T2599 Bid Amendment 3 Q and A 10-04-2022~2.docx

PHILIP D. MURPHY

Governor State of New Jersey

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

DIVISION OF PURCHASE AND PROPERTY

PROCUREMENT BUREAU

33 WEST STATE STREET

P. O. BOX 230

TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 08625-0230

ELIZABETH MAHER MUOIO

State Treasurer

SHEILA Y. OLIVER

Lt. Governor

AMY F. DAVIS, ESQ.

Acting Director https://www.njstart.gov

October 04, 2022

To: All Interested Vendors {Bidders}

Re: Bid Solicitation # 22DPP00677 T2599 Quality Assurance/Project Management Services for IT and Non-IT Projects

Bid Amendment #3

The following constitutes Bid Amendment #3 to the above referenced Bid Solicitation:

· This Bid Amendment includes:

· Answers to Vendor {Bidder} electronic questions;

· This Bid Amendment extends the Quote submission due date to November 16, 2022 (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time);

· Revisions to the Bid Solicitation;

· Revisions to the State’s Standard Terms and Conditions;

· The revised State of New Jersey Third Party Information Security Questionnaire titled “T2599 Revised SONJ Third Party Information Security Questionnaire 10-04-2022” has been updated on the Attachments tab of this Bid Solicitation in NJSTART; hereafter referred to in this document as the “T2599 Revised SONJ Third Party Information Security Questionnaire”;

· The revised Bid Solicitation Checklist titled “T2599 Revised Bid Solicitation Vendor Checklist 10-04-2022” has been updated on the Attachments tab of this Bid Solicitation in NJSTART;

· The revised Confidentiality and Commitment to Defend Form titled “T2599 Revised Confidentiality and Commitment to Defend Form 10-04-2022” has been updated on the Attachments tab of this Bid Solicitation in NJSTART;

· Certification Regarding Prohibited Activities with Russia or Belarus has been added as an attachment on the Attachments tab of this Bid Solicitation in NJSTART; and

· “T2599 Attachment #2 - Current Blanket P.O. Spend by Agency and Vendor 09-06-2022” has been added as an attachment on the Attachments tab of this Bid Solicitation in NJSTART.

· Please note that for all additions, deletions, clarifications and modifications to the Bid Solicitation, please refer to the Revised Bid Solicitation titled “T2599 Revised Bid Solicitation 10-04-2022”, and hereafter referred to in this document as the “Revised Bid Solicitation”. The following additions and/or revisions are included in the Revised Bid Solicitation:

· 1.1 Purpose and Intent – revised;

· 1.2 Background – revised;

· 1.2.1 Current Blanket P.O. QA/PM IT Services – revised;

· 2.3 Blanket P.O. Specific Definitions/Acronyms- revised;

· 3.1 Engagement Process for IT and Non-IT Engagements – revised;

· 3.4 Blanket P.O. Launch Meeting IT and Non-IT Engagements – revised;

· 3.9.33 Incident Response – revised;

· 3.9.34 Tax Return Data Security – addition;

· 4.4 Quote Content – revised;

· 4.4.2.6 Executive Order 271 – revised;

· 4.4.2.7 Certification Regarding Prohibited Activities with Russia or Belarus – addition;

· 4.4.4.5 Experience with Contracts of Similar Size and Scope – revised;

· 4.4.5.2 State-Supplied Price Sheet Instructions – revised;

· 4.4.5.3 Use of “No Bid” Versus “No Charge” on the State-Supplied Price Sheet – revised;

· 5.9 Confidentiality – revised;

· 5.17.2 Insurance - Professional Liability Insurance – revised;

· 5.17.3 Insurance - Network Security and Privacy Liability Insurance – revised;

· 6.7 Evaluation Criteria - revised;

· 7.1.1 Requirements of Public Law 2005, Chapter 51, N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.13 – N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.25 (Formerly Executive Order No. 134), Executive Order No. 117 (2008) and N.J.A.C. 17:12-5 ET SEQ. – revised; and

· 7.2 Final Blanket P.O. Award – revised.

· Please note that the Revised Bid Solicitation includes additions and/or revisions to the following Bid Solicitation Section 9.0 State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions Sections:

· 4.2 Insurance – revised; and

· 5.11 Performance Guarantee of Contractor – revised.

It is the sole responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder} to be knowledgeable of all of the additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications to the Bid Solicitation and/or the New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions relative to this Bid Solicitation as set forth in all Bid Amendments.

All other instructions, terms, and conditions of the Bid Solicitation shall remain the same.

Bid Solicitation #22DPP00677 T2599 - Quality Assurance/Project Management Services for IT and Non-IT Projects

Answers to Questions

Where applicable, each question references the appropriate Bid Solicitation section.

Section Reference Question (Bolded) and Answer

When trying to open a Portable Document Format (PDF) document I am receiving an error message and am unable to access the PDF document. How should I proceed?

It is recommended that users utilize Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge to view PDF documents. Certain PDF forms cannot be opened in the Chrome or Firefox built in PDF viewers that are enabled by default. If using Chrome or Firefox it is recommended that the file is downloaded instead by clicking the download button in the upper right-hand corner of the browser after an error message is received. An alternative option is to disable the built in PDF viewers in Chrome or Firefox.

Yes, prior to the Quote Opening Deadline, a Vendor {Bidder} should review the documents comprising the submitted Quote to ensure that all of the required documents have been completed and attached. Oftentimes a Quote is deemed non-responsive because a Vendor {Bidder} fails to attach a required form or attaches a blank form. To review a submitted Quote, a Vendor {Bidder} should log into NJSTART and review each document attached to the Quote submission. Instructions on how to review a submitted Quote can be found in the Quick Reference Guide titled How to Review a Submitted Quote, which is available on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page under Vendor Reference Guides.

In light of the dangers posed by the COVID-19 virus outbreak and the declaration by the World Health Organization of a global pandemic and the existing State of Emergency declared by Governor Murphy Executive Orders (https://www.state.nj.us/infobank/eo/056murphy/approved/eo_archive.html), please be advised that all Quotes shall be submitted electronically through NJSTART.

Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the “Vendor Registration” and “Submit a Quote” Quick Reference Guides for instructions on how to enroll in NJSTART and how to submit an electronic Quote through NJSTART. The Quick Reference Guide titled “Submit a Quote” is available here: https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/purchase/njstart/pdf/Create-a-Quote.pdf.

Additionally, to ensure that you have properly submitted the required documents you may also review the Quick Reference Guide titled “How to Review a Submitted Quote” which is available here: https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/purchase/njstart/pdf/HowtoReviewaSubmittedQuote.pdf. Answers to Frequently asked Questions and all Quick Reference Guides are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page. If further assistance is needed, please email NJSTART Vendor Administration Team at njstart@treas.nj.gov .

As stated in Bid Solicitation Section 1.3.1.1, Exceptions to the State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC): "Questions regarding the SSTC and proposed exceptions to mandatory requirements, including the Special and Standard Terms and Conditions in Sections 5 and 9 of this Bid Solicitation must be posed during this Electronic Question and Answer period and shall contain the Vendor's {Bidder's} suggested changes and the reason(s) for the suggested changes."

Additionally, as stated in Section 4.1, General: "Quotes including Vendor {Bidder} proposed terms and conditions may be accepted, but Vendor {Bidder} proposed terms or conditions that conflict with those contained in the Bid Solicitation, as defined in Section 2.0 of this Bid Solicitation, or that diminish the State's rights under any Blanket P.O. resulting from the Bid Solicitation, may render a Quote non-responsive."

The State does not accept the proposed modification.

This is a statewide Blanket P.O. and is open to all Agencies. The systems utilized may vary for each Agency and/or Engagement.

This is a statewide Blanket P.O. and is open to all Agencies. This will vary for each Agency and/or Engagement.

There is no annual/biannual pipeline available relative to this Contract. This is a statewide Contract and is open to all Agencies. Please be aware that each Engagement is as needed.

This is a statewide Contract and is open to all Agencies. Examples of some Agencies that used the current T2599 contract are New Jersey Department of Education, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Department of Health, and Department of the Treasury. Please be advised, however, that there is a significantly revised and expanded scope in the subject Bid Solicitation (#22DPP00677).

Question 2 -What are the plans for the release of the T.O.s over the next five years?

This information is not available at this time. Please be aware that Using Agencies will utilize this Blanket P.O. for Engagements on an as needed basis.

Will State agencies be required to use the resulting contracts?

This is a statewide Blanket P.O. open to all Agencies and will be utilized on an as needed basis.

This is a reprocurement of services under T2599. The current Vendors {Contractors} can be found on NJSTART at www.njstart.gov under T2599. Please reference Bid Solicitation Section 1.2, Background, for further information. Please be advised, however, that there is a significantly revised and expanded scope in the subject Bid Solicitation (#22DPP00677).

There was a need for Non-IT project management and quality assurance.

A Mini-Bid request will be issued and sent to all awarded Vendors {Contractors} that fall under the requested Engagement Group by the Using Agency State Contract Manager (SCM).

Please refer to Revised Bid Solicitation Section 3.1, Engagement Process for IT and Non-IT Engagements, as this section has been revised.

No, the State intends to award multiple Blanket P.O.s for each of the four (4) Engagement Groups.

Please see the response to Question # 14.

Each of the four (4) Engagement Groups (IT: PM & QA, and Non IT: PM & QA) will be evaluated and awarded separately. There is no preference provided for Vendors {Bidders} that provide a Quote for multiple Engagement Groups.

Please reference Bid Solicitation Section 1.1, Purpose and Intent, for additional information.

This is a statewide Contract and is open to all Agencies. Each Engagement will vary.

Details for IT and Non-IT engagements will be provided in the Mini-Bid process. Please see the response to #40 for further information.

Details for IT and Non-IT engagements will be provided in the Mini-Bid process.

This is a statewide Contract and will be open to State Using Agencies.

In accordance with the Revised Bid Solicitation Section 1.1, Purpose and Intent: “The Vendors {Bidders} awarded a Blanket P.O. as a result of this Bid Solicitation will not be able to bid on future Bid Solicitations resulting from work the Vendor {Contractor} performed under these Blanket P.O. Engagements.” For example, if a Vendor {Contractor} is hired to develop a Bid Solicitation as part of a Mini-Bid Engagement, the Vendor {Contract} cannot bid on the Bid Solicitation they helped develop.

Please refer to Revised Bid Solicitation Section 1.1, Purpose and Intent, as this section has been revised.

Please see the response to Question #21.

Confirm that a Vendor awarded a Blanket P.O. as a result of this Bid solicitation may still be able to provide system implementation and/or other services for work related to a given Engagement.

Please see the response to Question #21

In accordance with Bid Solicitation Section 1.1, Purpose and Intent, “PM and QA services will be awarded separately for each Engagement and not permitted to be provided by the same Vendor {Bidder} unless deemed by the State to not be a conflict of interest.”

The Vendor {Bidder} may bid on both a project management (PM) and quality assurance (QA) Mini-Bid Engagement. If there is a conflict of interest for both the PM and QA Engagement, the Vendor {Bidder} would only be eligible to be awarded one (1) of the two (2) Engagements.

Please see the response to Questions #21 and 26.

Please refer to Revised Bid Solicitation Section 1.1, Purpose and Intent, as this section has been revised.

Yes, the Vendor {Bidder} can bid on future Bid Solicitations if they were not awarded the mini-bid Engagement that results in the aforementioned Bid Solicitation.

Please refer to Revised Bid Solicitation Section 1.1, Purpose and Intent, as this section has been revised.

Yes, the Mini-Bid Engagement will identify if the Vendor {Bidder} awarded the Engagement will assist in the drafting of a future Bid Solicitation.

A. Can you confirm that the defined Engagement Groups are IT and Non-IT?

The four (4) Engagement Groups are as follows:

· IT Engagements – Project Management (PM)

· IT Engagements – Quality Assurance (QA)

· Non-IT Engagements – Project Management (PM)

· Non-IT Engagements – Quality Assurance (QA)

B. And selecting one (or both) Engagement Groups would require the Vendor {Contractor} to respond to all price line items for Project Management and Quality Assurance?

In accordance with Bid Solicitation Section 4.4.5.2, State-Supplied Price Sheet Instructions: “If the Vendor {Bidder} submits a Quote for an Engagement Group, the Vendor {Bidder} must submit Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, and Year 5 unit pricing for all price lines for that Engagement Group.

For example, if the Vendor {Bidder} intends to submit a Quote for Non-IT Engagement Quality Assurance (QA) only, the Vendor {Bidder} must submit all pricing under Non-IT Engagement QA only. The Vendor {Bidder} must indicate “No Bid” on all price lines for the Engagement Group(s) for which the Vendor {Bidder} is not submitting pricing in accordance with Bid Solicitation Section 4.4.5.3, Use of "No Bid" Versus "No Charge" on the State-Supplied Price Sheet.”

Please refer to Revised Bid Solicitation Section 4.4.5.2, State-Supplied Price Sheet Instructions, as this section has been revised.

Please provide a breakdown of which agencies are using/will be using this vehicle and the dollar value, i.e., transportation awarded four $XX sized TOs?

This is a statewide Contract and is open to all Agencies. The cost of each Engagement will depend on the specific nature, scope, and goals.

Please reference “T2599 Attachment #2 - Current Blanket P.O. Spend by Agency and Vendor 09-06-2022” for past spend on the current Blanket P.O.

Bid Solicitation Section 1.2.1 Current Blanket P.O. QA/PM IT Services

What is the total spend under the current contracts? Can this be provided by agency and by vendor? Can this be provided by agency and by vendor?

Please reference “T2599 Attachment #2 - Current Blanket P.O. Spend by Agency and Vendor 09-06-2022” for past spend on the current Blanket P.O.

Can you please let us know the previous spending of this contract?

Please see the response to Question # 33.

What was the total $$ value of the IT work awarded?

Please see the response to Question # 33.

Please see the response to Question # 33.

Can you please provide details on the historical spend of the predecessor contract (T2599)? It would be helpful to know what agencies utilized this contract and the value of the incumbent contracts.

Please see the response to Question # 33.

If task orders were released for non-IT, what agencies and what $$ amounts were those TOs?

The existing contract is for IT services only.

Please confirm if we can get the proposals or pricing of the incumbent(s).

The Questions and Answer Period is for the subject Bid Solicitation, 22DPP00677. The current Contracts can be found on NJSTART at www.njstart.gov under T2599. Please reference Bid Solicitation Section 1.2, Background of the Bid Solicitation, for further information.

The Vendor {Bidder} may file a New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request for additional information.

For past projects engagements for PM/QA services contract and mentioned in the RFP, would it be possible to provide additional detail on each project? For example: Agency Description of underlying project Description of PM/QA services Value

The Division is unable to provide details for all engagements under the current contract.

An example of a previous engagement for the current T2599 Contract is services for quality control and quality assurance (QA) for the Medicaid Management Information System Modernization project. The primary role of the QA Vendor {Contractor} is to review and monitor program and project management plans, processes, and artifacts and advise Agency program leadership regarding risks to program and project objectives and approaches to their mitigation to ensure compliance with federal and State requirements, maintain enhanced federal funding and ensure a successful transition during the modernization journey. This is for information purposes only and should not be considered indicative of the exact work under the subject Bid Solicitation.

Please refer to Revised Bid Solicitation Section 1.2.1, Current Blanket P.O. QA/PM IT Services, for additional information.

Over the last three years, what significant IT projects (e.g., >5M in spending) has NJ undertaken? It would be helpful to understand summary information such as project description, lead agency, and total project budget, and whether any PM/QA services were used.

Please see the response to Question # 40.

Please reference “T2599 Attachment #2 - Current Blanket P.O. Spend by Agency and Vendor 09-06-2022” for past spend on the current Blanket P.O.

This is a statewide Contract and is open to all Agencies. This information is not available at this time. Please be aware that each Engagement is as needed.

B. What significant projects of these types have been undertaken in the last three years?

The existing Blanket P.O. is for IT services only.

The Questions and Answer Period is for the subject Bid Solicitation, 22DPP00677. The Division is unable to provide the information as requested.

If task orders were requested, but not awarded, what were the reasons for not awarding vendors in this area?

The Questions and Answer Period is for the subject Bid Solicitation, 22DPP00677. The Division is unable to provide the information as requested.

Are there any pain points or issues with the current vendor(s)?

The Questions and Answer Period is for the subject Bid Solicitation, 22DPP00677. The Division is unable to provide the information as requested.

Can you provide more information on why specific services were utilized more than others? Can you provide additional information on how frequently you expect to utilize these various services going forward?

The Questions and Answer Period is for the subject Bid Solicitation, 22DPP00677. The Division is unable to provide the information as requested.

Please explain why the initial vendor pool was limited from 12 to 7 with only three vendors receiving work during the last contract period.

The Questions and Answer Period is for the subject Bid Solicitation, 22DPP00677. The Division is unable to provide the information as requested.

We note that only three companies have received POs with a monetary value over the course of the Blanket contract; did any other vendors T2599 bid for competitive task orders? If not, do you have reasons for why the other bidders were unable to successfully use the contract to acquire agency business?

The Questions and Answer Period is for the subject Bid Solicitation, 22DPP00677. The Division is unable to provide the information as requested.

How many POs were awarded under the last blanket contract and subsequent extensions for IT work?

The Questions and Answer Period is for the subject Bid Solicitation, 22DPP00677. The Division is unable to provide the information as requested.

Based on the historical usage of the contract, did the current task order meet the state’s expectations? If not, how can the vendors provide an improved response to allow the state to obtain better value from this contract?

The Questions and Answer Period is for the subject Bid Solicitation, 22DPP00677. The Division is unable to provide the information as requested.

How many vendors are currently part of this contract?

The current T2599 Contract has a total of six (6) Vendors {Contractors}. The current Vendors {Contractors} can be found on NJSTART at www.njstart.gov under T2599. Please reference Bid Solicitation Section 1.2, Background, for further information.

Other than the Division of Purchase and Property, who have been your major users within the state, i.e., Department of Energy?

This is a statewide Contract and is open to all Agencies. Examples of some Agencies that used the current T2599 contract are New Jersey Department of Education, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Department of Health, and Department of the Treasury.

Please refer to “T2599 Attachment #2 - Current Blanket P.O. Spend by Agency and Vendor 09-06-2022” for additional information.

Across projects, what was the approximate distribution of hours by different types of project staff? (E.g., program manager vs. project manager vs. tester, etc.)

This information is not available to the Division.

Yes, contracts for these services have been used in the last five (5) years.

Please refer to Revised Bid Solicitation Section 1.2.1, Current Blanket P.O. QA/PM IT Services, as this section has been revised. The referenced usage data has been removed, as it was not current and current information is not available to the Division.

Please refer to “T2599 Attachment #2 - Current Blanket P.O. Spend by Agency and Vendor 09-06-2022” for available usage and spend data.

The State will not extend the electronic question due date. All Vendor’s {Bidder’s} electronic question were due on April 5, 2022 at 2:00 PM.

All questions submitted by 2 pm on April 5, 2022 will be answered and shared via this Bid Amendment under the subject Bid Solicitation in NJSTART.

If questions were received from Vendors {Bidders} prior to the close of the Question and Answer Period, answers to such questions will be posted by this Bid Amendment as a File Attachment on the “Summary” page and the “Attachments” tab of the Bid Solicitation and will become part of the Bid Solicitation and part of any Contract awarded as a result of the Bid Solicitation.

In accordance with Bid Solicitation Section 1.4.1, Bid Amendments: Revisions to this Bid Solicitation: “There are no designated dates for release of Bid Amendments. Those Vendors {Bidders} who are on the bid holder list either through commodity code registration in NJSTART or by acknowledging the bid in NJSTART should receive notification of any Bid Amendment(s). If a Vendor {Bidder} is not on the bid holder list to receive notifications related to a Bid Solicitation, Bid Amendments are still viewable on the “Summary” page of the Bid Solicitation in NJSTART.”

All Bid Amendments, including the posting of answers to submitted questions will be advertised a minimum of seven business days prior to the scheduled Quote opening. N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.1 (b).

Please note, the State works to post answers as quickly as possible. However, if the process takes longer than expected due to the volume or complexity of the questions submitted, the State can and will push the Bid Opening date back to provide Vendors {Bidders} time after the answers have been posted to submit a Quote. If applicable, revisions to the Bid Opening date will be posted via Bid Amendment in NJSTART.

The Pre-Quote conference was not recorded. The Pre-Quote is not required to be recorded. In accordance with Bid Solicitation Section 1.3.5, Optional Pre-Quote Conference: “The Optional Pre-Quote Conference may be recorded.”

Vendors {Bidders} may provide this information on the Quote Overview Form, as an attachment to the Quote Overview Form, or it may be added to Section 2 – Vendor {Bidder} Demonstration of its Ability to Complete the Scope of Work of the Vendor {Bidder} Quote, in accordance with Bid Solicitation Section 4.4, Quote Content.

In accordance to Bid Solicitation Section 1.3.6, Pre-Quote Document Review, the State of New Jersey Project Management Guidelines is a publicly available document that a Vendor {Bidder} needs to review in order to prepare and submit accurate and comprehensive Quotes.

No, the Vendor {Bidder} should not provide a redacted copy of their Quote. In accordance with Bid Solicitation Section 1.4.4, Content of Quote: “As part of its Quote, a Vendor {Bidder} may designate any data or materials it asserts are exempt from public disclosure under OPRA and/or the common law, explaining the basis for such assertion. Vendor {Bidder} must provide a detailed statement clearly identifying those sections of the Quote that it claims are exempt from production, and the legal and factual basis that supports said exemption(s) as a matter of law. The State reserves the right to make the determination as to what is proprietary or confidential, and will advise the Vendor {Bidder} accordingly. Any proprietary and/or confidential information in a Quote will be redacted by the State.”

Please reference Bid Solicitation Section 4.4.2.5, Confidentiality/Commitment to Defend for additional information.

If yes, is the legal and factual basis to support each redaction still required?

Please see the response to Question #64.

The Vendor {Bidder} may request a Quote withdrawal in accordance with Bid Solicitation Section 1.4.7.2, Quote Withdrawal After Quote Opening, But Prior to Blanket P.O. Award.

No marketing support will be provided.

No, being a Small Business/MBE in the state of Maryland would not apply to the State of New Jersey as well. In order for a Vendor {Bidder} to be registered as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) with the State, the Vendor {Bidder} must meet the requirements and definitions of “small business” and apply for and be approved by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, Small Business Registration and M/WBE Certification Services Unit. Please reference Small Business definition under Section 2.2 in the Bid Solicitation for additional information.

The State does not accept the proposed modification. Please refer to Revised Bid Solicitation Section 2.3, Blanket P.O. Specific Definitions/Acronyms, as this section has been revised.

Please refer to Revised Bid Solicitation Section 2.3, Blanket P.O. Specific Definitions/Acronyms, as this section has been revised.

This varies throughout State Agencies and it would be at the discretion of the Agency as to whether or not they would utilize the services provided by this Blanket P.O., or utilize in-house resources.

Work location will be specified in each Mini-Bid request for a specific Engagement.

Work location will be specified in each Mini-Bid request for a specific Engagement.

The State is unsure what aspect of the Bid Solicitation this relates to. However, if the Vendor {Bidder} is referring to IV & V for purposes of the Bidder Data Sheet, and providing example contracts performed of a similar size and scope, then that is a determination that the Vendor {Bidder} should make it as part of it Quote Submission.

The State is unsure what aspect of the Bid Solicitation this relates to. However, if the Vendor {Bidder} is referring to IV & V for purposes of the Bidder Data Sheet, and providing example contracts performed of a similar size and scope, then that is a determination that the Vendor {Bidder} should make it as part of it Quote Submission.

Please reference the Bid Solicitation Section 3.0, Scope of Work - Requirements of the Vendor {Contractor}.

The practices and capabilities the State is looking to foster will vary per each Mini-Bid Engagement and will be defined within each Engagement.

Yes, the Vendor {Contractor} can bid on future Bid Solicitations if they were not awarded the Mini-Bid Engagement that results in the aforementioned Bid Solicitation.

Please refer to Revised Bid Solicitation Section 1.1, Purpose and Intent, as this section has been revised.

Engagements will not be discussed with the Vendors {Bidders} prior to being issued. Vendors {Bidders} are provided the opportunity to ask questions related to the Mini-Bid for Engagements during the Mini-Bid process.

If a Vendor {Contractor} is awarded an Engagement that conflicts with another Mini-Bid Engagement, the Vendor {Contractor} would not be eligible to work on the conflicting Mini-Bid Engagement.

The Vendor {Contractor} may submit lower pricing than its awarded pricing for any Mini-Bid Engagement. The Vendor {Contractor} cannot during any Mini-Bid Engagement, submit higher pricing then what was awarded under the Blanket P.O. resulting from this Bid Solicitation. If a Vendor {Contractor} is awarded a Mini-Bid Engagement at a lower price as offered by the Vendor {Contractor}, the pricing will remain at the lower price for that particular Engagement only.

This Bid Solicitation is for Quality Assurance/Project Management Services for IT and Non-IT Projects. Bid Solicitation Section 3.2, General Overview, identifies services within each of the Project Management and Quality Assurance IT and Non-IT Engagements.

The State is unaware of a conflict between the Project Management standards provided and the Bid Solicitation; however, if a conflict were to arise, the terms and conditions of this Bid Solicitation shall prevail.

Unless specified otherwise by the Mini-Bid Engagement, Status reporting is considered a core function that is normally in scope within the execution of project management services and should not be a separate Engagement. The Status Reporting item in this Bid Solicitation Section 3.4 (C), Blanket P.O. Launch Meeting IT and Non-IT Engagements, pertains to discussing the process on how Status Reporting will be conducted in the Engagement.

Yes, this applies throughout the duration of awarded Blanket P.O. In accordance with the Revised Bid Solicitation Section 3.4, Blanket P.O. Launch Meeting IT and Non-IT Engagements: “Upon request, the Vendor {Contractor} shall participate in meetings scheduled by the Using Agency SCM at no additional cost to the State.”

Please refer to Revised Bid Solicitation Section 3.4, Blanket P.O. Launch Meeting IT and Non-IT Engagements, as this section has been revised.

Yes.

The awarded Vendor {Contractor} would be responsible for the documentations listed in Bid Solicitation Section 3.5.2 (D), Project Planning.

No, unless specified in the Mini-Bid Engagement.

Integration management is a PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) term and concept.

Testing during Project Execution, in accordance with Section 3.5.3 (G) of the Bid Solicitation, may be conducted during operational readiness and prior to production or go-live. Testing during Project Monitoring, in accordance with Section 3.5.4 (M) of the Bid Solicitation, may be conducted for bug fixes and/or enhancements after system is operational.