1. (a) Eligibility. If the department elects to let a contract for the implementation of the information logo sign program, a contractor must prequalify by submitting an introductory letter and a statement of interest to be eligible to submit a bid under Transportation Code, Chapter 223. A committee of department employees appointed by the director of the division of traffic operations will evaluate and score each statement of interest. To prequalify, a contractor must receive a final score of not less than 70 points on the statement of interest.

2. (b) Introductory letter. The introductory letter shall be addressed to Director of Traffic Operations, Texas Department of Transportation, 125 E. 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701-2483, and shall contain:

   1. (1) an expression of the contractor's interest in the project;
   2. (2) a summary of the contractor's qualifications to do the work; and
   3. (3) any other summary information concerning the project team or the contractor that may be useful or informative to the department, contractors, or subcontractors.

3. (c) Statement of interest. The statement of interest shall contain the following components in the order listed.

   1. (1) Staffing.

      1. (A) The contractor shall specify the identity of key individuals, including subcontractors, who are proposed to be part of the contractor's project team together with their respective qualifications and experience on similar or related projects, the expected amount of involvement, and the time commitment for each individual and subcontractor.
      2. (B) Evaluation will be on the basis of the qualifications, experience, and time allocation of the members of the project team as they relate to the specific project, with a maximum of 20 points.

   2. (2) Capability.

      1. (A) The contractor's capability for actually undertaking and performing the work shall be described, to include the types and locations of similar work performed in the last three years that best characterizes the quality and cost control of the contractor as well as the names, addresses, and phone numbers of knowledgeable individuals who can be contacted. This component shall also include a discussion of the contractor's internal policies and procedures that are related to work quality, cost control, and resources, including management and organization capabilities currently available for performing the work for the project.
      2. (B) Evaluation will be on the basis of the contractor's capability to perform the work, including internal quality and cost control procedures, with a maximum of 15 points.

   3. (3) Understanding of the project.

      1. (A) The contractor's understanding of the project, based on information available from the department, site visits by the contractor, and applicable regulations or requirements known and as understood by the contractor, shall be discussed.
      2. (B) Evaluation will be on the basis of the contractor's demonstrated knowledge of the required work as contained in a clear and concise explanation, with a maximum of 15 points.

   4. (4) Approach to the project.

      1. (A) The approach or course of action by which the contractor proposes to meet the goals and objectives of the project shall be described. The approach must be realistic, clear and concise, and shall identify potential impacts, impediments, or conflicts.
      2. (B) Evaluation will be on the basis of how well the contractor has planned a preliminary or basic course of action, what alternative and/or innovative approaches are proposed, and what provisions are identified for dealing with potential impacts, impediments, or conflicts, with a maximum of 15 points.

   5. (5) Schedule control.

      1. (A) Internal methods that will be used by the contractor for schedule control must be fully described. Current references must be listed that confirm the contractor's ability for the timely completion of project work. The intent of this section is to make sure that the project is expedited.
      2. (B) Evaluation will be on the basis of the internal measure used by the contractor to ensure timely completion along with his or her demonstrated reputation for project completion, with a maximum of ten points.

   6. (6) Location of the work.

      1. (A) The location or locations where the work will be accomplished by the contractor and any subcontractor, the identities of those who will be involved at each work location for the major work elements on the project, the location of the business offices, and the location where the signs will be fabricated shall be identified.
      2. (B) Evaluation will be on the basis of the contractor's ability to erect, maintain, and replace signs in a timely and effective manner, with a maximum of 15 points.

   7. (7) Audited financial statement.

      1. (A) The contractor must furnish audited financial statements as required dated no later than the fiscal year immediately preceding the date of the introductory letter.
      2. (B) Evaluation will be on the basis of the contractor's financial ability to implement and operate the program, with a maximum of ten points.

   8. (8) Supporting information.

      1. (A) The contractor may provide supporting information, such as graphs, charts, photos, resumes, and references.
      2. (B) This component will not be evaluated or scored as part of the statement of interest.
4. (d) Page limits. The entire statement of interest including the eight sections listed in subsection (c) of this section should not exceed 25 pages. A page is defined as an 8.5 by 11 inch or 11 by 17 inch sheet containing text, pictures, graphs, charts, plan sheets, or any other graphics. Not more than five 11 by 17 inch sheets may be used in conjunction with pictures, graphs, charts, plans, and other graphics. If 11 by 17 inch sheets contain text only, they will be counted as two pages.

Source Note:The provisions of this §25.403 adopted to be effective October 21, 1992, 17 TexReg 7106; amended to be effective October 27, 1995, 20 TexReg 8485.