T2976 Revised Bid Solicitation 09.03.21.docx

Vendor’s {Bidder’s} Electronic Question Due Date (Refer to Bid Solicitation Section 1.3.1 for more information.)

Optional Pre-Quote Submission Conference (Refer to Bid Solicitation Section 1.3.5 for more information.)

Mandatory/Optional Site Visit (Refer to Bid Solicitation Section 1.3.4 for more information.)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Quote Submission Date (Refer to Bid Solicitation Section 1.3.2 for more information.)

Dates are subject to change. All times contained in the Bid Solicitation refer to Eastern Time. All changes will be reflected in Bid Amendments to the Bid Solicitation posted on www.njstart.gov.

☒ Small Business Set-Aside Category For Goods and Services:

☒ I ☒ II ☒ III

For Construction:

☐ IV ☐ V ☐ VI

Status

☐ Not Applicable

☐ Entire Blanket P.O.

☐ Partial Blanket P.O.

☒ Preference

☐ Subcontracting Only

☐ Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Set-Aside

Bid Solicitation Issued By:

State of New Jersey Department of the Treasury Division of Purchase and Property Trenton, New Jersey 086250230 Using Agency:

State of New Jersey Department of Transportation Division of Civil Rights and Affirmative Action P.O. Box 600, 1035 Parkway Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0600

Date: September 3June 9, 2021

Table of Contents

Appendix A NAICS Codes Appendix B Barriers to Utilization of DBEs

INFORMATION FOR VENDORS {BIDDERS}

NOTICE: This Bid Solicitation is part of the NJSTART Procurement Program. The Vendor {Bidder} is advised to thoroughly read all sections, as many have been revised, and follow all instructions contained in this Bid Solicitation, including the instructions on the Bid Solicitation’s Offer and Acceptance Page and read through all Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page , before preparing and submitting its Quote.

PURPOSE AND INTENT

This Bid Solicitation is issued by the Procurement Bureau, Division of Purchase and Property (Division), Department of the Treasury on behalf of New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). The purpose of this Bid Solicitation is to solicit Quotes from a qualified consultant to fully develop and implement a NJDOT Supportive Services Program (SSP) in connection with the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations – Subpart B – Supportive Services for Minority, Disadvantaged, and Woman Business Enterprises (23 CFR 230, Subpart B). These supportive services shall be designed to increase the total number of DBE firms that are active on federally funded highway, street, and bridge construction projects and contribute to the growth and eventual self-sufficiency of individual DBE firms so that such businesses may achieve proficiency to compete, on an equal basis, for Blanket P.O.s and Subcontracting opportunities.

The intent of this Bid Solicitation is to award a Master Blanket Purchase Order (Blanket P.O.) to that responsible Vendor {Bidder} whose Quote, conforming to this Bid Solicitation is most advantageous to the State, price and other factors considered. The State may award any and all price lines. The State, however, reserves the right to separately procure individual requirements that are the subject of the Blanket P.O. during the Blanket P.O. term, when deemed by the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property (Director) to be in the State’s best interest.

This Bid Solicitation includes an evaluation preference for those Vendors {Bidders} who are registered as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and/or a Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (DVOB) with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services as of the Quote opening date. Please see Bid Solicitation Section 4.4.1.6 and Section 4.4.1.7.

The State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTCs) accompanying this Bid Solicitation will apply to all Blanket P.O.s made with the State of New Jersey. These terms are in addition to the terms and conditions set forth in this Bid Solicitation and should be read in conjunction with them unless the Bid Solicitation specifically indicates otherwise.

BACKGROUND

This is a reprocurement of the services under Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services Consultant, presently due to expire on March 14, 2022. Vendors {Bidders} interested in the current Blanket P.O. specifications and pricing information may review the current Blanket P.O. T2976 at www.njstart.gov by following these steps:

Go to: www.njstart.gov Select “Contract & Bid Search” Select “Contracts/Blankets” Under “Contract/Blanket Description” type in T2976, click “Find It” The current Blanket P.O.s will appear under “Results”.

NJDOT POLICY

As a recipient of federal funds, the NJDOT must establish and administer a viable DBE SSP. The NJDOT DBE SSP is managed and implemented by the Division of Civil Rights and Affirmative Action (DCRAA) and serves to create equal contracting opportunities for small, socially and economically disadvantaged firms who wish to do business with NJDOT.

It is NJDOT's policy to:

A. Ensure that DBE firms, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations - Section 49 Transportation: Subpart 26: Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs (49 CFR Part 26) have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) assisted contracting opportunities;

B. Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of USDOT assisted contracting opportunities;

C. Create a level playing field on which DBE firms can compete fairly for USDOT assisted contracting opportunities;

D. Ensure that the DBE SSP is Narrowly Tailored in accordance with applicable laws;

E. Ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBE firms;

F. Help remove barriers to the participation of DBE firms in USDOT assisted contracting opportunities; and

G. Assist in the development of DBE firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE SSP.

DBE FISCAL GOALS

NJDOT intends to use 13.23% of the total federal financial assistance for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) contracts on DBE firms for Federal Fiscal Years 2020 through 2022. NJDOT projects that 3.91% of this goal can be achieved through race and gender-neutral means or methods; and the remaining 9.32% can be achieved through race and gender conscious means or methods. Race and gender-neutral DBE firm participation, as well as race and gender-conscious DBE firm participation, are monitored by the DCRAA on a monthly basis and adjustments are made accordingly to ensure that the NJDOT neither exceeds nor falls short of meeting its annual overall DBE firm goal.

NEW JERSEY UNIFIED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (NJUCP)

NJDOT has partnered with New Jersey Transit, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey under the NJUCP to ensure DBE firm participation statewide on federally funded contracting opportunities. Under the NJUCP, a DBE firm may submit a single application to any one (1) of the three (3) certifying partners. All USDOT fund recipients statewide will then honor the certification of any NJUCP partner. Firms that are certified as DBE firms by any of these agencies are automatically included in the NJUCP directory.

Currently, there are approximately 744 DBE firms participating in the NJUCP that perform services for the NJDOT. These DBE firms are typically small, generally have limited resources and often have limited experience with the requirements for administering, documenting, and/or fulfilling contractual requirements on consultant and construction projects. Of those 744 DBE firms, only 64 (8.60%) were actively participating on federally funded projects in 2018. At present, there are approximately 388 Prime Contractors who perform various professional and construction services for the NJDOT. Generally, these contracts are large enough to support DBE firm Subcontracting opportunities.

NEW JERSEY UNIFIED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (NJUCP)STUDY ON BARRIERS TO UTILIZATION OF DBES BY PRIME CONTRACTORS

In 2007, NJDOT commissioned a study to discover why more DBE firms were not being utilized on NJDOT Subcontracting opportunities. This study involved both a qualitative and quantitative analysis of barriers to utilizing new DBE firms on NJDOT contracts. The quantitative approach used survey data to identify the barriers faced by DBE firms and Prime Contractors. The qualitative approach used one-on-one interviews to develop recommendations for how to overcome the barriers identified in the surveys. The results of the study were published in December 2008 as Barriers to Utilization of DBEs by Prime Contractors in New Jersey Department of Transportation Contracts (Appendix B).

LACK OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PRIME CONTRACTORS AND DBES

The study identified the lack of relationships between Prime Contractors and DBE firms as the most significant barrier to DBE firm utilization. Other factors that served as barriers to DBE firm utilization were experience and reputation. Prime Contractors indicated that they would not use a Subcontractor unless they had a good referral or a proven reputation. From the perspective of DBE firms, interview respondents felt that having a track record with specific Prime Contractors was the most important factor to getting subcontracts. The survey of Prime Contractors found that 75% of Prime Contractors who had been satisfied with the work of a first time DBE firm maintained the business relationship.

LEVEL OF MARKETING ACTIVITIES

The DBE firms that have subcontracts do not rely only on prior business with Prime Contractors. The interviews revealed that the most striking difference between DBE firms that had gotten subcontracts in the past three (3) years and those who had not, was the level of marketing activities. DBE firms that did more marketing received more contracts.

INSUFFICIENT STAFFING

In the interviews, another barrier expressed by both Prime Contractors and DBE firms was staffing. From the perspective of Prime Contractors, many DBE firms do not have enough staff to accommodate the needs of the subcontract or to respond to requests in a timely manner. From the perspective of DBE firms, the paperwork and bidding process associated with NJDOT contracts or any other government contract was a large responsibility.

RISKS

Both Prime Contractors and DBE firms expressed concerns about risk and considered it a barrier to entering into contracting relationships. From the perspective of Prime Contractors, using a DBE firm, particularly a new DBE firm, comes with a great amount of risk. Interviewees said that the risks in using a new DBE firm (in terms of the reputation of the firm, and the impact on costs and profitability if there are errors) are just too great. Ultimately, Prime Contractors are responsible for making sure that the job gets done, and they need to ensure that their Subcontractors are reliable and accurate. From the perspective of DBE firm interview respondents, their risks come from not being paid by the Prime Contractor in a timely manner for work they have done.

REQUESTS FOR TRAINING

Prime Contractors specifically requested that NJDOT provide outreach training that occurs before DBE firms are used as Subcontractors on NJDOT contracting opportunities. Requested topics included:

A. Basic knowledge about the subcontracting process;

B. How to approach Prime Contractors;

C. Information needed to make smart business decisions;

D. Expectations of NJDOT;

E. What the Prime Contractor needs and expects from Subcontractors; and

F. Assistance with setting up pricing, systems, and processes for contract management and performance monitoring.

DBE firm survey respondents requested training on the same information. The topics of most interest to them include:

A. Contract related information;

B. Accounting;

C. Tax information;

D. Marketing information;

E. Doing business with the government; and

F. Addressing difficulties with administrative functions.

NJDOT’S CURRENT DBE SSP

NJDOT’s current DBE SSP is managed by an outside consultant and expires in March 20212022. The eight (8) to nine (9) month training cohort will graduate the third fifth class prior to the end of the contract in March 20212022. Based upon feedback from the DBE firms enrolled in the DBE SSP, the NJDOT has found that:

A. Most DBE firms are not willing to commit to an eight (8) to nine (9) month training cohort but are interested in Training Sessions on specific topics with shorter commitment requirements;

B. DBE firms have benefitted from the one-on-one technical assistance provided by the {Vendor} Contractor based upon topics that were identified in each DBE firm’s Individual Needs Assessment; and

C. The DBE firms have increased their relationships with Prime Contractors by attending and networking at the NJDOT sponsored Subcontracting Venture Forums.

KEY EVENTS

ELECTRONIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

The Division will electronically accept questions and inquiries from all potential Vendors {Bidders} via the “Q&A” Tab of the Bid Solicitation in NJSTART.

A. Questions should be directly tied to the Bid Solicitation and asked in consecutive order, from beginning to end, following the organization of the Bid Solicitation; and B. Each question should begin by referencing the Bid Solicitation page number and section number to which it relates.

Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instruction. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

A Vendor {Bidder} shall not contact the Using Agency and/or the Procurement Specialist directly, in person, by telephone or by email, concerning this Bid Solicitation, prior to the final award of the Blanket P.O.

The cut-off date for electronic questions and inquiries relating to this Bid Solicitation is indicated on the Bid Solicitation cover sheet. In the event that questions are posed by Vendors {Bidders}, answers to such questions will be issued by Bid Amendment. Any Bid Amendment to this Bid Solicitation will become part of this Bid Solicitation and part of any Blanket P.O. awarded as a result of this Bid Solicitation. Bid Amendments {Addenda} to this Bid Solicitation, if any, will be posted as a File Attachment on the “Summary” page of the Bid Solicitation in NJSTART after the cut-off date. (See Bid Solicitation Section 1.4.1 for further information.)

EXCEPTIONS TO THE STATE OF NJ STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS (SSTC)

Questions regarding the State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC) and exceptions to mandatory requirements 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.

SUBMISSION OF QUOTES

In order to be considered for award, the Quote must be received by the Procurement Bureau of the Division at the appropriate location by the required time. Vendors {Bidders} shall submit a Quote electronically through NJSTART.

THE DATE AND TIME OF THE QUOTE OPENING ARE INDICATED ON THE BID SOLICITATION COVER SHEET AND ON THE “SUMMARY” TAB OF THE BID SOLICITATION WEBPAGE WITHIN NJSTART.

QUOTES WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND ANNOUNCED BY TELEPHONE CONFERENCE ON THE DATE AND TIME OF THE QUOTE OPENING.

(DIAL-IN PHONE NUMBER: 888-204-5984 / ACCESS CODE: 2602305).

IF THE QUOTE OPENING DEADLINE HAS BEEN REVISED, THE NEW QUOTE OPENING DEADLINE SHALL BE SHOWN ON THE POSTED BID AMENDMENT AND ON THE “SUMMARY” TAB OF THE BID SOLICITATION WEBPAGE WITHIN NJSTART.

QUOTES NOT RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE QUOTE OPENING DEADLINE SHALL BE REJECTED.

VENDOR {BIDDER} SUPPORT

Vendors {Bidders} are strongly encouraged to visit the NJSTART Vendor Support Page, which contains Quick Reference Guides (QRGs), supporting videos, a glossary of NJSTART terms, and helpdesk contact information.

The Vendor {Bidder} should utilize the QRGs before attempting to submit its Quote using the NJSTART process. It is the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} responsibility to ensure that the NJSTART Quote and attachments have been properly submitted.

Inquiries concerning the use of NJSTART may be directed to njstart@treas.nj.gov.

The Division will not respond to substantive questions related to the Bid Solicitation or any other Blanket P.O. via this email address. For inquiries related to substantive questions refer to Section 1.3.1 (Electronic Question and Answer Period).

MANDATORY/OPTIONAL SITE VISIT

Not applicable to this procurement.

OPTIONAL PRE-QUOTE CONFERENCE

The date and time of the Optional Pre-Quote Conference is indicated on the Bid Solicitation cover sheet.

Attendees may attend the Optional Pre-Quote Conference with the following call-in details:

Phone Number: (888)-204-5984 Access Code: 2602305

An attendee may represent only one (1) potential bidding entity.

The Optional Pre-Quote Conference may be recorded.

The purpose of the Optional Pre-Quote Conference is to provide a structured and formal opportunity for the State to accept questions from Vendors {Bidders} regarding this Bid Solicitation. In the event that questions are posed by Vendors {Bidders}, answers to such questions will be issued by Bid Amendment. Any Bid Amendment to this Bid Solicitation will become part of this Bid Solicitation and part of any Blanket P.O. awarded as a result of this Bid Solicitation.

PRE-QUOTE DOCUMENT REVIEW

The following are publicly available documents that a Vendor {Bidder} needs to review in order to prepare and submit accurate and comprehensive Quotes:

A. Code of Federal Regulations – Subpart B – Supportive Services for Minority, Disadvantaged, and Woman Business Enterprises (23 CFR 230, Subpart B);

B. Code of Federal Regulations – Section 49 Transportation: Subpart 26: Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs (49 CFR Part 26);

C. Code of Federal Regulations Appendix C to Part 26 – DBE Business Development Program (BDP) Guidelines (49 CFR Part 26, Appendix C);

D. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code(s) (Appendix A); and E. Barriers to Utilization of DBEs (Appendix B).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BID AMENDMENTS: Revisions to this BID SOLICITATION

In the event that it becomes necessary to clarify or revise this Bid Solicitation, such clarification or revision will be by Bid Amendment. Any Bid Amendment to this Bid Solicitation will become part of this Bid Solicitation and part of any Blanket P.O. awarded as a result of 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.

BID AMENDMENTS WILL BE ISSUED AS FILE ATTACHMENTS, AND ARE VIEWABLE ON THE “SUMMARY” PAGE OF THE BID SOLICITATION IN NJSTART. Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instructions. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

It is the sole responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder} to be knowledgeable of all Bid Amendments related to this procurement. An interested Vendor {Bidder} should check the NJSTART “Open Bids” Tab on a daily basis to ensure review of the most updated information.

VENDOR {BIDDER} Responsibility

The Vendor {Bidder} assumes sole responsibility for the complete effort required in submitting a Quote in response to this Bid Solicitation. No special consideration will be given after Quotes are opened because of a Vendor’s {Bidder’s} failure to be knowledgeable as to all of the requirements of this Bid Solicitation.

COST LIABILITY

The State assumes no responsibility and bears no liability for costs incurred by a Vendor {Bidder} in the preparation and submittal of a Quote in response to this Bid Solicitation.

CONTENTS OF QUOTE

Quotes can be released to the public pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:12-1.2(b) and (c), or under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., or the common law right to know.

After the opening of sealed Quotes, all information submitted by a Vendor {Bidder} in response to a Bid Solicitation is considered public information notwithstanding any disclaimers to the contrary submitted by a Vendor {Bidder}. Proprietary, financial, security and confidential information may be exempt from public disclosure by OPRA and/or the common law when the Vendor {Bidder} has a good faith, legal/factual basis for such assertion.

When the Bid Solicitation contains a negotiation component, the Quote will not be subject to public disclosure until a notice of intent to award a Blanket P.O. is announced.

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 will not honor any attempts by a Vendor {Bidder} to designate its entire Quote as proprietary, confidential and/or to claim copyright protection for its entire Quote.

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. Copyright law does not prohibit access to a record which is otherwise available under OPRA.

In the event of any challenge to the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} assertion of confidentiality with which the State does not concur, the Vendor {Bidder} shall be solely responsible for defending its designation, but in doing so, all costs and expenses associated therewith shall be the responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder}. The State assumes no such responsibility or liability.

A Vendor {Bidder} shall not designate any price lists and/or catalogs submitted as exempt from public disclosure as the same must be accessible to State Using Agencies and Cooperative Purchasing Program participants (if the Bid Solicitation has been extended to these participants) and thus must be made public to allow all eligible purchasing entities access to the pricing information.

In order not to delay consideration of the Quote or the State’s response to a request for documents, the State requires that Vendor {Bidder} respond to any request regarding confidentiality markings within the timeframe designated in the State’s correspondence regarding confidentiality. If no response is received by the designated date and time, the State will be permitted to release a copy of the Quote with the State making the determination regarding what may be proprietary or confidential.

See Bid Solicitation Section 4.4.2.4 Confidentiality/Commitment to Defend for additional information.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF QUOTE INFORMATION

On the date and time Quotes are due under the Bid Solicitation, all information concerning the Quotes submitted may be publicly announced and shall be available for inspection and copying except as noted below:

A. Information appropriately designated as proprietary and/or confidential shall not be available for inspection and copying; and B. Where negotiation is contemplated, only the names and addresses of the Vendors {Bidders} submitting Quotes will be announced, and the contents of the Quotes shall not be available for inspection and copying until the Notice of Intent to Award is issued by the Director.

PRICE ALTERATION IN QUOTES

Any price changes including hand written revisions or "white-outs" must be initialed. Failure to initial price changes shall preclude a Blanket P.O. award from being made to the Vendor {Bidder} pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.2(a)(8).

QUOTE ERRORS

In accordance with N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.11 “Proposal errors,” a Vendor {Bidder} may withdraw its Quote as described below.

QUOTE WITHDRAWAL PRIOR TO QUOTE OPENING

A Vendor {Bidder} may withdraw its Quote submission in NJSTART prior to the Quote opening; however, Vendors {Bidders} should note that while withdrawn NJSTART Quotes remain viewable by the Vendor {Bidder} on its Vendor Profile Homepage, they are removed from the Division’s view and cannot be considered for Blanket P.O. award. The Vendor {Bidder} may submit a revised Quote as long as the Quote is received prior to the announced date and time for Quote submission. Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instruction. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

QUOTE WITHDRAWAL AFTER QUOTE OPENING, BUT PRIOR TO BLANKET P.O. AWARD

If, after the Quote opening, but before Blanket P.O. award, a Vendor {Bidder} discovers an error in its Quote, the Vendor {Bidder} may make a written request to the Procurement Bureau to withdraw its Quote from consideration for award. If the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} request to withdraw is made in good faith, and the State will not be significantly prejudiced by granting the withdrawal of the Quote beyond the loss of the benefit of the bargain to the State of the withdrawing Vendor’s {Bidder’s} offer, the request shall be granted. Evidence of the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} good faith in making this request can be demonstrated by one (1) or more of the following factors: A mistake is so significant that to enforce the Blanket P.O. resulting from the Quote would be unconscionable; that the mistake relates to a material feature or term of the Blanket P.O.; and that the mistake occurred notwithstanding the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} exercise of reasonable care. After Quote opening, while pursuant to the provisions of this section a Vendor {Bidder} may request to withdraw its Quote and the Director may in his/her discretion allow said Vendor {Bidder} to withdraw it, the Division also may take notice of repeated or unusual requests to withdraw by a Vendor {Bidder} and take those prior requests to withdraw into consideration when evaluating the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} future Quotes.

The Quote withdrawal request must include the Bid Solicitation Number, Bid Solicitation Title, the Quote submission date and should be sent to Procurement.Bureau@treas.nj.gov.

If during a Quote evaluation process, an obvious pricing error made by a potential Blanket P.O. awardee is found, the Director or his/her designee shall issue written notice to the Vendor {Bidder}. The Vendor {Bidder} will have up to five (5) business days after receipt of the notice to confirm its pricing. If the Vendor {Bidder} fails to respond, its Quote shall be considered withdrawn, and no further consideration shall be given to it.

JOINT VENTURE

If a Joint Venture is submitting a Quote, the agreement between the parties relating to such Joint Venture should be submitted with the Joint Venture’s Quote. Authorized signatories from each party comprising the Joint Venture must sign the Offer and Acceptance Page. Each party to the Joint Venture must individually comply with all the forms and certification requirements in Sections 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 of this Bid Solicitation.

RECIPROCITY FOR JURISDICTIONAL VENDOR {BIDDER} PREFERENCE

In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:32-1.4 and N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.13, the State of New Jersey will invoke reciprocal action against an out-of-State Vendor {Bidder} whose state or locality maintains a preference practice for its in-state Vendors {Bidders}. The State of New Jersey will use the annual surveys compiled by the Council of State Governments, National Association of State Procurement Officials, or the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing or a State’s statutes and regulations to identify States having preference laws, regulations, or practices and to invoke reciprocal actions. The State of New Jersey may obtain additional information as it deems appropriate to supplement the stated survey information.

A Vendor {Bidder} may submit information related to preference practices enacted for a State or Local entity outside the State of New Jersey. This information may be submitted in writing as part of the Quote response, including name of the locality having the preference practice, as well as identification of the county and state, and should include a copy of the appropriate documentation, i.e., resolution, regulation, law, notice to Vendor {Bidder}, etc. It is the responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder} to provide documentation with the Quote or submit it to the Director within five (5) business days after the deadline for Quote submission. Written evidence for a specific procurement that is not provided to the Director within five (5) business days of the public Quote submission date may not be considered in the evaluation of that procurement, but may be retained and considered in the evaluation of subsequent procurements.

QUOTE ACCEPTANCES AND REJECTIONS

N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.7(d), the Director’s right to waive minor irregularities or omissions in a Quote and N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.2 which defines causes for Quote rejection, apply to all Quotes.

ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

Vendors {Bidders} submitting Quotes through NJSTART may sign the forms listed in Section 4.4.1 (Forms, Registrations and Certifications Required with Quote) and Section 4.4.2 (Forms, Registrations and Certifications Required Before Blanket P.O. Award and That Should Be Submitted with the Quote) of this Bid Solicitation electronically by typing the name of the authorized signatory in the “Signature” block as an alternative to downloading, physically signing the form, scanning the form, and uploading the form to NJSTART.

DEFINITIONS

CROSSWALK

GENERAL DEFINITIONS

The following definitions will be part of any Blanket P.O. awarded or order placed as a result of this Bid Solicitation.

Acceptance – The written confirmation by the Using Agency that Vendor {Contractor} has completed a Deliverable according to the specified requirements.

All-Inclusive Hourly Rate – An hourly rate comprised of all direct and indirect costs including, but not limited to: labor costs, overhead, fee or profit, clerical support, travel expenses, per diem, safety equipment, materials, supplies, managerial support and all documents, forms, and reproductions thereof. This rate also includes portal-to-portal expenses as well as per diem expenses such as food.

Best and Final Offer or BAFO – Pricing timely submitted by a Vendor {Bidder} upon invitation by the Bureau after Quote opening, with or without prior discussion or negotiation.

Bid or Bid Solicitation – This series of documents, which establish the bidding and Blanket P.O. requirements and solicits Quotes to meet the needs of the Using Agencies as identified herein, and includes the Bid Solicitation, State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC), State-Supplied Price Sheet, attachments, and Bid Amendments.

Bid Amendment – Written clarification or revision to this Bid Solicitation issued by the Division. Bid Amendments, if any, will be issued prior to Quote opening.

Business Day – Any weekday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, State legal holidays, and State-mandated closings unless otherwise indicated.

Calendar Day – Any day, including Saturdays, Sundays, State legal holidays, and State-mandated closings unless otherwise indicated.

Change Order – An amendment, alteration, or modification of the terms of a Blanket P.O. between the State and the Vendor(s) {Contractor(s)}. A Change Order is not effective until it is signed and approved in writing by the Director or Deputy Director, Division of Purchase and Property.

Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) – Software provided by Vendor {Contractor} that is intended for general use.

Cooperative Purchasing Program – The Division’s intrastate program that provides procurement-related assistance to New Jersey local governmental entities and boards of education, State and county colleges and other public entities having statutory authority to utilize select State Blanket P.O.s issued by the Division, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:25-16.1 et seq.

Custom Software – Software and Work Product that is developed by Vendor {Contractor} at the request of the Using Agency to meet the specific business requirements of the Using Agency and is intended for its use.

Customized Software – COTS that is adapted by Vendor {Contractor} to meet specific business requirements of the Using Agency that differ from the standard requirements of the base product.

Days After Receipt of Order (ARO) – The number of calendar days ‘After Receipt of Order’ in which the Using Agency will receive the ordered materials and/or services.

Deliverable – Goods, products, Services and Work Product that Vendor {Contractor} is required to deliver to the State under the Blanket P.O.

Director – Director, Division of Purchase and Property, Department of the Treasury, who by statutory authority is the Chief Contracting Officer for the State of New Jersey.

Disabled Veterans’ Business - means a business which has its principal place of business in the State, is independently owned and operated and at least 51% of which is owned and controlled by persons who are disabled veterans or a business which has its principal place of business in this State and has been officially verified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a service disabled veteran-owned business for the purposes of department contracts pursuant to federal law. N.J.S.A. 52:32-31.2.

Disabled Veterans’ Business Set-aside Blanket P.O. - means a Blanket P.O. for goods, equipment, construction or services which is designated as a Blanket P.O. with respect to which bids are invited and accepted only from disabled veterans’ businesses, or a portion of a Blanket P.O. when that portion has been so designated. N.J.S.A. 52:32-31.2.

Discount – The standard price reduction applied by the Vendor {Bidder} to all items.

Division – The Division of Purchase and Property.

Evaluation Committee – A committee established or Division staff member assigned by the Director to review and evaluate Quotes submitted in response to this Bid Solicitation and recommend a Blanket P.O. award to the Director.

Firm Fixed Price – A price that is all-inclusive of direct cost and indirect costs, including, but not limited to, direct labor costs, overhead, fee or profit, clerical support, equipment, materials, supplies, managerial (administrative) support, all documents, reports, forms, travel, reproduction and any other costs.

Hardware – Includes computer equipment and any Software provided with the Hardware that is necessary for the Hardware to operate.

Internet of Things (IoT) - the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.

Joint Venture – A business undertaking by two (2) or more entities to share risk and responsibility for a specific project.

Master Blanket Purchase Order (Blanket P.O.) – The Blanket P.O. consists of the State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC), the Bid Solicitation, the responsive Quote submitted by a responsible Vendor {Bidder} as accepted by the State, the notice of award, any Best and Final Offer, any subsequent written document memorializing the agreement, any modifications to any of these documents approved by the State and any attachments, Bid Amendment or other supporting documents, or post-award documents including Change Orders agreed to by the State and the Vendor {Contractor}, in writing.

May – Denotes that which is permissible or recommended, not mandatory.

Must – Denotes that which is a mandatory requirement.

No Bid – The Vendor {Bidder} is not submitting a price Quote for an item on a price line.

No Charge – The Vendor {Bidder} will supply an item on a price line free of charge.

Personally Identifiable Information or PII - as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, means any information about an individual maintained by an agency, including (1) any information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, such as name, social security number, date and place of birth, mother’s maiden name, or biometric records; and (2) any other information that is linked or linkable to an individual, such as medical, educational, financial, and employment information.

Primary Form – An electronic form contained within a Vendor’s {Bidder’s} NJSTART profile designated by the Vendor {Bidder} as the primary or principal version of the required form.

Procurement Bureau (Bureau) – The Division unit responsible for the preparation, advertisement, and issuance of Bid Solicitations, for the tabulation of Quotes and for recommending award(s) of Blanket P.O.(s) to the Director and the Deputy Director.

Project – The undertakings or services that are the subject of this Bid Solicitation.

QRGs – Quick Reference Guides.

Quote – Vendor’s {Bidder’s} timely response to the Bid Solicitation including, but not limited to, technical Quote, price Quote, and any licenses, forms, certifications, or other documentation required by the Bid Solicitation.

Retainage – The amount withheld from the Vendor {Contractor} payment that is retained and subsequently released upon satisfactory completion of performance milestones by the Vendor {Contractor}.

Revision – A response to a BAFO request or a requested clarification of the Vendors {Bidders} Quote.

Services – Includes, without limitation (i) Information Technology (IT) professional services, (ii) Software and Hardware-related services, including without limitation, installation, configuration, and training, and (iii) Software and Hardware maintenance and support and/or Software and Hardware technical support services.

Shall – Denotes that which is a mandatory requirement.

Should – Denotes that which is permissible or recommended, not mandatory.

Small Business – Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:32-19, N.J.A.C. 17:13-1.2, and N.J.A.C. 17:13-2.1, “small business” means a business that meets the requirements and definitions of “small business” and has applied for and been approved by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, Small Business Registration and M/WBE Certification Services Unit as (i) independently owned and operated, (ii) incorporated or registered in and has its principal place of business in the State of New Jersey; (iii) has 100 or fewer full-time employees; and has gross revenues falling in one (1) of the six (6) following categories:

A. For goods and services - (A) 0 to $500,000 (Category I); (B) $500,001 to $5,000,000 (Category II); and (C) $5,000,001 to $12,000,000, or the applicable federal revenue standards established at 13 CFR 121.201, whichever is higher (Category III).

B. For construction services: (A) 0 to $3,000,000 (Category IV); (B) gross revenues that do not exceed 50 percent of the applicable annual revenue standards established at 13 CFR 121.201 (Category V); and (C) gross revenues that do not exceed the applicable annual revenue standards established at CFR 121.201, (Category VI).

Small Business Set-aside Blanket P.O. – “means (1) a [Blanket P.O.] for goods, equipment, construction or services which is designated as a [Blanket P.O.] with respect to which bids are invited and accepted only from small businesses, or (2) a portion of a [Blanket P.O.] when that portion has been so designated.” N.J.S.A. 52:32-19.

Software – Includes, without limitation, computer programs, source codes, routines, or subroutines supplied by Vendor {Contractor}, including operating software, programming aids, application programs, application programming interfaces and software products, and includes COTS, Customized Software and Custom Software, unless the context indicates otherwise.

State – The State of New Jersey.

State Confidential Information - shall consist of all information or data contained in documents supplied by the State, any information or data gathered by the Vendor {Contractor} in fulfillment of the Blanket P.O. and any analysis thereof (whether in fulfillment of the Blanket P.O. or not);

State Contract Manager or SCM – The individual, as set forth in Section 8.0, responsible for the approval of all deliverables, i.e., tasks, sub-tasks or other work elements in the Scope of Work. The SCM cannot direct or approve a Change Order.

State Intellectual Property – Any intellectual property that is owned by the State. State Intellectual Property includes any derivative works and compilations of any State Intellectual Property.

State-Supplied Price Sheet – the bidding document created by the State and attached to this Bid Solicitation on which the Vendor {Bidder} submits its Quote pricing as is referenced and described in Bid Solicitation Section 4.4.5.

Subtasks – Detailed activities that comprise the actual performance of a task.

Subcontractor – An entity having an arrangement with a Vendor {Contractor}, whereby the Vendor {Contractor} uses the products and/or services of that entity to fulfill some of its obligations under its State Blanket P.O., while retaining full responsibility for the performance of all [the Vendor’s {Contractor's}] obligations under the Blanket P.O., including payment to the Subcontractor. The Subcontractor has no legal relationship with the State, only with the Vendor {Contractor}.

Task – A discrete unit of work to be performed.

Third Party Intellectual Property – Any intellectual property owned by parties other than the State or Vendor {Contractor} and contained in or necessary for the use of the Deliverables.