UConn 2000 Audit Services RFP TB063026.pdf

RFP# TB063026 Page 1

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

UConn 2000 Audit Services

RFP# TB063023

Proposal Release Date

June 30, 2026

Pre-Proposal Conference

July 14, 2026; 10:00 AM (ET)

Proposal Due Date

July 30, 2026; 2:00 PM (ET)

UConn Procurement 3 Discovery Drive, Unit 6076 Storrs, CT 06269-6076 Phone: 860.486.2619

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Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Background - About UConn

3.0 Scope of Work

4.0 Instructions to Proposers

5.0 Submission Instructions:

6.0 Standard RFP Requirements

7.0 Standard Contract Terms and Conditions

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1.0 Introduction

The University of Connecticut (hereinafter referred to as the “University”) is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced suppliers (hereinafter referred to as "vendor", "proposer", "bidder", “firm”, or "respondent") to enter into a contract(s) to provide the described services to the University.

2.0 Background - About UConn

UConn is a large, public university which occupies over 4,302 acres, enrolls over 30,000 students, and produces over 7,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees annually. The main campus is located in Storrs, Connecticut and regional campuses are located in the Connecticut towns of Groton (Avery Point), Hartford, Stamford, and Waterbury. Its academic health center, UConn Health, is located in Farmington, Connecticut. Detailed information is available via the University’s website.

3.0 Scope of Work

UConn is seeking proposals from experienced and qualified Certified Public Accounting firms to provide independent audit services for the UConn 2000 Infrastructure Program to assist UConn, its Board of Trustees and the Joint Audit and Compliance Committee with meeting the requirements under Connecticut General Statutes Section 10a-109z. The audit services will be conducted in accordance with applicable Connecticut General Statutes, auditing standards, and requirements governing public infrastructure and capital programs.

Section 10a-109z of the Connecticut General Statutes requires that the Board of Trustees for the University of Connecticut select and appoint independent auditors to annually conduct an audit of any project of UConn 2000 as defined in subdivision (25) of Section 10a - 109c of the General Statutes. Such audit should review invoices, expenditures, cost allocations and other appropriate documentation in order to reconcile project costs and verify conformance with project budgets, cost allocations agreements and applicable contracts. Any such auditor appointed pursuant to this section may not perform any non-audit services for the University during such period. The auditors shall report annually to the General Assembly on their findings from the audits conducted pursuant to this section.

Subdivision (25) of Section 10a - 109c of the General Statutes provides that "UConn 2000 infrastructure improvement program" or "UConn 2000" to mean the projects identified or referenced in section 10a- 109e, as same may be modified from time to time in accordance with said section 10a-109e and, in bundle, constitutes the special capital improvement program proposed by the university, approved by the state and identified in said section 10a-109e as necessary at this time to modernize, rehabilitate, renew, expand and otherwise stabilize the physical plant of the university so as to provide the Connecticut community with confidence that a concentrated, accelerated and cooperative effort is being made for the benefit of the educational and economic development needs of the state and university and in an efficient, cost effective and timely manner and to assure that the university can

RFP# TB063026 Page 4 continue to properly and proudly compete successfully for students, faculty, staff and external grant support.

The successful proposer will provide a comprehensive audit approach that meets statutory requirements while supporting the University’s oversight, reporting, and governance responsibilities.

It is the University’s intent to make a single award as a result of this RFP. However, the University reserves the right to make multiple awards if it is deemed by the University to be in the University’s best interest to do so.

The selected proposer will be responsible for providing, at minimum, the following services:

Audit and Compliance Services:

Develop and perform annual audit procedures of UConn 2000 program projects in accordance with applicable statutory requirements

Review and evaluate:

o Project invoices and expenditures o Cost allocations and supporting documentation o Compliance with approved project budgets and applicable contracts

Identify discrepancies, exceptions, areas of non-compliance, and areas for improvement

Reporting and Deliverables:

Prepare an annual report for each fiscal year under contract, beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026

Deliver final reports no later than February 15 following the audited fiscal year, or other agreed upon timeline

Provide management letters to UConn administration, the Board of Trustees and its Joint Audit and Compliance Committee

Prepare reports suitable for external distribution, including submission to the General Assembly

Ongoing Communication and Status Updates:

Provide periodic status updates, including:

o Changes to scope or procedures, if applicable o Number of projects and expenditures reviewed o Summary of findings and results of procedures performed o Status of open or pending items o Fees to date and billing status

Participate in regular meetings with University stakeholders to review progress and discuss findings

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Presentation and Governance Support:

Present audit procedure results and key findings to University leadership, including the Board of

Trustees and relevant oversight committees Support follow-up discussions, questions, and remediation planning as needed

Coordination and Oversight:

Work collaboratively with:

o Office of Audit and Management Advisory Services o Office of the Associate Vice President of Financial Operations and Controller o Office of the Vice President for Facilities Services & University Planning

Coordinate with additional University departments as required to support audit activities

The objective of this RFP is to:

Identify and select a qualified and independent Certified Public Accounting firm to perform audit procedures for the UConn 2000 Infrastructure Program in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Section 10a-109z

Support the University’s statutory reporting obligations, including reporting to the General Assembly

Provide timely reports suitable for presentation to University leadership, including the Board of Trustees and its Joint Audit and Compliance Committee, and other agreed-upon governance body, as required.

The report for Fiscal Year 2025 is included with this RFP in the Buyer Attachments section of the HuskyBuy portal as a reference.

Contract Term:

Initial term of 3 years, plus 2 additional 1-year extensions, or any part or combination thereof, for a total potential contract term of 5 years.

Price/Fee Structure In addition to the requirements outlined in Section 6.8, proposers will provide a clear and comprehensive fee structure for the services described in this RFP.

Provide a fixed annual fee for the audit services for each fiscal year included in the initial contract term.

Pricing for the initial contract term will remain firm and not subject to adjustment Include all costs necessary to deliver the services, including labor, travel, materials, and any administrative expenses Identify any assumptions that impact pricing, including scope, level of effort, or availability of documentation Provide hourly rates or unit pricing, as applicable, for:

o Additional services requested by the University outside the defined scope

RFP# TB063026 Page 6 o Expanded audit procedures or special reviews, if needed Describe any optional or value-added services, along with associated pricing, that may enhance the effectiveness of the audit or provide additional insight

Proposers may outline proposed price adjustments for any extension years, including the methodology used (e.g., CPI or other escalation factors), if applicable

4.0 Instructions to Proposers

4.1 RFP Schedule

RFP SCHEDULE DUE DATES*

RFP Issue/Release June 30, 2026 Pre-Proposal Conference July 14, 2026; 10:00 AM (ET) Question Deadline July 21, 2026; 2:00 PM (ET) Proposal Due Date & Time July 30, 2026; 2:00 PM (ET) Proposer Presentations or Demonstrations [optional] August 20 – 23, 2026

*Subject to change as deemed necessary by the University.

** A Pre-Proposal Conference will be conducted via virtual meeting platform. Directions for the Pre-Proposal Conference will be posted in the HuskyBuy platform “Buyer Attachments” for this opportunity 48 hours in advance. Pre-Proposal Conference attendance is optional for prospective proposers but highly encouraged.

4.2 Point of Contact: All communications and/or inquiries regarding this RFP must be submitted through the HuskyBuy portal. Failure to adhere to this provision may result in a Proposer being declared ineligible, proposal rejection, or Sourcing Event cancellation. The University will not respond to any request for clarification received after the Deadline for Proposer Questions has expired.

Under no circumstances may any proposer or its representative contact any employee or representative of the University regarding this Sourcing Event prior to the closing date. Strict adherence to this important procedural safeguard is required. Any violation of this condition may result in the proposer being considered non-compliant and ineligible for award.

4.3 Communications: Upon formal issuance of a RFP, the University and Proposer(s) will cease all informal communications relevant to the RFP and assume a formal, in writing, communication

RFP# TB063026 Page 7 posture until a binding contractual agreement is executed with the selected Proposer(s), all other Proposers have been notified as to their RFP status, or when the University formally rejects all proposals and cancels the RFP process. Failure to adhere this provision may result in a Proposer being declared ineligible, proposal rejection, or RFP cancellation.

4.4 Addenda: Addenda are issued in response to Proposer questions and/or University clarifications and revisions to the RFP. Addenda are incorporated into the RFP and may be incorporated along with the RFP into any resulting contract. Failure of a Proposer to retrieve any addendum shall not relieve the Proposer of any responsibility for complying with the terms thereof. All addenda must be acknowledged by the Proposer in the HuskyBuy portal. Failure to acknowledge any and all addenda may be grounds for rejection of the proposal response. If the University issues an addendum or otherwise amends the RFP or the HuskyBuy portal entry for this opportunity, after the proposal has been submitted, the Proposer must re-submit the proposal in the HuskyBuy portal before the due date and time after reviewing the addendum or amendment.

4.5 Pre-Proposal Conference: A Pre-Proposal Conference is a scheduled meeting which may occur during a public RFP solicitation process. The purpose of the meeting is to provide interested Proposers with an opportunity to: pose questions related to the RFP process and request Scope of Work information and/or clarification. Pre-Proposal Conference attendance for the opportunity is optional for prospective proposers but highly encouraged. [See the Solicitation Schedule above for specific schedule details and requirements.]

4.6 Proposal Presentations: The University evaluation committee may require proposal presentations or extended demonstrations. If invited to present or demonstrate, the Proposer will be responsible for making all the necessary arrangements and will bear all costs associated with the presentation or demonstration. Presentations or demonstrations will be scheduled at the discretion of the University and within the time allocated in the RFP schedule, when possible. [See the Solicitation Schedule for specific schedule details]. Presentation or demonstration invitations will be only issued to those firms selected to participate in the presentation or demonstration phase of this RFP and will include the meeting date, time, location, duration, and associated agenda/requirements outlining specific proposal areas for discussion, as outlined at the University’s discretion.

4.7 Campus Visitor Parking: Campus parking is strictly regulated, and violations are subject to monetary fines. Visitors must park only in areas specifically designated for general public parking (signed, paved, and lined parking areas and/or parking garage). Detailed parking information is available at the following links:

4.7.1 UCONN Parking Services (Main and Regional Campuses)

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4.8 Proposal Evaluation Criteria: All proposals will be evaluated by an evaluation committee, using the specific evaluation criteria listed in the table below. Each criterion has been assigned a value representing the relative weight. The evaluation committee will conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of the proposals received and recommend which proposal(s) is the most advantageous to the needs of the University.

Evaluation Criteria Weight

Staffing Plan/Key Personnel 30

Organizational Capability, Work Approach & Plan 40

Pricing/Fee Structure 30

Total 100

In the event the evaluation committee elects to conduct presentations or extended demonstrations by any one or more of the proposers, the evaluation committee will re-assess the proposal of each proposer that remains in the evaluation process by adjusting overall rank order based on the proposal, the supplemental content received during each such event, and the assessment of most advantageous overall to the needs of the University.

5.0 Submission Instructions:

5.1 RFP Due Date and Time: Proposals are due at the date and time stated in the Solicitation

Schedule above. Any proposal received after the stated due date and time will be rejected.

Mailed, hand-delivered, facsimile, emailed, or other physical proposals will not be accepted under any circumstances.

5.2 Submittal: The entire Proposal, including all mandatory requirements, attachments, or supplemental material must be submitted using the HuskyBuy portal. Elaborate proposals, in the form of brochures or other presentation materials beyond what is necessary to present a complete and effective proposal, are not desired and should not be included. The narrative responses in the HuskyBuy portal should be complete and comprehensive, with a corresponding emphasis on being concise and clear. Any materials that a supplier feels are needed to provide clarity to their proposal should be included as attachments to the proposal.

6.0 Standard RFP Requirements

6.1 Definitions

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6.1.1 “Request for Proposals (RFP)" means all documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, utilized for soliciting proposals. Awards made as a result of an RFP shall be based upon “Competitive Negotiation”.

6.1.2 "Competitive negotiation" means a procedure for contracting for supplies, materials, equipment or contractual services, in which proposals are solicited from qualified suppliers by a request for proposals, and changes may be negotiated in proposals and prices after being submitted.

6.1.3 “Addenda” means written and/or graphic instructions issued by the University prior to the receipt of proposals that modify or interpret the Request for Proposal documents by addition, deletions, clarification, or corrections.

6.1.4 "Proposer" means a person, firm or corporation submitting a proposal in response to a Request for Proposal.

6.1.5 “Contractor” means any business that is awarded, or is a subcontractor under, a contract or an amendment to a contract with a state contracting agency under statutes and regulations concerning procurement, including, but not limited to, a small contractor, minority business enterprise, an individual with a disability, as defined in section 4a-60, or an organization providing products and services by persons with disabilities.

6.1.6 “Non-Acceptance of Proposal” means another proposal was deemed more advantageous to the University or that all proposals were rejected.

6.1.7 “Offer” or “Proposal” means the Proposer’s response to this Request for Proposal.

6.1.8 “Services” shall mean all services described within the scope of this RFP.

6.1.9 “Agreement” shall mean the contract issued as a result of this Request for Proposal.

6.1.10 “CT-based Businesses” shall be a firm that is: (i) a business entity organized, headquartered and operating in the State of Connecticut for at least one year prior to the date of bid submission; or (ii) a business entity that is authorized to do business in Connecticut, maintains an operating location in Connecticut, and has generated over 50% of its annual gross revenues each year, over the past five (5) years prior to the date of bid submission, from work on projects located in Connecticut.

6.1.11 “Joint Venture” in this sourcing context refers to firms that may have familiarity within particular areas but may not be subject matter experts in all necessary areas; therefore, the University welcomes joint venture proposals.

6.1.12 “SBE/MBE Firm” shall refer to a certified Small Business Enterprise/Minority Business Enterprise firm that meets the qualifications as determined by legislation, Connecticut General Statute 4a-60g (Supplier Diversity Statue) as amended by Public Act 11-229.

6.1.13 "University" or “UConn” or a pronoun used in its place shall mean the University of Connecticut main campus at Storrs, Connecticut as well as its five regional campuses and the Cooperative Extension Offices.

6.1.14 “UConn Health” or “UCH” shall mean University of Connecticut Health and its affiliates.

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6.2 Proposal Understanding: Proposers must demonstrate: an understanding of the statement of work (SOW), the ability to accomplish the tasks set forth; and must include information that will enable the University to determine the proposer's overall qualifications.

6.3 Rendering of Service: Each Proposer must respond to, and be capable of, supplying all services outlined in the RFP specification.

6.4 Expiration of Proposals: Proposals shall remain in effect from the RFP due date and time for a minimum period of 180 days.

6.5 Rights Reserved: The University reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, to reject any or all proposals received (or any part thereof without penalty), to waive informalities or irregularities, to seek clarification of any proposal and communicate with a proposer related to a request for clarification, and to award a contract not based solely on the lowest cost, but based on a Proposal which, in the sole opinion of the University, best fulfills or exceeds the requirements of this RFP and is most advantageous to the University. Firms subject to Non-Acceptance of Proposal shall be notified after a binding contractual agreement between the University and the selected Proposer exists or after the University has rejected all proposals.

6.6 Modification of Proposals: Proposals may be modified and re-submitted in the HuskyBuy portal up to the due date and time designated for receipt of proposals provided they conform to these terms and conditions.

6.7 Withdrawal of Proposals: Proposals may be withdrawn from the HuskyBuy portal up to the due date and time designated for receipt of proposals.

6.8 Pricing: The Proposal must include a complete statement of the Proposer’s financial proposal and supplemental materials relevant to the financial proposal as deemed necessary by the Proposer. In the competitive process, the University will not advise a Proposer on the content of the financial proposal.

6.9 Sales Tax Exemption: In accordance Conn. Gen. Stat. §12-412(1)(A), the University is exempt from local, state, and federal excise taxes.

6.10 Independent Price Determination: Proposer warrants, represents, and certifies that:

6.10.1 The proposed costs have been arrived at independently, without consultation, communication, or agreement for the purpose of restricting competition as to any matter relating to such process with any other organization or with any competitor.

6.10.2 Unless otherwise required by law, the proposed costs have not been knowingly disclosed by the Proposer on a prior basis directly or indirectly to any other.

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6.10.3 No attempt has been made, or will be made, by the Proposer to induce any other person or firm to submit or not to submit a proposal for the purpose of restricting competition.

6.11 Review of References: The Proposer is required to provide references from customers of comparable size and scope as the University. The University is particularly interested in references that are institutions of higher education.

6.12 Good Faith Negotiation: If the University and selected Proposer(s) are unable to reach a mutually agreeable contract, the University reserves the right to abandon negotiations and commence negotiations with the next highest ranked Proposer. The University will be the sole judge of the suitability of the proposed Agreement(s).

6.13 Incorporation of Proposal: Proposals submitted in response to this RFP may, at the University’s option, be incorporated into the executed contract.

6.14 “NO SUBSTITUTE”: Unless qualified by the provision “NO SUBSTITUTE”, the use of the name of a manufacturer, brand, make or catalog designation in specifying an item does not restrict proposers to the manufacturer, brand, make or catalog designation identification. This is used simply to indicate the character, quality and/or performance equivalence of the commodity desired, but the commodity on which proposals are submitted must be of the same or better character, quality and/or performance equivalence that it will serve the purpose for which it is to be used equally as well as that specified. In submitting a proposal on a commodity other than as specified, proposer shall furnish complete data and identification with respect to the alternate commodity bidder proposes to furnish. Consideration will be given to proposals submitted on alternate commodities to the extent that such action is deemed to serve best the interests of the State. If the proposer does not indicate that the commodity he/she proposes to furnish is other than specified, it will be construed to mean that the proposer proposes to furnish the exact commodity described. Any substitutions must meet or exceed all specification requirements and must receive approval in writing from the appropriate party at the University prior to any order being filled.

6.15 Ownership of Samples: Intentionally Omitted.

6.16 Proposal Preparation: The University assumes no cost for proposal preparation and/or submission.

All costs are borne by the Proposer at Proposer’s expense.

6.17 Confidential Information: The University treats Proposals as confidential until after the award is issued. At that time, they become subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. If a Proposer wishes to supply any information, which it believes is exempt from disclosure under the Act, Proposer should summarize such information in a separate file with a filename containing the word "Confidential," and a watermark or stamp titled “Confidential”, but otherwise be presented in

RFP# TB063026 Page 12 the same manner as the Proposal. However, any such information is provided entirely at the Proposer’s own risk and the University assumes no liability for any loss or damage which may result from the University's disclosure at any time of any information provided by the Proposer in connection with its proposal.

The proposer and its employees will not disclose information acquired in connection with the performance of services under this agreement which is proprietary or confidential in nature to the University without written permission from the University. This confidentiality will continue to be in effect even after the contract has been completed or terminated for any reason. Some projects may require additional confidentiality documentation or agreements, which will vary according to the University’s needs, legal requirements and scope of work.

6.18 Freedom of Information: While the University may be willing to agree not to disclose the information proactively, the University is subject to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, found in Chapter 14 of the Connecticut General Statutes, which may require disclosure, should the document be requested with limited exceptions. Two such exceptions that might apply are as follows: (1) Conn. Gen. Stat. sec. 1-210(b)(24) permits the University to withhold records related to the procurement process while bidding and contract negotiations are underway (this moratorium is temporary and lasts only until the contract has been executed or negotiations are abandoned); and Conn. Gen. Stat. sec. 1-210(b)(5) permits the University to withhold records in its possession in the event they contains trade secrets (or intellectual property). In the event that the University determines that Conn. Gen. Stat. sec. 1-210(b)(5) may apply to a given request for the records in question, the responsibility to substantiate claims that said records would reveal trade secrets and meet the exemption requirements is borne by the owner of said trade secrets, not the University.

Further, if the entity seeking access to the documents challenges the University’s withholding of the document, said owner may be required to prove at the Freedom of Information Commission and/or in a Court of Law, that the release of said trade secrets would be harmful to the owner of the intellectual property or properties in question.

6.19 Conflict of Interest: The Proposer shall disclose and identify to the University, with its proposal, any relationships, which may constitute a potential conflict of interest with the University of Connecticut Purchasing Department, or any other University organizations or departments for the purpose of determining whether a conflict of interest exists. All such disclosures require acceptance/approval action on the part of the University, who shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether an impermissible conflict exists.

6.20 Ethics and Compliance Reporting/Whistleblower Protection: The University Office of Audit, Compliance, and Ethics is responsible for handling anonymous ethics and compliance reporting.

Any person who is aware of unethical practices, fraud, violation of state laws or regulations, or

RFP# TB063026 Page 13 other concerns relating to University policies and procedures can report such matters anonymously using the information provided on their website.

6.21 Corporate Social Responsibility: In furtherance of its longstanding commitment to fundamental human rights, to the dignity of all people, and to the environment, the University requires all Vendors to adhere to the "Vendor Code of Conduct" policy. Please provide acknowledgement of this University policy and any additional pertinent information.

6.22 Minor Defects: If, during the solicitation and/or evaluation process, the University determines that a particular mandatory requirement may be modified or waived and still allow the University to obtain goods/services that substantially meet the intent of this RFP, the mandatory requirement will be modified or waived for all proposers, and all proposals will be re-evaluated in light of the change.

6.23 Notification of RFP Status: Upon completion of the RFP review process, all Proposers will receive an RFP status notification. This notification covers three outcomes: No Further Consideration, Selected for Presentation or Demonstration, or Intent to Award.

6.24 Debriefing: Requests for debriefing by Proposer will be accommodated upon request.

6.25 OSHA Compliance: All items to be furnished shall meet all applicable local, state, and federal requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. If any at any time, items or services covered under this RFP become non-compliant with applicable law, the Proposer or Contractor shall notify the University’s Chief Procurement Officer or Director of Procurement immediately by email.

6.26 Advertising/Licensed Merchandise/Sponsorship Opportunities: The Proposer agrees, unless specifically authorized in writing by the University, that it will have no right to use the University’s name, seal, mark of any kind (including logos), and its officials and/or employees in any advertising, publicity, or promotion including, but not limited to, any expression or implication of endorsement by the University.

6.27 Award: A contract will be awarded to the Proposer(s) whose proposal(s) is deemed to be the most advantageous to the University, in accordance with the criteria set forth within the RFP, taking into account the quality of the goods or services to be supplied, conformance with specifications, delivery terms, price and financial considerations, administrative costs, past performance, warranty, and financial responsibility.

6.27.1 The University may:

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6.27.1.1 reject the proposal of any Proposer who is in default of any prior contract or is guilty of misrepresentation or any Proposer with a member of its firm in default or guilty of misrepresentation.

6.27.1.2 correct inaccurate awards resulting from clerical or administrative errors in accordance with and pursuant to the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

6.27.1.3 make an award contingent upon the successful Proposer’s execution of the applicable required State of Connecticut certifications and affidavits.

6.27.1.4 award by item, groups of items or total bid; to reject any and all proposals in whole or in part, and waive any informality or technical defects if, in its judgment, the best interests of the University will be served.

6.28 Exceptions to RFP and/or Template Contract Terms and Conditions: All exceptions to, deviations from, or inability to comply with the requirements set forth in the RFP or the University’s template contract terms and conditions must be declared and outlined in detail in the Proposal. Failure to do so will prevent the proposer from asserting an inability to comply with the terms or conditions later.

7.0 Standard Contract Terms and Conditions

The successful Proposer will be required to enter into a written contract with the University of Connecticut. The University’s template contract for this opportunity is available for download on the HuskyBuy portal and is incorporated herein by reference. Bidders are directed to carefully review the terms and conditions, as they will become part of any subsequent agreement and award.

7.1. Contract Status: The response to this RFP will be considered an offer to contract. Final negotiations on the highest evaluated offer will be conducted to resolve any differences and informalities. After final negotiations, the University will issue an acceptance of the proposal offer.

7.2. Contract Format: The resulting contract will be the product of negotiations and will be the entire agreement between the University and the Proposer, superseding and rescinding all prior agreements relating to the subject matter thereof. All of these documents signed by both parties and approved by the Office of the Attorney General will constitute the final contract. The University may also consider a request to utilize a Proposer’s template contract. To request a modification to the University’s template contract, or to propose the use of the Proposer’s template contract, the Proposer must identify the exception(s) or include its template contract in the Proposal for consideration in final contract negotiation.

7.3. Contract Modification: All changes to the contract must be agreed to, in writing, by both parties prior to executing any change.

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7.4. Contract Assignment or Subcontract: The resulting contract shall not be assigned, transferred, or sublet in whole or in part without the prior written approval of the University.

7.5. Contract Commencement: The contract will commence upon execution of the aforementioned formal agreement and final approval by the Office of the Attorney General. The Project covered under the contract will be based on the specific University requirements or requests. The University can neither project nor guarantee a specific volume of business over the term of any contract that may result from this RFP.

7.6. Proposer Default: In the event of default by the Proposer, the University reserves the right to procure the commodities and/or services from other sources and hold the Proposer liable for any excess cost occasioned thereby. If, however, public necessity requires use of material or supplies not conforming to the specifications, they may be accepted, and payment therefore shall be made at a proper reduction in price.

7.7. Payments under a Contract Award:

7.7.1. Under no circumstances shall the successful Proposer begin to perform under the contract prior to the effective date of the contract. All payments shall adhere to the payment terms negotiated in the contract award.

7.7.2. Cash discounts may be offered by the proposer for prompt payment of invoices. Such discount will not be taken into consideration in determining the low bidder but will be taken into consideration in awarding tie bids. The discount period will be computed from the date delivery is accepted at the destination or from the date the correct invoice is received by the consignee, whichever is the later date.

7.7.3. Payment terms shall be 2% 15 days, net 45 days unless otherwise noted in the bidder’s proposal. Terms other than those indicated above will be subject to University approval.

7.8. Evaluation of Performance: During or after the term of any contract or other agreement that results from this RFP process, the University may conduct evaluations of the successful Proposer’s performance including, but not limited to equipment, staffing, supplies and services. The successful Proposer may be requested to provide quality performance metrics and must cooperate with the University in any such evaluations and work with the University to correct any deficiencies noted.

7.9. Responsibilities of the Proposer:

7.9.1. Observing Laws and Regulations: The Proposer shall keep fully informed of and shall faithfully observe all laws, national and state, and all ordinances and regulations affecting responsibility to the University, or affecting the rights of supplier's employees, and must protect and indemnify the University, its officers, and agents against any claims of liability arising from or based on any violation thereof.

7.9.2. Representations: Each firm, by submitting a proposal, represents that it:

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7.9.2.1. Has read and completely understands the proposal documents and all issued amendments or addenda; and

7.9.2.2. is totally familiar with the conditions under which the work is to be performed including but not limited to availability and cost of labor and materials.

7.9.3. Purchase Orders and Sub-Proposers: Purchase Orders and payments will only be issued to the Proposer. It is the Proposer’s responsibility to issue Purchase Orders, schedule services and pay all sub-Proposers and partners directly.

7.10. Advertising/Sponsorship Opportunities: In submitting a proposal, the Proposer agrees, unless specifically authorized in writing by the University on a case by case basis, that it shall have no right to use, and shall not use, the name of the University of Connecticut, its officials or employees, or the marks of the University (e.g., wordmark, seal, logos), a) in any advertising, publicity, marketing, or promotion; nor b) to express or imply any endorsement of agency’s services; nor c) to use the name of the state, its officials or employees or the University marks in any manner (whether or not similar to uses prohibited by subparagraphs (a) and (b) above) except only to manufacture and deliver in accordance with this agreement such services as are hereby contracted by the University. Should the Proposer be interested in pursuing a formalized sponsorship agreement with the University, which may include advertising benefits and use of University marks, contact UConn Procurement at the conclusion of this solicitation process for details on how to pursue such a relationship.