1. (a) Request for proposals. If a written proposal is required, the managing office will provide an RFP to the short listed providers. The RFP will include:

   1. (1) instructions for:

      1. (A) a written proposal preparation and/or the interview process; and
      2. (B) submittal of the proposal;
   2. (2) scope of services to be provided by the department;
   3. (3) scope of services to be provided by the provider;
   4. (4) proposed contract duration;
   5. (5) proposed method of payment;
   6. (6) short list meeting information, if applicable;
   7. (7) administrative qualification requirement information;
   8. (8) insurance requirement information;

   9. (9) forms to be submitted with the proposal, if applicable, including:

      1. (A) a debarment certification form;
      2. (B) a lower tier debarment certification form;
      3. (C) a lobbying certification/disclosure form; and
      4. (D) other forms as specified in the RFP;
   10. (10) any special contract requirements; and
   11. (11) the interview format and requirements if interviews are conducted subsequent to the proposal.
2. (b) Proposal format. When a written proposal is required, the proposal shall be limited to the specific length and information outlined in the RFP.
3. (c) Receipt of proposals. A proposal must be received by the date, time, and place specified in the RFP. The department will not accept a proposal by electronic facsimile or by electronic mail.

4. (d) Proposal evaluation criteria. The CST will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:

   1. (1) understanding of scope of services;
   2. (2) experience of the project manager and project team;
   3. (3) ability to meet the project schedule;
   4. (4) if no interview is required, past performance scores included in the database for department contracts or references identified in the LOI or provided in response to an additional request;
   5. (5) the provider's Quality Assurance/Quality Control program, if not evaluated under §9.34 or §9.36 of this subchapter (relating to Short List Determination and Short List Interviews and Evaluation, respectively); and
   6. (6) other criteria approved by the Design Division and listed in the RFP.
5. (e) Proposal evaluation score. The CST will assign a RIF weight to each criterion. The RIF total for all criteria will equal 100. Each criterion will be scored separately on a 0-10 point scale with 10 considered the best qualified. The maximum possible score that a CST member may give is 1000 points.

Source Note:The provisions of this §9.35 adopted to be effective April 1, 1997, 22 TexReg 64; amended to be effective March 21, 1999, 24 TexReg 1821; amended to be effective March 15, 2001, 26 TexReg 2053; amended to be effective February 17, 2005, 30 TexReg 725; amended to be effective November 18, 2010, 35 TexReg 10056.