VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

For a Community Survey

The Vermont Department of Public Service ("Department" or “DPS") is soliciting proposals for the services of a contractor to administer a communitysurvey as part of the application of Charter Communications for a renewal of its Certificate of Public Good (CPG). The Department represents the public interest in utility cases before the Public Service Board (PSB), federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts.

The contractor hired will support the Department as an independent third party to administer a survey to a representative sample of Charter cable customers in the Barre and St.Johnsbury service territory and to provide an analysis of the data for use as testimony in the CPG renewal process.

Scope of Services Requested

The Department seeks proposals for surveying and data analysis, with a final report provided to DPSby July 1,2014.

Task I: Work with DPS and Charter staff to refine the survey (attachment 1) as needed.

Task II: Conduct a statistically valid survey of a representative sample of randomly selected households that measures, withregard to PEG access, attitudes and behaviors such as, but not limited to, subscribers satisfaction, awareness, and use of PEG access for two PEG AMO territories.

The Barre territory includes the City of Barre and the Towns of Barre, Berlin, Cabot, Chelsea, Marshfield, Orange, Plainfield, Royalton, Tunbridge, Vershire, Washington, Williamstown

The St.Johnsbury territory includes the Towns of Barnet, Bradford, Burke, Concord, Danville, Groton, Kirby, Lyndon, Newbury, Passumpsic, Ryegate, Sheffield, St.Johnsbury, Sutton, Waterford, Wheelock.

Task III: Analyze the data and prepare a report for the DPS to use as testimony.

Schedule

May 1, 2014: Survey instrument finalized, based on consultation with the Department, Charter, and the two relevant public access channels (KATV and CVTV)

June 6, 2014: Survey completed

July 1, 2014: Report including analysis of results submitted to the Department

Oversight

The contract will be managed by the Department's Consumer Affairs and Public Information Division.

Proposal Format

All respondents to this RFP must include the following information, numbered as below:

  1. A brief description of the firm, which includes its history, organizational structure, and number of professional staff.
  1. A discussion of the applicant's familiarity, expertise and experience with surveys and data analysis. Please include details of any projects similar to the one in the RFP.
  1. A statement and discussion of the applicant's analysis of the RFP scope and requirements. This should include:
  2. A proposed survey method or combination of methods (telephone, internet, etc.) and how these methods will ensure a statistically significant sample is captured.
  3. Names and resumes with detailed qualifications and levels of competence of all individuals expected to perform services. This should include the estimated hours to be spent by each person on each group of issues, as identified in the Scope of Services section, above.
  4. Statements and discussion of anticipated challenges with potential or recommended approaches for their solution.
  1. A proposed work plan that describes each step, number of hours expected, timelines for completion and person(s) responsible.
  1. Explanation of any actual or potential conflicts of interest, including any prior work done or proposed for Charter or its affiliates.
  1. The contractor will be compensated on a time and material basis. Please indicate the estimated maximum total cost with a breakout of:
  1. Fees for staff time, showing the level of staff to be assigned, titles, hourly rates and estimated number of hours;
  2. Travel expenses, including transportation costs, lodging and subsistence.
  3. Detailed analyses for all overhead and other costs.

Reimbursement for time and materials will be by voucher based upon the actual staff time assigned at the rates provided, and upon actual other costs incurred based upon documentation acceptable to the Department, subject to the maximum amount indicated,

Evaluation Criteria

The Department will evaluate all proposals received based upon its assessment of the reasonableness of cost, completeness and quality of the proposal, qualifications of the individuals proposed to perform the work, relevance of previous experience, and any other criteria it deems relevant. Acceptance or rejection of any or all proposals will be determined by the exercise of the Department's sole discretion.

Proposal Response Requirements

The State of Vermont expects the contractor to agree to the Standard State Provision for Contracts and Grants outlined in Attachment C. If the vendor wishes to propose an exception to any Standard State Provision for Contracts and Grants, it must notify the Department in the proposal cover letter. Failure to note exceptions will be deemed to be acceptance of the Standard State Provision for Contracts and Grants. If exceptions are not noted in the RFP but raised during contract negotiations, the State reserves the right to cancel the negotiation if deemed to be in the best interests of the State of Vermont.

All proposals must be received no later than 4:30pm on March 21, 2014in electronic format to and . Please note “Charter CPG Survey Proposal” in the subject line.

Two (2) hard copies, postmarked no later than 3/21/14, should be sent to:

Christine Peterson

Vermont Department of Public Service

112 State Street

Montpelier, VT 05620-2601

The Department of Public Service reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids. The staff of the Department will evaluate the proposals. If an applicant is selected, they will be invited to negotiate a contract.

Winning bid will be selected by the Department by April 4, 2014.

Questions Concerning the RFP

Questions about this RFP shouldbe directed via email to Christine Peterson .

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