

SOLICITATION STAGES

Stage 1: Administrative Screening Bids will be reviewed by the RFQQ Coordinator to determine, on a pass/fail basis, compliance with administrative requirements as specified in Section 3, Instructions to Bidders, and the Certification of Bid (EXHIBIT E). The evaluation team will only evaluate Bids meeting these requirements.

Stage 2: Bid Evaluation & Reference Checks The DOC Evaluation Team will evaluate the submitted materials. The DOC Evaluation Team will take into consideration the overall evaluation, the Bidder Profile, Bidder Requirements, Auditor Requirements, the Issues List and references when selecting the participants for Stage 3. There is no set number of Bidders who will advance to Stage 3. The RFQQ Coordinator will notify Bidders with the results and whether or not their Bid is moving forward to the next stage. Bidders who do not initially move to the next stage may later be invited to move forward. *Note that reference checks may, at DOC’s sole discretion, be performed at later stages.

Stage 3: Contract Negotiations & Selection of the Apparent Successful Bidder In this Stage DOC will undertake contract negotiations with the Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder (LRRB). Upon successful contract negotiation, DOC will announce the Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB) who will be asked to sign the contract documents.

EVALUATION WEIGHTING

The following weighting will be assigned to the Proposal sections for evaluation purposes:

Stage 2:

Business Proposal Form:

Auditor Proposal Form:

10% 60%

EVALUATION APPROACH

Standard evaluation and scoring will be used for the Business Proposal Form and Auditor Requirements Form. Each evaluator will evaluate and score the entire document as a whole (i.e. evaluators will not be scoring individual elements in the forms). Each evaluator will assign a score to the entire Business Proposal Form and Auditor Requirements Form on a scale of 0 to 10 using the criteria identified in the following table. Scoring is at the complete discretion of the evaluator.

COST PROPOSAL EVALUATION

The Bidder with the lowest rate will receive the maximum number of points, and the remaining Bidders will be allocated points based on the difference between the rates.

Example:

Bidder A:

(Lowest Blended Hourly Rate) $80.00/hr = 100 Points Lowest Bidder receives all 100 available points

Bidder B:

(2nd Lowest Blended Hourly Rate) $100.00/hr ($80.00 / $100.00) x 100 = 80 Points Lowest Bid / Higher Bid = Percentage of Available Points * Available Points = Points Awarded

REFERENCE CHECKS

Reference checks of Bidders and their subcontractors will be conducted at DOC’s discretion during Stage 2 or later.

Each Reference Check will receive a PASS or FAIL Score. DOC reserves the right to disqualify a Bid and withdraw it from consideration if a Bidder receives a FAIL score.

LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER (LRRB)

Consistent with RCW 39.26.160, DOC will make a determination of the LRRB who will advance to Stage 4. There can be only one LRRB.

In Stage 4, DOC will undertake negotiations with the LRRB to determine final Contract terms, and to determine if the Bid may be improved in terms of best value to DOC.

At the successful conclusion of negotiations with the LRRB DOC will require that LRRB to sign a Contract.

If, after a reasonable period of time, DOC cannot reach agreement on acceptable Contract terms with the LRRB, DOC may suspend negotiations and undertake negotiations with the next LRRB as determined by the evaluation. Alternatively, DOC may request Best and Final Offers (BAFOs) from all Responsive and Responsible Bidders, or cancel the procurement.

BEST AND FINAL OFFERS (BAFO)

Once a Bid has been submitted, Bidders will not be allowed to make material changes to their Bids unless they receive a request for a BAFO from DOC. The circumstances under which a BAFO may be requested are described in this section.

At any time after the completion of Stage 2, DOC may notify all remaining Responsive and Responsible Bidders that DOC will require them to submit BAFOs. The notice will be in writing and will set a specific time and date certain by which the BAFO must be submitted to DOC. The BAFO notice may set additional conditions and requirements for the submission of the BAFO. The notice will advise Bidders that the BAFO shall be in writing. The BAFO Notice will be posted on WEBS. Prior to the closing date for the submission of BAFOs DOC may, at DOC’s discretion, engage in discussion with all remaining Responsive and Responsible Bidders regarding how Bidders can make their Bids more responsive to the selection criteria in the RFQQ. All Bidders shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and revision of Bids, and such revisions may be permitted after submissions and prior to award for the purpose of obtaining BAFOs. In conducting discussions, there shall be no disclosure of any information derived from Bids submitted by competing Bidders.

Evaluation of BAFOs and selection of a Successful Bidder will be based upon the evaluation criteria set out in the RFQQ. Terms proposed as part of a BAFO must be substantially in accordance with the terms requested in this RFQQ and may not materially alter the requirements of the RFQQ.

At the conclusion of negotiations with the LRRB, DOC will require that Bidder to submit a signed Contract as a BAFO pending acceptance.

AWARD

Any Contract resulting from this RFQQ will be awarded to the LRRB whose Bid, in the sole opinion of DOC, offers the greatest benefit to DOC. The decision will be based on consideration of the total best value, including, but not limited to, the responsiveness of the Bid to the requirements as set forth in the RFQQ, the competence and responsibility of the Bidder, quality of service, breadth and depth of offering, the strength and form of contractual commitments made by Bidder to DOC and total cost. In making an award DOC may consider:

1. The relative ability, capacity, and skill of the Bidder to perform the Contract and provide the service required, including: (a) vendor financial capacity and stability; and (b) quality of professional personnel.

2. Whether the Bidder can complete the Project within the time specified.

3. The character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience, and efficiency of the Bidder.

4. The quality of performance of previous contracts or services including previous and existing compliance by the Bidder with laws relating to the Contract or services, and vendor expertise with engagements of similar scope and complexity.

5. The extent to which the Bid satisfies the needs of DOC as specified in the RFQQ documents, including: (a) the relative quality of the product or service proposed by the Bidder; (b) quality and effectiveness of the proposed business solution and approach; and (c) innovative use of current technologies.

6. The cost of the Bid to the state, including: (a) projected internal cost to DOC for the Project; and (b) the extent to which the Bid provides competitive pricing, economies, and efficiencies.

7. The strength and form of contractual commitments made by Bidder to DOC and the willingness to conform to the contractual terms as proposed in the RFQQ.

8. Whether the Bid encourages diverse contractor participation.

9. Whether the Bid considers human health and environmental impacts.

DOC reserves the right to award the Contract to the Bidder whose Bid is deemed to be in the best interest of DOC and the state of Washington. Hence, DOC may choose to not award to the lowest-cost Bid.

DOC will notify the Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB) of its selection in writing, and will also announce the ASB on Washington’s Electronic Business Solution (WEBS), https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov/. Bidders whose Bids were not selected for award will be notified separately by email from the RFQQ Coordinator.

This RFQQ and the award of any resulting Contract will be made in conformance with applicable DOC policies and Washington State law. Bids made by Bidders are offers to Contract and will not be binding upon DOC until accepted by execution of the Contract.

DOC NEGOTIATION PROCEDURES

The LRRB invited to Stage 4 will participate in Contract negotiations to agree on the language for final Contract terms and to determine if the Bid may be improved in terms of best value to DOC. During negotiations in Stage 4, DOC and the LRRB may discuss alterations to the Bid or the RFQQ requirements, provided they do not substantially change the scope of work and material terms in the RFQQ or substantially increase the cost to DOC above that contained in the original bid.

Final Written Offer At the conclusion of negotiations in Stage 4, DOC will request that the Bidder sign a Contract as a final written offer with a provision that such offer is irrevocable and cannot be withdrawn prior for 90 days, (or such longer period as DOC and Bidder may agree). The Contract signed by the Bidder can only be countersigned, and thus become a binding agreement between Bidder (and any applicable Third Party Solution Provider) and DOC, subject to the results of the protest period and after the Contract is approved by appropriate authorities in the state.

APPARENT SUCCESSFUL BIDDER (ASB)

Upon successful completion of Contract negotiations and DOC’s receipt of a final Contract offer from a LRRB which appears acceptable, DOC will announce that Bidder as the ASB. DOC will notify the ASB of selection in writing. Announcement of the ASB will be promptly posted to WEBS. WEBS posting will be official notification to all Bidders of the ASB. Bidders not selected for further negotiation or award will be notified separately by the RFQQ Coordinator via email.

After the announcement of the ASB, DOC will hold a Bidder debriefing conference for any Bidder who requests one.

Consistent with RCW 39.26.030, following the announcement of the ASB, Bids and bid evaluations will be made available for public inspection.

The ASB must complete registration with the Department of Revenue within thirty (30) calendar days of being identified as the ASB and be responsible for collection and payment of all taxes due on payments made under the Contract resulting from this RFQQ. Bidders must also be qualified to do business in the state of Washington.

DOC may, at its sole discretion, announce the ASB prior to receipt of the final Contract offer from the Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder.

EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AND COMMITMENT OF FUNDS

Following announcement of the ASB, DOC anticipates it will execute a Contract (including all contract schedules and exhibits). The DOC Secretary or designee is the only governmental authority who may legally commit DOC to the expenditure of funds for a Contract resulting from this RFQQ. No costs chargeable to the proposed Contract may be incurred or encumbered by DOC before receipt of a fully executed Contract approved and signed by the DOC Secretary or designee. DOC may not sign a Contract before the Protest process is completed except when the Director of DES grants DOC the authority to do so due to exigent circumstances.

WAIVE MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE IRREGULARITIES

DOC reserves the right to waive minor administrative irregularities contained in any Bid. Additionally, DOC reserves the right, at its sole option, to make corrections to Bidders’ Bids when an obvious error or typo has been made in the Bid. Absent a request for BAFOs, Bidders will not be allowed to make changes to their Bid after the Bid submission deadline.

DOC may waive minor irregularities in a Bid provided that, in the judgment of DOC, such action will not negate fair competition and will permit proper comparative evaluation of Bids submitted. DOC’s waiver of an irregularity will in no way modify the RFQQ documents or excuse the Bidder from full compliance with other RFQQ requirements.

ERRORS IN BID

Bidders are liable for all errors or omissions contained in their Bids. Bidders will not be allowed to alter Bid documents after the deadline for Bid submission. DOC is not liable for any errors in Bids. DOC reserves the right to contact Bidder for clarification of Bid contents. In those cases where it is unclear to what extent a requirement or rate has been addressed, an evaluator may, at their discretion and acting through the RFQQ coordinator, contact a Bidder to clarify specific points in the submitted Bid. However, under no circumstances will the responding Bidder be allowed to make changes to the proposed items after the deadline stated for receipt of Bids.

NOTIFICATION TO BIDDERS

Bidders whose Bids have not been selected for further negotiation or award will be notified by e-mail.

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