@Project

August 9, 2006

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RFP Title: Official Publisher of Judicial Jury Instructions

RFP Number: OGC-0206-SS

TO: / Potential PROPOSers
FROM: / Administrative Office of the Courts
Office of the General Counsel
DATE: / August 9, 2006
SUBJECT/PURPOSE OF MEMO: / Request for proposals
OFFICIAL PUBLISHER OF JUDICIAL COUNCIL JURY INSTRUCTIONS
ACTION REQUIRED: / You are invited to review and respond to the attached Request for Proposals (“RFP”), as posted at
Project Title: Official Publisher of Judicial Council Jury Instructions
RFP Number:OGC-0206-SS
SOLICITATIONS MAILBOX: /
DUE DATE & TIME FOR SUBMITTAL OF QUESTIONS: / Deadline for submittal of questions pertaining to solicitation document is:
1:00 p.m. on August 18, 2006
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS: / Proposals should be sent to:
Judicial Council of California
Administrative Office of the Courts
Attn: Nadine McFadden, RFP #OGC-0206-SS
455 Golden Gate Avenue, 7th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
DUE DATE & TIME FOR SUBMITTAL OF PROPOSALS: / Proposals must be received by: 1:00 p.m. on August 25, 2006

1.0GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1Background

The Judicial Council of California, chaired by the Chief Justice of California, is the chief policy making agency of the California judicial system. The California Constitution directs the Council to improve the administration of justice by surveying judicial business, recommending improvements to the courts, and making recommendations annually to the Governor and the Legislature. The Council also adopts rules for court administration, practice, and procedure, and performs other functions prescribed by law. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is the staff agency for the Council and assists both the Council and its chair in performing their duties.

1.2The Advisory Committees on Jury Instructions

The Judicial Council’s Task Force on Jury Instructions has written, and the advisory committees continue to update, comprehensive sets of standard civil and criminal jury instructions, with the goal that they that would both accurately state the law and would be more easily understandable to jurors. The civil instructions (CACI) were first published in September 2003 and the criminal instructions (CALCRIM) were published in January 2006. The Advisory Committee on Civil Jury Instructions authored three updates to the CACI instructions in 2004 and two updates in 2005. These updates were approved by the Judicial Council after circulation for public comment. CALCRIM will be updated by the Advisory Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions beginning in 2006. It is anticipated that the civil and criminal instructions will be updated twice a year going forward. The instructions are not mandatory; however, their use is “strongly encouraged” (see Cal. Rules of Court, rule 855).

2.0RFP’S PURPOSE AND ATTACHMENTS

2.1The Judicial Council seeks a contractor to be the official publisher of Judicial Council Jury Instructions beginning in December2006. The term of the Judicial Council’s agreement with the current official publisher of the jury instructions (LexisNexis/ Matthew Bender & Co., Inc.) will expire in December2006, necessitating the issuance of this RFP. No minimum amount of work is guaranteed. The official publisher will be selected for a potential five (5) year term to publish the Judicial Council’s jury instructions. The contract would be awarded for two(2) years, with up to three(3) successive one-year options. The publisher would be entitled to call itself the official publisher of the instructions.

2.2Included as part of this RFP are the following attachments:

2.2.1 Attachment 1, Administrative Rules Governing Request for Proposals.Proposersshall follow the rules,set forth in Attachment 1,in preparation of their proposals.

2.2.2 Attachment 2, Contract Terms. The contract with the successful firm will be signed by the parties on a State of California Standard Agreement form and will include terms appropriate for this project. Terms and conditions for the requested services are attached as Attachment 2.

2.2.3 Attachment 3, Vendor’s Acceptance of the RFP’s Contract Terms. Proposers must either indicate acceptance of Contract Terms, as set forth in Attachment 2, or clearly identify exceptions to the Contract Terms, as set forth in Attachment 2. If exceptions are identified, then proposers must also submit (i) a red-lined version of Attachment 2, that clearly tracks proposed changes to this attachment, and (ii) written documentation to substantiate each such proposed change.

3.0SCOPE OF SERVICES

3.1.Services are expected to be performedbeginningDecember2006 and continuing to December 2008.The contract would be awarded for two(2) years, with possibility of three(3) successive one-year options, exercised at the AOC’s discretion.

3.2.The work to be performed is described in detail in Attachment 2.

3.3Rights of Official Publisher

3.3.1The official publisher may call itself the “Official Publisher of the Judicial Council Jury Instructions.”

3.3.2The official publisher may use the designation “Official Publisher of the Judicial Council Jury Instructions” in the production of the instructions either electronically or in hard copy and directly or through a licensing agreement with a third party.

3.3.3The official publisher may use the designation “Official Publisher of the Judicial Council Jury Instructions” in advertising.

3.3.4The official publisher may sell publications and license the integrated software program to the public.

4.0EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

Proposals will be evaluated by the AOC using the following criteria, in order of descending priority:

4.1Past record of performance on contracts with (i) the AOC, other government agencies or public bodies, and (ii) with private industry, including such factors as quality of work, ability to meet schedules, cooperation, responsiveness, and other managerial and attitudinal considerations.

4.2Compliance with solicitation requirements including Contract Terms.

4.3Capacity to provide services for prolonged period of time.

4.4Project management.

4.5Credentials of staff to be assigned to the project.

4.6Percentage royalties for the different formats.

4.7Quality of print publication (paper, cover, binding).

5.0SPECIFICS OF A RESPONSIVE PROPOSAL

The following information shall be included as part of the proposal:

5.1Past record of performance on contracts with (i) the AOC, other government agencies or public bodies, and (ii) with private industry, including such factors as quality of work, ability to meet schedules, cooperation, responsiveness, and other managerial and attitudinal considerations.

  • Provide a list of at least five (5) references, covering at least the last three (3) years, in private industryas well as public entities, to document the quality of past performance. Include for each contact information for a knowledgeable personwho may be contacted to establish the proposer’s and its team’s experience and qualifications.

5.2Compliance with solicitation requirements including Contract Terms

  • Complete and submit Attachment 3, Vendor’s Acceptance of the RFP’s Contract Terms. If changes to Attachment 2, Contract Terms, are proposed, then also submit red-lined version of Attachment 2, as well as written justification supporting any such proposed changes.
  • The quality of the proposal will be evaluated in terms of how it complies with the Contract Terms and the other RFP requirements. Preference will be given to the proposal with the fewest or least significant proposed changes, omissions, deviations, alternatives, or exceptions to the Contract Terms and other RFP requirements.
  • Provide the following information:

- Proposer’s point of contact for matters pertaining to the solicitation process, including name, address, telephone and fax numbers.

- Proposer’s corporate name and state incorporated, including executive office address.

- Proposer’s point of contact for notices, should a contract be awarded, including name, title, address, and telephone number.

- Name of the CD-ROM on which Proposer will publish CACI.

- Name of the CD-ROM on which Proposer will publish CALCRIM.

- Name of Proposer’s Interactive Computer Program.

- Name and URL of Proposer’s Commercial Online Database (if any).

5.3Capacity to provide services for an extended period of time.

  • Provide an audited or reviewed profit and loss statement and balance sheet, in accordance with reporting requirement of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), for the last three (3) years.

5.4Project management.

  • Describe the proposer’s project management approach, based upon its organization, and how it will efficiently and effectively accomplish project goals.
  • Describe the approach to working and communicating effectively with all levels of personnel, including persons within the project team, participating locations, managers, staff, and employees, and support with past examples. Describe plan to communicate effectively with the AOC during its business hours.
  • Describe the management approach to coordinate the work of those involved with the project.

5.5Credentials of staff to be assigned to the project.

  • Describe assigned staff’s knowledge of the requirements necessary to complete this project. Describe the background and experience of assigned staff, as well as each individual’s ability and experience in conducting the proposed activities.

5.6Percentage royalties for the different formats.

  • Identify the percentages of net revenues that would be payable to the AOC for book/CD-ROM/integrated software and commercial online database (if applicable) formats. The required royalty types are specified in Exhibit B of Attachment 2.
  • Special consideration may be given to a publisher who agrees to pay the AOC an advanceon royalties. Identify the advance on royalties that would be payable to the AOC during the first and subsequent years of the Agreement.

5.7Quality of print publication (paper, cover, binding).

  • Include specifications regarding the paper, cover, and binding of the print publications to be created. Provide a sample publication created using these specifications.

6.0SUBMITTAL OF PROPOSALS

6.1Responsive proposals should provide straightforward, concise information that satisfies the requirements noted in item5.0, above. Expensive bindings, color displays, and the like are not necessary or desired. Emphasis should be placed on conformity to the AOC’s instructions, requirements of this RFP, and completeness and clarity of content.

6.2Proposers will submit one (1) original and four (4) copies of the proposal signed by an authorized representative of the company, including name, title, address, and telephone number of one individual who is the responder’s designated representative.

6.3Proposals must be delivered to the individual listed under Submission of Proposals, as set forth on the cover memo of this RFP.

6.4Only written responses will be accepted. Responses should be sent by registered or certified mail or by hand delivery.

6.5In addition to submittal of the originals and copies of the proposals, as set forth in item 6.2, above, proposers are also required to submit an electronic version of the entire proposal (excluding physical specimens and financial statements) on CD-ROM.

7.0RIGHTS

The AOC reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, in whole or in part, as well as the right to issue similar RFPs in the future. This RFP is in no way an agreement, obligation, or contract and in no way is the AOC or the State of California responsible for the cost of preparing the proposal. One copy of a submitted proposal will be retained for official files and becomes a public record.

8.0ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

It may be necessary to interview prospective service providers to clarify aspects of their submittal. If conducted, interviews will likely be conducted by telephone conference call. The AOC will notify prospective service providers regarding the interview arrangements.

9.0CONFIDENTIAL OR PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

The Administrative Office of the Courts’ policy is to follow the intent of the California Public Records Act (PRA). If a vendor’s proposal contains material noted or marked as confidential and/or proprietary that, in the AOC’s sole opinion, meets the disclosure exemption requirements of the PRA, then that information will not be disclosed pursuant to a request for public documents. If the AOC does not consider such material to be exempt from disclosure under the PRA, the material (including any samples provided) will be made available to the public, regardless of the notation or markings. If a vendor is unsure if its confidential and/or proprietary material meets the disclosure exemption requirements of the PRA, then it should not include such information in its proposal. Samples provided will not be returned.

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RFP Title: Official Publisher of Judicial Jury Instructions

RFP Number: OGC-0206-SS

Attachment 1

Administrative Rules Governing Requests for Proposals

A.General

1.This solicitation document, the evaluation of proposals, and the award of any contract shall conform with current competitive proposing procedures as they relate to the procurement of goods and services. A vendor's proposal is an irrevocable offer for sixty (60)daysfollowing the deadline for its submission.

2. In addition to explaining the Administrative Office of the Courts’ (AOC’s) requirements, the solicitation document includes instructions which prescribe the format and content of proposals.

B.Communications with AOC Regarding the RFP

1.Except as specifically addressed elsewhere in this RFP, including directions pertaining to the submittal of Proposals, vendors shall use the “Solicitations Mailbox,” identified on the cover memo of this Request for Proposals (), for any communications with the AOC regarding the RFP and award. Vendors must include the RFP Number in subject line of any communication.

C.Questions Regarding the RFP

1.If a vendor’s question relates to a proprietary aspect of its proposal and the question would expose proprietary information if disclosed to competitors, the vendor may submit the question via email to the Solicitation Mailbox, identified on the cover memo of this RFP, conspicuously marking it as "CONFIDENTIAL." With the question, the vendor must submit a statement explaining why the question is sensitive. If the AOC concurs that the disclosure of the question or answer would expose proprietary information, the question will be answered, and both the question and answer will be kept in confidence. If the AOC does not concur regarding the proprietary nature of the question, the question will not be answered in this manner and the vendor will be notified.

2.Vendors interested in responding to the solicitation may submit questions via email to the Solicitation Mailbox, identified on the cover memo of this RFP, on procedural matters related to the RFP or requests for clarification or modification of this solicitation no later than the due date and time, set forth on the RFP cover memo. If the vendor is requesting a change, the request must set forth the recommended change and the vendor’s reasons for proposing the change. Questions or requests submitted after the due date and time will not be answered. Without disclosing the source of the question or request, a copy of the questions and the AOC’s responses will be posted on the Courtinfo website (

D.Errors in the RFP

1.If, prior to the date fixed for submission of proposals, a vendor discovers any ambiguity, conflict, discrepancy, omission, or error in this solicitation document, the vendor shall immediately notify the AOC via email to the Solicitation Mailbox, identified on the cover memo of this RFP and request modification or clarification of the RFP. Without disclosing the source of the request, the AOC may modify the solicitation document prior to the date fixed for submission of proposals by posting an addendum to the solicitation on the AOC’s web site “Courtinfo” (

2.If a vendor fails to notify the AOC of an error in the RFP known to vendor, or an error that reasonably should have been known to vendor, prior to the date fixed for submission of proposals, vendor shall propose at its own risk. Furthermore, if vendor is awarded the agreement, vendor shall not be entitled to additional compensation or time by reason of the error or its later correction.

E.Addenda

1.The AOC may modify the solicitation document prior to the due date and time for submission of proposals, as set forth in the RFP cover memo, by posting an addendum on the Courtinfo website (

2.If any vendor determines that an addendum unnecessarily restricts its ability to propose, the vendor shall immediately notify the AOC via email to the Solicitation Mailbox, identified on the cover memo of this RFP(), no later than one (1) day following issuance of the addendum.

F.Withdrawal and resubmission/modification of proposals

1.A vendor may withdraw its proposal at any time prior to the deadline for submitting proposals by notifying the AOC in writing of its withdrawal. The notice must be signed by the vendor. The vendor may thereafter submit a new or modified proposal, provided that it is received at the AOC no later than the proposal due date and time listed on the cover letter of this RFP. Modifications offered in any other manner, oral or written, will not be considered. Proposals cannot be changed or withdrawn after the proposal due date and time listed on the coversheet of this RFP.

G.Errors in the Proposal

1.If errors are found in a proposal, the AOC may reject the proposal; however, AOC may, at its sole option, correct arithmetic or transposition errors or both on the basis that the lowest level of detail will prevail in any discrepancy. If these corrections result in significant changes in the amount of money to be paid to the vendor (if selected for the award of the agreement), the vendor will be informed of the errors and corrections thereof and will be given the option to abide by the corrected amount or withdraw the proposal.

H.Rights to Reject or Award Proposals

1.The AOC may reject any or all proposals and may or may not waive an immaterial deviation or defect in a proposal. The AOC’s waiver of an immaterial deviation or defect shall in no way modify the solicitation document or excuse a vendor from full compliance with solicitation document specifications. The AOC reserves the right to accept or reject any or all of the items in the proposal, to award the contract in whole or in part and/or negotiate any or all items with individual vendors if it is deemed in the AOC’s best interest. Moreover, the AOC reserves the right to make no selection if proposals are deemed to be outside the fiscal constraint or against the best interest of the State of California.

2.In addition to the right to reject any and all proposals, in whole or in part, the AOC also reserves the right to issue similar RFPs in the future. This RFP is in no way an agreement, obligation, or contract and in no way is the AOC or the State of California responsible for the cost of preparing the proposal. One (1) copy of a submitted proposal will be retained for official files and becomes a public record.

3.Vendors are specifically directed NOT to contact any AOC or its personnel or consultants for meetings, conferences, or discussions that are specifically related to this RFP at any time prior to any award and executionof a contract. Unauthorized contact with any AOC or its personnel or consultants may be cause for rejection of the vendor’s proposal.