Consultant for Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plans

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing is conducting a Request for Statements of Qualifications (RFSQ) for a Consultant to develop Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plans for the Office of Lieutenant Governor and 29 County Clerk Offices. The primary objective is to create comprehensive emergency preparedness plans that ensure essential governmental functions can continue during various potential disruptions, including natural disasters, technological failures, or human-caused incidents. Deliverables will include detailed COOP plans tailored to each governmental entity, project management plans, training materials, and after-action reports. The project will follow federal guidelines from FEMA (FCD-1 and FCD-2) and adopt a tiered approach to plan development, prioritizing larger and more critical county offices. Evaluation will be conducted using a 500-point scoresheet with four key technical criteria: Firm Qualifications and Experience (40 points), Understanding of the Project (25 points), Key Personnel Qualifications (10 points), and Project Approach and Methodology (25 points). The solicitation was posted on July 10, 2025, with responses due by July 31, 2025, through the U3P (Utah's procurement platform). Vendors are explicitly instructed not to include pricing in their initial qualifications submission.

The procurement is being conducted under Utah Procurement Code 63G-6a Part 15 for Design Professional Service Providers and Consultants, with no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on vendor participation mentioned. The state will select the highest-ranked vendor to negotiate a contract at compensation determined to be fair and reasonable, with the option to proceed to the next highest-ranked vendor if initial negotiations are unsuccessful. Vendors must comply with specific requirements, including maintaining workers' compensation insurance, commercial general liability insurance (minimum $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate), and adhering to state and federal employment laws. The total project budget is set at $272,000, with the intent to develop standardized and enhanced COOP capabilities across Utah's governmental entities. Potential vendors must be prepared to submit both redacted and non-redacted versions of their proposals, comply with background check requirements, and demonstrate capabilities in developing comprehensive emergency preparedness plans. The contract allows for potential amendments and participation by Utah Executive Branch Agencies, with a 90-day window for contract signing after award.