RequestforProposalsforHealthTechnologySubjectMatter
ExpertsandConsultants
RFPNo.2016-MeHI-02
MassachusettsTechnologyCollaborative
[MassachusettseHealthInstitute]
75NorthDriveWestborough,MA01581-3340
ProcurementTeamLeader: / KatieGreenRFPIssued: / 7/8/2016
QuestionsDue: / 7/25/2016
AnswerstoQuestionsPosted: / 8/1/2016
ResponsesDue: / 8/22/2016
1Introduction
(a)MassachusettsTechnologyCollaborative(“MassTechCollaborative”),onbehalfofMassachusettseHealthInstitute,isissuingthisRequestforProposalsforSpecializedConsultingServicesandSubjectMatterExperts(RFPNo.2016-MeHI-02)(the“RFP”)tosolicitresponsesfromqualifiedcontractors(“Respondents”)withexperienceinthetypesofservicessetforthinSection3(the“Services”).
(b) MassTechCollaborativewillbethecontractingentityonbehalfofMassachusettseHealthInstitute.
ForthepurposesofthisRFP(andexceptwherethespecificcontextwarrantsotherwise),MassachusettseHealthInstituteandMassTechCollaborativearecollectivelyreferredtoasMassTechCollaborative.
(c) Bystructuringthisprocessintheformofarequestforproposals,RespondentswillbecompetingagainsteachotherforselectionbytheMassTechCollaborativetoprovideitwiththeServicesinoneormoreofthecategoriessetforthinSection3,pursuanttohourlyratesandpersonnelschedulesthatarerequiredtobesubmittedbyRespondentstothisRFP.
(d)TheMassTechCollaborativeshallcomparethesubmissionsofallRespondentspursuanttotheevaluationcriteriasetforthinthisRFP.ThisRFPwillremainopenonarollingbasis.TheMassTechCollaborativeintendstocompletetheprocessofselectingandcontractingwithaninitialgroupofRespondentsbySeptember30,2016.ResponsessubmittedaftertheinitialdeadlineofAugust22,
2016,willbereviewedandcomparedonaperiodicbasispursuanttotheevaluationcriteriasetforthinthisRFP.Workordersawardedtoanyselectedfirmorcontractor(via“Mini-Bid”or“ListSelection”,asthosetermsaredefinedinSection6.1(o)),aredeemedtobeawardedonacompetitivebasis.AsaresultofthisRFP,theMassTechCollaborativeintendstoselectandenterintoMasterAgreementswithvariousindividualsand/orfirmstoassurethatithasongoingandexpeditiousaccesstoserviceprovidersatcompetitive(andpreferablydiscounted)rates.
RESPONDENTSPLEASENOTE:
(a) ThisRFPdoesnotcommitMassTechCollaborativetoselectanyfirm(s),awardanyworkorder,payanycostsincurredinpreparingaresponse,orprocureorcontractforanyservicesorsupplies. MassTechCollaborativereservestheright,initssolediscretion,toacceptorrejectanyorallsubmittalsreceived,tonegotiatewithanyorallqualifiedRespondents,torequestmodificationstoproposalsinaccordancewithsuchnegotiations,torequestsupplementalorclarifyinginformationfromrespondents,ortocancel,amendormodifytheRFPinanymanner,inpartorinitsentirety,atanytime.
(b) Individuals providing services to Mass Tech Collaborative may be considered “special stateemployees”subjecttotheprovisionsoftheMassachusettsConflictofInterestLaw(M.G.L.c.268A).MassTechCollaborative’sMasterAgreementforServices(the“MasterAgreement”)requirescontractorstocertify,amongotherthings,compliancewiththeMassachusettsConflictofInterestlaw.
(c) RespondentstothisRFPwhoarecurrently(orwhoanticipatethattheyprospectivelymaybe)providingservicestoMassTechCollaborativegranteesareadvisedtoreviewtheMassTechCollaborativeprocurementconflictspolicy(locatedat Aspartofitsresponse,RespondentmustaffirmativelyindicatewhetherithascontractsforservicesfundedinpartorinwholebyMassTechCollaborativegrants.
SeeSection3forothereligibilityrequirements.
2BackgroundonSponsorsandProject
2.1MassachusettsTechnologyCollaborative
MassTechCollaborativeisanindependentpublicinstrumentalityoftheCommonwealthofMassachusettscharteredbytheCommonwealthtoserveasacatalystforgrowingitsinnovationeconomy. Mass Tech Collaborative brings together leaders from industry, academia, andgovernmenttoadvancetechnology-focusedsolutionsthatleadtoeconomicgrowth,jobcreation,andpublicbenefitsinMassachusetts. MassTechCollaborativeenergizesemergingmarketsinthehigh-techsectorbyfillinggapsinthemarketplace,connectingkeystakeholders,expandingbroadband
services,conductingcriticaleconomicanalysis,andprovidingaccesstointellectualandfinancialcapital. MassTechCollaborativehasthreeprimarydivisions: TheInnovationInstituteattheMassTechCollaborative,theMassachusettsBroadbandInstitute,andtheMassachusettse-HealthInstitute. ForadditionalinformationaboutMassTechCollaborativeanditsprogramsandinitiatives,pleasevisitourwebsiteat
2.2MassachusettseHealthInstitute
MeHIischargedbytheLegislatureandstateAdministrationwithsupportingtheinnovativeuseoftechnologytoreducethecostandimprovethequalityofhealthcaredeliveredintheCommonwealth.MeHIpromotesthedeploymentofEHRsystemsinallhealthcareprovidersettingsintheCommonwealthandfacilitatestheirsecurenetworkingthroughtheMassHIway.MeHI’sprogramsaredesignedtogrowtheadoptionanduseofhealthinformationtechnologyinmultiplecaresettingstopositivelyimpacthealthreformeffortsinMassachusetts.MeHIalsosupportsthegrowthoftheemergingdigitalhealthindustryclusterinMassachusetts.ForadditionalinformationabouttheMassachusettseHealthInstituteanditsprogramsandinitiatives,pleasevisitourwebsiteatmehi.masstech.org.
3ServicesRequired
3.1General
Respondents may request qualification in one or more of the categories described herein.Respondingfirmsshouldclearlyindicatethecategoryorcategoriesforwhichtheywishtobeconsideredforselection.
3.2ProjectManagementServices
TheMassTechCollaborativeperiodicallyrequiresprojectmanagementdirectionandsupportforprogramswithinitsMasseHealthInstitute(MeHI)division.MassTechisseekingcandidatesthathaveexperiencewithEHRandotherHealthITimplementationsusingbestpractices.Projectmanagementresponsibilitiesmayincludethefollowing:
WorkwithMeHIprogramstafftodefineprojectscopeandestablishgoals,objectivesanddeliverablesfortheproject
Defineprojectteamandestablishrolesandresponsibilities
Workwithprojectteamtodetermineprojectbudget
Identifypotentialrisksorissuesthatmayariseoverthecourseoftheproject
Developprojectplanandschedule
Facilitateregularprojectstatusmeetings
DeliverprogressreportstoMeHIleadershipteam
3.3PollingandSurveyExpertise
Throughitsprogramming,theMassTechCollaborativeoftenrequirespollingandsurveyexpertisetoprovidebaselineresearchandassistinitsstrategicplanning. Thesemarketingservicesprovideassistanceandguidanceintheapproach,development,methodologiesanddesignofqualitativeandquantitativeresearch.TheMassTechCollaborativemayalsorequireanalysis,communications,andmediaservicestodisseminatepollresultsthroughpublicationsandspeakingengagements.
3.4GrantWriting
Fromtimetotime,theMassTechCollaborativerequiresassistanceinapplyingforstateandfederalgrants.Firmswithexperienceinfederalandstategrantwritingareencouragedtorespond.Responsibilitiesmayincludeassistanceindevelopingandscopingthegrantproposalandwritingsectionsoftheproposal.Respondentsshouldindicatethetypesofgrantstheyhaveworkedon.Thosewithexperienceinwritinghealthcarerelatedgrantswillreceivepreference.
3.5EventManagement
TheMassTechCollaborativeperiodicallyrequireseventmanagementservicestoassistintheplanning,coordination,andpromotionofitspublicevents.Specificexamplesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,providingassistanceindevelopingworkplans,assigningresourcesandoutliningtheirresponsibilitiesandpriorities,designingcontentforexternalcommunicationsandpromotions,andresearchingandsecuringappropriateeventvenues,audio/visualequipment,catering,printing,andother3rdpartyeventservices.FirmsthatrespondtothisRFPshouldlistthespecificeventplanning,coordination,andpromotionservicestheycanprovide,andlistrelevantexperiencetoprovidesuchservicesinapublicsettingwheretheacquisitionofthirdpartyeventservicesarebasedonRequestsForQuotations.
3.6EducationCurriculumDesignandDeployment
TheMassTechCollaborativeperiodicallyrequiresservicestoassistinthedesignanddeploymentofeducationalmaterialsrelatedtoitsworkpromotinghealthIT,digitalhealth,andrelatedhealthcaretopics.Specificexamplesinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
Providingassistanceinthedevelopmentofeducationalprograms,topics,andthedetailedcontentforwebinars,seminars,workgroups,andothereducationalsessions;
Designingeducationaltemplates,modelsandgraphicsasnecessarytomodel,visualize,andexemplifythedetailedcontent;and
Developingrelatedpresentationmaterials,PowerPoints,coursebooks,exerciseworkbooks,hand-outs,andotherrelevantmaterials.
FirmsthatrespondtothisRFPshouldlistthespecificeducationalcurriculumdesignanddeploymentservicestheycanprovide.Responsesshouldincluderelevantexperienceindifferenthealthcaresettings,andinparticularinbehavioralhealthandlong-termpost-acutecare.Respondentsshouldalsolisttheirexperienceincreatingcurriculumsforthetopicslistedunderthe“SubjectMatterExperts”sectionofthisRFP.
3.5SubjectMatterExperts
TheMassTechCollaborativeperiodicallyrequiressubjectmatterexpertise(“SME”)inavarietyofhealthcareandhealthITspecificareas.TheMassTechCollaborativemayrequireSMEsforpresentations,bothatinpersoneventsandviawebinars,asfacilitatorsforgroupdiscussions,andtoprovidecontentdevelopment,includingbestpracticedocumentation.Firmsshouldindicatethespecificcontentareas,fromthelistbelow,underwhichtheyareseekingqualificationasaSME.RespondentsshouldlistthespecificstaffwhowouldserveastheSMEineachcontentareaandincludetheirhourlyrateintheBudgetTemplate.TheMassTechCollaborativeanticipatesthattherespondentwillhaveextensiveexperienceinthecontentareaforwhichtheyseekqualification,includingknowledgeofstateandfederalpolicyrelatedtothattopic.TheMassTechCollaborativeseeksSMEsinthefollowingareas:
HIPAAprivacyandsecurity
Patientconsent,includingspecificexpertisein42CFRpart2
Developmentofguidanceandtoolstoassistprovidersincommunicatingwithpatientsandotherprovidersonthetopicsofhealthinformationexchange,particularlyinbehavioralhealth
HealthITexpertiseinspecificsectors:(pleaseindicateyourspecificareaofexpertise)
oHomeHealth
oBehavioralHealth,includingintegratedprimarycareandbehavioralhealthcaremodels
oLongTermandPost-AcuteCare
PatientCenteredMedicalHomes
AccountableCareOrganizationsincluding:
oCaremodelstosupportsubstanceusedisorder
oIntegratingcommunitysupportwiththemanagedcareACOmodel
HealthITvalueandcostsavings
Healthinformationexchangeincluding:
oSystemdesignandimplementation
oHIErolloutandmanagement
oTechnicalarchitectureandworkflowissues
oBusinessandclinicaloperationsissues
oStandardizeddatasetsforcommonusecases
Massachusettsandfederalpublichealthreporting,qualitymetrics,populationhealthanalytics,andrelatedcomplianceandregulationissues
EHRoptimization
EHRdatasegmentation
Workflowplanning,implementation,andchangemanagement
PatientPortals
Practicetransformation
OtherspecificHealthITtopics(pleaseindicateanyotherspecificareasofexpertise)
4SubmissionofResponses
4.1Schedule
TheRFPprocesswillproceedaccordingtothefollowinganticipatedschedule:
7/8/2016 / RFPIssued7/25/2016 / Deadline for all questions and clarification inquiries, preferablysubmittedviae-mailto
8/2/2016 / DeadlineforallanswerstoRespondentsquestions.
8/22/2016 / Responsesdueby3:
Responseswillbeduenolaterthan3:00p.m.EST,on8/22/2016. Responsesreceivedlaterthanthedateandtimespecifiedwillnotbereviewedintheinitialbatchofresponses.Suchresponsesmaybereviewed and acted upon at a later time at Mass Tech Collaborative’s discretion. Mass TechCollaborativeassumesnoresponsibilityorliabilityforlatedeliveryorreceiptofresponses.
4.2Questions
QuestionsregardingthisRFPmustbesubmittedbyelectronicmailto iththefollowingSubjectLine:“Questions–RFPNo.2016-MeHI-02“). Allquestionsmustbereceivedby5:00p.m.ESTonJuly25,2016. Responsestoallquestionsreceivedwillbepostedonorbefore5:00p.m.on
8/22/2016toMassTechCollaborativeandComm-Buyswebsite(s).QuestionsreceivedaftertheinitialdeadlinemaybereviewedandansweredatalatertimeatMassTechCollaborative’sdiscretion.
4.3InstructionsforSubmissionofResponses:
RespondentsarecautionedtoreadthisRFPcarefullyandtoconformtoitsspecificrequirements. FailuretocomplywiththerequirementsofthisRFPmayserveasgroundsforrejection.Anelectroniccopyoftheapplicationpackagemustbesubmittedby3:00pmESTonMonday,August22,2016.Pleasesendvia email to . MeHI accepts no responsibility for late delivery of anapplication.AlllateapplicationsshallbereturnedtotheApplicantsunopened.
(a)AllresponsesmustbesubmittedinMSWordor.pdfformat,withArial10pointfont,andwith1”margins,withtheexceptionoftheBudgetTemplatewhichshouldbesubmittedinExcelformat.
(b)Astatementindicatingcompliancewiththeterms,conditionsandspecificationscontainedinthisRFPmustbeincludedintheresponse. SubmissionofthesignedAuthorizedRespondent’sSignatureandAcceptanceForm(AttachmentB1)shallsatisfythisrequirement.
(d)Anyandalldata,materialsanddocumentationsubmittedtoMassTechCollaborativeinresponsetothisRFPshallbecomeMassTechCollaborative’spropertyandshallbesubjecttopublicdisclosure under the Massachusetts Public Records Act. In this regard, Respondents arerequiredtosigntheAuthorizedRespondent’sSignatureandAcceptanceForm,setforthasAttachmentBhereto.
RESPONDENTSPLEASENOTE: BYEXECUTINGTHEAUTHORIZEDRESPONDENT’SSIGNATUREANDACCEPTANCEFORMANDSUBMITTINGARESPONSETOTHISRFP,RESPONDENTCERTIFIESTHATIT(1)ACKNOWLEDGESANDUNDERSTANDSTHEPROCEDURESFORHANDLINGMATERIALSSUBMITTEDTOMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVE,ASSETFORTHINATTACHMENTA-1HERETO,(2)AGREESTOBEBOUNDBYTHOSEPROCEDURES,AND(3)AGREESTHATMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVESHALLNOTBELIABLEUNDERANYCIRCUMSTANCESFORTHEDISCLOSUREOFANYMATERIALSSUBMITTEDTOITPURSUANTTOTHIS
RFPORUPONRESPONDENT’SSELECTION.
4.4InformationRequired:
(a)Executive Summary: Respondents should provide a summary of their organization, theirqualifications,theirproposedapproachforworkingwithMassTechCollaborative,andthecategory(s)ofservicesforwhichtheyseekprequalification. Thissummaryshouldbeamaximumoftwo(2)pagesinlength.
(b)Statement of Respondent’s Qualifications: All responses must include a statement of theRespondent’s history, along with its qualifications and experience to provide the ServicesidentifiedintheRFP.TheresponseshouldspecificallyindicatetheRespondent’scurrentandhistoricalexpertiseinthecategoriesofServicesidentifiedintheRFPforwhichitseekstobeselected.
(d)StaffQualifications: AllresponsesmustincluderesumesofeachindividualwhowillbeprovidingtheServicesunderanyworkorder,aswellaswrittendescriptionsoftheindividual’sbackgroundandexperienceinthecategoriesofServicesidentifiedinthisRFP.AllRespondentsmustidentifytheindividual(s)whowillhaveprimaryresponsibilityforcontactandcommunicationswithMassTechCollaborativeundereachsuchcategoryofServices.MassTechCollaborativereservestherighttoinvestigateandtoreviewthebackgroundofanyorallpersonnelassignedtoworkundertheMasterAgreement,includinganyworkordersthereto,and,basedonsuchinvestigations,atitssolediscretion,torejecttheuseofanyperson(s). AnychangestotheprojectpersonnelshallrequireformalwrittenapprovalbyMassTechCollaborative.MassTechCollaborativereservestherighttoterminatetheMasterAgreementand/oranyworkorderifchangesarenotapproved.
(e)References: Allresponsesmustincludereferencesfromatleastthree(3)oftheRespondent’sclientswhohaveutilizedtheorganizationonmattersrelatedtotherespectivecategoriesofServicesforwhichRespondentdesirestobeselected. Allreferencesmustincludeacontactname,address,andtelephonenumber. Inadditiontotheforegoing,allresponsesmustincludealistingofpublicandprivateclientsforwhomtheorganizationhasprovidedservicessimilartothosesetforthinthisRFP,withadescriptionoftheservicesprovided. IfindividualsidentifiedasparticipantsinacontractenteredintounderthisRFPpreviouslyparticipatedinanyoftheprojectsperformedforotherclientsontheforegoinglist,theRespondentmustidentifytheprojectsinwhichtheindividualparticipated.
(f)BillingRatesandStructure: TheMassTechCollaborativeanticipatesestablishingasetrateschedulewiththeselectedfirmfortheperiodendingJune30,2018. Inanticipationofthisprocess,Respondentsarerequiredtoincludethefollowinginformationintheirresponse.Respondentsmay,butarenotrequiredto,usetheforminAttachmentCtoprovidethisinformation.
Ascheduleofhourlyratestobechargedbypersonnelidentifiedinthequalificationstatementaboveandratecategoriesforadditionalpersonnelthatmayworkonspecificassignments.ThescheduleshouldincluderatestobechargedthroughJune30,2018.Pleaseindicatediscounts,ifany,thatarebeingofferedfromstandardhourlyrates.Respondentsmayalsoofferblendedhourlyrates.WorkperformedunderaworkordertotheMasterAgreementwillgenerallybebilledinaccordancewiththehourlyratesprovidedbytheRespondent(the“theOfferedRate”).
A list, by type and amount, of any additional fees,overhead charges, or reimbursableexpenses,ifany.Asageneralpolicy,MassTechCollaborativedoesnotpaymark-upsonreimbursablesorout-of-pocketexpenses,nordoesMassTechCollaborativepayforovertimeormeals.Fortravelcosts,MassTechCollaborativepaystheIRSStandardMileageRate.
Theminimumlevelofeffort,eitherinhoursortotalfunding,thattheRespondentrequirestoenterintoaworkorder,ifany.
(g)TaxLawCompliance: Allresponsesmustincludeanaffidavitofcompliancewithallcorporatefilingrequirementsandcompliancewithstatetaxlaws. SubmissionofthesignedAuthorizedRespondent’sSignatureandAcceptanceForm(AttachmentB1)shallsatisfythisrequirement.
(h)AdditionalDocumentation: Allresponsesmustincludethefollowingadditionaldocumentation.
AuthorizedRespondent’sSignatureandAcceptanceForm(AttachmentB1)
ResponseCoversheet(seeAttachmentB2)
Officer’sCertificate(seeAttachmentD)
5 EvaluationProcess,CriteriaandSelection
5.1 Process
MassTechCollaborative’sevaluationteamshallevaluateeachresponsethatisproperlysubmitted. Aspartoftheselectionprocess,MassTechCollaborativemayinvitefinaliststoanswerquestionsregardingtheirresponseinpersonorinwriting.
5.2 Criteria
SelectionofaRespondenttoprovidetheservicessoughthereinwillbebasedonthefollowingcriteria:
Demonstratedcapacity,facilities,andorganizationalstructuretoperformthetypeofservicessoughtinthisRFP.
QualificationandexperienceoftheRespondentandtheprimarypersonnelidentifiedtoprovidetheservicesineachapplicablecategory.
Recordofperformancewithotherclients.
Experienceinprovidingsimilarservicestootherclients.
DemonstratedknowledgeofthecategoriesidentifiedinSection3oftheRFPforwhichthe
Respondentseeksselection.
Reasonablenessoftheofferedratesandbillingstructure.
Lackofdebarmentstatusbyeitherthestateorfederalgovernment.
Theorderofthesefactorsdoesnotgenerallydenoterelativeimportance.MassTechCollaborativereservestherighttoconsidersuchotherrelevantfactorsasitdeemsappropriateinordertoobtainthe“bestvalue”.
5.3 Selection
Notificationofselectionornon-selectionofallRespondentswhosubmittedconformingresponseswillbee-mailedwhentheselectionprocessisfinal. TheselectedRespondent(s)willexecutethestandardMaster Agreement, available at In the event that a RespondentselectedunderthisRFPiscurrentlypartytoaMasterAgreement,MassTechCollaborativewillexerciseitsdiscretionineithermaintainingthecurrentMasterAgreementorterminatingtheagreementandrequiringexecutionofanewMasterAgreement.
RESPONDENTSAREREQUIREDTOSPECIFYANYEXCEPTIONSTOTHEMASTERAGREEMENTANDTOMAKEANYSUGGESTEDCOUNTERPROPOSAL(S)WITHTHEIRRESPONSE. FAILURETOSPECIFYEXCEPTIONSAND/ORCOUNTERPROPOSALS WILL BE DEEMED AN ACCEPTANCE OF THE MASTER AGREEMENT’S TERMS ANDCONDITIONS,ANDNOSUBSEQUENTNEGOTIATIONOFSUCHPROVISIONSSHALLBEPERMITTED.RESERVINGONE’SRIGHTSTONEGOTIATETERMSAFTERANAWARDISMADEISUNACCEPTABLE.
6OtherProvisions
6.1GeneralInformation
(a)Thetermsof801C.M.R.21.00:ProcurementofCommoditiesandServicesisincorporatedbyreferenceintothisRFP.Theforegoingnotwithstanding,MassTechCollaborative’sMasterAgreement(availableat Allterms,conditions,requirements,andproceduresincludedinthisRFPmustbemetforaresponsetobedeterminedresponsive.IfaRespondentfailstomeetanymaterialterms,conditions,requirementsorprocedures,itsresponsemaybedeemedunresponsiveanddisqualified.
(b) Allresponses,proposals,relateddocumentationandinformationsubmittedinresponsetothisRFParesubjecttotheMassachusettsPublicRecordsLaw,M.G.L.c.66,§10,andtoM.G.L.c.4,§7(26),regardingpublicinspectionandaccesstosuchdocuments.Anystatementsreservinganyconfidentialityorprivacyrightsinsubmittedresponsesorotherwiseinconsistentwiththesestatuteswillbevoidanddisregarded. Theforegoingnotwithstanding,MassTechCollaborativehasdevelopedasetofprocedurestodealwithalldocumentssubmittedtoitinresponsetothisRFP,andthoseproceduresaresetforthinAttachmentA-1hereto. ByexecutingtheAuthorizedRespondent’sSignatureandAcceptanceFormappendedheretoasAttachmentB1,Respondentacknowledges,understandsandagreestobeboundbytheproceduressetforthinAttachmentA-1andA-2,andagreesthatMassTechCollaborativeshallnotbeliableunderanycircumstancesforthesubsequentdisclosureofanymaterialssubmittedtoitbyRespondentpursuanttothisRFPand/orinconnectionwithanycontractenteredintobetweenRespondentandMassTechCollaborativeasaresultofthisRFPprocess.
(c) Further,anyselectedRespondentmustrecognizethatintheperformanceoftheMasterAgreementandanyworkordersissuedthereunderitmaybecomeaholderofpersonaldata(asdefinedinM.G.L.c.66A,andassetforthinAttachmentA2)orotherinformationdeemedconfidentialbytheCommonwealth. Respondentshallcomplywiththelawsandregulationsrelatingtoconfidentialityandprivacy,includinganyrulesorregulationsofMassTechCollaborative. Anyquestionsconcerningissuesofconfidentiality,thesubmissionofmaterialstoMassTechCollaborative,applicationoftheproceduressetforthinAttachmentA,oranyotherquestionsrelatedtothesemattersshouldbeaddressedtoElizabethA.Copeland,Esq.,AssociateGeneralCounselatMassTechCollaborative.
(d)ItisthepolicyofMassTechCollaborativethatcontractsareawardedonlytoresponsiveandresponsibleRespondents. TheRespondentmustrespondtoallrequirementsoftheRFPinacompleteandthoroughmanner. TheRespondentmustdemonstrate: (1)theavailabilityofadequateresourcesandstaffingtoefficientlyandexpeditiouslyserviceMassTechCollaborative’sneeds;(2)thenecessaryexperience,organization,qualifications,skillsandfacilitiestoprovidetheServicessetforthinthisRFP;(3)asatisfactoryrecordofperformanceintheprovisionoftheServicessetforthinthisRFP;(4)theabilityandwillingnesstocomplywiththerequirementsofFederalandStatelawrelativetoequalemploymentopportunity. ANYRESPONSEDETERMINEDTOBENON-RESPONSIVETOTHISRFP,INCLUDINGINSTRUCTIONSGOVERNINGTHESUBMISSIONOFRESPONSES,WILLBEDISQUALIFIEDWITHOUTEVALUATIONSUBJECTTOTHERIGHTOFTHEMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVETOWAIVEMINORIRREGULARITIESINRESPONSESSUBMITTEDUNDERTHISRFP.
(e) UnlessotherwisespecifiedinthisRFP,allcommunications,responses,anddocumentationmustbeinEnglish,andallcostproposalsorfiguresinU.S.currency. AllresponsesmustbesubmittedinaccordancewiththespecifictermsofthisRFP. RespondentsshouldnotethattheproceduresforhandlinginformationdeemedsensitivebyRespondentandsubmittedtoMassTechCollaborativesetforthinAttachmentAapplyonlytohardcopydocuments,andarenotapplicabletoinformationsubmittedby,amongothermethods,electronicmail,facsimileorverbally.
(f) Respondents are prohibited from communicating directly with any employee of Mass TechCollaborativeexceptasspecifiedinthisRFP,andnootherindividualCommonwealthemployeeorrepresentativeisauthorizedtoprovideanyinformationorrespondtoanyquestionsorinquiriesconcerningthisRFP.RespondentsmaycontacttheProcurementTeamLeaderforthisRFPintheeventthisRFPisincomplete.Theforegoingnotwithstanding,anyquestionsconcerningissuesof
confidentiality,thesubmissionofmaterialstoMassTechCollaborative,applicationoftheproceduressetforthinAttachmentA-1orA-2,oranyotherquestionsrelatedtothesematters,shouldbeaddressedtoElizabethA.Copeland,Esq.,AssociateGeneralCounselatMassTechCollaborative.
(g)TheMassTechCollaborativemayprovidereasonableaccommodations,includingtheprovisionofmaterialinanalternativeformat,forqualifiedRespondentswithdisabilitiesorotherhardships.Respondentsrequiringaccommodationsshallsubmitrequestsinwriting,withsupportingdocumentationjustifyingtheaccommodations,totheMassTechCollaborative.TheMassTechCollaborativereservestherighttograntorrejectanyrequestforaccommodations.
(h) IfaRespondentisunabletomeetanyofthespecificationsrequiredinthisRFP,theRespondent’sresponsemustincludeanalternativemethodformeetingsuchspecificationbyidentifyingthespecification,theproposedalternativeandthoroughlydescribinghowthealternativeachievessubstantiallyequivalentorbetterperformancetotheperformancerequiredintheRFPspecification.MassTechCollaborativewilldetermineifaproposedalternativemethodofperformanceachievessubstantiallyequivalentorbetterperformance.
(i) ThegoalofthisRFPistoselectandenterintoaMasterAgreementwiththeRespondent(s)thatwillprovidethebestvaluefortheServicestoachieveMassTechCollaborative’sgoals.Respondentsarethereforeinvitedtoproposealternativeswhichprovidesubstantiallybetterormorecost-effectiveperformancethanachievableunderastatedRFPspecification.
(j) Costs that are not specifically identified in the Respondent’s response and/or not specificallyacceptedbyMassTechCollaborativeaspartoftheMasterAgreementwillnotbecompensatedunderanycontractawardedpursuanttothisRFP. MassTechCollaborativeshallnotberesponsibleforanycostsorexpensesincurredbyRespondentsinrespondingtothisRFP.
(k) TheRespondentmaynotaltertheRFPoritscomponentsexceptforthoseportionsintendedtocollecttheRespondent’sresponse(Costpages,etc.).ModificationstothebodyofthisRFP,specifications,termsandconditions,orwhichchangetheintentofthisRFPareprohibited. AnymodificationsotherthanwheretheRespondentispromptedforaresponsewilldisqualifytheresponse. The foregoing notwithstanding, proposed exceptions and/or counterproposals to theMasterServiceAgreementarepermittedtobesubmittedwitharesponse.
(l) Respondent’ssubmittedResponseshallbetreatedbyMassTechCollaborativeasanaccuratestatementofRespondent’scapabilitiesandexperience. ShouldanystatementassertedbyRespondentprovetobeinaccurateorinconsistentwiththeforegoing,suchinaccuracyorinconsistencyshallconstitutesufficientcauseforrejectionoftheresponseand/orofanyresultingcontract.TheRFPevaluationcommitteewillruleonanysuchmattersandwilldetermineappropriateaction.
(m)Submittedresponsesmustbevalidinallrespectsforaminimumperiodofsixty(60)daysafterthedeadlineforsubmission.
(n) MassTechCollaborative’spriorapprovalisrequiredforanysubcontractedservicesunderanyMasterAgreemententeredintoasaresultofthisRFP. TheselectedRespondentwilltakeallnecessaryaffirmativestepstoassurethatminorityfirms,women’sbusinessenterprises,andlaborsurplusareafirmsareusedwhenpossible.SelectedRespondent(s)areresponsibleforthesatisfactoryperformanceandadequateoversightoftheirsubcontractors. SubcontractorsarerequiredtomeetthesamerequirementsandareheldtothesamereimbursablecoststandardsastheselectedRespondent(s).
(o) TheMasterAgreementandanyworkorder(s)enteredintoasaresultofthisRFPshallgenerallybeonafee-for-servicebasis. ItisanticipatedthatMassTechCollaborativewillselectmultipleRespondentstothisRFPandwillenterintoaMasterAgreementwitheachoftheselectedRespondents.OnceRespondentshavebeenselectedandhaveexecutedaMasterAgreement,theMassTechCollaborativeintendstoawardworkordersfortheServicessetforthhereinbasedoneither(1)bidssubmittedbyselectedRespondents(the“Mini-bid”),or(2)theMassTechCollaborative’sdiscretionindeterminingwhichoftheselectedRespondentspresentsthebestvalue
option(the“ListSelection”).ProcurementsdonebyeitherMini-BidorListSelectionshallbedeemedcompetitive.
6.2Changes/AmendmentstoRFP
ThisRFPhasbeendistributedelectronicallyusingtheMassTechCollaborativeandtheComm-Buyswebsites. IfMassTechCollaborativedeterminesthatitisnecessarytoreviseanypartofthisRFP,orifadditionaldataisnecessarytoclarifyanyofitsprovisions,asupplementoraddendawillbepostedtotheMassTechCollaborativeandComm-Buyswebsites. ItistheresponsibilityofRespondentstochecktheMassTechCollaborativeand/ortheComm-BuyswebsitesforanyaddendaormodificationstoanyRFPtowhichtheyintendtorespond. MassTechCollaborative,theCommonwealthofMassachusetts,anditssubdivisions accept no liability and will provide no accommodation to Respondents who submit aresponsebasedonanout-of-dateRFPdocument.
ATTACHMENTA-1
THEMASSACHUSETTSTECHNOLOGYCOLLABORATIVE
POLICYANDPROCEDURESREGARDINGSUBMISSIONOF“SENSITIVEINFORMATION”
MassachusettsTechnologyCollaborative,theInnovationInstitute,theMassachusettsBroadbandInstituteandtheMassachusettse-HealthInstitute(collectivelyreferredtohereinas“MassTechCollaborative”)aresubjecttotherequirementsconcerningdisclosureofpublicrecordsundertheMassachusettsPublicRecordsAct,M.G.L.c.66(the“PublicRecordsAct”),whichgovernstheretention,dispositionandarchivingofpublicrecords. ForpurposesofthePublicRecordsAct,“publicrecords”includeallbooks,papers,maps,photographs,recordedtapes,financialstatements,statisticaltabulations,orotherdocumentarymaterialsordata,regardlessofphysicalformorcharacteristics,madeorreceivedbyMassTechCollaborative. Asaresult,anyinformationsubmittedtoMassTechCollaborativebyagrantapplicant,recipientgrantee,respondenttoarequestforresponse(including,butnotlimitedtoanRFQ,RFPandRFI),contractor,oranyotherparty(collectivelythe“SubmittingParty”)issubjecttopublicdisclosureassetforthinthePublicRecordsAct.
Theforegoingnotwithstanding,"publicrecords"donotincludecertainmaterialsordatawhichfallwithinoneofthespecificallyenumeratedexemptionssetforthinthePublicRecordsActorinotherstatutes,includingMassTechCollaborative'senablingact,M.G.L.Chapter40J. OnesuchexemptionthatmaybeapplicabletodocumentssubmittedbyaSubmittingPartyisforanydocumentarymaterialsordatamadeorreceivedbyMassTechCollaborativethatconsistsoftradesecretsorcommercialorfinancialinformationregardingtheoperationofanybusinessconductedbytheSubmittingParty,orregardingthecompetitivepositionofsuchSubmittingPartyinaparticularfieldofendeavor(the"TradeSecretsExemption").
ITISMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVE’SEXPECTATIONANDBELIEFTHATTHEOVERWHELMINGPERCENTAGEOFDOCUMENTSITRECEIVESFROMASUBMITTINGPARTYDOESNOTCONTAINANYINFORMATIONTHATWOULDWARRANTANASSERTIONBYMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVEOFANEXEMPTIONFROMTHEPUBLICRECORDSACT.SUBMITTINGPARTIESSHOULDTHEREFORETAKECAREINDETERMININGWHICHDOCUMENTSTHEYSUBMITTOMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVE,ANDSHOULDASSUMETHATALLDOCUMENTSSUBMITTEDTOMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVEARESUBJECTTOPUBLICDISCLOSUREWITHOUTANYPRIORNOTICETOTHESUBMITTINGPARTYANDWITHOUTRESORTTOANYFORMALPUBLICRECORDSREQUEST.
IntheeventthataSubmittingPartywishestosubmitcertaindocumentstoMassTechCollaborativeandbelievessuchadocumentordocumentsmaybeproprietaryinnatureandmayfallwithintheparametersoftheTradeSecretsExemptionand/orsomeotherapplicableexemption,thefollowingproceduresshallapply:
1. AtthetimeoftheSubmittingParty’sinitialsubmissionofdocumentstoMassTechCollaborative,the Submitting Party must provide a cover letter, addressed to Mass Tech Collaborative’sGeneralCounsel,indicatingthatitissubmittingdocumentswhichitbelievesareexemptfrompublicdisclosure,includingadescriptionofthespecificexemption(s)thattheSubmittingPartycontendsis/areapplicabletothesubmittedmaterials,aprecisedescriptionofthetypeandmagnitudeofharmthatwouldresultintheeventofthedocuments’disclosure,andaspecificstartdateandenddatewithinwhichtheclaimedexemptionapplies. Ifdifferentexemptions,harmsand/ordatesapplytodifferentdocuments,itistheSubmittingParty’sresponsibilityandobligationtoprovidedetailedexplanationsforeachsuchdocument.
2. AtthetimeoftheSubmittingParty’sinitialsubmissionofdocumentstoMassTechCollaborative,the Submitting Party must also clearly and unambiguously identify each and every suchdocumentthatitcontendsissubjecttoanexemptionfrompublicdisclosureas“SensitiveInformation.” ItistheSubmittingParty’sresponsibilityandobligationtoensurethatallsuchdocuments are sufficiently identified as “Sensitive Information”, and Submitting Party’sdesignationmustbeplacedinaprominentlocationonthefaceofeachandeverydocumentthatitcontendsisexemptfromdisclosureunderthePublicRecordsAct.
INFORMATIONSUBMITTEDTOMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVEINANYFORMOTHERTHANAHARDCOPYDOCUMENTWILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THIS POLICY. FOR EXAMPLE,INFORMATION
SUBMITTEDBYE-MAIL,FACSIMILEAND/ORVERBALLYWILLNOTBESUBJECTTOTHESEPROCEDURESANDMAYBEDISCLOSEDATANYTIMEWITHOUTNOTICETOTHESUBMITTINGPARTY.
3. DocumentsthatarenotaccompaniedbythewrittennotificationtoMassTechCollaborative’sGeneralCounselorarenotproperlyidentifiedbytheSubmittingPartyas“SensitiveInformation”atthetimeoftheirinitialsubmissiontoMassTechCollaborativearepresumptivelysubjecttodisclosureunderthePublicRecordsAct,andtheproceduresforprovidingtheSubmittingPartywithnoticeofanyformalpublicrecordsrequestfordocuments,assetforthbelow,shallbeinapplicable.
4. AtthetimeMassTechCollaborativereceivesdocumentsfromtheSubmittingParty,anysuchdocumentsdesignatedbySubmittingPartyas“SensitiveInformation”shallbesegregatedandstoredinasecurefilingareawhennotbeingutilizedbyappropriateMassTechCollaborativestaff. Bysubmittingagrantapplication,requestforresponse,oranyotheractthatinvolvesthesubmissionofinformationtoMassTechCollaborative,theSubmittingPartycertifies,acknowledgesandagreesthat(a)MassTechCollaborative’sreceipt,segregationandstorageofdocuments designated by Submitting Partyas “Sensitive Information” does not represent afindingbyMassTechCollaborativethatsuchdocumentsfallwithintheTradeSecretsExemptionoranyotherexemptiontothePublicRecordsAct,orthatthedocumentsareotherwiseexemptfromdisclosureunderthePublicRecordsAct,and(b)MassTechCollaborativeisnotliableunderanycircumstancesforthesubsequentdisclosureofanyinformationsubmittedtoMassTechCollaborativebytheSubmittingParty,whetherornotsuchdocumentsaredesignatedas“SensitiveInformation”orMassTechCollaborativewasnegligentindisclosingsuchdocuments.
5. IntheeventthatMassTechCollaborativereceivesaninquiryorrequestforinformationsubmittedbyaSubmittingParty,MassTechCollaborativeshallproduceallresponsiveinformationwithoutnoticetotheSubmittingParty. IntheeventthattheinquiryorrequestentailsdocumentsthattheSubmittingPartyhaspreviouslydesignatedas“SensitiveInformation”instrictaccordancewiththisPolicy,theinquiringpartyshallbenotifiedinwritingthatoneormoreofthedocumentsithasrequestedhasbeendesignatedbytheSubmittingPartyas“SensitiveInformation”,and,ifnotalreadysubmitted,thataformal,writtenpublicrecordsrequestmustbesubmittedbytherequestingpartytoMassTechCollaborative’sGeneralCounselforadeterminationofwhetherthesubjectdocumentsareexemptfromdisclosure.
6. UpontheGeneralCounsel’sreceiptofaformal,writtenpublicrecordsrequestforinformationthatencompassdocumentspreviouslydesignatedbySubmittingPartyas“SensitiveInformation”,theSubmittingPartyshallbenotifiedinwritingofMassTechCollaborative’sreceiptofthepublicrecords request, and Mass Tech Collaborative may, but shall not be required to provideSubmittingPartyanopportunitytopresentMassTechCollaborativewithinformationand/orlegalargumentsconcerningtheapplicabilityoftheTradeSecretsExemptionorsomeotherexemptiontothesubjectdocuments.
7. TheGeneralCounselshallreviewthesubjectdocuments,thePublicRecordsActandtheexemption(s) claimed by the Submitting Party in making a determination concerning theirpotentialdisclosure.
THEGENERALCOUNSELISTHESOLEAUTHORITYWITHINMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVEFORMAKINGDETERMINATIONS ON THE APPLICABILITY AND/OR ASSERTION OF AN EXEMPTION TO THE PUBLICRECORDSACT.NOEMPLOYEEOFMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVEOTHERTHANTHEGENERALCOUNSELHASANYAUTHORITYTOADDRESSISSUESCONCERNINGTHESTATUSOF“SENSITIVEINFORMATION”ORTOBINDMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVEINANYMANNERCONCERNINGMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVE’STREATMENTANDDISCLOSUREOFSUCHDOCUMENTS.
FURTHERMORE,THEPOTENTIALAPPLICABILITYOFANEXEMPTIONTOTHEDISCLOSUREOFDOCUMENTSDESIGNATEDBYTHESUBMITTINGPARTYAS“SENSITIVEINFORMATION”SHALLNOTREQUIREMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVETOASSERTSUCHANEXEMPTION. MASSTECHCOLLABORATIVE’SGENERALCOUNSELRETAINSTHESOLEDISCRETIONANDAUTHORITYTOASSERTANEXEMPTION,ANDHEMAYDECLINETOEXERTSUCHANEXEMPTIONIF,WITHINHISDISCRETION,THEPUBLICINTERESTISSERVEDBYTHEDISCLOSUREOFANYDOCUMENTSSUBMITTEDBYTHESUBMITTINGPARTY.
8. MassTechCollaborativeshallprovidetherequestingpartyandSubmittingPartywithwrittennoticeofitsdeterminationthatthesubjectdocumentsareeitherexemptornotexemptfromdisclosure.
9. IntheeventthatMassTechCollaborativedeterminesthatthesubjectdocumentsareexemptfrom disclosure, the requesting party may seek review of Mass Tech Collaborative’sdeterminationbeforetheSupervisorofPublicRecords,andMassTechCollaborativeshallnotifytheSubmittingPartyinwritingintheeventthattherequestingpartypursuesareviewoftheMassTechCollaborative’sdetermination.
10.IntheeventtherequestingpartypursuesareviewofMassTechCollaborative’sdeterminationthatthedocumentsareexemptfromdisclosureandtheSupervisorofPublicRecordsconcludesthatthesubjectdocumentsarenotexemptfromdisclosureandorderstheMassTechCollaborativetodisclosesuchdocumentstotherequester,MassTechCollaborativeshallnotifytheSubmittingPartyinwritingpriortothedisclosureofanysuchdocuments,andSubmittingPartymaypursueinjunctiverelieforanyothercourseofactioninitsdiscretion.
11.IntheeventthatMassTechCollaborativedeterminesthatthesubjectdocumentsarenotexemptfromdisclosureortheGeneralCounseldeterminesthat,underthecircumstancesandinhisdiscretion,MassTechCollaborativeshallnotassertanexemption,MassTechCollaborativeshallnotify the Submitting Party in writing prior to the disclosure of any such documents, andSubmittingPartymaypursueinjunctiverelieforanyothercourseofactioninitsdiscretion.
THESUBMITTINGPARTY’SSUBMISSIONOFDOCUMENTATIONTOMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVESHALLREQUIREASIGNEDCERTIFICATIONTHATSUBMITTINGPARTYACKNOWLEDGES,UNDERSTANDSANDAGREESWITHTHEAPPLICABILITYOFTHEFOREGOINGPROCEDURESTOANYDOCUMENTSSUBMITTEDTOMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVE BY SUBMITTING PARTY AT ANY TIME,INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THEACKNOWLEDGEMENTSSETFORTHHEREIN,ANDTHATSUBMITTINGPARTYSHALLBEBOUNDBYTHESEPROCEDURES.
AlldocumentssubmittedbySubmittingParty,whetherdesignatedas“SensitiveInformation”ornot,arenotreturnabletoSubmittingParty.
ATTACHMENTA-2
MASSTECHCOLLABORATIVEPOLICYANDPROCEDURESFORHOLDINGPARTIESIN
POSSESSIONOFSENSITIVEINFORMATION
Fromtimetotime,consultants,contractors,grantees,aswellasotherthirdpartiesinteractingwithMassTechCollaborative(collectively,the“HoldingParty”)mayreceive,haveaccesstoorcreateconfidential,proprietaryorotherwisesensitiveinformationregardingMassTechCollaborative,itsactivities,itsemployeesand/orthirdparties,suchasapplicants,consultants,grantees,recipientsorrespondentsunderMassTechCollaborativeprograms,whichinformationisnotgenerallyknownbyordisseminatedtothepublicasamatterofcourse. InformationofthisnatureissometimesreferredtointhisAgreementas"SensitiveInformation." MassTechCollaborativeexpectsallHoldingPartiestomaintainthehighestdegreeofprofessionalism,integrityandproprietywithrespecttoSensitiveInformationatalltimes. Inaddition,theMassachusettsConflictofInterestStatute,M.G.L.Chapter268A,prohibitscurrentandformerstateemployees(definedinthestatutetoincluderegularfull-timeandpart-timeemployees,electedorappointedofficialsandindependentcontractors)fromimproperlydisclosingcertaincategoriesofSensitiveInformationorusingittofurthertheirpersonalinterests,andtheMassachusettsFairInformation Practices Act, M.G.L. Chapter 66A, contains numerous legal requirements aimed atprotecting"personaldata"fromimproperdisclosure.
MassTechCollaborative'spolicyregardingaHoldingParty’spossessionofSensitiveInformationhastwokeyelements:
1. HoldingPartiesshouldnotrequestoracceptanymoreSensitiveInformation--whetherofabusinessorpersonalnature--thanisreasonablynecessaryunderthecircumstances;and
2. IntheabsenceofaspecificlegalrequirementcompellingdisclosureofSensitiveInformationinaparticularinstance,allHoldingPartiesareexpectedtotakeappropriatemeasurestosafeguardsuchinformationfromimproperuseanddisclosure.
Becausetherelevantlegalrequirementsandthenatureandscopeoftheinformationinquestioncancreateuncertainty,HOLDINGPARTIESAREURGEDTOCONFERWITHMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVE'SGENERALCOUNSELIF THEYHAVE ANY QUESTIONSABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY,THE SCOPEOR PROPER TREATMENT OFSENSITIVEINFORMATION,ORMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVE'SPOLICIESORPROCEDURESWITHRESPECTTOSUCHTOPICS. HoldingPartiesshallnotsubstitutetheirownjudgmentforthatofMassTechCollaborative’sGeneralCounselindecidingwhetherparticularinformationisinnocuousdataorSensitiveInformationthatshouldbehandledwithcare,ortheadvisabilityorsufficiencyofsafeguardswithrespecttoparticulartypesofinformation. FAILURETOCOMPLYWITHTHEPOLICIESANDPROCEDURESRELATINGTOSENSITIVEINFORMATIONANDMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVE'SOBLIGATIONSPURSUANTTOTHEPUBLICRECORDSACTANDOTHERLEGALDISCLOSUREREQUIREMENTSCANRESULTINIMMEDIATETERMINATIONOFTHISAGREEMENT,AND/ORPOTENTIALLEGALLIABILITY.
ITSHOULDBENOTEDTHATTHEOBLIGATIONSUNDERTHESEPOLICIESCONTINUEEVENAFTERMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVE'SRELATIONSHIPWITHAPARTICULARAPPLICANT,RECIPIENTOROTHERTHIRDPARTYENDSORTHISAGREEMENTTERMINATES.
Intheabsenceofaspecificlegalrequirementnecessitatingdisclosureofparticularinformationinaspecificinstance,HoldingPartiesareexpectedtoprotectSensitiveInformationfromimproperuseanddisclosureatalltimes. Thefollowingareexamplesofthekindsofprotectiveproceduresthatshouldbefollowed:
LimitedCommunicationtoMassTechCollaborativePersonnel:SensitiveInformationshouldnotbecommunicatedtoothertheMassTechCollaborativeemployeesorconsultants,excepttotheextentthattheyneedtoknowtheinformationtofulfilltheirMassTechCollaborativemission-relatedresponsibilitiesandtheirknowledgeoftheinformationisnotlikelytoresultinmisuseoraconflictofinterest.
LimitedCommunicationtoNon-MassTechCollaborativePersonnel: SensitiveInformationshouldnotbecommunicatedtoanyoneoutsideMassTechCollaborative,includingfamilymembers,excepttotheextentoutsidepartiesneedtoknowtheinformationinordertoprovide
necessaryservicestoMassTechCollaborative,itsHoldingPartiesorasotherwisedirectedbytheGeneralCounseltocomplywithlegalrequirementsnecessitatingdisclosure,suchasproperrequestsunderthePublicRecordsAct.
NotificationofConfidentiality: WhenSensitiveInformationiscommunicatedtoanypersonoutsideMassTechCollaborative,theindividualreceivingsuchinformationshouldbeinformedofits sensitive nature and the need to safeguard such information from improper use anddisclosure. When Sensitive Information is communicated to parties inside Mass TechCollaborative, the procedures set forth in Attachment A-1 are applicable. Mass TechCollaborativemayrequirethatHoldingPartiesexecuteaconfidentialityagreementthathaseitherbeenprovidedorapprovedbytheGeneralCounselbeforeSensitiveInformationisdisclosedtothem.
MassTechCollaborativeUseOnly: SensitiveInformationshouldonlybeusedforMassTechCollaborativepurposes. UndernocircumstancesmayapresentorformerHoldingParty"tradeon"suchinformationorotherwiseuseit,directlyorindirectly,forpersonalgainorforthebenefitofanypartyotherthantheownerofsuchinformation.
PreventionofEavesdropping,UnauthorizedViewing,etc.: Sensitivemattersshouldnotbediscussedinrestaurants,onpublictransportationorinotherpublicplacesorinlocations,suchashallways,elevatorsandbuildinglobbies,whereunauthorizedindividualscouldoverhearthediscussion. Similarly,SensitiveInformationshouldnotbeexchangedordiscussedviacordlessorcellularphonesorsimilar"non-secure"communicationlines. SpeakerphonescanamplifyconversationsandshouldbeusedwithcarewhendiscussingSensitiveInformation. CommonsenseprecautionsshouldalsobetakenwithrespecttoSensitiveInformationinwrittenform,suchasstampingormarkingsuchdocuments"CONFIDENTIAL"toflagthemforspecialhandling,limitingaccesstofilestothosewithanMassTechCollaborative-related"needtoknow,"lockingdocumentsthatcontainSensitiveInformationindeskdrawersorfilecabinetswhenyouareawayfromyourdesk,carefullylimitingthecircumstancesinwhich(andexercisingappropriatecarewhen)suchmaterialsleaveMassTechCollaborative'soffice,deliveringsensitivematerialstoothersinsealedenvelopes,andlimitingtheaddresseesand"cc's"ofletters,memoranda,emailsandothercommunicationscontainingSensitiveInformationtothoseindividualswhoreasonablyneedtoseesuchcommunications. Datastoredonpersonalcomputers,andfloppydisks,c/dromsandotherelectronicmediacontainingSensitiveInformation,shouldbeproperlysecuredtokeepthemfrombeingaccessedbyunauthorizedindividuals. DocumentscontainingSensitiveInformationthataresenttoprintersshouldbepickeduppromptly.
CommunicationswiththePublic;CompulsoryLegalProcess: AllcontactswiththemediaandallspeechesorotheroralorwrittenpublicstatementsmadeonbehalfofMassTechCollaborative,orconcerningitsactivities,applicantsorrecipients,mustbeclearedinadvancebyMassTechCollaborative'sChiefofStaff. InspeechesandstatementsnotmadeonbehalfofMassTechCollaborative,propercareshouldbetakentoavoidanyimplicationthattheMassTechCollaborativeendorsestheviewsexpressed. AlldisclosurerequestsunderthePublicRecordsActorintheformofrequestsfordiscovery,subpoenas,courtoradministrativeordersorthelikemustalsobereferredtotheGeneralCounselforappropriatehandling.
QUESTIONSCONCERNINGWHETHERAGIVENTYPEOFINFORMATIONORDOCUMENTINAHOLDINGPARTY’SPOSSESSIONISA"PUBLICRECORD,"ANDTHUSSUBJECTTODISCLOSUREUNDERTHEPUBLICRECORDSACT,ORISCOVEREDBYANAVAILABLEEXEMPTION,SHOULDBEDIRECTEDTOMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVE’SGENERALCOUNSEL. NOOTHERMASSTECHCOLLABORATIVEEMPLOYEEISAUTHORIZEDTOMAKESUCHASSESSMENTSOR TO PROVIDE ANY GUIDANCE TO A HOLDING PARTY CONCERNING POTENTIAL DISCLOSURE OF ANYINFORMATIONPROVIDEDTOORINPOSSESSIONOFAHOLDINGPARTY.
INADDITION,ALLCOMMUNICATIONSSEEKINGINSPECTIONOROTHERDISCLOSUREOFMATERIALSINAHOLDINGPARTY’SPOSSESSIONUNDERTHEPUBLICRECORDSACTMUSTBEREFERREDPROMPTLYTOTHEGENERALCOUNSEL.SIMILARLY,ALLSUBPOENASANDOTHERLEGALPROCESSDOCUMENTSREQUESTINGORSEEKINGTOCOMPELDISCLOSUREOFMATERIALSINAHOLDINGPARTY’SPOSSESSIONMUSTBEDELIVEREDORPROMPTLYFORWARDEDTOTHEGENERALCOUNSELUPONRECEIPT.
ATTACHMENTB1
MASSACHUSETTSTECHNOLOGYCOLLABORATIVE
AUTHORIZEDRESPONDENT’SSIGNATUREANDACCEPTANCEFORM
TheundersignedisadulyauthorizedrepresentativeoftheRespondentlistedbelow.TheRespondenthasreadandunderstandstheRFPrequirements. TheRespondentacknowledgesthatallofthetermsandconditionsoftheRFParemandatory,andthatRespondent’sresponseiscompliantwithsuchrequirements.TheRespondentspecificallyacknowledgestheapplicationoftheproceduresregardingdisclosureofsensitiveinformationassetforthinAttachmentAoftheRFP,andspecificallyagreesthatitshallbeboundbythoseprocedures.
TheRespondentunderstandsthat,ifselectedbytheMassTechCollaborative,theRespondentandtheMassTechCollaborativewillexecutewrittenagreementsspecifyingthemutualrequirementsofparticipation.Theundersignedhaseither(pleasecheckone):
specifiedexceptionsandcounterproposalstothetermsandconditionsoftheMasterAgreement;
agreestothetermsandconditionssetforththerein;orisalreadyasignatorytotheMasterAgreement.
Theundersignedacknowledgesandagreesthatthefailuretosubmitexceptionsandcounterproposalswiththisresponseshallbedeemedawaiver,andtheMasterAgreementshallnotbesubjecttofurthernegotiation.
Respondentagreesthattheentirebidresponsewillremainvalidforsixty(60)daysfromreceiptbythe
MassTechCollaborative.
IcertifythatRespondentisincompliancewithallcorporatefilingrequirementsandStatetaxlaws.
IfurthercertifythatthestatementsmadeinthisresponsetotheRFP,includingallattachmentsandexhibits,aretrueandcorrecttothebestofmyknowledge.
Respondent:(PrintedNameofRespondent)
By: (SignatureofAuthorizedRepresentative)
Name:
Title:
Date:
ATTACHMENTB2
ResponseCoverSheet
NameofRespondentMailingAddress / City/Town / State / ZipCode
Telephone / Fax / WebAddress
PrimaryContactforClarification / PrimaryContactE-mailAddress
AuthorizedSignatory / AuthorizedSignatoryE-mailAddress
LegalStatus/Jurisdiction(e.g.,aMassachusettscorporation) / RespondentsDUNSNo.
Listcategory(s)ofservicesforwhichyouwishtobeconsideredforprequalification
ATTACHMENTC
BUDGETTEMPLATE
CategoryofServices / Personneltoperforminthecategory / Hourlyratesbylistedpersonnel / Anyadditionalpricingincentives(e.g.flatfees,blendedrates,feecaps,etc.)DirectMaterials
Item / Amount
Total
OtherDirectExpenses
Item / Amount
Total
TravelExpenses
AnticipatedTravel / Amount
Total
MinimumLevelofEffort
ATTACHMENTD
OFFICER’SCERTIFICATE
1. Isyourorganizationincompliancewithofallitsobligationsunderallbanklendingandothercredit(e.g.,equipmentleases)arrangementsandhasitbeenincompliancewiththeserequirementsduringthepast12months?
YesNo
2. Duringthepast5yearshasyourorganizationfiledforbankruptcyorhasanyPrincipal(morethan5%stockholderorothertypeofownership)orofficerbeenanofficerorPrincipalofanotherfirmthatfiledfororbeenthesubjectofanybankruptcyorinsolvencyproceeding?
YesNo
3. Isyourorganizationcurrentinallofitsobligationstofederal,stateandlocaltaxingauthorities?
YesNo
4. Isyourorganizationapartyinanylitigationproceedingorthreatenedlitigationwhichcouldresultinamaterialadverseeffectontheorganization?
YesNo
5. HasyourorganizationoranyofficerorPrincipalbeenconvictedinanycriminalproceeding(otherthanminortrafficandothernon-felonyoffenses)duringthepast5yearsorcurrentlythesubjectofanysimilarcriminalproceeding?
YesNo
6. Isyourorganizationinvolvedinanymaterialdisputewithanyfederal,stateorlocalregulatoryauthorityorbeeninvolvedinanysuchmaterialdisputeduringthepastfiveyears?
YesNo
7. (a)Areyourorganization’sfinancialstatementsaudited?and,YesNo
8. Ifso,haveyoureceiveda“goingconcern”opinionfromsuchauditfirmduringthepastthreeyears?
YesNo
9. Aremorethan25%ofyourrevenuesderivedfromanysinglecustomer?
YesNo
10.Didyourorganizationhavepositivenetincomeineachofthetwomostrecentfiscalyears?
YesNo
11.Do your organization’s tangible current assets (currentassetslessgoodwill)exceeditscurrentliabilities?”
YesNo
Ifyouhaveanswered‘Yes’toquestions2,4,5,6,7(b),or8,pleaseexplain.Ifyouhaveanswered‘No’toquestions1,3,7(a),9,or10,pleaseexplain.Attachadditionalsheetsifnecessary.
Certification
Theundersigned, ,herebycertifies
(NameandTitle)
thatIamadulyauthorizedrepresentativeof
(CompanyName)
andthatalloftheforegoinganswersandallstatementscontainedinanyexplanationarecomplete,trueandcorrect. Providingfalseormisleadinginformationorfailuretoprovideallrequiredinformationwillbeconsideredgroundsfordisqualification. Iattesttotheaccuracyofallinformationcontainedinthisapplicationandverifythattheinformationsubmittedisinfactcomplete,accurateandtrue.
Signedandswornunderthepenaltiesofperjury
Datedat:
(location)
This dayof ,201_.
By:
(Signature)
Name:
(PrintedorTyped)
Title/Position: