REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS FOR. Merchandise Cards

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS FOR Merchandise Cards Issue Date: April 13, 2013 Due Dates: May 10, PM

2 I DESCRIPTION OF THE BOARD Workforce Solutions Texoma (WST) is a non-profit, tax exempt organization which is responsible for the planning, evaluation and oversight of workforce development programs in the Cooke, Fannin and Grayson Counties. The WST receives funding from the Texas Workforce Commission through several state and federal programs. II PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Using the Request for Applications (RFA) method of procurement, the WST is soliciting applications from qualified firms to be placed on the vendor list for the purchase of merchandise cards during Program Year Once the vendor list is established, WST staff will use the list to determine the most cost effective (best product at the best price/value, best location and best availability) supplier of merchandise cards. The portability of the cards will also be considered when determining the source of purchases. III DESCRIPTION OF REQUESTED GOODS/SERVICES WST staff routinely have a need for merchandise cards to use as incentives for Workforce program participants. Cards are purchases approximately once per week. For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, WST will expend approximately $25,000 for merchandise cards. Cards must be portable to all three counties in the Workforce Development Area and must be good for the purchase of food, clothing, school supplies, gasoline and household items. IV GENERAL INFORMATION A. RFA Issuer: Workforce Solutions Texoma B. Contact Person: Lacey Lucas C. Deadline for Applications: 5:00 p.m., May 10, 2013

3 CONDITIONS: This Request for Proposals does not commit WST to pay for any cost incurred prior to execution of a written agreement or prior to fund availability from the Texas Workforce Commission. WST reserves the right to accept or reject any or all responses. WST reserves the right to vary the provisions set forth herein at any time prior to the execution of a contract, where WST deems such variance to be in the best interest of the workforce development area. WST is under no legal obligation to issue a contract on the basis of making this Request for Proposal, and intends the material provided herein to serve only as a means of identifying the various alternatives for estimates of costs for the services requested by WST. All responses and the accompanying attachments become the property of WST upon submission. Materials submitted will not be returned. Respondents may be required to prepare and submit additional information prior to final execution of a contract in order to reach terms for the provision of equipment purchased which are agreeable to both parties. WST is required by law to make positive efforts to utilize historically underutilized businesses (HUB s) as sources of services and supplies. The execution of any contract resulting from this RFP process is dependent upon the availability of adequate funds. WST reserves the right to further define and add additional components as needed. Respondents selected as responsive to the intent of this RFP will be given equal opportunity to update responses for the newly identified components. WST reserves the right to refer clients to these components individually or in any combination deemed to be most appropriate to the intent of the workforce development programs. V APPLICATION FORMAT AND PREPARATION Interested parties must complete the attached Application Response Form and related attachments. Only one (1) original copy of the application is required, which must bear original signatures. VI PAYMENT POLICY The WST intends to pay for merchandise cards with a WST check at time of purchase.

4 1. Evaluation Criteria Proposals that contain all of the required elements will be deemed responsive. Points will be awarded based on the following criteria. EVALUATION CRITERIA Points (1) Availability of cards in all three counties 50 (2) Availability of items that can be purchased with the cards 25 (3) Fees for card services 25 Total 100 Availability of cards in all three counties: WST serves Cooke, Grayson and Fannin Counties and prefers to use cards that can be purchased for use in all three counties since students often seek training in one county and live in another. Availability of merchandise that can be purchased with cards: WST prefers cards that can be used to purchase food, clothing and gasoline. Vendor should be able to restrict purchase of firearms, alcohol and cigarettes. Fees: WST will give preference to vendors who do not charge fees for the use of the card, for balance inquiries or infrequent use.

5 PROPOSAL COVER SHEET NAME OF AGENCY/BUSINESS MAILING ADDRESS: PHYSICAL ADDRESS: CONTACT PERSON: TITLE: TELEPHONE: FAX:

6 ATTACHMENT A APPLICANT RESPONSE FORM I AVAILABLE GOODS / SERVICES A. Please provide a list of locations where your merchandise cards can be used. B. Are there locations in Cooke, Grayson and Fannin Counties? Yes No If not available in all 3 counties, what areas do you serve? C. Can your cards be used to purchase: Clothing Gasoline Food School Supplies Household Items II FEE FOR GOODS / SERVICES A. Does your company offer any discounts for large purchases ($2,000 per week)? Discount: % B Does your company charge a monthly fee on the unused portion of the Balance? Do you charge for balance inquiries? If you answered yes to these questions, please explain.

7 PLEASE BE SURE TO COMPLETE THE ATTACHED CERTIFICATION FORMS. ATTACHMENT B TEXAS CORPORATE FRANCHISE TAX CERTIFICATION Pursuant to Article 2.45, Texas Business Corporation Act, state agencies may not contract with for-profit corporations that are delinquent in making state franchise tax payments. The following certification that the corporation entering into this contract is current in its franchise taxes must be signed by the individual authorized on Form 2031, Corporate Board of Directors Resolution, to sign the contract for the corporation. The undersigned authorized representative of the corporation contracting herein certifies that the following indicated statement is true and correct and that the undersigned understands making a false statement is a material breach of contract and is grounds for contract cancellation. Indicate the certification that applies to your corporation: The corporation is a for-profit corporation and certifies that it is not delinquent in its franchise tax payments to the State of Texas. The corporation is a non-profit corporation or is otherwise not subject to payment of franchise taxes to the State of Texas. Name and Title of Authorized Representative Signature

8 ATTACHMENT C STATE ASSESSMENT CERTIFICATION The undersigned authorized representative of the corporation contracting herein certifies that the following indicated statement is true and correct and that the undersigned understands making a false statement is a material breach of contract and is grounds for contract cancellation. The corporation certifies that: It is current in Unemployment Insurance taxes, Payday and Child Labor Law monetary obligations and Proprietary School fees and assessments payable to the State of Texas. It has no outstanding Unemployment Insurance overpayment balance payable to the State of Texas. Name and Title of Authorized Representative Signature

9 ATTACHMENT D CERTIFICATION REGARDING DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION, INELIGIBILITY AND VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LOWER TIER COVERED TRANSACTIONS This certification is required by the regulations implementing Executive Order 12549, Debarment and Suspension, 29 CFR Part 98, Section , Participants' responsibilities. The regulations were published as Part VII of the May 26, 1988, Federal Register (pages ). (1) The prospective recipient of Federal assistance funds certifies, by submission of this proposal, that neither it nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency. (2) Where the prospective recipient of Federal assistance funds is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, such prospective participant shall attach an explanation to this proposal. Name and Title of Authorized Representative Authorized Representative Signature Date Company/Organization Name and Address

10 ATTACHMENT E CERTIFICATION REGARDING CONFLICT OF INTEREST By signature of this proposal, Proposer covenants and affirms that: (1) no manager, employee or paid consultant of the Proposer is a member of the Governing Board, the Chair, or manager of the Board; (2) no manager or paid consultant of the Proposer is a spouse to a member of the Governing Board, the Chair, or manager of the Board; (3) no member of the Governing Board, the Chair or an employee of the Board owns or controls more than 10 percent in the Proposer; (4) no spouse of a member of the Governing Board, Chair or employee of the Board is a manager or paid consultant of the Proposer; (5) no member of the Governing Board, Chair, or employee of the Board receives compensation from Proposer for lobbying activities as defined in federal laws or Chapter 305 of the Texas Government Code; (6) Proposer has disclosed within the Proposal any interest, fact or circumstance which does or may present a potential conflict of interest; (7) should Proposer fail to abide by the foregoing covenants and affirmations regarding conflict of interest, Proposer shall not be entitled to the recovery of any costs or expenses incurred in relation to any contract with them and shall immediately refund to the Board any fees or expenses that may have been paid under the contract and shall further be liable for any other costs incurred or damages sustained by the Board relating to that contract. Name of Organization Submitting Proposal: Typed Title of Authorized Signatory: Signature: Date:

11 ATTACHMENT F CERTIFICATION REGARDING REPAYMENT OF PUBLIC SUBSIDIES BY BUSINESS CONVICTED OF KNOWINGLY EMPLOYING UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS Pursuant to Texas Government Code , a business that applies to receive a public subsidy 1 from a state agency shall certify that the business, or a branch, division, or department of the business does not and will not knowingly employ an undocumented worker 2 as defined in Texas Government Code, (4). The undersigned authorized representative of the entity making the offer or application herein understands and certifies that: the following indicated statement is true and correct; making a false statement is a material breach of contract and grounds for contract cancellation; and if, after receiving a public subsidy, the entity is convicted of a violation under 8 United States Code 1324a(f) (relating to the unlawful employment of undocumented workers) the entity shall repay the amount of the public subsidy with interest, at the rate provided under the contract issued pursuant to this offer or application, within 120 days of receiving the notice of violation. Organization Name Typed/Printed Name and Title of Authorized Representative Signature of Authorized Representative Date 1 Public subsidy is broadly defined Texas Government Code (3)) as a public program or public benefit or assistance of any type that is designed to stimulate the economic development of a corporation, industry, or sector of the state s economy or to create or retain jobs in Texas. The term includes, among other things, bonds, grants, loans, loan guarantees, benefits relating to an enterprise or empowerment zone, infrastructure development and improvements designed to principally benefit a single business or defined group of businesses, and matching funds. The Commission s Office of General Counsel has found that HB 1196 does not apply to the acquisition of goods and services. 2 Undocumented worker is defined as an individual who, at the time of employment, is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, or is not authorized under law to be employed in that manner in the United States.