25NS1385 - CA connect contract oversight management (COM)

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is requesting proposals for Contract Oversight Management (COM) support for the California Connect Program, with proposals due October 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The contractor must provide independent, objective oversight of multiple CA Connect Program service agreements, monitoring vendor performance, validating deliverables and invoices, identifying risks and compliance concerns, and delivering consolidated reporting and recommendations to the CPUC.

The contractor must assign three required Key Staff positions — Program Oversight Director (primary contact), Financial Oversight Lead (invoice and budget tracking), and Reporting and Data Validation Lead (dashboards and performance metrics) — all based in California and available Monday through Friday during standard business hours. The Program Oversight Director requires a minimum of five years of program or contract oversight experience in government or regulated environments; the Financial Oversight Lead requires three years of invoice and financial documentation review experience; and the Reporting and Data Validation Lead requires three years of reporting or data validation experience. Desirable qualifications include relay services, accessibility programs, public benefit programs, California state processes, and publicly funded programs experience. The contractor may assign up to one support oversight person per Vendor Partner agreement, not to exceed six total support staff and nine billable personnel maximum without prior written CPUC approval. Mandatory in-person attendance includes Telecommunications Access for the Deaf and Disabled Administrative Committee, Equipment Program Advisory Committee, and Joint Committee meetings.

The contractor must maintain independence and cannot simultaneously perform oversight and operational services under any CA Connect Vendor Partner agreement. The maximum contract value is $3.5 million per contract year, with no separately reimbursable equipment, software, workspace, connectivity, or travel expenses — all costs must be included in fully loaded hourly rates. The contract term is two years beginning January 4, 2027 or upon final approval, whichever occurs later, with optional extensions of up to two additional years priced separately.

Evaluation comprises three components: written technical proposals (50 points), key staff interviews (20 points), and cost proposals (30 points). Technical scoring addresses technical understanding and oversight methodology, organizational experience and capability, key staff qualifications and staffing approach, and work plan and quality assurance. Interview scoring evaluates understanding of COM scope and independent oversight role, relevant knowledge and professional judgment, ability to identify and address risks, and communication of findings.