Bidder Eligibility - Washington State Department of Social ... Web viewWashington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) ITPS Work Request – 1724-642. 20. Washington

Washington State Department of Department of Social and Health ServicesITPS Work Request

Solicitation number: ITPS #1724-642

Project name: IT Security AnalystPerformance Period: from 08/15/2017 to 9/30/2018

This solicitation is issued by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) pursuant to the Information Technology Professional Services (ITPS) program which is separately coordinated by the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES).

DES separately maintains a group of categorized notification lists or "pools" of IT service providers within the state's solicitation notification system (WEBS) for state purchasers to advertise their solicitations to when they seek competitive proposals for their IT business needs. This is one of those solicitations.

The categories of lists are shown below and they identify common IT business needs of state government. This solicitation specifies one or more of those categories (checked).

The only IT service providers who should be able to view and download this solicitation are on the notification list in WEBS for the category checked below.

NOTE: If this is not the case, and you are viewing this solicitation, you received it by some other means outside of WEBS and the Purchaser will not entertain a proposal from you. For further detail, see Bidder Eligibility.

Solicitation Schedule

Solicitation posting date: 07/17/17

Questions due: 7/24/17

Answers published: 7/27/17

Complaints due: 8/10/17

Proposals due: 8/17/17, 3 PM PT

Evaluations: 8/21/17-8/30/17

Solicitation Coordinator

Name: Angela Williams

Title: Solicitation Coordinator

Phone: 360.664.6046

Email: [email protected]

Categories

ITPS_08215_01. IT Funding & Financial Analysis

ITPS_08215_02. IT Business Analysis

ITPS_08215_03. Continuity/Disaster Recovery

ITPS_08215_04. IT Project Management

ITPS_08215_05. Project Quality Assurance

ITPS_08215_06. Software Testing

ITPS_08215_07. Client/Server & Web Services

ITPS_08215_08. Database Services

ITPS_08215_09. GIS Services

ITPS_08215_10. Infrastructure Services

ITPS_08215_11. Mainframe Services

ITPS_08215_12. Mobile Services

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)ITPS Work Request – 1724-642

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1. Bidder Eligibility

Proposals to this solicitation will only be entertained from companies who are currently on the WEBS notification list for the technical service category(ies) checked on the cover page.

The notification lists are separately administered by DES, not the Solicitation Coordinator. Addition to notification lists is a prerequisite to submitting a proposal to this or any other ITPS Work Request and is separately accomplished by submitting a program agreement (DES Master Contract 08215) to DES. For further detail, refer to the DES ITPS Webpage.

NOTE: Master contract submittals received by DES prior to the 20th of each month; but no later, will be reviewed for compliance on the 20th. Those companies will be added to the applicable notification lists in WEBS at the beginning of the month following receipt. Submittals received after the 20th will be processed the following month. DES cannot expedite this schedule to facilitate a company’s ability to meet the due date of a currently posted solicitation such as this one.

2. Definitions

“Agency” means a government entity of the state of Washington.

“COTS” means Commercial Off The Shelf.

“Department” means the State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

“DES” means the Washington state Department of Enterprise Services, any division, section, office, unit or other entity of DES or any of the officers or other officials lawfully representing DES.

“Notification List” means a list within WEBS which is categorized by technical service category for state purchasers to use for notification purposes when they seek competitive bids or proposals. A company must first register in WEBS and complete this agreement in order to be added to any notification list.

“Purchaser” means the authorized user of the program who may or actually does make purchases of material, supplies, services, and/or equipment under the resulting Work Order. Includes any Washington state agency and any authorized party to the Master Contracts Usage Agreement (MCUA). Includes institutions of higher education, boards, commissions, nonprofit corporations and political subdivisions such as counties, cities, school districts, or public utility districts.

“Solicitation” means the process of notifying prospective bidders of a request for competitive bids or proposals. Also includes reference to the actual documents used for that process, along with all amendments or revisions thereto.

“Technical Service Category” means an information technology skill categorized by common IT business need of state government described and set forth in this agreement.

“Washington’s Electronic Business Solution or WEBS” means DES’s web-based solicitation notification system.


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“Work Order” means a contractual document incorporated by reference to this solicitation and executed between an eligible purchaser and a company. Each Work Order shall be the result of a Work Request (competitive solicitation).

A Work Order generally contains project objectives, description of work, timeline and period of performance, compensation and payment, company responsibilities, purchaser responsibilities, special terms and conditions, signature block, etc., and incorporates this solicitation by reference.

“Work Request” means a purchaser’s solicitation that requests bids or proposals specific to their requirements. An ITPS work request will specify a technical service category(ies) and purchasers will only entertain bids or proposals from companies who are on the notification lists for the technical service category(ies) specified.

“You” means the person or firm, completing this agreement, and includes all of its officers and employees.

3. Project Description

a. Agency Background

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is Washington's largest state agency. In any given month, DSHS provides some type of shelter, care, protection and/or support to 2.7 million of our state's 7 million people. The Department is divided into six direct service administrations and two support administrations.

The Department’s Economic Services Administration (ESA) provides help nearly one out of every four Washington residents for assistance with cash, food, child support, child care, disability determination, transition to employment, and other services. Each day, more than 4,000 ESA employees provide families and individuals across the state with the resources and support they need to build better lives. In 2013, ESA served more than 1.5 million people – representing approximately 22 percent of all Washington State residents.

ESA’s core services focus on:

(1) Poverty Reduction & Self-Sufficiency – Helping low-income people meet their basic needs and achieve economic independence through cash grants, food, and medical assistance; employment-focused services; and subsidized child care. Major programs include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and WorkFirst (Washington’s Welfare to Work program); Basic Food (formerly the Food Stamp Program); Aged, Blind, or Disabled; Pregnant Women’s Assistance; Refugee Cash Assistance; Working Connections Child Care; and medical assistance.

(2) Child Support Enforcement & Financial Recovery – Ensuring parents live up to the responsibility of supporting their children and improving the self-sufficiency of families through increased financial and medical support. In addition to child support, the administration’s collection of other debts owed to the Department protects taxpayers, while helping programs meet current expenditures and provide financial assistance, medical care and other benefits and services to those in need.

(3) Disability Determination – Determining whether individuals applying for Social Security disability benefits have a disability that prevents them from working. Under contract with the Social Security Administration, Disability Determination Services determines whether individuals qualify for benefits from the Social Security Administration and for medical


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assistance.

b. Project Background

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is implementing a number of commercial off the shelf (COTS) components and modifying several business processes to modernize the Department’s Medicaid/CHIP eligibility and enrollment systems against internal and external threats to the security of confidential client data. As part of the security modernization, the IBM mainframe environment will be upgraded with the following components:

(1) InfoSphere Guardium Data Activity Monitor – prevents unauthorized data (e.g. files & databases) access, alerts on changes or leaks to help ensure data integrity, automates compliance controls and protects against internal and external threats;

(2) RACF Server for VM – Securing and auditing access to all critical mainframe resources.

c. Location/Place of Performance

The work is expected to occur at DSHS offices in Olympia, WA. A hotel cubical will be provided at the Department’s Economic Services Administration (ESA) during regular business hours (8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday). The street address of the ESA office is 724 Quince Street SE, Olympia WA.

d. Scope of Work

As a key member of the IT Security Team, the IT Security Analyst will work with the IT Security Administrator to manage and monitor the new IBM mainframe security controls to proactively identify malicious internal and external threats. A strong background in Information Technology with experience analyzing emerging threats and risks is important. This position will report to the IT Security Administrator.

Key responsibilities include the following:

(1) Participate in the creation of enterprise security documents (e.g. policies, standards, baselines, guidelines, and procedures) under the direction of the IT Security Administrator.

(2) Perform daily incident detection and response operations. Monitor, investigate, research, and analyze intrusions, as well as develop and implement prevention tools and systems.

(3) Audit and review security and audit logs for applications and servers. Utilize tools to analyze attack patterns, inappropriate / out of policy activity, or access misuse. Report all violations to the appropriate personnel for review and corrective action.

(4) Analyze events and apply skill and judgement to escalate (as appropriate) relevant Information Security Event information. Take action to handle high severity issues including escalating to other security staff as necessary and assist with providing potential resolution or areas of improvement.

(5) Clearly and concisely document observations and findings. Create and maintain reports on performance indicators, as well as weekly/monthly metrics to maintain historical records and identify trends, etc.

(6) Provide IT security expertise for the agency. Working with executive team, staff, partners, and stakeholders, implement and support new and existing security policies and technologies.


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(7) Assist with IT Security audits by providing the security metrics necessary to adequately assess them.

(8) Assist in the ongoing assessment of security controls utilized in ESA IT Solutions.

(9) Assist with the implementation of security controls and provide operational support to those implemented within ESA IT Solutions.

e. Period of Performance

The term of the initial contract (Work Order) will be for approximately fourteen (14) months commencing on 08/15/2017 or upon the execution date, whichever is later, until 9/30/2018.

The term of the contract (Work Order) may be extended by amendment for two (2) additional one (1) year periods as needed. Amendments extending the period of performance, if any, shall be at the sole discretion of DSHS.

f. Mandatory Requirements/Qualifications

The IT Security Analyst is required to have:

(1) 4+ years of IT experience

(2) 2+ years of experience in cyber security incident response and security operations

(3) Working knowledge and experience working with IBM InfoSphere Guardium Data Activity Monitor

(4) Experience evaluating cyber threats

(5) Understanding of common threats, penetration/intrusion techniques, and security operations

(6) Experience identifying and implement solutions to complex business problems

(7) Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills

(8) Keen attention to detail

(9) Highly self-motivated and directed

g. Acceptance Criteria

The vendor staff will follow established policies, deliverable expectations and timelines in meeting deadlines. Regular meetings will be held with vendor and State staff to develop the delivery schedule.

All deliverables and work products completed by the IT Security Analyst are subject to a detailed review and approval process by ESA’s IT Security Administrator, or designee.

Vendors are required to follow the requirements of the DSHS Data Security Requirements Exhibit. (See security section in Exhibit B, Sample Work Order (Contract).

h. Additional Expectations

Security & Confidentiality

The IT Security Analyst will comply with all State of Washington and Department policies regarding confidentiality and data security, including but not limited to:


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Confidentiality Agreement for each staff member.

Allowing access only to staff that have an authorized business requirement to view the confidential information.

No removal of confidential information from the Department’s systems.

On-Site Work

The IT Security Analyst will be required to perform work on site in Olympia, WA. See Section 3.c for the work location.

A security badge is required and will be provided to the Contractor for access into the work area and for agency computer access when necessary. The Contractor will be required to complete a non-disclosure agreement and annual Security Awareness training prior to starting work.

Additional Tasks/Deliverables

Vendor may complete additional tasks/deliverables at the request of DSHS. Scope of additional tasks/deliverables must be consistent with the scope of services in this Work Request.

4. Required Submittals

Bidders must include, at a minimum, the following electronic submittals attached to an email.

Bidders may propose one (1) resource in their proposal. However, Bidders may submit a maximum of two (2) proposals for this engagement. Please ensure that you are proposing your most qualified resource(s). The proposal must include the signature of an authorized bidder representative on all documents requiring a signature.

Proposals which do not include any of the following required submittals will be rejected for non-responsiveness.

a. Administrative Requirements (Not Scored – Pass/Fail)

The Bidder must respond to every item in the same order in which they appear below. Proposals that do not follow the required order below, do not address all items (regardless of whether or not they are applicable), or is not answered in a satisfactory manner, may be rejected and disqualified from the solicitation process as “non-responsive.”

(1) Letter of Submittal

Bidders must include a signed Letter of Submittal on Bidder’s official business letterhead stationary as the first page of the proposal. Signing the Letter of Submittal indicates that the Bidder accepts the terms and conditions of this Work Request.

The Bidder’s Letter of Submittal must include the following:

(a) Name, address, principal place of business, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address of legal entity or individual with whom a resulting Work Order (contract) would be written;

(b) The name of the contact person for this Work Request;

(c) A detailed list of all materials and enclosures included in the Proposal;


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(d) A list of all Work Request amendments downloaded by the Bidder from WEBS and/or the DSHS Procurement Website, and listed in order by amendment number and date;

(e) A statement substantiating that the person signing the letter is authorized to contractually bind the Bidder;

(f) Identification of the page numbers on the Bidder’s proposal that are marked as “proprietary or confidential” information (see Section ___ for details);

(g) Any and all exceptions and/or revisions to the attached sample Work Order (contract)

Simply replacing the entirety of DSHS’ sample Work Order (contract) language with Bidder contract language will not suffice and will be considered as non-responsive. DSHS will not consider changes to contract language or negotiate any new language that is submitted after the bid deadline.

(h) A list identifying any current or former state employees who are employed by, or subcontracted with, the Bidder;

i. The list must include the name of the employee or subcontractor, the individual’s employment history with the state of Washington, and a statement of the individual’s involvement with the response to, or their proposed role in providing services under a Work Order (contract) resulting from this ITPS solicitation.

ii. If the Bidder has no employees or subcontractors that are current or former employees of the state of Washington, then the letter must so state

(i) Any statements describing variations between the Bidder’s proposal and the requirements of this Work Request; and

(j) A statement confirming that the Bidder holds a valid business license in the state of Washington, or is committed to becoming licensed within thirty (30) days of being determined the Apparent Successful Bidder, or be authorized to do business in the state.

b. Bidder Certification and Assurances Form – Exhibit A

Bidder must submit a completed Bidder Certification and Assurances Form, Exhibit A. Bidder must sign and include any other required attachments.

c. Price Worksheet

Bidders shall submit a single, all-inclusive hourly rate for additional work in the following format.

a.1 Candidate Hourly Rate (SR, 200 points)

Provide a single, all-inclusive hourly rate for the candidate

Hourly rates proposed must not exceed:

$125.00 per hour; and


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Maximum hourly rate allowed under the bidder’s master contract with DES.

Proposed Hourly Rate for Candidate:

VENDOR RESPONSE (Parts a, b, and c):Bidders shall submit their Admin-Cert-Price Submittal in the following format:

Expectation: One separate, scanned email attachment labeled in accordance with the file naming convention specified below.

Required Format: PDF

File naming convention: BidderName_ADMIN-CERT-PRICE.docx.

d. Non-Cost Submittal Template

Using the Vendor “Non-cost” Response Template, attach the self-authored template document (twenty-five pages maximum; one-sided) answering the following questions. No form is provided for this submittal. Only the first twenty-five (25) pages will be considered. It is the bidder’s responsibility to determine how much of the available space to allocate to each question. Point award allotment among the questions has been established in accordance with primary stakeholder considerations.

Failure to provide this submittal as detailed herein will render a proposal non-responsive and cause it to be rejected.

b.1 Company Qualifications (SR, 100 points)

Provide a brief summary of bidder’s organization and services. If any of the proposed staff are not bidder’s employees, then bidder shall provide a brief description of the organization providing proposed staff and their proposed role on the project.

Describe bidder’s experience providing services and/or technical consulting for similar projects.

Provide three (3) company references, including name, title, organization, telephone, email, and a brief description of the services provided on the engagement.

Bidder Response:

b.2 Candidate Qualifications (SR, 200 points)

Provide a brief summary of candidate’s experience and qualifications, including a description of the candidate’s experience providing services and/or technical consulting for similar projects.

Detail how the proposed candidate meets each of the following Section 3.f. Mandatory


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Requirements/Qualifications:

(1) 4+ years of IT experience

(2) 2+ years of experience in cyber security incident response and security operations

(3) Working knowledge and experience working with IBM InfoSphere Guardium Data Activity Monitor

(4) Experience evaluating cyber threats

(5) Understanding of common threats, penetration/intrusion techniques, and security operations

Detail the candidate’s professional certifications and the date of certification (e.g. CISSP

SSCP, ITIL, PMP, etc.)

Provide three (3) candidate references, including name, title, organization, telephone, email, and a brief description of the services provided on the engagement.

Attach Candidate Resume as separate file.

Bidder Response:

b.3 Candidate Incident Detection Experience (SR, 100 points)

Detail the proposed candidate’s qualifications and experience to perform daily incident detection and response operations. Monitor, investigate, research, and analyze intrusions, as well as develop and implement prevention tools and systems.

For each experience, include organization name, dates of service, and description of the candidates experience for that engagement.

Bidder Response:

b.4 Candidate Audit & Review Experience (SR, 100 points)

Detail the proposed candidate’s qualifications and experience to audit and review security and audit logs for firewall, IPS, IDS, Wireless, SPAM, Internet, WAN/LAN routers, and wireless Aps and servers. Utilize tools to analyze attack patterns, inappropriate / out of policy activity, or access misuse. Report all violations to the appropriate personnel for review and corrective action.


Bidder Response:


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b.5 Candidate Security Document Experience (SR, 100 points)

Detail the proposed candidate’s qualifications and experience in the creation of enterprise security documents (e.g. policies, standards, baselines, guidelines, and procedures).


Bidder Response:

b.6 Candidate Agency IT Experience (SR, 100 points)

Detail the proposed candidate’s qualifications and experience to provide Agency IT security expertise. Working with executive team, staff, partners, and stakeholders, implement and support new and existing security policies and technologies.


Bidder Response:

VENDOR RESPONSE (Part d. Non-Cost):Bidders shall submit their Non-Cost Submittal in the following format:

Expectation: One separate, scanned email attachment labeled in accordance with the file naming convention specified below.

Required Format: PDF

File naming convention: BidderName_NON-COST.pdf.

5. Submission Requirements

a. Delivery of Proposals

Proposals must be prepared and submitted in their entirety no later than the proposal submission date and time specified in the Schedule, on the cover page of this Work Request. The Proposal must be sent to the Solicitation Coordinator electronically as an attachment to an email using the email address specified on the cover page of this Work Request.

The email subject line should identify the email as “Proposal to Work Request # 1724-642.”

All Proposals and any accompanying documentation and material become the property of DSHS and will not be returned.

Purchaser assumes no responsibility for confirmation of receipt and cannot discuss contents prior to the due date and time.


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Acceptable Electronic Formats (Software) for Submission of Offers

(1) Files must be formatted in Portable Document Format (Adobe Acrobat PDF) or Microsoft Office XP and lower versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.

(2) Spreadsheet documents must be submitted in Microsoft Excel and in a live, unprotected file that includes all formulas, macros, and computations that are relied on or used to calculate any rates or values presented therein.

(3) When scanning documents to be submitted in PDF format, scanner resolution should be set to at least 200 dots per inch.

(4) Other electronic format. If you wish to submit an offer using any format other than described here, e-mail the Solicitation Coordinator who issued the solicitation. Please submit your request at least ten (10) calendar days before the scheduled closing date of the solicitation. Request a decision as to the format acceptability and make sure you receive approval of the alternate format before using it to send your proposal.

(5) Please note that we cannot accept compressed or “.zip” files due to security concerns.

NOTE: DSHS cannot receive emails that are larger than 30MB. To keep file sizes to a minimum, Bidders are cautioned not to use unnecessary graphics in their proposal. If your Proposal approaches or exceeds 30MB, you must break it up and send it by more than one email so that no single email exceeds 30MB

b. Due Date and Time

Proposals in their entirety must be received by the solicitation coordinator by the due date and time as indicated on the cover page. Late proposals will be rejected as non-responsive.

The "receive date/time" posted by the DSHS’ email system will be used as the official time stamp. Bidders should allow sufficient time to ensure timely receipt.

DSHS assumes no responsibility for delays and or errors caused by bidder’s e-mail, DSHS’ email, network events or any other party.

c. Required Submittals

All required submittals must be submitted as instructed. Proposals that do not include all required submittals are determined to be non-responsive and will be rejected. The bidder will be notified of the reasons for such rejection.

d. Format of Proposal

The Bidder must use a font size of twelve (12) or larger. Proposals must also address all sections of this Work Request in the same order as presented in this Work Request using the same headings and numbering scheme.

6. Evaluation and Award


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To aid in the evaluation process, after the due date and time, Purchaser may require individual bidders to appear at a date, time and place determined by Purchaser for the purpose of conducting discussions to determine whether both parties have a full and complete understanding of the nature and scope of contractual requirements. In no manner shall such action be construed as negotiations or an indication of an intention to award.

During evaluation, Purchaser reserves the right to make reasonable inquiry to determine the responsibility of any bidder. Requests may include, but are not limited to, financial statements, credit ratings, references, record of past performance, clarification of Bidder’s offer, and on-site inspection of bidder's or bidder's subcontractor's facilities. Failure to respond to said request(s) may result in a proposal being rejected as non-responsive.

Purchaser reserves the right to use references. Any negative or unsatisfactory response may be adequate reason for rejecting a bidder as non-responsible.

Proposals that are determined to be non-responsive will be rejected and the bidder will be notified of the reasons for such rejection.

a. Award Criteria

Award will be based on the following criteria and will be in accordance with provisions identified in RCW 39.26.160 and other criteria identified in the solicitation.

Criteria Available points

Hourly Cost 200

Non-cost 700

Interview/Oral Eval, if needed 600

Evaluation point total 1,500

b. Evaluation Process

(1) Initial Determination of Responsiveness

Proposals will be reviewed initially to determine, on a pass/fail basis, whether they meet all administrative requirements specified herein. Proposals that fail the administrative requirements will be eliminated from the evaluation process.

Purchaser reserves the right to determine at its sole discretion whether a bidder’s response to a mandatory requirement is sufficient to pass. However, if all responding bidders fail to meet any single mandatory item, Purchaser reserves the right to either: (1) cancel the procurement, or (2) revise or delete the mandatory item.

(2) Hourly Cost Evaluation

The bidder with the lowest “Hourly Cost” will receive the maximum (200) cost evaluation points. Bidders with a higher “Hourly Cost” will receive proportionately fewer cost evaluation points based upon the lowest “hourly bid rate” as follows:


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http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=39.26.160

Low hourly cost/ higher hourly cost = % of avail. points awarded * avail. points = total cost points

EXAMPLE: Bidder A Bidder B

Hourly Cost$50.00 (Low

bid) $55.00

% of available points awarded 100% 91%

Hourly Cost points (200 available) 200 182

(3) Non-Cost Evaluation

For each question, 0 is the lowest possible score and points are awarded for the most complete answers that demonstrate the Bidder’s expertise and/or experience, up to the maximum number of points listed for each question.

The evaluation team will evaluate non-cost submittals and award points consistent with their values and best professional judgment.

Each question has been assigned a weighted percentage of the total maximum point value.

The evaluators will review each bidder’s responses and award either all or a portion of the available points for each question. Scoring may be performed in isolation or together as a group, or a combination of both.

Each bidder’s awarded points will be averaged for each question. If a minimum score for a question is required but is not achieved, that bidder is disqualified. This process will repeat for all questions.

The average points awarded for each bidder’s questions will determine their non-cost point totals.

EXAMPLE:

Question 1 (100 possible) Bidder A Bidder B

Points awarded: Evaluator 1 80 70


Question 1 average points 75 65

Question 2 (100 possible) Bidder A Bidder B





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Bidder A Bidder B

Non-cost points (200 available) 160 110

In addition to presiding over the evaluation team, the Solicitation Coordinator may review the submittals, provide input, assemble evaluation aids, or perform other functions helpful to the team. Evaluators may engage in a free flow of discussion among themselves and the Solicitation Coordinator prior to, during, and after the evaluation.

(4) Interviews / Oral Evaluations (if needed)

The Department reserves the right to conduct interviews/oral evaluations of top-scoring bidder’s to support the evaluation process. If needed, an evaluation team will participate in the interview/oral evaluation and award points consistent with their values and best professional judgment.

The evaluators will review each bidder’s responses and award either all or a portion of the available points for each question. Scoring may be performed in isolation or together as a group, or a combination of both.

Each bidder’s awarded points will be averaged for each question. This process will repeat for all interview/oral evaluation questions.

If the Department determines that the interview/oral evaluation is required, the average points awarded for each bidder’s questions will determine their interview/oral evaluation point totals.

EXAMPLE:

Questions (600 possible) Bidder A Bidder B




Bidder A Bidder B

Interview/Oral Eval (600 available) 565 580

(5) Selection of Apparent Successful Bidders

To identify an apparent successful bidder, each bidder’s points earned from the cost evaluation, non-cost evaluation, and the interview/oral evaluation (if used) will be added together to determine the total evaluation points.


Hourly Cost Points (200 Possible) 200 165


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Non-cost score (700 Possible) 585 650

If Needed, Interview/Oral Eval (600 Possible) 575 585

Evaluation point total 1360 1400

If the interview/oral evaluation process is not used, only the cost evaluation and non-cost evaluation points will be added together to determine the total evaluation points.


Hourly Cost Points (200 Possible) 200 165

Non-cost score (700 Possible) 585 650

Evaluation point total 785 815

The bidder with the highest evaluation point total will be declared the apparent successful bidder. Purchaser may then enter into contract negotiations with the apparent successful bidder.

Designation as an apparent successful bidder does not imply that a Work Order will be issued. This designation does allow a Purchaser the opportunity to perform further analysis. Purchaser also reserves the right to re-review and determine whether a proposal is responsive as initially determined.

Bidders must not construe a notification of apparent successful bidder, notification of award, or attempts to negotiate, etc. as a final award decision. Any assumptions are done so at the bidder’s own risk and expense.

Should negotiations for a Work Order fail within 30 days of their initiation, Purchaser may cease negotiations and declare the second-place bidder the new apparent successful bidder and enter into negotiations with that bidder. This process will continue until a Work Order is signed or no qualified bidders remain.

(6) Notification of Apparent Successful Bidders

All bidders will be notified when Purchaser has determined the apparent successful bidder(s).

(7) Award Notification

After all considerations, all bidders will be notified via WEBS when Purchaser has confirmed its intent to award.

(8) Award

An award, in part or full, is made by Purchaser’s signature on the Work Order that is delivered to the apparent successful bidder. In some circumstances, Purchaser may include an award letter which will accompany the signed Work Order; an award letter will


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further define the award and is included by reference.

7. Additional Instructions to Bidders

a. Authorized Communication

All bidder communications concerning this solicitation must be directed to the Solicitation Coordinator. Contact with other state employees involved with the solicitation may result in disqualification. All verbal communications will be considered unofficial and non-binding. Bidders should rely only on written statements issued by the Solicitation Coordinator, such as written amendments.

b. Questions

Questions will be allowed consistent with the schedule. All questions must be submitted in writing to the Solicitation Coordinator.

Purchaser will provide written answers for questions received by the question and answer period’s deadline. Answers will be posted to WEBS.

Verbal responses to questions will not be provided. Only written answers posted to WEBS will be considered official and binding. Bidders will not be identified in answers.

When the question and answer period is complete, additional comments will be for the purpose of informing the Solicitation Coordinator of an issue only. Questions and comments outside the question and answer period will not be answered or acknowledged.

If interpretations or other changes to the solicitation are required as a result of inquiries made during the question and answer period, the solicitation may be amended. Amendments are posted to WEBS.

c. Complaints and Protests

(a) Complaints Generally

Issues or concerns not resolved to a bidder’s satisfaction during a normal question and answer period or a pre-bid meeting may be addressed through a complaint only on the following the grounds:

1. The solicitation unnecessarily restricts competition;

2. The evaluation or scoring process is unfair or flawed; or

3. The solicitation requirements are inadequate or insufficient to prepare a proposal.

A complaint must:

1. Be received by solicitation coordinator not less than five business days prior to the due date and time. Otherwise, an untimely complaint may be rejected without further consideration at the discretion of DSHS; and


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2. Be in writing.

A complaint should:

1. Clearly articulate the basis of the complaint consistent with the compliant criteria; and

2. Include a proposed remedy.

Upon receipt of a timely complaint, DSHS will consider all the facts available and respond in writing prior to the due date and time.

The solicitation coordinator shall promptly post the proposal to a timely complaint on WEBS.

DSHS’ response to the complaint is final and not subject to appeal although; the solicitation coordinator may issue further clarification if needed. Issues raised in a complaint may not be raised again during the protest period.

Failure to follow the complaint procedure described herein may be seen as a waiver on the part of the bidder and prevent the complaint from being honored and exercised.

(b) Form and Substance of a Complaint

Complaints, must:

1. Be in writing (e-mail is acceptable);

2. Be submitted by an authorized agent of the Bidder;

3. Be delivered within the time frame(s) outlined herein;

4. Be sent to the solicitation coordinator identified in the solicitation;

5. Include solicitation identifiers (i.e. title and number) ;

6. Be clearly labeled as a “Complaint”.

Additionally, all complaints must:

1. State all facts and arguments on which the Bidder is relying as the basis for its action; and

2. Include any supporting documentation.

(2) Debrief and Protest

(a) Debrief

A debriefing conference provides an opportunity for a bidder to meet with the solicitation coordinator to discuss the evaluation and scoring.


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Only bidders who have submitted timely proposals, and who have not been disqualified or designated as non-responsive during the solicitation process, may request debriefing conferences.

Requests for debriefing conferences must be communicated in writing (email acceptable) to the solicitation coordinator within three (3) business days of the announcement of the Apparent Successful Bidder(s).

A debriefing conference may be conducted either in person or by telephone and may be limited to a specified period of time, as determined by the solicitation coordinator. Debriefing conferences may take place shortly following the request. Therefore, bidders should plan ahead and have alternate representatives available. The solicitation coordinator will not allow for lengthy delays nor allow debriefing conferences to be used as delay tactics.

The failure of a bidder to submit a timely request for and attend a debriefing conference shall constitute a waiver of the right to protest.

(b) Protests

Only bidders who have submitted timely proposals and have had a debriefing conference may protest.

Upon completion of a debriefing conference, a bidder is allowed five (5) business days to file a protest with the solicitation coordinator.

Protests may only be based on one or more of the following:

1. Bias, discrimination, or conflict of interest on the part of an evaluator;

2. Errors were made in computing the score;

3. DSHS failed to follow procedures established in the solicitation document.

A protest must:

1. Be submitted to and received by the solicitation coordinator, within five business days of the protesting bidder’s debriefing conference;


3. Include a specific and complete statement of facts forming the basis of the protest; and

4. Include a description of the relief or corrective action requested.

Upon receiving a protest, the solicitation coordinator will forward the protest and all relevant information to a neutral party which had no involvement with the solicitation process. This representative will conduct a review, and issue a written response within 10 business days of receipt of the protest, unless additional time is required.


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Should additional time be required, the protesting party will be notified.

The final determination of the protest will:

i. Find the protest lacking in merit and uphold DSHS’ action; or

ii. Find only technical or innocuous errors in the acquisition process and determine the DSHS to be in substantial compliance and reject the protest; or

iii. Find merit in the protest and provide options which may include:

(A) Correcting the errors and re-evaluating all proposals, and/or

(B) Reissuing the solicitation and beginning a new process, or

(C) Making other findings and determining other courses of action as appropriate.

If DSHS determines that the protest is without merit, they will enter into a contract with the Apparent Successful Bidder(s). If the protest is determined to have merit, one of the alternatives noted in the preceding paragraph will be taken.

The protest decision is final and not subject to appeal. If the protesting bidder does not accept the agency protest decision, the bidder may seek relief in Superior Court.

(c) Form and Substance

Debrief requests and protests must:


2. Be submitted by an authorized agent of the bidder;

3. Be delivered within the time frame(s) outlined herein;

4. Be sent to the solicitation coordinator identified in the solicitation;

5. Include solicitation identifiers (i.e. title and number) ;

6. Be clearly labeled as a “Debrief”, or “Protest”.

Additionally, all protests must:

1. State all facts and arguments on which the bidder is relying as the basis for its action; and

2. Include any supporting documentation.

A Bidder’s failure to follow debrief and protest procedures described herein may be seen as a waiver on the part of the bidder and prevent a debrief request or protest from being honored and exercised.


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8. General Information

a. Option to Extend

Purchaser reserves the right to extend a Work Order issued under this solicitation at its discretion.

b. Right to Cancel

Purchaser reserves the right to cancel or reissue all or part of this solicitation at any time as allowed by law without obligation or liability.

c. Withdrawal of Proposal

After a proposal has been submitted, Bidders may withdraw their proposal at any time up to the start of written evaluations as specified in the schedule on the cover page. A written request to withdraw the proposal must be submitted to the Coordinator. If withdrawing the proposal prior to the proposal due date, the Bidder may submit another proposal at any time up to the proposal due date and time.

d. Ownership of Proposal

All materials submitted in response to this ITPS Solicitation become the property of DSHS, unless received after the deadline in which case the proposal shall be returned to the sender. DSHS shall have the right to use any of the ideas presented as part of the process in any manner as it deems appropriate or beneficial, regardless of whether it is contained in a proposal that results in selection for a Contract.

e. Information Availability

Proposal contents (including pricing information) and evaluations are exempt from disclosure until Purchaser announces apparent successful bidders.

f. Proprietary or Confidential Information

All proposals submitted become the property of Purchaser and a matter of public record after Purchaser announces apparent successful bidder(s).

Any information contained in the proposal that is proprietary or confidential must be clearly designated. Marking of the entire proposal or entire sections thereof as proprietary or confidential will not be accepted nor honored. Purchaser will not honor designations by the bidder where pricing is marked proprietary or confidential.

g. Work Orders

A proposal submitted to this solicitation is an offer to contract with Purchaser. An order document resulting from this solicitation will be designated as a Work Order. Work Orders are established upon award, acceptance and signature by both parties.

h. Solicitation Amendments


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Purchaser reserves the right to revise the schedule or other portions of this solicitation at any time. Changes or corrections will be by one or more written amendment(s), dated, attached to or incorporated in and made a part of this solicitation. All changes must be authorized and issued in writing by the Solicitation Coordinator. If there is any conflict between amendments, or between an amendment and the solicitation, whichever document was issued last in time shall be controlling. Only bidders who have properly registered and downloaded the original solicitation directly via WEBS will receive notification of amendments and other pertinent correspondence. Bidders may be required to sign and return solicitation amendments with their proposal. Bidders must carefully read each amendment to ensure they have met all requirements of the solicitation.

i. Incorporation of Documents

This document, any subsequent amendments and the bidder’s proposal will be incorporated into the Work Order which is in turn, incorporated into the successful bidder’s ITPS Master Contract with DES.

Work Orders may include additional or conflicting terms and conditions as determined by Purchaser. In the event of any conflict, the terms of the Work Order shall prevail.

9. Exhibits

a. Exhibit A – Bidder Certification and Assurances

b. Exhibit B – Sample Work Order (Contract)

c. Exhibit C – Contractor Intake Form


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