Elections Text Messaging

The Washington State Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) is issuing a Request for Qualifications and Quotations (RFQQ No. 25-04) for a comprehensive Elections Text Messaging system to support voter notification requirements across multiple Washington counties. The procurement seeks an experienced vendor to provide a text messaging solution that integrates with VoteWA, allowing secure electronic communication and form submission for election-related purposes. Contractors must possess at least 8 years of demonstrated experience in text messaging solutions for election notifications and deliver a fully developed, off-the-shelf system with minor customizations, application documentation, automated release pipelines, and Help Desk support. The evaluation criteria will assess Management Proposal (70%, 140 points), Cost Proposal (25%, 50 points), and include an Executive Order 18-03 Evaluation Preference (5%, 10 points), with potential additional points for references. Key dates include a preproposal conference via Microsoft Teams on March 20, 2025, and proposal submissions due by April 28, 2025, with an anticipated contract period from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2030.

The OSOS encourages participation from small and diverse businesses, including OMWBE-certified, veteran-owned, and Washington small businesses, offering a 5% bid preference for contractors that do not require mandatory individual arbitration clauses. Contractors must provide evidence of business registration, insurance coverage (including commercial general liability of $2M per occurrence/$4M aggregate), and various certifications regarding organizational qualifications, tax compliance, and criminal history. The total contract value cannot exceed $150,000 annually or $600,000 for the entire contract term. Eligible respondents must be capable of integrating with existing VoteWA infrastructure and provide a solution that meets statutory voter notification requirements while ensuring election security and privacy standards. Contractors will be required to submit detailed documentation including a Contractor's Certification form, business profile, references, and proof of small business or veteran-owned business status, with potential opportunities for businesses meeting specific size and ownership criteria.