Telecommunications Relay Service

The State of Oregon Public Utility Commission is seeking a contractor to provide Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) and Captioned Telephone Service (CTS) for Marion County and the City of Salem through Invitation to Bid (ITB) S-86000-00006501. The procurement seeks a single contractor to deliver high-quality intrastate TRS and CTS services on a 24/7/365 basis, with an initial three-year contract term and potential for two additional two-year renewals. Bidders must have a minimum of five years' experience providing TRS and CTS in at least two states, comply with all FCC regulations, and meet mandatory minimum standards. Required deliverables include quarterly and annual reports, a complaint log, a business continuity plan, and coordination on education and outreach efforts. Bidders must submit three references for similar projects performed within the last five years and identify key personnel. The bid submission deadline is May 11, 2023, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time, with a required service start date of September 1, 2023. Evaluation will focus on the lowest responsible bidder whose bid substantially complies with all requirements, with potential liquidated damages assessed for failure to meet service level agreements.

The ITB includes a Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach Plan, requiring bidders to list any certified minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, or emerging small businesses they have contracted with in the past two years. Bidders must describe subcontracting opportunities and indicate their own certification status, with an emphasis on providing equal opportunities for certified firms. The contract will be funded through the Residential Service Protection Fund, which collects surcharges from landline, cellular, and VoIP subscribers in Oregon. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the pricing will be based on session minutes and conversation minutes, with monthly recurring charges. The contract requires comprehensive reporting, including detailed traffic reports tracking total minutes, call volumes, speed of answer, and customer contacts. Pricing will be evaluated on a lowest-cost basis across various categories, with the state reserving the right to select the most advantageous pricing model.