Issue: Change of procurement method for soliciting Administrative Service for the State Product Approval System

Background:

At the last Commission meeting and as part of the March 28 Product Approval Program Oversight Committee (POC) report, the Commission approved the “Invitation to Negotiate” (ITN) method as the mean to solicit future administrative service for the State Product Approval System. However, after close review of the procurement methods available, it was determined that the “Request for Proposal (RFP) method is the best method suited for the proposed solicitation.

There are three formal procurement options available for acquisition of services:

(1) Invitation to BID (ITB): Scope of work clearly defined – lowest price is determining factor.

(2) Request for Proposal (RFP): Scope of work clearly defined- Criteria to be used in determining acceptability of bid include scope of work and price.

(3) Invitation to Negotiate (ITN): Scope of work and approach for the service requested is complex and cannot be specifically defined.

Staff request: Since both the scope of work and maximum fees that can be charged are already known, it is more feasible/particle to utilize the “Request for Proposal” method for the proposed solicitation.