OUSF Administrator

The State of Oregon Department of Administrative Services, State Procurement Services, on behalf of the Public Utility Commission, is requesting proposals for an Oregon Universal Service Fund Administrator under RFP-PUC-OUSFA-final, with proposals due November 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM Pacific Time and an anticipated Notice of Intent to Award on November 17, 2026.

The scope requires comprehensive administrative services for the Oregon Universal Service Fund, established under ORS 759.425 to ensure basic telephone service at reasonable and affordable rates to Oregon utility customers. The contractor will manage a web-based system supporting approximately 400 service providers and 33 eligible telecommunications carriers; process quarterly contribution worksheets and annual identification forms; track delinquent payments and forms; send mailings and notifications; upload miscellaneous expenses and refunds; and present quarterly status updates to the OUS Fund Advisory Board, with one annual in-person presentation required. The contractor must also develop a detailed project implementation and transition plan for transferring duties from the current administrator, whose contract expires January 1, 2026.

Minimum qualifications include at least one year of experience as a universal service fund administrator or managing a similarly sized fund, secure facilities, qualified staff, three current references, and financial statements or audit documentation demonstrating fiscal responsibility.

The initial contract term is one year from December 31, 2026 or full execution, whichever is later, with renewal options. Compensation is a fixed-price arrangement with monthly installments; all travel, lodging, per diem, and mileage expenses are included within the fixed-price amount with no separate reimbursement. The contractor may request an annual rate increase limited to the Consumer Price Index with supporting documentation. The contract will be awarded to a single proposer.

Evaluation totals 175 points: prior experience (60 points), key persons and resumes (20 points), secure facilities (20 points), sample work plan (5 points), project implementation and transition plan (5 points), references (35 points), and price (30 points). Price evaluation awards 20 points to the lowest bidder, 10 points to the second-lowest, and 5 points to the third-lowest. Oregon supplies and services receive a 3% price preference deduction; reciprocal preferences apply to out-of-state proposers. Proposers are encouraged to participate as certified small businesses or through joint ventures with such firms.