1. (a) Short list meeting. The managing office may require, or offer the opportunity to conduct, a short list meeting which will include an explanation of the proposal and/or the interview format and requirements. The department will furnish a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Interview and Contract Guide (ICG) to providers on the short list either prior to or at the short list meeting. If a short list meeting is held, the department will not accept proposals from or conduct interviews with providers that did not have a representative at the short list meeting.

2. (b) 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) a debarment certification form;
   7. (7) a lower tier debarment certification form;
   8. (8) a lobbying certification/disclosure form;
   9. (9) any special contract requirements; and
   10. (10) the interview format and requirements if interviews are conducted subsequent to the proposal.
3. (c) Proposal format. When a written proposal is required, the proposal shall be limited to the specific length and information outlined in the RFP.
4. (d) 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.

5. (e) 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 from the department or other entities; and
   5. (5) other CRC approved criteria listed in the RFP.
6. (f) Proposal evaluation scale. 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.