S000000327 IFB Toxicology Lab Testing Services.pdf
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- Toxicology Lab Testing Services
- Solicitation number
- S000000327
- Issued by
- Arkansas
About this file
This document is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) issued by the Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services Office of State Procurement (TSS OSP) on behalf of the Arkansas State Crime Lab to obtain pricing and a contract for Toxicology Laboratory Testing Services related to the State Medical Examiner's casework. The IFB seeks to obtain an accredited laboratory through ANAB, ABFT, or ISO 15189 to provide a comprehensive testing panel for qualitative and quantitative identification of major drugs of abuse in blood. The contract term is for two years with the possibility of up to five one-year renewals, not to exceed seven years total. Bids are due by May 15, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. Central Time.
The IFB requires pricing to be firm for the initial two-year term, and any price increases during renewals must be supported by documentation demonstrating increased costs to the contractor. The State reserves the right to negotiate with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder if bids exceed available funding or if additional savings may result. The award is anticipated to be posted for 14 days prior to contract issuance. The successful contractor must be able to provide overnight shipping, all required shipping and chain of custody forms, and packaging materials, as well as expert testimony when required for legal proceedings.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Contract and Grant Disclosure Form.~24.pdf | ||
| S000000327 Bid Response Packet.docx | DOCX document | |
| Solicitation Response Guide~3.pdf | ||
| S000000327 Official Bid Price Sheet.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet |
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S000000327 Page 1 of 11
STATE OF ARKANSAS
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSFORMATION AND SHARED SERVICES
OFFICE OF STATE PROCUREMENT
501 Woodlane St., Ste. 220
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1023
INVITATION FOR BID
SOLICITATION DOCUMENT
SOLICITATION INFORMATION
Solicitation Number: S000000327 Solicitation Issued: May 2, 2024
Description: Toxicology Laboratory Testing Services
Department: Arkansas State Crime Lab
SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND DELIVERY OF RESPONSE DOCUMENTS
Bid Opening Date: May 15, 2024 Bid Opening Time: 1:30 p.m. Central Time
Bid responses for this Invitation for Bid must be submitted through ARBuy, the State’s eProcurement system.
It can be accessed at arbuy.arkansas.gov. Bids received after the submission deadline may be rejected as untimely.
LIVE BID OPENING INFORMATION
Teams Meeting Link: Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 271 231 812 749
Passcode: e6ZBrc
Call in (audio only): 501.244.3310 or find a local number
Phone conference ID: 524 412 173#
TSS OFFICE OF STATE PROCUREMENT CONTACT INFORMATION
TSS OSP Procurement Specialist:
Julia Shackelford Procurement Specialist’s Direct Phone Number:
501-371-6079
Email Address: Julia.shackelford@arkansas.gov TSS OSP’s Main Number: 501-324-9316
TSS OSP Website: transform.ar.gov/procurement file://///tss-file-p1/INDOSPADMIN$/%23_GENERAL_%20PROCUREMENT_%20TEAM_%23/BUYERS/Brandi%20Schroeder/Bid%20Folder%20Documents/%23New%20Drafts/IFB/1%20OSP%20Use/arbuy.arkansas.gov/ https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YWNhZDdjYTYtMWRmOS00OTU3LWJlNzctYmFiZmU0NjA5NjA0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%225ec1d8f0-cb62-4000-b327-8e63b0547048%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22a202d409-7a31-4076-91b4-f7352fde7396%22%7d https://dialin.teams.microsoft.com/6b6513dc-a034-48d2-8d06-7e711c4ecc0b?id=719036839 https://www.transform.ar.gov/procurement/
S000000327 Page 2 of 11
SECTION 1 – INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This Invitation for Bid (IFB) is issued by the TSS Office of State Procurement (TSS OSP) on behalf of the Arkansas State Crime Lab (“Agency”) to obtain pricing and a contract with a company that has an accredited laboratory through ANAB, ABFT, or ISO 15189 for Toxicology Laboratory Testing Services that is related to the State Medical Examiner’s casework.
The Agency intends to obtain for the duration of the contract or any contract extensions thereof, products that reflect the industry's latest drug testing technology. The state recognizes that there will be drug testing technological modifications and improvements that will become available during the life of this contract that will be unavailable on the date of the contract award. New items, or items not previously tested shall be available to the Agency at discounted contract pricing.
Direct all correspondence regarding this Solicitation to TSS OSP and not to the Agency.
1.2 TYPE OF CONTRACT
A. As a result of this IFB, TSS OSP intends to award a contract to a single Contractor (see Contractor
Selection).
B. The anticipated starting date for any resulting contract will be from date of award, except that the actual contract start date may be adjusted unilaterally by the State for up to three (3) calendar months. By submitting a signed bid in response to the IFB, the Prospective Contractor represents and warrants that it will honor its bid as being held open as irrevocable for this period.
C. The initial term of a resulting contract will be for two (2) years (2024-2026). Upon mutual agreement between the Agency and the Contractor, the contract may be renewed for up to five (5) additional one-year terms or portions thereof, not to exceed a total aggregate contract term of seven (7) consecutive years.
1.3 DEFINITION OF TERMS
A. Unless otherwise defined herein, all terms defined in Arkansas Procurement Law have the same meaning herein.
B. “Business Days” means Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, excluding State Holidays. A list of Arkansas State Holidays can be found at the following link:
Arkansas Secretary of State
C. The terms “Agency and “Department are used synonymously in this document.
D. The terms “Invitation for Bid,” “IFB,” and “Solicitation” are used synonymously in this document.
E. “Prospective Contractor” means a responsive and responsible bidder who submits a bid that meets the Requirements and criteria set forth in this Solicitation.
F. “Requirement” means a term, condition, provision, deliverable, Specification, or a combination thereof, that is obligated under the Solicitation, resulting contract, or both.
G. “Shall” and “must” mean the imperative and are used to identify Requirements and Specifications.
H. “Specification” means any technical or purchase description or other description of the physical or functional characteristics, or of the nature, of a commodity or service. “Specification” may include a description of any Requirement for inspecting, testing, or preparing a commodity or service for delivery.
I. “State” means the State of Arkansas. When the term “State” is used herein to reference any obligation of the State under a contract that results from this Solicitation, that obligation is limited to the Department using such a contract.
https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/news/calendar/
S000000327 Page 3 of 11
1.4 CONTRACTOR SELECTION
A. Award is expected to be made to the responsive and responsible Prospective Contractor determined to have submitted the lowest bid that meets the Requirements and criteria set forth in the IFB, based on the 2024-2026 ALL OR NONE TOTAL Cost submitted by the Prospective Contractor on the excel spreadsheet that is attached as a separate document in the ARBuy portal.
1. Awarded Prospective Contractor shall be accredited through ANAB, ABFT, or ISO 15189.
B. If the State so chooses, negotiations may be conducted with the lowest-bidding, responsive and responsible Prospective Contractor if:
1. All bids received from responsive and responsible bidders exceed available funding; or
2. It appears that additional savings to the state may result from negotiation.
C. If negotiations fail to result in a contract, the State may negotiate with the next lowest-bidding, responsive and responsible Prospective Contractor.
1. The negotiation process may be repeated until an acceptable lower bid price is negotiated, or until such time the State determines negotiations are no longer in the best interest of the state.
2. Negotiations are conducted at the sole discretion of the State.
D. Once the anticipated awardee has been determined, the anticipated award will be posted to ARBuy, generally for a period of fourteen (14) days prior to the issuance of a contract. The postings are anticipated awards only, subject to protest.
E. A contract is not effective prior to final award being made by the State; some contracts may be subject to Legislative review prior to final award.
1.5 CLARIFICATION OF SOLICITATION
A. Submit questions regarding this Solicitation via the Solicitation posting in ARBuy by 2:00 P.M. Central
Time on or before May 7, 2024.
1. For each question submitted, Prospective Contractor should reference the specific Solicitation item number to which the question refers, as applicable.
2. Prospective Contractors’ written questions will be consolidated and answered by the State as deemed appropriate. The State’s consolidated written response is anticipated to be posted to the Solicitation posting in ARBuy by the close of business on May 8, 2024. If Prospective Contractor questions are unclear or non-substantive in nature, the State may request clarification of a question(s) or decline to answer.
B. The Prospective Contractor should notify the TSS OSP Procurement Specialist of any term, condition, etc., that precludes the Prospective Contractor from submitting a Responsive Bid.
Prospective Contractors should note that it is the responsibility of the Prospective Contractor to seek resolution of all such issues, including those relating to the terms and conditions of the contract, prior to the submission of a bid.
C. Prospective Contractors may contact the TSS OSP Procurement Specialist with non-substantive questions at any time prior to the bid opening.
D. An oral statement by TSS OSP will not be part of any contract resulting from this Solicitation and may not reasonably be relied on by any Prospective Contractor as an aid to interpretation unless it is reduced to writing and expressly adopted by TSS OSP.
1.6 RESPONSE DOCUMENTS
A. All bids must be submitted through ARBuy, the State’s eProcurement system. The system can be accessed at arbuy.arkansas.gov.
1. Prospective Contractors must be registered in ARBuy to submit bids.
https://arbuy.arkansas.gov/
S000000327 Page 4 of 11
B. Bid Response Packet
1. Prospective Contractors shall utilize the Bid Response Packet attached to the Solicitation in ARBuy to submit their bids.
2. The following are bid submission Requirements and must be submitted as part of a Prospective Contractor’s bid.
a. Signed Bid Signature Page; signature may be ink or digital.
b. Completed Bid Response Packet, which must be in English.
c. Completed pricing submitted into the ARBuy portal. The Official Bid Price Sheet is listed as a separate excel spreadsheet in the ARBuy portal. The Prospective Contractor shall enter their price in the blue shaded cells on the Official Bid Price Sheet.
i. Pricing must be proposed in U.S. dollars and cents.
ii. Quantities stated are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Prospective Contractor must bid unit price on the estimated quantity and unit of measure specified.
• The State may order more or less than the estimated quantity on term contracts, and the Contractor shall sell to the Department quantities ordered at no more than the bid price.
iii. If pricing documents do not allow for accurate pricing, Prospective Contractor should notify the TSS OSP Procurement Specialist at least seventy-two (72) hours before the bid opening time.
iv. Prices must be firm for two (2) years and adjustments may be negotiated at the time of contract renewal in 2026.
• A request for a price increase must include supporting documentation demonstrating that the increase in contract price is based on an increased cost to the Contractor and that the proposed pricing is still competitive in the marketplace. The State has the right to approve or deny any request for a price adjustment.
v. Discount from list bids pricing is not acceptable unless requested elsewhere in the Solicitation.
vi. State and local sales taxes should not be included in the bid price. Trade discounts should be deducted from the unit price and the net price should be shown in the bid.
d. Copy of Prospective Contractor’s Equal Opportunity Policy
i. Pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated § 19-11-104, OSP requires a Prospective Contractor bidding on a state contract to submit a copy of the Prospective Contractor’s Equal Opportunity (EO) Policy. Prospective Contractors not required by law to have an EO Policy must submit a written statement to that effect.
e. Proposed Subcontractors Form (see SRV-1 section 14.)
3. The following items, which must be submitted prior to a contract award to the Prospective Contractor, may also be included with the Prospective Contractor’s bid response:
a. EO 98-04 Contract & Grant Disclosure Form (see SRV-1 section 11.)
b. Copy of Prospective Contractor’s accreditations such as ANAB, ABFT, or ISO 15189.
4. Prospective Contractors should not include any other documents or ancillary information, such as a cover letter or promotional marketing information.
C. Prospective Contractors should not alter any language in Solicitation document(s) or Official Bid Price Sheet provided by the State.
D. Prospective Contractors’ bids cannot be altered or amended after the bid opening except as permitted by law or rule.
https://www.transform.ar.gov/wp-content/uploads/Services-Contract-SRV-1-Fillable-Form-V.3.6.27.22.pdf https://www.transform.ar.gov/wp-content/uploads/Services-Contract-SRV-1-Fillable-Form-V.3.6.27.22.pdf
S000000327 Page 5 of 11
E. As requested, Prospective Contractors shall provide clarification regarding Prospective Contractor’s bid response.
F. Prospective Contractors may submit multiple bids.
S000000327 Page 6 of 11
SECTION 2 – SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
2.1 CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIERMENTS
A. The Contractor shall provide a comprehensive testing panel to include qualitative and quantitative identification of the following major drugs of abuse in blood. Specimens submitted by the Agency will typically be postmortem blood and/or tissue.
10-Hydroxycarbazepine Clonidine Hydroxyzine O-Desmethyltramadol
4-ANPP Clozapine Imipramine O-Desmethylvenlafaxine
6-Beta-Naltrexol - Free Cocaethylene Isopropanol Olanzapine
6-Monoacetylmorphine Cocaine Ketamine Oxazepam
7-Amino Clonazepam Codeine Lacosamide Oxycodone
7-Amino Flunitrazepam Cotinine Lamotrigine Oxymorphone
9-Hydroxyrisperidone Cyclobenzaprine Levamisole para-Fluorofentanyl
Acetaminophen Desalkylflurazepam Levetiracetam Paroxetine
Acetone Desipramine Lidocaine Phencyclidine
Acetyl Fentanyl Desmethylclomipramine Loperamide Phentermine
Alfentanil Desmethyldoxepin Lorazepam Phenylpropanolamine
Alpha-
Hydroxyalprazolam
Desmethylloperamide LSD Phenytoin
Alpha-Hydroxyetizolam Desmethylsertraline mCPP Primidone
Alprazolam Dextro / Levo Methorphan MDA Prochlorperazine
Amitriptyline Dextrorphan / Levorphanol MDMA Promethazine
Amlodipine Diazepam Memantine Pseudoephedrine
Amphetamine Dicyclomine Meprobamate Psilocin
Aripiprazole Dihydrocodeine / Hydrocodol
Mescaline Quetiapine
Atomoxetine Diltiazem Methadone Quinine
Atropine Diphenhydramine Methamphetamine Risperidone
Barbiturates Donepezil Methanol Salicylates
Benzoylecgonine Doxepin Methocarbamol Scope Statement
Blood Alcohol
Concentration (BAC)
Doxylamine Methylphenidate Sertraline
Bromazepam Duloxetine Metoprolol Sildenafil
Buprenorphine EDDP Midazolam Strychnine
Bupropion Ephedrine Mirtazapine Sufentanil
Buspirone Eszopiclone / Zopiclone Mitragynine Tadalafil
Caffeine Ethanol Morphine Tapentadol
Cannabinoids Etizolam Naloxone Temazepam
Carbamazepine Fentanyl Naltrexone Tetrahydrozoline
Carbamazepine-10,11-
Epoxide
Flualprazolam Naproxen Topiramate
Carfentanil Flubromazepam Nicotine Tramadol
Carisoprodol Flubromazolam Norbuprenorphine Trazodone
Chlordiazepoxide Flunitrazepam Norclozapine Triazolam
Chlorpheniramine Fluoxetine Nordiazepam U-47700
Chlorpromazine Gabapentin Norfentanyl Valerylfentanyl
S000000327 Page 7 of 11
Citalopram /
Escitalopram
Guaifenesin Norflunitrazepam Venlafaxine
Clobazam Haloperidol Norfluoxetine Verapamil
Clomipramine Hydrocodone Norketamine Warfarin
Clonazepam Hydromorphone Norpseudoephedrine Xylazine
Clonazolam Hydroxybupropion Nortriptyline Ziprasidone
B. The Contractor shall provide the Agency a discounted price if data requires reflex testing.
C. In the event the agency requires additional testing outside of the primary test, the Contractor shall provide a discounted rate on all their catalog items.
D. The Contractor shall provide reports in an electronic format, as determined by the Agency, to the Agency within twenty-one (21) calendar days or less of submission or when requested by the Agency.
1. The Agency may accept a laboratory's standard format that meets all accreditation requirements.
E. The Contractor shall provide overnight shipping cost.
F. The Contractor shall provide all shipping forms and/or chain of custody forms.
G. The Contractor shall provide all packaging materials (e.g., specimen containers, boxes, wrapping, foam bracing, etc.)
H. Upon request from the Agency, the Contractor shall provide, at no additional cost to the Agency, a data package that includes the following documents for testimony, expert witness, and/or any other legal proceedings:
1. All administrative documentation (e.g., accession notes and chains of custody) and technical data (e.g., case, control, and batch data).
2. Historical control data for the type of instrument/method of testing.
I. The Contractor shall provide expert testimony when required for legal proceedings. Testimony may include video, phone, and/or any other recordable court approved methods. At the time of issuance of this IFB, less than ten percent (10%) of the casework requires courtroom testimony. Testimony is typically as a fact witness.
2.2 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
A. State law requires that contracts for services include Performance Standards for measuring the overall quality of services that a Contractor shall provide.
B. The State may be open to negotiations of Performance Standards prior to contract award, prior to the commencement of services, or at times throughout the contract duration. Table A: Performance Standards identifies expected deliverables, performance measures, or outcomes; and defines the acceptable standards.
C. Performance Standards shall not be amended unless they are agreed to in writing and signed by the parties.
D. Failure to meet the minimum Performance Standards as specified will result in the assessment of damages.
E. In the event a Performance Standard is not met, the Contractor will have the opportunity to defend or respond to the insufficiency. The State has the right to waive damages if it determines there were extenuating factors beyond the control of the Contractor that hindered the performance of services. In these instances, the State has final determination of the performance acceptability.
F. Should any compensation be owed to the Department due to the assessment of damages, the Contractor shall follow the direction of the Department regarding the required compensation process.
S000000327 Page 8 of 11
TABLE A: PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Criteria Standard Damages
Turnaround Time on Electronic Reports
Provide reports in electronic format within twenty-one (21) calendar days or less of request.
$10 credit for each calendar day beyond twenty-one (21) days the Contractor fails to provide report. Contractor shall credit damages applied to the first submitted monthly invoice.
Packaging Materials Provide all packaging materials per the Requirements specified within the IFB.
Reimbursement of cost of packaging materials not supplied by the Contractor.
Contractor shall credit damages applied to the first submitted monthly invoice.
Comprehensive Testing Specified drugs included in testing.
If any specified drugs are no longer included in a test, a 20% discount will be offered for the most comparable test.
S000000327 Page 9 of 11
SECTION 3 – SOLICITATION TERMS AND CONDITIONS
3.1. ACCEPTANCE OF REQUIREMENTS
A. A Prospective Contractor’s past performance with the State may be used to determine if the
Prospective Contractor is responsible (OSP Rule R1:19-11-235.)
1. Bids submitted by Prospective Contractors determined to be non-responsible will be rejected.
B. A single Prospective Contractor must be identified as the prime contractor.
1. The prime Contractor shall be responsible for the resulting contract and jointly and severally liable with any of its subcontractors, affiliates, or agents to the State for the performance thereof.
C. By submitting a bid, the Prospective Contractor represents and warrants:
1. That the prices in the bid have been arrived at independently, without any collusion with another competing Prospective Contractor.
a. Collusion violates Arkansas Procurement Law and can lead to suspension, debarment, and can be referred to the Attorney General’s officer for investigation and appropriate legal action (Arkansas Code Annotated § 19-11-240 and 19-11-245.)
2. That the Prospective Contractor has not retained a person to solicit or secure the resulting contract upon an agreement or understanding for a commission, percentage, brokerage, or contingent fee, except for retention of bona fide employees or bona fide established commercial selling agencies maintained by the Prospective Contractor for the purpose of securing business.
D. Qualifications, services, and commodities must meet or exceed the required Specifications as set forth in the Solicitation.
3.2. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A. The Contractor must be registered as a vendor to receive payment and may register online by visiting ark.org/vendor/index and clicking the Start Here button.
B. The Prospective Contractor represents and warrants that, prior to being awarded any executed contract resulting from this solicitation, the Prospective Contractor has taken or shall take all actions necessary to receive payment from the State through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for the services and/or commodities to be provided under any such contract. This includes, without limitation, the following actions:
1. Signing documents authorizing the State to make EFT payments into a bank account designated by the Prospective Contractor.
2. Providing all information requested by the State to set up EFT payments, including either a voided check or a letter from their financial institution that contains the following information:
a. Account holder’s name
b. Account number
c. Routing number
d. Financial institution official’s contact information and signature
3. In the event the EFT information changes, the Contractor shall be responsible for providing the updated information to the State. No interest or late payment penalty will apply if payment is delayed because of the Contractor’s failure to initially provide or update information necessary for the State to make EFT payment.
https://www.ark.org/vendor/index.html?_ga=2.231672543.1782009942.1693919943-292160598.1646079585
S000000327 Page 10 of 11
C. Pursuant to Arkansas State Procurement Law, the Contractor shall certify that, unless they offer to provide the goods or services for at least twenty percent (20%) less than the lowest certifying Prospective Contractor:
1. They are not engaged in and shall not, during the aggregate term of the resulting contract, engage in a boycott of Israel (Arkansas Code Annotated § 25-1-503),
2. They are not engaged in and shall not, during the aggregate term of the resulting contract, engage in a boycott of an Energy, Fossil Fuel, Firearms, or Ammunition Industry (Arkansas Code Annotated § 25-1-1102).
D. Pursuant to Arkansas Procurement Law, the Contractor shall certify that the Contractor does not knowingly employ or contract with illegal immigrants and that the Contractor shall not knowingly employ or contract with illegal immigrants during the aggregate term of any contract with the State or any of its departments, institutions, or political subdivisions (Arkansas Code Annotated § 19-11-105).
E. The Contractor shall invoice the State as required by the Department and should not invoice the State in advance of delivery and acceptance of any commodities or services (Arkansas Code Annotated § 19-4-1206).
1. The Contractor should invoice the agency by an itemized list of charges. The Department’s purchase order number and/or the contract number should be referenced on each invoice.
2. Payment will be made in accordance with applicable State of Arkansas accounting procedures upon acceptance of commodities and services by the Department.
3. Payment will be made only after the Contractor has successfully satisfied the Department as to the reliability and effectiveness of the commodities or services purchased as a whole.
F. The Contractor should be able to accept the State’s authorized VISA Procurement Card (p-card) as a method of payment. Price changes or additional fee(s) must not be levied against the State when accepting the p-card as a form of payment.
G. This IFB incorporates all terms of the Services Contract (SRV-1) Fillable Form (found here).
1. A Prospective Contractor’s bid may be rejected if a Prospective Contractor takes exception to any terms, conditions, or Requirements in this IFB.
H. The Prospective Contractor shall certify that they are not a company owned in whole or with a majority ownership by the government of the People's Republic of China (a “Scrutinized Company”) and that they do not and shall not during the aggregate term of the resulting contract employ a Scrutinized Company as a contractor (Arkansas Code Annotated § 25-1-1203).
I. The Prospective Contractor agrees and shall adhere to all terms, conditions, and Requirements if selected as the Contractor.
1. Items may only be modified if the legal requirement is satisfied and approved by the State during negotiations.
3.3. MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS
A. A minority-owned business is defined by Arkansas Code Annotated § 15-4-303 as a business owned by a lawful permanent resident of this State who is:
• African American
• American Indian
• Asian American
• Hispanic American
• Pacific Islander American
• A Service-Disabled Veteran as designated by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs
B. A women-owned business is defined by Act 1080 of the 91st General Assembly Regular Session 2017 as a business that is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by one (1) or more women who are lawful permanent residents of this State.
https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.transform.ar.gov%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FServices-Contract-SRV-1-Fillable-Form-V.3.6.27.22.pdf&data=05%7C01%7Cbrandi.schroeder%40arkansas.gov%7C9a1a244ccb3c41e3116e08db39ea4a05%7C5ec1d8f0cb624000b3278e63b0547048%7C0%7C0%7C638167450648138830%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vJT2HAmMqM7FwUbkgVGtr%2B%2FlT%2B8b43e9Zz0oayZPGiY%3D&reserved=0
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C. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission conducts a certification process for minority-owned and women-owned businesses. If certified, the Prospective Contractor’s Certification Number should be included on the Bid Signature Page.
3.4. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
A. The release of public records is governed by the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Arkansas
Code Annotated § 25-19-101 et. seq.).
B. Submission documents pertaining to the Solicitation become the property of the State and may be subject to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
C. In accordance with FOIA, and to promote maximum competition in the State competitive sealed bidding, the State may maintain the confidentiality of certain types of information described in FOIA.
Such information may include trade secrets and other information exempted from public disclosure pursuant to FOIA.
D. Under no circumstances will pricing information submitted in response to an invitation for sealed bids be designated as confidential after the sealed bids have been opened.
E. Consistent with and to the extent permitted under FOIA, any Prospective Contractor may designate appropriate portions of a bid as confidential by submitting a redacted copy of the bid. By so redacting any information contained in the bid, the Prospective Contractor warrants that, after having received such necessary or proper review by counsel or other knowledgeable advisors, it has formed a good faith opinion that the portions redacted are not considered public records under FOIA.
F. If a Prospective Contractor deems part of the information contained in a response not to be a public record, the Prospective Contractor should submit one (1) complete copy of the submission documents from which any proprietary or confidential information has been redacted in their bid response. Except for the redacted information, the redacted copy must be identical to the original copy, reflecting the same pagination as the original and showing the space from which information was redacted.
G. The Prospective Contractor is responsible for identifying all proprietary information and for ensuring the electronic copy is protected against restoration of redacted data.
H. The redacted copy will be open to public inspection under the FOIA without further notice to the Prospective Contractor. If the State deems redacted information to be subject to a public record request under FOIA, the State will endeavor to notify the Prospective Contractor prior to release of the redacted record.
I. The State has no liability to a Prospective Contractor with respect to the disclosure of Prospective Contractor’s confidential or proprietary information ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to FOIA or other applicable law.
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