Request for Proposals Lottery Products Testing Services

**** March 5, 2024- Attachement No. 5 - Responses to Proposers' Questions*** February 22, 2024 - Attachment No. 4- HUB Subcontracting Plan Questions and Responses.** February 22, 2024 - Attachment No. 3- Lottery Products Testing Services RFP Pre-Proposal Conference Sign-In Sheet. To view the video of the Pre-Proposal Conference, please go to theTexas Lottery's website, https://www.texaslottery.com/, and click on About, Doing Business withTLC, Procurement.* February 20, 2024 - Attachment No. 2 Lottery Products Testing Services RFP Pre-Proposal Conference General Information and access link for February 21, 2024 at 1:30 pmThe Texas Lottery Commission is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to obtain Proposals from qualified Proposers to perform lottery products testing services.The Successful Proposer shall be responsible for conducting tests and evaluations to ensure the security, integrity and "playability" of Texas Lottery products, which include Scratch Ticket games, Draw Game Paper Stock and other lottery products. Also, at the Texas Lottery's request, the Successful Proposer shall advise the Texas Lottery on any technological advances and on security features and improvements in lottery products.Texas Lottery Scratch Ticket games are produced by third-party vendors in Packs ranging from ten (10) to two hundred fifty (250) tickets. The Packs are shipped directly by the vendors to the Texas Lottery's lottery operator. The Texas Lottery currently has Scratch Tickets at various price points. The Texas Lottery's Scratch Ticket game plan changes to accommodate the demands of the market. The number of games, overall ticket production and the expansion of price points may fluctuate to meet these demands.The Texas Lottery anticipates, but does not warrant, that there will be an average of eighty-five (85) to ninety-five (95) standard games produced annually during the Contract Term. However, the Texas Lottery does not warrant all Scratch Ticket games will be submitted for testing under the Contract resulting from this RFP. The Texas Lottery may submit multiple Packs of tickets for testing for any given game. Submission of multiple Packs of tickets for any given game shall be deemed one submission, regardless of the number of Packs. The Texas Lottery generally will send a minimum of four (4) Packs of tickets per game, per submission depending on Pack size. The Successful Proposer shall be required to report, in writing, to the Texas Lottery any differences in the quality or security of the Packs of tickets submitted for each game.The Successful Proposer shall test and evaluate Texas Lottery products to assess durability, security and alterability using standards developed by the Successful Proposer and approved by the Texas Lottery. The Successful Proposer shall provide all equipment, chemicals, labor, materials, and services necessary to test and evaluate the products.The Successful Proposer shall be required to test all Texas Lottery products at the agency's request, although the primary focus will be testing Scratch Ticket games. The Texas Lottery's Scratch Ticket game manufacturers produce tickets that are printed on paper stock, recycled paper stock, recyclable paper, foil stock, plastic stock and holographic paper stock in various sizes (e.g., 2.4" x 4" -12"x 4"). Each manufacturer uses its own type of chemical formulas which may include solvent- or water-based chemicals, or a combination of the two. The Successful Proposer's test standards shall cover all Scratch Ticket game variations and be adaptable to address advances in Scratch Ticket game manufacturing during the Contract Term.The Successful Proposer shall test lottery products until a conclusive result is reached. Additional tests, including re-tests, conducted as a result of inconclusive test results will be performed at no additional cost to the Texas Lottery.The Texas Lottery currently has a variety of retailer sales terminals, including traditional lottery and retailer point of sale (in-lane) terminals in the Texas marketplace. At the Texas Lottery's request, the Successful Proposer shall test and evaluate various types of paper stock used by the sales terminals. If paper stock and/or terminal types change during the Contract, the Texas Lottery may ask the Successful Proposer to analyze and test the materials used against the current paper stock.At the agency's request, the Successful Proposer may be required to test other Lottery products (e.g., non-standard tickets) or conduct miscellaneous testing services for new and emerging products. These services may also include testing services requested by one of the Texas Lottery's Scratch Ticket manufacturers with the agency's prior approval.Proposers shall provide the Texas Lottery with information, and evidence in their Proposal to demonstration their ability to meet the specifications of the RFP, and that will permit awarding a contract in a manner that provides the best value to the Texas Lottery. Proposers shall propose on all components and submit a single proposal for all services in response to this RFP.Proposers should refer to the Schedule of Events contained in the RFP for important filing deadlines. Proposals are due on March 25, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Central Time. Prior to submitting a response to this RFP, Proposers are advised to re-check this posting for any possible additional information or amendments.The Texas Lottery Commission is a part of the Executive Branch of Texas State Government. The Texas Lottery will not relinquish control over lottery operations. The Successful Proposer shall function under the supervision of the Texas Lottery. Its operations will be subject to the same scrutiny and oversight that would apply if all operations were performed by Texas Lottery employees. Accordingly, all operations must be conducted in adherence to applicable statutes and the highest ethical standards.This RFP and all activities leading toward the execution of a written contract pursuant to this RFP are being conducted in accordance with the State Lottery Act (Tex. Gov't Code. §§ 466.001 et seq.), as amended; the Texas Lottery's administrative regulations (16 TAC §§ 401.101, et seq.); and other applicable laws of the State of Texas. All Proposers should read and be familiar with the State Lottery Act and 16 TAC §401.101.