1. (a) Short list meeting. The managing office may require, or offer the opportunity to conduct, a short list meeting. The RFPs will be furnished by the department to providers on the short list prior to the short list meeting for use in preparation for proposal submittal or interview. 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. If a short list meeting is not held, the managing office will mail the RFP packet to the members on the short list.

2. (b) Request for proposals. The RFP will include:

   1. (1) instructions for proposal preparation and submittal and interview;
   2. (2) detailed scope of services to be provided by the department;
   3. (3) detailed scope of services to be provided by the provider;
   4. (4) proposed contract duration;
   5. (5) proposed method of payment;
   6. (6) minimum and preferred proposal qualifications;
   7. (7) minimum and preferred interview qualifications;
   8. (8) a debarment certification form;
   9. (9) a lower tier debarment certification form;
   10. (10) a lobbying certification/disclosure form; and
   11. (11) any special contract requirements.
3. (c) Proposal format. 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; and
   4. (4) unique or innovative methods of approaching the proposed work that may save time or money, or result in a better quality product.

6. (f) Proposal evaluation scale. The CST will assign a numerical value to each evaluation criteria based upon the following evaluation scale of 0 to 3 points per criterion:

   1. (1) 0 = does not meet minimum qualifications;
   2. (2) 1 = meets minimum qualifications;
   3. (3) 2 = meets minimum qualifications and at least half of the preferred qualifications; and
   4. (4) 3 = meets minimum qualifications and meets or exceeds all preferred qualifications.

Source Note:The provisions of this §9.35 adopted to be effective April 1, 1997, 22 TexReg 64.