Request for proposals for psychometric analyses, technical guidance, and documentation for development of examinations administered by the judicial branch certification commission

The Texas Office of Court Administration is requesting proposals for psychometric analyses, technical guidance, and examination development services for the Judicial Branch Certification Commission, with proposals due August 12, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time.

The scope covers statistical evaluation, item review, standard setting, virtual item writing training, item writing evaluation, facilitated review with subject matter expert groups, alignment review for content and bias, final editing, form construction, creation of new test forms, and administration and scoring evaluation of examinations for four professions serving Texas courts: Court Reporters, Court Interpreters, Guardians, and Process Servers. Deliverables and milestones will be negotiated; payment occurs 30 days after OCA accepts each completed deliverable.

The contract term begins September 1, 2026 and ends in 2027, with an option to extend for one additional period via written Purchase Order Change Notice. The anticipated contract start date is August 26, 2026 or soon thereafter. Evaluation is weighted 60% on experience providing the listed services and 40% on cost, with award on best-value basis. Respondents must provide proof of Worker's Compensation Insurance meeting statutory minimums and Commercial General Liability or Professional Insurance of at least $1 million in aggregate and $500,000 per occurrence.

Proposals must be submitted electronically as searchable PDFs and include respondent information, experience and qualifications, a comprehensive proposed plan, statement of objectivity, antitrust certification, and the executed Execution of Proposal form (Attachment A). The Execution of Proposal is mandatory; responses without a completed and signed form will be disqualified. Respondents must certify compliance with anti-bribery, antitrust, child support, federal disaster relief, and federal anti-terrorism financing requirements, disclose all financial interests held by OCA governing officials and their family members, declare any personnel relationships with current OCA employees, and list all individuals or business entities holding at least 25 percent ownership interest.