covansys cat 2.doc

Response toIowa Department of General Services

INVITATION TO QUALIFYINVITATION TO QUALIFY# BD80200S102, Version 1.0 ISSUED June 8, 2001

FORInformation Technology Consulting Services

and IT Staff Augmentations

Service Category:Project Management

- Original -

October 30, 2001

Intended to be used by Iowa ITQ Issuing Officer:Ashley Super, Purchasing Agent IIIIowa Department of General Services (DGS)Hoover STATE Office Building – Level ADes Moines, IA 50319-0105Phone: 515-281-7073, Fax: 515-242-5974E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.STATE.ia.us/government/dgs/index.html

Submitted by:Covansys Corporation

1750 East Golf RoadSchaumburg, IL 60173

http://www.state.ia.us/government/dgs/index.html

mailto:[email protected]

Iowa Department of General Services Invitation to Qualify#BD80200S102, Version 1.0 Project Management

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

MANDATORY AGREEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE 3

PROFESSIONAL / TECHNICAL QUESTIONNAIRE 4

APPENDICIES 25

APPENDIX A – CLIENT REFERENCE SURVEYS STATEMENT 26

APPENDIX B – COST DATA SHEET 29

APPENDIX C – NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT 33

APPENDIX D – LOBBYING CERTIFICATION FORM 34

APPENDIX E – DEBARMENT, DELINQUENT, AND SUSPENSION STATUS 35

APPENDIX F – REQUIRED SIGNATURE PAGE 37

APPENDIX G –COVANSYS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 39

Unique Competencies and Services 39

Public Sector Practice 42

Clients 43

Financial Stability 44

Accomplishments and Awards 45

APPENDIX H - COPY OF ITQ 46

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Mandatory Agreement Questionnaire

This section consists of Covansys responses to mandatory ITQ questions.

1. Do you agree that the contents of your proposal(s) will become part of any resulting ITQ and related POs and can not be held

confidential? YES 2. Do you agree to submit one original of your proposal, together

with two (2) copies and a electronic soft copy on diskette? YES 3. Will you include at least three (3) client references and agree you

must attain acceptable scores from references for each service

category you are attempting to qualify for? YES NO ___

4. Do you agree that you must maintain an acceptable rating by each agency you do work for in order to remain pre-qualified for each service category?

YES

NO ___

5. Do you agree to abide by agency specific requirements as outlined in section 1-25?

YES

NO ___

6. Do you agree that your response will remain valid for at least 120

business days and duration of ITQ and related POs? YES NO ___

7. Are you a TSB or do you currently have or have had a contracting role in three (3) projects for each of the categories you are

attempting to qualify for? YES NO ___

8. Do you agree that if the STATE finds any part of your response to be false, you will be placed on temporary suspension from doing

business with the STATE? YES NO ___

9. Do you accept the requirements stated in sections 1-19 and 1-21?

YES NO ___

10. Will you provide all documents of proof of insurance as required

by this ITQ and any related POs? YES NO ___

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11. Are you aware that the STATE will conduct any and all

background checks it deems necessary? YES NO ___

COMPLETED BY _________________________________Drew Lightner, Covansys

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Professional / Technical Questionnaire

1. How do you intend to provide the resources required by this ITQ?

Covansys has more than 2,800 IT professionals in the United States, and over 4,500 employees worldwide. Our ability to staff our projects and deliver services to our customers is enhanced by our local branch infrastructure, consisting of a geographically dispersed network of 25 U.S. branch offices. Our local branch infrastructure allows Covansys to act as a local partner, and enhances our ability to attract IT talent from a broad pool.

Our consultants typically have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or another technical discipline. Covansys recruits and trains its consultants globally through our established domestic and international training program network. Consultants receive up to two months of training in software engineering techniques and key technologies at one of our U.S. training centers or one of our two overseas training centers in India. These centers are equipped with a variety of hardware, software, and development tools. Along with technical training, we provide our associates with business skills to enhance team building, diversity awareness, and key consulting skills such as presentation and communication training.

Covansys has a very large pool of qualified staff. Acting as local partners, the Covansys team becomes an integral part of the client’s technology team, tapping into our collective experience and global resources to complete projects with skill, speed, and flexibility. That pool is further augmented by our off-site and offshore capabilities. A profile of staff and related support resource capabilities is provided below:

Total number of Covansys employees

Approximately 4,500

Local Covansys Staff Approximately 400

Major areas of competence Management Consulting for IT Support Programs/Project Management Strategic Systems/ IT Architecture Planning Web Development and Planning New Technology Deployment Network Consulting GIS Process Engineering Business Continuity and Event Management Planning

Application Development & Maintenance Support E-Business Client/Server Development Data Warehouse Outsourcing/Global Service Delivery IT Inventory Management

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Tools and resources available to support of key practice areas, service focus areas and various client initiatives

Project Management Methodologies Covansys PM Methodology The Rational Unified Process (RUP) Booch Object-Oriented MethodologyAdded Value Staffing and Service Models Rapid Team Deployment Rapid Systems Deployment Project Management OfficeTools and Resources Solution Centers (e.g. E-business, Data

Warehouse) Site and Staff Augmentation via Global Support

and Delivery System (On-site, Off-site, Off-shore) Rapid System Deployment Models Best Practices Database

Business Partner Service Offerings Flexible Business Arrangements Shares Best Practices Services Solution Center Support Preferred Customer Project Staffing Added Value Resource Support

While the ITQ explains that the State will request resumes as part of each RFP response, please be aware that Covansys is eager to provide to the State, upon your request, sample resumes to show the high-caliber business and technical expertise we have to help you.

2. Identify the SP contract administrator and describe the functions that person will perform.

Below is the Covansys resource with primary responsibility for serving the State of Iowa. This person is accountable for ensuring that Covansys meets the State’s Information Technology needs. From a contract administrative standpoint, this individual will facilitate the resolution of budget, communication and other project related issues.

Name: Drew LightnerTitle: Director, Midwest Public Sector PracticeAddress: Covansys

One Century Center1750 East Golf RoadSuite 1100 Schaumburg, IL 60173

Telephone: 847-969-3000FAX: 847-969-6999E-mail: [email protected]

3. Describe how you plan on providing additional personnel if it becomes necessary to properly staff projects.

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Covansys has a very large pool of full time employees and in most cases can rely solely on this pool of resources to meet client needs. Projects are generally staffed from local branches, and will be augmented with other resources from any of the other 24 Covansys branches located in the U.S.

Moreover, Covansys will offer the State the options of On-site, Off-site, and Off-shore solution delivery. All of these options will involve high-caliber Covansys-employed resources focused on providing the State with high-quality results.

Additionally, Covansys will rely on business partners to ensure the clients’ needs will be met. Covansys’ business partners include Minority Business Enterprises and Women Business Enterprises. Furthermore, Covansys utilizes independent contractors to fill project staffing requirements as needed.

4. Describe your company's ability to uniquely address problems and issues related to the service category: Project Management

Covansys believes that project management goes beyond managing the day-to-day activities of the Project Team. It involves monitoring and communicating the project’s status to the State, ensuring the timeliness and quality of deliverables, and identifying and resolving issues before the project is affected.

Throughout our many years of integrated systems development and management, we have learned many things about what works and does not work in large-scale system integration. These lessons have been compiled into an extensive list of Best Practices that are shared across Covansys. We use Best Practices because they have been proven over and over in both public and private sector projects to be the right way to successfully manage a project. We think of our methodology as a guide or roadmap, helping us to plan and execute projects from conceptual thinking through to the implementation of solutions.

Covansys has adopted the Project Management Institute (PMI) framework as the foundation for the Covansys Project Management Methodology. Covansys-PM methodology consists of the following nine high-level areas corresponding to the PMI framework.

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Our most commonly used project management methodologies include the following:

RAPID Implementation for a Package ImplementationRAPID Implementation for a Package Implementation

Covansys’ Rapid Implementation Methodology is specifically designed to leverage the knowledge and experience inherently built into a Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) application by using the package as a proven “starting” point for many of the activities associated with implementation. This approach acknowledges that prior implementations provide a valuable foundation and that as more implementations are achieved the success factors enhance the next implementation.

The use of a package implementation methodology allows the Implementation Team to articulate the “client” side of the implementation with renewed focus on the customization of the application to meet the business requirements. The use of a standard life cycle approach may unnecessarily extend the implementation COTS-based projects.

Rational Unified Process (RUP) Rational Unified Process (RUP)

The Rational Unified ProcessTM (RUP) methodology is a leading e-business methodology from The Rational Software Corporation. RUP is a proven, flexible software development process that leverages development best practices across the organization and forms the basis for a common framework that encourages re-use of work and enables the development of client solutions faster. At the core of RUP is the use of an iterative approach, which organizes projects into workflows and phases, each consisting of one or more iterations. This methodology establishes early milestones and checkpoints with client involvement to assess project progress and determine direction and satisfaction. This can be accomplished through placement of completed components onto a web-

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enabled server for the client to review without having to travel for a meeting or demonstration.

Project Management Office (PMO)Project Management Office (PMO)

Covansys utilizes a unique and proven Project Management Office (PMO) support team. The PMO is an optional but recommended service that offer the advantages of access to senior consultants with extensive expertise in multiple critical areas and disciplines beneficial to State of Iowa. This includes rapid team and solution deployment, and the capability to more easily address unanticipated problems and opportunities. Furthermore, more effective project tracking and reporting is gained, in addition to the ability to more easily manage multiple projects with fewer resources, resulting in minimum staffing and start-up delays.

5. Describe your company's practices in adopting client policies and methods.

Covansys is a worldwide provider of IT services to a diverse group of companies and organizations. We advise clients on strategic business and technology plans as well as develop and implement appropriate IT application solutions. Covansys’ policy is to partner with its clients to find the best possible solution to meet the client’s needs.

Although Covansys has a wide range of tools and proven methodologies at its disposal, it is our practice to assess the client’s needs and customize or adapt those tools and methodologies that are most appropriate for the client environment and resources. Our company is flexible in working in client environments and within client policies and methods. Above all, Covansys focuses on the successful delivery of overall solutions for its client.

For the following questions indicate in each area the extent of knowledge and training your company would be able to offer and whether your company would be able to provide performance with or without guidance, or could teach others.

6. List each type / brand of operating system/ communication system you are experienced with in each category below and make comments.

a) Mainframes:

Covansys has extensive knowledge and experience with the following mainframe platform:

OS/390 – MVS/ESAUnisys

Covansys has extensive knowledge and experience with the following mainframe development languages and tools:

CICS Abend-aid

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COBOL ADABAS Assembler DB2/400 Eztrieve FOCUS Fortran IBM Mainframe Utilities Quickjob Intertest Expeditor ISPF Fileaid MQSeries SAS MQ Series Integrator, V2.0 Crystal Reports Teradata Abend-aid VSAM

In this area, Covansys would be able to provide performance without guidance, and would be able to train others.

b) Midrange / Minicomputer:

Covansys has extensive knowledge and experience with the AS/400 and DEC/VAX platforms and the following midrange development languages:

CL/400 (Command Language) COBOL/400 Cool:2E Cool:Plex ILE/RPGLE Jacada Software Lansa Software RPG RPG400 RPGIII/IV


c) Client / Server / Distributed Systems:

AIX/6000 AIX/ESA BSD HPUX - Hewlett Packard Unix Linux Sun Solaris Unix - General VM VMS


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d) Desktop:

Apple Macintosh DOS OS/2 Windows 2000 Windows 9x Windows NT Windows XP


e) LAN:

Covansys has extensive knowledge and experience with the following networking technologies:

ADSL Konfig Apache Web Server LAN/WAN ATM Novell Implementations (Netware) Banyan OpNet cc:Mail Optical Checkpoint Raptor Cisco PIX SideWinder DMZ Deployment and Construction SMS (Systems Management Server) Ethernet SNA FDDI Sniffer Firewall Deployment and Tuning Sonet Frame Relay Sun SunNetManager Gauntlet Sun Web Server General Security TCP/IP HP OpenView Telephony Index Server Tivoli ISDN VPN


f) Languages and DBMS:

I. Covansys has extensive knowledge and experience with the following development languages: ADSO Pascal Assembler Perl Basic PL/1 (Programming Language 1) Btrieve PowerBuilder C PRO IV C# Pro*C C++ Q-Script

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COBOL REXX EJB (Enterprise Java Beans) Servlet Programming Excel Shell Programming Eztrieve Smalltalk Eztrieve Plus SQL Forte SQR Fortran TCL/TK Foxbase Turbo C++ FTP VB Script HTML VB.Net Java Visual Basic JAVA Development Kit Visual C++ JavaScript Visual Fox Pro JCL Visual Interdev JSP Visual J++ Korn Shell WML MICROFOCUS XSL Natural


II. Covansys also has extensive knowledge and experience with the following Database Management Systems: Access (Microsoft) FoxPro CMMS IBM DB2 Dbase IBM UDB DB2, enterprise Edition IDMS DB2, Extended Enterprise Edition IMS DB2 Utilities Informix Essbase Ingres FileMaker Lotus Domino Filepro


7. Describe your products / experience with Databases.

Data Warehousing is a core service offering for Covansys. We have extensive experience with data modeling, data marts, and data mining, in both the public and private sector. Our proven data warehousing methodology utilizes a ‘Deliver short-term, Plan long-term’ approach. This iterative approach enables Covansys to deliver a data mart that is within the context of a critical business area, and allows managers to access information to find hidden relationships and make planning more effective. Covansys designs data warehouse solutions by:

Analyzing the client’s environment Planning to ensure the solution is flexible and scalable Designing a data model that accurately reflects the organization needs

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Building a solution customized to deliver performance Implementing solutions smoothly Transferring knowledge to ensure on-going operation of the solution component

Covansys provides our customers with an intelligent mix of industry and technical professionals that provides and aggregate base of knowledge to deliver a successful data management solution.

Our database experience includes:

a) Administration: DB2 DBA INFORMIX DBA Lotus Notes Administration MS SQL Server DBA Network Administration NT Administration Oracle DBA SYBASE DBA Teradata DBA UNIX Administration


b) Application Development tools:

Access (Microsoft) FoxPro CMMS IBM DB2 Dbase IBM UDB DB2, enterprise Edition IDMS DB2, Extended Enterprise Edition IMS DB2 Utilities Informix Essbase Ingres FileMaker Lotus Domino Filepro


c) End user tools:

Cognos Microstrategy Sagent SPSS

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d) Structure and methodologies:

The following are areas in which Covansys has Structured Methodology business experience and technical expertise:

Artemis PMI Member Capacity Planning Primavera P-3 Change Management Procurement Configuration Management Rational ClearQuest LT Contingency Planning Rational Requisite Pro Covansys Project Pro Rational Unified Process (RUP) Defect Management Risk Management Disaster Recovery Scope Management ISO SDLC Methodology SEI/CMM Metrics ShureTrak MS Project


e) Other:Covansys has valuable business experience and technical expertise with the following

Data Warehousing technologies:

Accrue (Data Mining tool) Impromptu Alpha Blox Informatica PowerMart/PowerCenter Angoss (Data Mining Tool) Microstrategy Ardent Datastage Microstrategy eCRM Brio OLAP Business Objects Powerplay Cognos Redbrick Decision Server Delphi Sagent (BI Toolset) Dimensional Data Modeling Seagate ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) SPSS (Data Mining Tool) Hyperion (BI Toolset) SQL/2000 (BI specific knowledge)


8. What general software applications have you experience in?

I. Banking Software:

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Hogan Lockbox

II. Accounting Software: Great Plaines Software Lawson Financials MAS 90 Software Oracle Financials Peachtree Quickbooks

III. Enterprise Resource Planning: Advantage+ Baan JD Edwards Kana Communications Lawson Oracle Peoplesoft SAP – ALE SAP - FI/CO SAP - Human Resources SAP - Sales/Distribution

IV. Customer Relationship Management: Clarify e.Piphany Quintus Remedy Siebel Vantive WebTone

In each of these areas, Covansys would be able to provide performance without guidance.

9. Please describe any experience and deployed solutions in each of the following specific technologies below.

a) Help desk solutions / technologies

The critical success factors for Covansys’ Help Desk services are simple: knowledge, experience and commitment. Our help desk staff are experienced field support professionals. This has ensured Covansys’ success in providing first rate help desk services to the end users of a numerous statewide automated systems, supporting thousands of users. Our Help Desk Services incorporate two components:

Help Desk – This is further broken down into three different levels of support

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o First Level Support – The Help Desk person records the call (adds new help desk entry) and resolves problem, if possible.

o Second Level Support – At this level the help desk person cannot resolve the call and must refer the problem to a “subject matter expert” who would then attempt resolution. Help desk staff track status and enter the information into the help desk tracking system.

o Third Level Support – A technical solution is required to resolve the problem. Action at this level is coordinated with the requesting user(s), the help desk and the project’s technical team.

Problem Management – This includes three general categories of activities:o Problem categorization and logging,o Problem tracking and escalation, ando Problem resolution.

Covansys’ approach to evaluate Help Desk performance incorporates different tools to measure quantity and quality. Quantity and timeliness of response to the incoming call itself are measured using an automated call distribution (ACD) system and may include an interactive voice response (IVR) system. These two tools serve to log and route many of the calls with minimum primary help desk staff intervention.

Additionally, quality of response to questions or problems and timely escalation is measured using an automated call tracking (ACT) system. This software will monitor the quality of Help Desk performance by answering such questions as: call resolution on the first contact? were they escalated? And if so, what is the turnaround time on the escalation? Also, the automated tracking software provides reporting to ensure conformance to the performance measurements.

While call tracking software can enhance the responsiveness of a help desk, the key to excellent customer service is well trained staff with the expertise to understand the question, who understand the needs of the customer and with a desire to deliver quality service in a timely manner. Covansys typically Help Desk Service level agreements additionally measure:

Prime Time Availability Speed of Answer. Average Answer Time Abandon First Call Resolution Customer Satisfaction Rate Prime time resolution Non-prime time resolution

Covansys develops appropriate reports to measure all Service Level Metrics covered by the Service Level Agreements. Finally, Covansys characteristically proposes implementation of a disaster recovery plan to complete Help desk operations.

Covansys has implemented Help Desks solutions successfully utilizing such products as: Help Desk EZ SQL Remedy Help Desk Remedy Action Request System

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GoldMine’s HEAT ACT Norstar Prelude ACD Genesys ACD


b) Data development

Covansys’ success in developing data warehouses or data marts is centered around the philosophy that the preliminary data quality assessment is key to the optimization of the implementation. Through the preliminary data quality assessment process, data quality issues are discovered and resolutions are determined prior to design and construction phases of the project, limiting the need for the rework and scrappage that often occurs in projects where the preliminary assessment has either been by-passed or limited in scope.

Quality is defined as conformance to requirements. Our data quality assessment measures the degree of conformance of the data to the business requirements in the organization. In a data warehouse environment, this is reflected as the ability of the data in the warehouse to answer the end-users’ business questions.

Significant processes involved include: Confirm Business Question Definitions and Prioritize Target Data Model Identify Candidate Data Sources Source System Analysis Identify Know Defects Develop Source Data Elements Candidates Referential Integrity Analysis Field Analysis Define Thresholds and Tolerances

A sampling of automated analysis and quality assessment utilities and tools that Covansys is experienced with include: SAS, Eztrieve, Trilllium, and Finalist Vality.


c) Data analysis

Covansys’ Business Intelligence (BI) practice utilizes a team of professionals dedicated to excellence in the BI space. Covansys offers a complete suite of BI services for delivering successful BI solutions, including:

Business Needs Definition Return On investment

Architecture and Design Project Planning & Management

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Requirements Definition Tool Evaluation & Selection Tool Integration Data Transport from OLTP

Sources Data Quality Assurance End User Access

Data Warehouse, Data Mart & Operational Data Store Creation

Data Modeling Metadata Management Core Database Design Middleware Testing

Covansys’ BI practice is conversant in many of the leading technologies required to deliver a successful solution. The primary technologies with which Covansys is conversant are:

OLAP and Reporting Tools

Cognos Business Objects MicroStrategy Eureka! (CA) Brio Hyperion


d) Data modeling

Covansys has extensive experience in data modeling, in standalone projects or associated with data warehousing and application design and development projects.

Our typical methodology approach consists of: review of the existing systems documentation; analysis of the organization’s existing databases and file system using analysis toolsets; decomposition through iterative analysis of both the business processes and the associated data requirements via interviews with end users and JAD sessions. The resulting information is coupled with business drivers and an inventory of the business area’s current data management and architecture to develop recommendations for the management of information across all organizations.

Customary Data Models produced in ERwin and Microsoft Excel include:

A conceptual data model showing high-level entities and their relationships Logical data models by subject area showing high-level entities, their relationships,

the definition of key data attributes, and associated metadata Recommended corporate model showing a consolidated view of the subject area

logical data models Information model showing usage of entities by business process

Covansys has extensive knowledge in the following Case and Data Modeling Tools:

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Cool:Biz Cool:Enterprise Cool:Plex Cool:Gen Cool:2E CSP ERwin Oracle Designer 2000 Oracle Developer 2000 PACBASE PowerDesigner Telon


e) Facilitating and consulting

Covansys offers extensive knowledge and experience in the following: BPR (Business Process Modeling) ModelMart Caliber (Requirements Engineering) Paradigm Plus ClearQuest Power Designer Cool:Biz Rational Rose Designer 2000 Requisite Pro Erwin ERX


f) Photogrametery and remote sensing

This is not an area of focus for Covansys. If the State needs a solution requiring these measuring and sensing technologies, Covansys would engage one of our many business partners to provide these services.

g) Data collection and clean up mapping

From the detailed analysis and design through implementation, Covansys brings its clients collective database experience. Once the data quality assessment has been completed (see above b) Data development), and anomalies are identified, the data cleansing process can are developed, keeping focus on the requisite that the data meet the business requirements across the organization. Covansys’ methodology covers:

Define the preliminary transformation rules and processes Create specifications for the ETL (Extraction / Transformation / Loading) Determine ETL system Create validation process Create audit requirements Enact historical profiling Define Thresholds and Tolerances Identify Error handling and reporting Requirements

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Implement data cleansing processes and procedures Create data load and update strategy Create data genealogy Map source to target Execute, test and debug


h) GIS / ESRI Software / Mapinfo

Covansys has experience with GIS technology and related geographic mapping system solutions from working with several ecology departments and organizations. Project work has included analysis and design components of the following:

GIS components required to track specific site requirements Integration of GIS spatial data with information system tabular Linked and integrated ESRI’s ArcView product with Texas Instruments’ Composer

product Linking individuals and organizations associated with a specific site Provided complete interface with SmallWorld GIS platform, including bi-directional

data flow from GIS to Telecommunication Network Planning Database

i) Electronic Commerce / EDI

Covansys has been integrating Web applications with core business systems since the infancy of the Web. We call it Web-to-Enterprise Integration, and it's one of our areas of concentration.

Our Web-to-Enterprise Integration methodology integrates our understanding of business and legacy systems, deep traditional application development, a breadth of knowledge across disparate software and platforms, and outstanding technical and architectural skills. We look at the big picture and the potential for leveraging CRM, ERP, and SCM in order to create an integrated Web-based business and technology strategy.

Our goal is to help our clients improve efficiency, build stronger business relationships, expedite key decisions, and enrich customer relationships. The result: an information strategy that reduces costs and creates improved revenue generation opportunities for your organization.

Covansys’ extensive technical expertise in E-commerce include the following technologies:

.NET LDAP Active Objects Mercator ActiveX Microsoft Transaction Server Actuate Reporting Software MS Active Directory Ariba Software MS Backoffice Server Package

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ASP (Active Server Pages) MS BizTalk Server ASP + MS Exchange Server ATG Dynamo MS Frontpage Developer Tool BackTalk MS Host Integration Server (HIS) Blue Martinis Software MS Proxy Server BroadVision MS Site Server CGI Programming MSMQ Cold Fusion Server NetObjects Fusion Cold Fusion Studio ODBC COM/DCOM Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) COM+ Rational Purify Commerce One Rational QualityArchitect Commerce Server Rational Unified Change Management CORBA Search Engine Optimization CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) Symantec Visual Café DHTML Telnet DSML Tuxedo DNA Verisign Certificates & Servers eBT Engenda - Content Management Vignette Content Management EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) Vignette Story Server Electronic Payment VRML Extol - Web Based EDI WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) HTML (HyperText Markup Language) Web Page Layout/Design I2 Technologies Web Portals IBM Commerce Integrator Web Services IBM VisualAge Web Stress Analysis Internet Security/Acceleration Server WebGain Suite I-Planet Weblogic J2EE WebMethods/Active Software Java Web Server Websphere Jbuilder WebSphere Application Server, AE JDBC WebSphere Application Server, EE Jdeveloper WebTrends Analyser Kerberos Encryption Process WINSOCK Kinzan ASP based Portal Service XML


j) Document management

Document Management Services are one of Covansys’ core service offerings, and are designed to automate the creation, sharing, storage, retrieval, maintenance, security, and final disposal of many type of documents that an organization receives and generates. Our Documents Management solutions enable our clients to reduce personnel and equipment costs, increase the accessibility of information across the organization, distribute information in a more timely fashion, maintain a higher level of security of information, and provide management reporting on documents in process, their location, status and possible bottlenecks that may require attention. Some of the major solutions

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we offer are Electronic Document Management, Document Imaging, Workflow Processing, Computer Output to Laser Disk (COLD), and Forms Processing.

Document Management technologies that Covansys has experience with include: ActionPoint, Documentum, Eastman, FileNet, Kofax, PC Docs, and Wang.


k) Telecommunications wide area network

Telecommunications wide-area network technology is not part of Covansys’ core services offering.

However, Covansys does offer WAN/LAN planning, deployment and support solutions. For more detail please refer to the Administration service category package.

l) BiometricsIf the State needs a solution requiring the use of technologies for measuring and analyzing human body characteristics (fingerprint authentication, etc.), Covansys can help implement existing software packages that perform these functions.

m) Wireless Networking

Wireless LAN solutions are not part of Covansys’ core services offering.

Notwithstanding, our strategic alliances with mobile services providers has facilitated our ability to develop and deploy reliable mobile information services. We have successfully developed for various clients mobile applications that access enterprise applications and data, and reliably deliver them to users through a variety of mobile devices. Similarly, our knowledge and experience with WML and WAP can deliver solutions that make enterprise applications available as mobile services to customers and employees.

n) IT staffing

Covansys’ goal is to help our clients achieve their business objectives through the effective use of technology. We are dedicated to helping our clients significantly improve the return on their investments in information technology. To reach these goals, our staff includes professionals with experience across a wide variety of industries and technologies.

Covansys has extensive expertise working in the public sector. Our Associates have performed technology services in the form of outsourcing, facilities management, custom software development, staff augmentation, project management, data warehousing, network administration, Internet strategies, business process improvement, and strategic

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systems planning, among other areas. We have successfully staffed projects from one consultant to several hundred. Our network of 4,500 employees worldwide and branch infrastructure ensures effective project staffing and delivery.

o) Graphic / web design

Covansys has received the following awards for outstanding web site development: for CIO Magazine’s 1999 top 50 Intranet web site award for our application at

Forsythe Technologies CIO Magazine’s 1998 top 50 Intranet web site award for our application at Allied

Van Lines

Covansys has extensive knowledge and experience in the following graphic and web design technologies/tools.

Adobe Acrobat Macromedia Fireworks Adobe FrameMaker Macromedia Flash Adobe GoLive Macromedia Freehand Adobe LiveMotion Macromedia UltraDev Adobe Photoshop MS FrontPage Adobe Premiere MS Powerpoint CorelDraw MS Publisher Dreamweaver PageMaker Graphics Quark GUI Development - C/S Quicktime GUI Development - Web based RealAudio/Video HTML Shockwave Human Factors SVG Illustrator Vizact 2000 JASC Paint Shop Pro Web Usability Testing Macromedia Authorware Windows Media Player Macromedia Director


p) Other

Covansys has extensive experience and knowledge in the following areas:

I. Quality Assurance and Testing

Q A Tools: IV&V Mercury LoadRunner Mercury Test Studio Mercury WinRunner PVCS QAcenter Quality Control Rational ClearCase

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Rational Test Studio Rational TestManager Segue Silkperformer Segue SilkTest Segue Test Studio Source Safe/ Visual Source Safe SQA (Software Quality Assurance) Test Scripts Testpro Version Control Xrunner


II. JAD Facilitation

Covansys routinely conducts JAD sessions to define requirements and identify Critical Success Factors and measurable objectives for new system development. Covansys’ approach is characterized by significant use of group facilitation, an intense focus on rapid delivery of results, with the purpose of developing an intimate understanding of a client’s business objectives.

JAD facilitations are conducted over a series of working sessions by Covansys consultants with focused participation and involvement from client stakeholders and subject matter experts, with the goal of reaching agreement regarding such items as application functionality, user interfaces and security, etc. Effective, efficient and informed cross-functional decision making is the result of using Covansys consultants and process, coupled with a deep participation and commitment of key members of a client’s organization.

JAD facilitations start with a vision statement, go through an iterative process of targeted focus discussion, and conclude by the transferring of the engagement results from Covansys practitioners to the client’s personnel. This includes presentation to the client with artifacts, high level documentation, and diagrams.


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- APPENDICIES -

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APPENDIX A – Client Reference Surveys Statement

The following Covansys clients have been asked to complete the Client Reference Survey Form and, per the ITQ, mail the responses directly to: Ashley Super, Purchasing Agent III.ITQ Number : BD080200S102 On Behalf Of CovansysSTATE of Iowa Department of General Services, Purchasing DivisionHoover STATE Office Building, Level ADes Moines, IA 50319-0105

These references represent only a small sample of satisfied Covansys clients who have benefited from our services. Additional references are available upon request.

A. Client: State of Indiana - Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA)Project: Indiana Support Enforcement Tracking System (ISETS)Contact: Bill AshtonTitle: Acting DirectorAddress: 132 E Washington St, 8th Floor

Indianapolis, IN 46204Phone Number: 317-232-7944e-mail: [email protected]

Service Categories: i. Strategy / Vision / Consultingii. Project Managementiii. Design/Planningiv. Developingv. Testingvi. Implementationvii. Trainingviii. Ongoing Supportix. Administration

B. Client: Iowa Dept of Personnel Project: Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) – Retirement Benefit EstimatorContact: Leon SchwartzTitle: Chief Operations OfficerAddress: PO Box 9117

Des Moines, IA 50306-9117Phone: (515) 281-0060E-mail: [email protected]

PAGE 27 OF 104 10/30/01


Service Categories: i. Strategy / Vision / Consultingii. Project Managementiii. Design/Planningiv. Developingv. Testingvi. Implementation

C. Client: Florida Department of Children and FamiliesProjects: Florida Statewide Reporting System (SRS); Child Care Management System (CCMS); Enhanced Field System (EFS)Contact: Connie Reinhardt Title: EBT/EFT Systems DirectorAddress: 1317 Winewood Boulevard

Building 1, Room 402Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700

Phone: 850-922-0232e-mail [email protected]

Service Category: ii. Project Managementiii. Design/Planningiv. Developing

D. Client: Public Employees Retirement System of OhioProject: Savings System Conversion Project (SSCP)Contact: Blake SherryTitle: Director, Information SystemsAddress: 277 East Town Street

Columbus, Oh 43215Phone: (614)466-3793E-mail: [email protected]


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E. Client: Ohio Department of Job and Family ServicesProject: System Enforcement Tracking System (SETS)Contact: Sylvan WilsonTitle: Deputy Bureau ChiefAddress: 50 West Broad Street 5th Floor

Columbus, OH 43215Phone: (614) 466-7291E-mail: [email protected]


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APPENDIX B – Cost Data Sheet

This section provides current pricing information for Covansys. The position descriptions were obtained directly from the ITQ. This pricing information is considered confidential.

Covansys offers the State unique and flexible delivery options: Local Partnership, Global Delivery. Covansys consultants perform engagements On-Site, Off-Site, or Off-Shore. Many clients utilize a combination of these delivery scenarios. In all case, we manage our relationship with our clients in their locale.

We have broken down our rates respective of the On-Site, Off-site, and Off-shore solution development option. Travel costs primarily account for the rate differences between the On-Site and Off-Site options. All rates are Not to Exceed Rates, and are negotiable based on proposed project size and duration. These rates are valid for 12 months from the signing of the ITQ agreement.

On-site enables clients to benefit from having Covansys resources on location at the client site.

Off-site allows Covansys resources to serve clients remotely from the Covansys Advanced Technology Centers (ATCs).

The Off-shore development option, if selected by the state, offers high-quality solutions at very low hourly rates. This option enables clients to benefit from Covansys India development centers.

COST DATA SHEET for ITQ Number : BD80200S102 Revision: 1.0

FOR SERVICE CATEGORY: Strategy / Vision

COMPANY NAME: Covansys Corp.. Date: 10/29/2001

Iowa ITQ Service Category Description

Not to Exceed Hourly Rate

U.S. $On-Site Off-Site Off-Shore

1. Strategy/Vision/ConsultingArchitect Brings the ability to put together a

“big picture” of a technical solution.

$200 $175 N/A

Subject Matter Expert Brings a deep expertise in a specific technology or business

$185 $160 N/A

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area.Business Consultant/Analyst Brings the ability to analyze and

recommend business process improvements and re-engineering.

$150 $125 N/A

2. Project ManagementProgram Manager Manages multiple projects at once

both related and unrelated in nature and scope.

$200 $175 N/A

Project Manager Manages a specific project or aspect of a project on larger projects.

$185 $160 $60

Project Administrator Assists with the administration of the project management activities.

$100 $75 $30

Technical Writer A writer with skills in a specific technical arena and the ability to write technical information to be consumed by an end-user community.

$100 $75 N/A

3. Design/PlanningArchitect / Technology Lead Responsible for the design and

technical specification of a business solution or a specific aspect of a business solution on larger projects.

$150 $125 $50

4. DevelopingDeveloper Builds solution components based

on technical specifications.$115 $90 $30

Sr. Developer Builds solution components based on technical specifications. Extensive experience.

$125 $100 $40

Jr. Developer Builds solution components based on technical specifications. Limited experience.

$100 $75 $25

Engineer Builds infrastructure solutions based on technical specifications.

$115 $90 $30

Sr. Engineer Builds infrastructure solutions $125 $100 $40

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based on technical specifications. Extensive experience.

Jr. Engineer Builds infrastructure solutions based on technical specifications. Limited experience.

$100 $75 $25

Emerging/Niche Technology Builds solutions based on technical specifications using emerging or niche technologies.

$125 $100 $35

Sr. Emerging/Niche Technology Builds solutions based on technical specifications using emerging or niche technologies. Extensive experience.

$150 $125 $45

Jr. Emerging/Niche Technology Builds solutions based on technical specifications using emerging or niche technologies. Limited experience.

$115 $90 $30

5. TestingTest Planning Analyzes business requirements

and technical specifications to determine and build a test plan.

$125 $100 $30

Quality Assurance Builds and executes test scripts based on a test plan. Tracks and coordinates issue resolution.

$115 $90 $25

6. ImplementationImplementation Planning Analyzes business requirements,

technical specifications and end-user community requirements to determine and build an implementation plan.

$150 $125 N/A

7. TrainingProduct Building Build a training product. $150 $125 N/A

Classroom Delivery Deliver a training product in a classroom setting.

$115 $90 N/A

Online / CBT Build a training product specifically for online and computer based training.

$125 $100 N/A

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Field Delivery Deliver a training product at the customer’s location.

$115 $90 N/A

8. On-Going SupportHelp Desk Support Provide required technical

support via phone.$100 $75 $40

On-Site Support Provide required technical support working at the customer’s site.

$115 N/A N/A

On-Call Support Provide required technical support on an as needed basis, normally associated with a service level agreement.

$1158 x 5

$17024 x 7

$908 x 5

$14524 x 7

N/A

9. AdministrationDatabase Perform database administration

activities on the selected database.

$125 $100 N/A

LAN/WAN Perform local-area network and wide-area network administration activities on the selected network operating system.

$125 $100 N/A

Operating System Perform operating system administration activities on the selected operating system.

$125 $100 N/A

Web Perform administration activities related to web infrastructure components, such as web server, application servers, search engines, etc.

$125 $100 N/A

Messaging Perform administration activities on the selected messaging platform.

$125 $100 N/A

Security Perform administration activities relating to security, auditing, and enforcement.

$150 $125 N/A

Emerging/Niche Technology Perform administration activities on technologies which are emerging or unique to the organization.

$150 $125 N/A

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APPENDIX C – Non-collusion Affidavit

NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT

I, the undersigned, am the person responsible for the preparation of and cost data contained in this response submitted to the STATE in response to this ITQ and certify that:

Cost data has been arrived at independently and without consultation with any other party.

No information regarding this response content has been disclosed to any other party that may be or may potentially be responding to the ITQ with a response.

No attempt has been made to induce or to refrain any other party in responding to this ITQ or to influence the content of their response.

This response and subsequent proposal(s) submitted by my firm to RFPs referring to this ITQ is made / will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any discussions / agreement with any other party.

My firm and its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors and employees are not currently under investigation or been convicted for any act prohibited by federal law involving conspiracy or collusion with respect to bidding on public ITQ and related POs, except as follows:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I understand that any miss-statement in this affidavit is and shall be treated as fraudulent concealment from the STATE of the true facts relating to the response submission for this ITQ.

Name: Jim Kearns, Position : Area Vice President

SIGNITURE: ____________________________________ Date : _________________

Representing COMPANY NAME: Covansys Corporation

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME THIS DAY _________ OF 20 _______ .

NOTARY PUBLIC _________________________ My commission expires: __________

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APPENDIX D – Lobbying Certification Form

LOBBYING CERTIFICATION FORM

FOR ITQ AND RELATED POSS, GRANTS, LOANS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

The undersigned certifies, to the best of her or his knowledge and belief, that

No federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress in connection with the awarding of any federal contract or agreement, or the making of any federal grant, loan, or co-operative agreement.

If any funds other than federal appropriated funds have been paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence the making of federal contracts or federal grants, loans, co-operative agreements, the undersigned will submit full disclosure of lobbying activities showing all details and supporting documents.

The undersigned will require any or all subcontractors to submit a separate lobbying certification and disclosure accordingly.

SIGNATURE: _____________________________ TITLE: Area Vice President

COMPANY NAME: Covansys Corporation DATE: ____________

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APPENDIX E – Debarment, Delinquent, and Suspension Status

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APPENDIX F – Required Signature Page (submit two signed originals in your response)

I / we as undersigned agree to the terms and conditions of the aforementioned ITQ #BD80200S102 and

if our response is accepted, to furnish any and all services upon which cost data has been submitted.

Any material misstatement in our response shall be treated as fraudulent concealment from the STATE

of the facts relating to this ITQ.

Name of Entity / Person Submitting Proposal: Covansys Corporation

Mailing address: 32605 West Twelve Mile Road

Farmington Hills, MI 48334.

Phone: 248.488.2088 Fax: 248.488.2089 Email: _______________________

If Individual: SIGNATURE: ___________________________________Date: _________

Social Security Number: _____________________________

If Partnership: Names -type written: ______________________/_____________________

Social Security Numbers: ______________________/_____________________

SIGNATURES of PARTNERS: ____________________________________ Date: __________

_____________________________________ Date: __________

If Corporation: Corp ID# 382606945 State: Michigan

SIGNATURE: __________________________________ Date: __________

Name and Title -type written: Jim Kearns, Area Vice President

I / we consent to service of process by certified or register mail addressed to our designated agent as required by Part 5-13-i of the Terms and Conditions of the ITQ. I / we appoint

Thomas E. Sizemore at 32605 West Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 as our agent to receive service of process.

If for any reason Covansys’ agent for service is unable to act as such or the address of the agent changes, Covansys shall immediately appoint a new agent and provide the STATE with written notice of the change in agent or address. Any change in the appointment of the agent or address will be effective only upon actual receipt by the STATE. Nothing in this provisions will alter the right of the STATE to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

WITNESS SIGNATURE: ______________________ Title: ________________ Date: __________

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The STATE of Iowa, acting through the undersigned officer(s), hereby accepts the foregoing response to the ITQ and pre-approves the SP named for agency requests for proposals using this agreement. This acceptance and the SP’s response for the above referenced ITQ and related POs, including the terms and conditions of the ITQ constitute a binding contract between the STATE and the SP.

CT ____________ Vendor ID# ____________________ CONDITIONAL TSB

Evaluation Committee Chairperson ____________________________ Date: _______________

DGS Purchasing Div. Administrator: ____________________________ Date: _______________

Purchasing Agent / Issuing Officer : ____________________________ Date : _______________

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APPENDIX G –Covansys Executive Summary

Founded in 1985, Covansys (formerly known as CBSI – Complete Business Solutions, Inc.) is a publicly traded systems integration company and global IT service provider of for both the public and private sectors. Covansys has over 4,500 employees that provide services to clients through our network of offices spanning North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Covansys is one of the most comprehensive and complete technology services providers. Our professional heritage bridges the largest ‘Old World’ legacy systems and the New Economy’s leading-edge Web applications. Our depth of skills and experience, backed by our worldwide resources, produce one of the most capable forces in the information industry today. Since our beginning, Covansys has successfully developed and implemented solutions Fortune 1,000 companies and for State and Local Governments across the United States.

Through countless successful projects, Covansys has helped leverage the full potential of technologies, including Internet-based, by working with government agencies to help understand the business processes where technology best fits the overall business objectives of the system.

From information strategy plans to custom developed solutions to pre-built templates and packaged solutions, Covansys provides both the business and technical expertise to build new systems and/or make significant enhancements to existing systems. Covansys has been providing consulting services to the Public Sector since 1985, working with state and local governments to improve service delivery to their constituents through strategic information technology.

Our range of experience, the scope of our expertise, and our scalable delivery model make Covansys a special breed in the technology services field. We put those attributes to work in order to guarantee our clients short-cycle project completion and ingenious resource deployment with real-world budgets. The result: innovative, problem-solving technology services that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase revenues.

Unique Competencies and Services

Given our extensive experience, expertise and resources dedicated to the Public Sector and technology industry arenas, we are confident that we can assist the State of Iowa in meeting its business objectives. Covansys has an excellent customer track record and unique delivery capabilities for END to END solutions:

Global Delivery Model

Covansys provides flexible project delivery by offering our clients any combination of On-Site, Off-Site, Off-Shore development. Our unique delivery model means our clients have the right resources at the right time and at the right cost -- a fact underscored by two recent industry honors. In December, 1999, Covansys became only 19 companies worldwide to achieve the highest possible maturity rating for its development centers in India -- the Software Engineering

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Institute’s CMM® Level 5 quality rating. In addition, Fortune Magazine named Covansys as one of the 100 fastest-growing U.S.-based companies in its September, 2000 issue.

Strategic Business Units

Covansys has established Strategic Business Units (SBU) focusing on IT Consulting with specific competencies in:

Project/Program Management Support Strategic Systems Planning New Technology Deployment Network Planning and Deployment Business Process Re-engineering E-Business Technology Deployment

Project Management Office (PMO)

Covansys utilizes a unique and proven Project Management Office (PMO) support team. The PMO is an optional but recommended service that offer the following advantages:

Access to senior consultants with extensive expertise in multiple critical areas and disciplines desirable by State of Iowa.

Rapid team and solution deployment. Ability to more easily address unanticipated problems and opportunities. Enhanced and more effective project tracking and reporting through the use of

customized tools and databases. Ability to more easily manage multiple projects with fewer resources and minimum

staffing and start-up delays.

Rapid Team Deployment

Covansys also offers a Full-service, Rapid Team Deployment service option (used in conjunction with PMO) that expedites the deployment of technically strong, seasoned business consultants highly experienced in areas such as:

Requirement Gathering, Process Analysis and Rapid Problem Resolution IT Architecture Planning IT Systems and Business Planning WAN/LAN Planning, Deployment and Support System Development and implementation Business and Event Management Planning Web Oriented Development Project efforts New technology assessment and deployment GIS and Data Warehouse

Additional Unique Competencies

Actively provided Re-engineering, Legacy Maintenance and Conversion services for over twelve (12) years. This expertise has consolidated our strength and offering related to re-engineering, and Legacy System Strategy and redeployment.

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In-house Developed Conversion and Productivity Aids Value Added Service Program for Client Business Partners Advanced Technology Centers for Leading Technologies (including E-Business,

Data Warehouse)

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Public Sector Practice

Covansys’ National Public Sector Practice is focused on partnering with various public sector agencies across the nation in an effort to implement their long-term strategic visions. Our Public Sector practice has successfully developed and implemented solutions for State and Local Governments in 31 states in the U.S. From information strategy plans to custom developed solutions to packaged solutions, Covansys has acted as a catalyst for change in the Public Sector Industry. An synopsis of Covansys’ Public Sector Practice service offerings appears below:

As shown in the diagram, Covansys offers technology-enabled solutions to the Public Sector Industry based on the leverage provided through partnerships with a host of solution providers and products.

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Clients

We help industry leaders in the public and private sectors resolve a broad range of business and technology challenges. Satisfied customers provide the clearest testimony of our success. In 2000, we provided services to over 600 clients in North America, Europe, and Asia. For each of the past five years, existing clients provided more than 80% of our revenues. Given below is a representative list of U.S. customers of Covansys in both public and private sectors:

Public Sector - Public Retirement Clients Manufacturing

Iowa Public Employees Retirement System Daimler Chrysler AG

Indiana State Teachers Retirement System Ford Motor Company

San Francisco Employees Retirement System General Motors Corporation

California Public Employees Retirement System Herman Miller, Inc.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System Weyerhaeuser Company

State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio Willamette Industries, Inc.

Nevada Public Employees Retirement System

Mississippi Public Employees Retirement System Banking and Financial Services

New Hampshire Retirement System Bank One Services Corporation

Michigan Division of Retirement Chase Manhattan Corporation

Police & Firemen’s Disability & Pension Fund of Ohio Fidelity Investments

School Employees Retirement System of Ohio Fleet Services Corporation

Public Employees Retirement System of Oregon Foremost Corporation of America

Indiana Public Employees Retirement System Putnam Investments

UNUM Corporation

Public Sector – State Government Visa U.S.A., Inc.

State of California

State of Indiana Health Care

State of Michigan Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Connecticut

State of Mississippi Baystate Health System

State of Minnesota Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan

State of North Carolina

State of Ohio Utilities & Telecommunications

State of Nevada American Telephone and Telegraph Company

Alltel Information Services, Inc.

Retail & Distribution Ameritech Corporation

Duty Free Shops PacificCorp

Fred Meyer, Inc. South Carolina Electric and Gas Company

The GAP, Inc. Southern California Edison

Lands’ End, Inc. Spring Corporation

Limited Stores Tucson Electric Power Company

Spartan Stores, Inc.

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Financial Stability

Covansys is a financially sound $400 million company with a compound growth rate of over 20%. We have consistently secured Dun & Bradstreet's highest rating (3A) since our inception. Covansys is a publicly traded company under the Covansys NASDAQ symbol CVNS.

From an industry perspective, Covansys’ diverse client base ensures stability and demonstrates our commitment to providing specific industry expertise in addition to technology solutions.

Revenue Segmentation by Industry

Banking/Finance

Utilities/Telecom

Manufacturing/Automotive/Transportation

Retail/Wholesale/Distribution

Healthcare/Insurance

Public Sector

22%

19%

17%

14%

11%

17%

Revenue Segmentation by Industry

The figure above shows annual revenues (dollars in millions) for each of the last five years. For each year, 100% of revenue represents systems integration/development services.

Total Revenue Public Sector Revenue

On average, 20% of Covansys’ revenue comes from Public Sector information technology engagements. The figure on the right above shows the revenue growth of Public Sector over a 5-year period. Covansys is financially strong and stable and has been profitable every year.

PAGE 46 OF 104 10/30/01

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

94 95 96 97 98 99

90


As is also evident from the 2000 Annual Report, Covansys is virtually debt-free and maintains a substantial cash position on the balance sheet. This strength assures that Covansys will be able to meet its obligations under long-term contracts and continue to fund projects even during periods of temporary shortfalls. A copy of the report is furnished in the ITQ Amendment response, as an attachment to SP’s Background / Financial Questionnaire.

Accomplishments and Awards

Financial Community Accolades

Since our Initial Public Offering (IPO) in March of 1997, we have received several accolades from the financial community.

Ranked third best IPO of 1997 by Wall Street Journal, Jan. 5, 1998 Covansys was honored by Governor John Engler as one of Michigan's top stock

performers among a collection of the “Superstar 10” of state stocks. Covansys was first on the Michigan Top 50 list that ranks companies by their one-

year total return. Although listed with a one-year total return of 190.40%, Covansys actually achieved 480.6% growth in stock price when corrected for the March 1998 stock split.

Business Community Recognitions

Recognized as one of Chicago's major management consulting firms, Crain's Chicago Business, November, 1999

Ranked in Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500 Program and recognized for 568% 5-Year Growth Rate, December 13, 1999

Ranked #3 global integrator on the Loomis Meter, Nov 3, 1997 Fortune Magazine named Covansys as one of the 100 fastest-growing U.S.-based

companies in its September, 2000 issue VARBusiness Magazine’s June 2001 issue, devoted to companies displaying

outstanding technology performance and leadership, ranked Covansys one of the top 500 solution providers in North America

Outstanding Service and Technology Awards

Covansys has been recognized for its service excellence on many occasions including 1998 Vendors of the Year by Time Customer Service, Inc. Covansys is one of only 19 US Companies with ISO 9001 CMM Level 5 Certification

for our Off-Shore Facilities INC/Cisco 1999 ‘Growing with Technology Award’ CIO Magazine’s 1999 top 50 Intranet web site award for our application at Forsythe

Technologies CIO Magazine’s 1998 top 50 Intranet web site award for our application at Allied Van

Lines

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APPENDIX H - Copy of ITQ

Iowa Department of General Services Invitation to Qualify#BD80200S102, Version 1.0

PAGE 48 OF 104 10/30/01

CONTINOUS

INVITATION TO QUALIFY# BD80200S102, Version 1.0 ISSUED June 8, 2001

FOR

Information Technology Consulting Servicesand IT Staff Augmentations

Five Year Multiple Award Contract

A Cooperative Process With TheIowa Department of Information Technology

This invitation is primarily available electronically in MS Word format upon request.It is formatted for two sided printing. Printed copies are available at $10.00 per copy.

INVITATION TO QUALIFY BD80200S102 VERSION 1.0 PAGE 49 OF 104

http://www.state.ia.us/government/its/

THOMAS J . V ILSACK

G O V E R N O R

SALLY J . PEDERSON

LT. G O V E R N O R

June 8, 2001

Dear Information Technology Consulting Professionals:

We are pleased to announce the issuance of INVITATION TO QUALIFY (ITQ ) # BD80200S102, Version 1.0

You are invited to submit a response to the ITQ for consideration by the STATE of Iowa to be included in a Statewide IT Consulting Multi-Award contract. The purpose of this process to provide State agencies a means to secure a variety of services specifically related to information technology consulting and staff augmentation services in a uniform manner consistent with State law, enterprise standards and policies.

Please email the undersigned your intent to respond upon receipt of this ITQ.

You may submit a response at any time in accordance with ITQ instructions.

We expect the evaluation of your response would be completed within approximately three weeks. During the first few weeks of first issuance, priority will be given first to responses from SPs already on contract with the State and from certified Targeted Small Businesses (TSBs). Please indicate your contract status and / or TSB status in the cover letter of your response.

Current project and staff augmentation contracts will be extended three (3) months to allow for time you to submit a response to this ITQ and for the State to accept your proposal.

Sincerely yours.

Ms. Ashley SuperPurchasing Agent III and Issuing OfficerEmail: [email protected]

RICHARD J . HAINES, D IRECTOR HOOVER STATE OFFICE BUILDING, LEVEL A DES MOINES, IA 50319-0104 PHONE (515) 242-5120 FAX (515) 242-5974

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING SERVICES CAPITOL COMPLEX MAINTENANCE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION FLEET & MAIL PRINTING & IMAGING PURCHASING


Department of General Services S T A T E O F I O W A


Table of Contents:

PagePart I – Overview, Instructions and General Information …………………………..… 4 Schedule of Events ………………………………………………………… 5

Evaluations and Awards ………………………………………………….. 8 Response Format …………………………………………………………. 9 Targeted Small Businesses ……………………………………………… 10 Works for Hire Ownership ………………………………………………. 10 Part 2 – Standard Terms and Conditions ………………………………..……………. 12 Part 3 – Scope of Work ………………………………………………………………… 19 Part 4 -- Qualification Requirements …………………………………………………. 22

1. Minimum Qualification Requirements ……………………………….…. 22 2. Mandatory Agreement Questionnaire ….…………………………...…. 22 3. Professional / Technical Personnel Questionnaire ……………...……. 22 4. Client References and Survey Forms ..………………………………... 23 5. Your Cost Data Sheet Format ………………………….……………….. 24

Part 5 -- Signature Page, Vendor Registration, and Sample Evaluation. ………… 261. Required Signature Format ……………………………….……………... 26

2. Vendor Application and W9 ………………………….…………….…….. 26 3. Sample Evaluation Criteria ……..………………………………….……. 26

Part 6 -- Exhibits, Attachments and Addendum's ……………………………….…… 28a)NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT ………………………………………… 29b)LOBBYING CERTIFICATION FORM …………………………………. 30c)MANDATORY AGREEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE …………………… 31d)REFERENCE SURVEY FORMS ( 3 sections ) ……………………… 32e)COST DATA SHEET FORMAT ……………………………………….. 36f) REQUIRED SIGNATURE PAGE ……………………………………… 37g)QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ………………………………………… 38

Use the hyperlinks to jump to sections and web links. Use your back button to return.


PART ONE - GENERAL INFORMATION

1-1 PURPOSE: This Invitation to Quality (ITQ), upon submittal by an Information Technology (IT) Service Provider (SP) and approval by the STATE of Iowa (STATE) forms a contract between the STATE and the SP. Based on the terms and conditions in this contract, the STATE will issue purchase orders (PO) both for projects and staff augmentation through competition among pre-qualified SPs. Within this document, the terms ITQ and contract are synonymous. This ITQ is structured as a multiple-award contract, each with identical terms and conditions. A SP who meets all mandatory requirements and the qualification criteria of this ITQ will be awarded a contract. Use of an SP within the process described herein is mandatory for STATE agencies (except for agencies with independent procurement authority) requiring IT consulting services for project development, or for temporary IT staff augmentation.

The ITQ's purpose is fivefold:1. Standardize STATE terms and conditions relating to all services provided by SPs,

thereby avoiding repetition and duplication.2. Accomplish IT consulting assignments in a manner consistent with STATE standards as

promulgated and directed by the Information Technology Department (ITD).3. Implement a pay for performance model directly linking payments to SPs and defined

results thereby obtained as contemplated in the Accountable Government Act. 4. Consolidate IT consulting records and project records, including performance

assessments, in one location for reference and review.5. Reduce time required for solicitation of proposals from SPs for individual projects and

staff augmentation.

1-2 PRIOR AND FUTURE CONTRACTS: Existing STATE contracts with SPs for projects and staff augmentation are extended for three (3) months or completion, whichever occurs first, from date of pre-qualification approval. Continuation of projects or staff augmentation beyond three (3) months from the date of pre-qualification must be documented by the PO process described herein. In the event an SP with a current contract fails to be pre-qualified or chooses not to participate in the pre-qualification process the contract will be honored by the STATE to the time of completion. All future IT services required by a State agency must be procured under the terms and conditions of this ITQ and process described herein, unless an agency has independent procurement authority.

1-3 ISSUING OFFICER and POINT OF CONTACT: All questions relative to this ITQ should be directed in writing to the issuing officer (IO) as identified below:

Ashley Super, Purchasing Agent IIIIowa Department of General Services (DGS)

Hoover STATE Office Building - Level ADes Moines, IA 50319-0105

Phone: 515-281-7073, Fax: 515-242-5974E-mail: [email protected]

DGS Website: http://www.STATE.ia.us/government/dgs/index.html

1-4 REJECTION OF RESPONSES AND APPEAL: SPs disqualified by the evaluation committee will receive a notice of disqualification with reasons for the disqualification. Disqualified SPs may re-submit a response three (3) months after being disqualified by


http://www.state.ia.us/government/dgs/index.html


the evaluation committee. After being disqualified twice, the SP may appeal within five (5) days after receiving notice of disqualification per Iowa Administrative Code 401-8.7 and 8.8. (Acrobat Reader required)

1-5 COMMUNICATIONS: From the date and time an SP submits a response to this ITQ and subsequent action by the evaluation committee, the SP must communicate with the STATE only through the IO. Use of E-mail is encouraged. If a SP or someone acting on the SP’s behalf attempts to discuss this ITQ orally or in writing with any employee of the STATE, with any member of the evaluation team, or with any other person connected to the project, other than the issuing officer (IO) designated above, or her/his successor, the SP may be disqualified from submitting a response to this ITQ for a period of two years.

Documents that require a handwritten signature on a hard copy to be a valid executable document must be sent US Mail or courier. The State will not accept nor sign a legal document, unless it is an original hard copy (no fax), and only after the document has been signed by the other party.

1-6 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:a) Formal responses to this ITQ may be submitted at any time to the IO. Responses

can be withdrawn, modified and resubmitted at any time prior to the start of the STATE's evaluation process.

b) Evaluations will be conducted by the STATE in a timely manner and notice of rejection or execution of the ITQ will occur upon completion of the evaluation. Reasons for rejection will accompany the notice of rejection.

c) Disqualified SPs will be allowed to re-submit a response three (3) months after being disqualified by the evaluation committee.

d) Attempts to qualify are limited to two per year.e) After two rejections the SP may appeal the evaluation decision in writing within five

(5) days of receiving the notice of rejection per Iowa Administrative Code 401-8.7 and 8.8.

1-7 QUESTIONS: - Prospective responders are invited to submit written questions and/or requests for interpretation or clarification concerning this ITQ by email only to the IO. This pre-qualification process is conducted in a continuing manner. Interpretations and responses to questions related to the ITQ process will be posted on the DGS purchasing Web site and e-mailed to approved SPs, and SP s whose proposals have been submitted and are awaiting STATE action. The STATE does not guarantee a response to all questions. Instead, the questioner may be referred to the ITQ document or previous responses.

The STATE will be bound only by written responses. In no cases shall verbal communication over-ride written communication(s) issued by the IO. The IO shall not be a voting member of the evaluation committee, but may facilitate evaluations. To insure all responses are evaluated fairly, the IO will be the only point of contact between the evaluation committee and the responder. The IO will contact the responder for clarifications on submitted responses on behalf of the evaluation committee.


http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Rules/2001/iac/401/4018/4018.pdf




1-7 TERMS AND CONDITIONS WILL NOT BE NEGOTIATED. Do not place conditions or changes to the ITQ document in your response. The STATE will not negotiate any terms or conditions of this ITQ. Any modifications to this ITQ and related process will apply to all SPs equally.

1-8 ITQ TERM AND RENEWAL: Each approved ITQ will have an initial duration of five (5) years from date of execution. After the initial term ends, the ITQ will be renewable for successive terms of two years each unless there has been no activity of awards during the previous two years or an unsatisfactory performance record.

1-9 RFPS, WORK AUTHORIZATIONS AND PURCHASE ORDERS: The State contemplates two general categories of service to be provided; Project Development and Staff Augmentation. Work for a State agency will be authorized through issuance of a State PO. PO’s will be issued by the State only upon the approval of ITD. The State will not compensate a SP for work undertaken in the absence of a PO.

1-10 WORK TO BE ACCOMPLISHED TO ENTERPRISE STANDARDS: ITD is required by statute to develop IT Enterprise (State government viewed as a whole) standards and monitor IT development by State agencies so that hardware acquisition, systems development and related work meet Enterprise IT standards. POs will be issued to SPs only upon agreement and approval by ITD that the subject project or staff augmentation assignment meets Enterprise IT standards and expectations.

Project Development: Project development is defined as work described in categories one through seven in Part 3 – Scope of Work. State agencies will develop a Requirements Statement. All pre-qualified SPs will be notified of the proposal by E-mail. The length of time allowed for responses will be established by the agency. Proposals will be advertised on the DGS purchasing Web site and the Targeted Small Business (TSB) 48 Hour Web Site in the manner standard for all procurements managed by DGS Purchasing. In addition, the client agency and DGS may otherwise contact SPs for the purpose of making them aware of the opportunity.

SP selection will be based on evaluation of SP experience and expertise, cost and other relevant factors described in the proposal invitation. The proposals will include a price for each defined deliverable in the Requirements Statement. At the agency’s discretion, the cost for each deliverable and the total project will be stated as a lump sum or a “not to exceed” amount. At agency discretion, the agency may retain up to 10% of the price for each deliverable to be paid upon successful completion of the project. PO’s will be amended only upon modification of the related Requirements Statement. Ordinary SP operating expenses, including travel, will be included in the price for each deliverable. The State does not intend to reimburse SPs, separately, for standard operating costs, including travel expenses.

In the event State agencies deem it necessary to obtain outside assistance to prepare a Requirements Statement, the SP preparing the Requirements Statement will not be allowed submit a proposal for the project, itself.

The agency shall be required to show notice of that restriction prominently in their RFP.

Staff Augmentation: Staff augmentation is defined as work described in categories eight and nine in Part 2 – Scope of work. State agencies will define the general nature of work to be performed,


the approximate time period, and the work location. Upon ITD approval, the agency will invite resumes from SP’s of individuals believed to be available and capable of providing the desired services. The price quoted by SP’s shall be at or less than the hourly rate schedule provided with this ITQ times the estimated number of hours. Payment will be based on hours actually worked. The State will not pay for leave hours, regardless of purpose. A PO will be issued reflecting the general nature of the work, the time period and the estimated cost. The individual or individuals selected by the agency shall work at the agency offices. The actual hours worked, up to the estimate in the PO, are at the discretion of the agency. At the sole discretion of the agency, services provided by an SP or the individual provided by the SP may be terminated. Increases in the number of hours, time period, or changes in the general natural of the work shall be documented by the issuance of a modification to the PO. Nothing in this ITQ and related POs or the PO shall be construed as a guarantee of the number of hours to be billed by the SP.

1-11 PAYMENT TERMS: Payment for projects will be either a not-to-exceed amount for each deliverable and the total project or a stated amount for each deliverable and the total project. Monthly payments for uncompleted deliverables may be based on a percentage of completion mutually agreed to by the SP and the agency. Retainage up to ten percent (10%) may be stated in the PO and paid upon successful project completion. PO’s will be modified to indicate cost increases or decreases only based on negotiated increases or decreases to the requirements statement.

Payments for staff augmentation will be based on actual hours worked during each month.

1-12 HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE: SPs shall not offer for sale any specific brand name hardware or software products in their responses to any agency proposal invitation or through work performed under related POs. If a report is developed using a software package, ownership of that automated report becomes the joint property of the STATE and SP. Brand name products, which the SP may recommend, cannot be purchased by an agency through POs related to the ITQ. The State will procure IT hardware and commercially available software products either through existing State contracts or standard competitive processes.

1-13 INCURRING COSTS: The STATE is not liable for costs or expenses incurred by the SPs in the preparation of their responses to this ITQ nor for attendance at any conferences or meetings related to this ITQ.

1-14 PRIME CONTRACTOR AND SUBCONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Each SP will be required to assume responsibility as prime contractor under POs issued to the SP and be responsible for delivery of all services specified for each project. Further, The STATE will consider the selected SP to be the sole point of contact with regard to subcontractors to the SP in all contractual matters, including payments of any and all charges.

1-15 DISCLOSURE OF RESPONSE CONTENTS: State public policy, as expressed in Iowa Code Chapter 22, provides only narrow exceptions to the principle that information provided to the State is public information and available for public examination. Thus, the responses to this ITQ will not be treated as confidential. You may prominently mark any critically sensitive information with a request that you be notified prior to disclosure, but such identification should be severely limited in scope and not refer to entire sections of


your response. Provide a listing of the page numbers containing sensitive information in the cover letter of your response.

1-16 ALTERNATE PROPOSALS: For this ITQ, alternative proposals are not permitted.

1-17 ITQ REVISION: When the STATE believes a modification of this ITQ is desirable, a notice of the proposed revision will be posted on the DGS Web site and a notice sent via email to State agencies and pre-qualified SPs for information and comment purposes thirty (30) days prior to anticipated implementation. Thereafter, the STATE will issue a revised ITQ, including an explanation of the changes and reasons relating thereto. The revised ITQ may reflect changes related to comments from SPs and State agencies. SPs agree to be bound to the revised ITQ unless an SP sends a notice of intent to withdraw from participation within thirty (30) days from issuance of the modification by the STATE. A SP withdrawing will be allowed to complete current projects and staff augmentation assignments, but will not be considered for additional work. However, a SP who has withdrawn can reapply for pre-qualification at any time.

1-18 ADVERTISING AND MEDIA RELEASES: SP’s shall not use or construe pre-qualification by the STATE to promote their services to other organizations.

1-19 DEBARRMENT, DELINQUENT AND SUSPENSION STATUS: SPs must certify that they are not currently delinquent in the payment of taxes or other obligations to STATE government, nor under suspension or otherwise debarred from doing business with the STATE of Iowa, any other STATE, or federal government. You may use your letterhead to make a signed statement. Notarizing is not necessary.

1-20 GRATUITIES: The laws of Iowa provide that it is a felony to offer, promise, or give anything of value or benefit to a STATE employee with the intent to influence that employee’s acts, opinion, judgment, or exercise of discretion with respect to that employee’s duties. “Evidence of violations of this statute will be turned over to the prosecuting attorney”. Refer to Iowa Code, Chapter 68B.22 and Chapter 722.1.

1-21 NON-COLLUSION: SPs who engage in collusive behavior at any time will be disqualified from doing business with the STATE for five (5) years. SPs are to submit a signed notarized affidavit of non-collusion per Exhibit A.

1-22 LOBBBYING: All SPs submitting responses must certify that they will not use any federal funds for lobbying and must disclose the use of non-federal funds for lobbying per Exhibit B.

1-23 CONTRACTOR STATUS FOR IRS PURPOSES: Pursuant to Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance (DRF) Procedure No. 240.102, all SPs must be pre-approved by DRF through a Pre-Contract Questionnaire (PCQ) and Internal Revenue Service Form SS-8. These forms assure DRF that the approval of an SP’s response by the STATE has not created an employee / employer relationship. The agency will submit these forms together with the unsigned ITQ and related POs to DRF prior to awarding work or, if the SP is already listed on the Iowa Financial Accounting System (IFAS) Table PCQT, the PCQ must be submitted by the agency with payment voucher request.

1-24 AGENCY CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONDUCT REQUIREMENTS: All selected SPs must agree to abide by agency specific requirements concerning confidentiality of data


http://165.206.169.77/cgi-bin/drf/frames.htm

and practices, conduct of SP and subcontractor staff on the work site, and health and background checks of all staff (i.e.: criminal and credit checks) as may be required by the agency.

1-25 USE BY OTHER JURISDICTIONS: Under STATE law, other governmental entities, i.e. counties, cities, school districts and similar may contract with an SP under the ITQ subject to agreement by both parties. The SP agrees to send notice of such contracts entered into to the IO.

1-26 EVALUATIONS AND AWARDS: An inter-agency committee, chaired by an Information Technology Department (ITD) representative, will evaluate responses to this ITQ. Committee membership may change from time to time, but shall have a minimum of three members. Names of committee members will not be disclosed to firms seeking pre-qualification. An SP will be pre-qualified if the minimum requirements in this ITQ are met per Part 4-1, including but not limited to a score of five (5), satisfactory, or higher, on a ten (10) point scale on each client satisfaction survey, and if the evaluation committee reasonably believes that the expertise and services offered meet or exceed STATE standards and needs.

Those vendors disqualified by the evaluation committee will immediately receive a notice of disqualification with reasons for the disqualification. Disqualified vendors will be allowed to re-submit a response three (3) months after being disqualified by the evaluation committee. If after being disqualified twice, the SP has the right to appeal within five (5) days after receiving notice of disqualification per Iowa Administrative Code 401-8.7 and 8.8. (Acrobat Reader required).

Each specific RFP from agencies will state the evaluation criteria used to define satisfactory performance for the particular project (See sample in exhibits). Evaluations of responses will comply to DGS and DRF policies including DRF Policy #240.102, pg 25. After the work is performed, the agency will submit to ITD an overall rating of performance similar in form to the reference survey form used in this ITQ.

SP’s must continue to receive satisfactory or higher performance ratings from agencies to remain pre-qualified. “Satisfactory” is defined as an average score of five (5) or higher on the satisfaction survey forms. State agencies will use performance ratings as part of the evaluation and selection process for projects and staff augmentation.

BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

1-27 RESPONSE TO ITQ FORMAT: To be considered for qualification a SP must:

a) Submit one (1) original and two (2) copies of the response and one electronic copy on diskette in MS Word format. Submit separate responses for each service category for which you desire to qualify. All diskettes and files are to be identified with your company name and subject: ITQ# and version.

b) Responses and Reference Survey Forms are to be received SEALED and clearly marked:







To: Response to ITQ # _______ Version # ____ (as indicated in ITQ title page )

The issuing officer and full address. ( as indicated in part 1-3 )

From: Your Full Company Name and Address.

c) If multiple packages per response are used, the packages comprising the complete response and bids shall be numbered in the following fashion: 1 of 4, 2 of 4, etc. The original response shall be clearly labeled “ORIGINAL” and all copies shall be clearly marked “Copy” as in Copy 1, Copy 2, etc.). Please limit the weight of each package containing proposals to less than 20 lbs.

d) All requested information must be in the same format as instructed and as shown in Exhibits. Include a cover letter and table of contents with page numbers. All mandatory requested information must be in the front sections of your response followed by TWO (2) originally signed signature pages in the "original" response. Resumes and promotional material is to be inserted into the back portion your response, or as an enclosure.

e) Responses will be evaluated and a notice of intent to award will be issued timely. The STATE intends to, but does not guarantee, to make a decision within thirty (30) days from receipt of the proposal and references.

f) Responses to this ITQ may contain promotional or display materials that address your technical abilities and expertise. At the discretion of the STATE, SPs may be required to make an oral presentation to supplement the written response. However, neither promotional nor display materials, nor oral presentations shall be considered part of the formal written proposal that constitutes the agreement.

g) With the submission of a response to this ITQ, each responder agrees that it will not bring any claim or have any cause of action against the STATE based on any misunderstanding concerning the information provided herein or concerning the STATE’s failure, negligent or otherwise, to provide the responder with pertinent information as intended by this ITQ. The STATE reserves the right to accept or reject any part of any response and to accept or reject any of all responses without penalty.

h) The STATE reserves the right to waive minor deficiencies in a proposal if, in the judgment of the STATE, its best interest will be served. The decision as to whether a deficiency will be waived or will require the rejection of a proposal will be solely within the discretion of the STATE. Each respondent is specifically notified that failure to comply with or respond to any part of this ITQ requiring a response shall result in rejection of the entire response.

i) The STATE reserves the right to make a written request for additional information from a vendor to assist in understanding or clarifying a response. Any information received shall not be considered in the evaluation of the vendor’s response if it materially alters the content of said response.

1-28 GOVERNING LAW: The terms and provisions of this ITQ shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the STATE of the Iowa. Any and all litigation or actions commenced in connection with this ITQ related POs shall be brought in Des Moines, Iowa, in Polk County District Court for the STATE. If ,however, jurisdiction is not proper in the Polk


County District Court, the action shall only be brought in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, provided that jurisdiction is proper in that forum.

1-29 OUT OF STATE RESONDERS: Responders with headquarters outside the STATE of Iowa or foreign corporations shall register with the Secretary of STATE of Iowa per Iowa Code Chapter 490. See: http://www2.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/1999/490/1503.html

and and http://www.sos.state.ia.us/business/services.html

1-30TARGETED SMALL BUSINESES (TSB): In lieu of three references, the STATE will grant TSB's (and ONLY TSBs) conditional acceptance for non-critical projects if appropriate training is evident in their proposal. Thereafter, a satisfactory or better performance report will count as a reference. After three reports, or after other satisfactory references are submitted, the TSB will be granted fully qualified status and will be considered for all projects or staff augmentation requirements. What will be a non-critical project will be discretionary, and mutually decided upon by ITD and the agency prior to soliciting bids. If a TSB submits three references with their proposal, their response will be evaluated in the same manner as l non-TSB responses, and, if approved, will be fully eligible to compete for all projects and staff augmentation opportunities.

Visit the DGS web site at: http://www.STATE.ia.us/government/dgs/csap/purhome/howvend/vendform.htm

for information on becoming a certified TSB.

1-31 WORKS FOR HIRE OWNERSHIP: The STATE and SP shall jointly own the copyright interest in specified deliverables mutually agreed to be "joint property" defined as those to be developed by SP, either entirely by SP or jointly with the STATE, and solely for the STATE as required by each purchase order.

“Contractor works", defined as software or similar intellectual products developed previous to the ITQ and related POs, or independently outside of the intent to exclusively satisfy the ITQ and related POs with the STATE, or resulting from any contract with other parties, are not joint property. For contractor works, so defined, used in deliverables for the STATE and embodied in joint property, the STATE shall be given an internal use only license, royalty free and perpetual, by SP.

All other information, reports, studies, object or source code, flow charts, diagrams, and other tangible and intangible material of any nature whatsoever not so specified as joint property or contractor works and all copies of any of the foregoing shall be the sole and exclusive property of the STATE, and all such material and all copies shall be deemed “works made for hire” of which the STATE shall be deemed the author.

The STATE shall have the right to audit the source codes for any software developed by the SP and used in connection with a project or staff augmentation assignment. The source codes shall be deposited in a location mutually agreeable to the parties as stated in the PO. The source codes for the software shall be audited at least once annually during the term of this ITQ and related POs and any extension thereof.

To the extent that the materials are not deemed “works made for hire”, the SP hereby irrevocably grants, assigns, transfers, and sets over to the STATE all legal and equitable right, title and interest


http://www.state.ia.us/government/dgs/csap/purhome/howvend/vendform.htm

http://www.sos.state.ia.us/business/services.html

http://www2.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/1999/490/1503.html

of any kind, nature or description in and to the materials and the SP shall be entitled to make absolutely no use of any of the materials except as may be expressly permitted in and through a PO or other, separate agreement.

1-32 FIDELITY BOND: To protect the STATE against any liability, loss, damage, or expense as a result of any fraudulent act by the SP or its agents, the SP shall post a fidelity bond to the agency, if required by the agency, and in the amount requested by the agency, within ten days of execution of a PO. Bond shall be issued by a qualified surety, licensed to do business in the State of Iowa and the cost of the bond shall be paid by the SP. The bond shall be in effect at all times during the term of the ITQ and for one year following the conclusion of the ITQ.

1-33 END OF LIFE MANAGEMENT: Dynamic technology results in shorter product life cycles amid technology proliferation. The issue of “End of Life Management” is a priority to the STATE. This issue, and programs of recovering obsolete materials, and recycling in general, must be addressed in proposals recommending the replacement of equipment. Where feasible, Iowa Prison Industries shall be utilized to dispose of obsolete IT hardware.

1-34 ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS: Recommendations for hardware shall include a third party certification such as by ENERGY STAR .

1-35 KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AND SUPPORT: After project completion, the SP shall provide for adequate knowledge transfer to the STATE for continuous operation and use of deliverables by STATE staff. SP shall explain in each of their bids how they intend to accomplish this.


PART TWO – STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

2.1 PREFACE: The following contract terms and conditions apply to the ITQ in addition to the preceding sections. These terms and conditions are NOT NEGOTIABLE. The ITQ, the response submitted, and these terms and conditions shall constitute the entire agreement.

2.2 PAYMENTS: The STATE shall pay the SP an amount for each deliverable and a total amount stated in the project purchase order, and any modifications thereto, when the deliverable meets or exceeds the specifications in the Requirements Statement. Payments may be made monthly based on a percentage of completion for each deliverable mutually agreed to by the STATE and the SP, said amount to reasonably reflect work accomplished to date. Monthly payments for staff augmentation shall be based on the hours worked times the rate agreed to in the related purchase order and not to exceed the purchase order authorized amount, including modifications. Retainage, up to ten (10%), as agreed to


http://www.energystar.gov/

between the agency and the SP, will be withheld from each payment and paid to the SP upon satisfactory completion of the project or staff augmentation assignment. Payments may be offset by the STATE relating to adjustments documented between the parties, liquidated damages, or offsets pursuant to the terms and conditions as stated in the ITQ and related POs.

The SP shall not be reimbursed for any costs incurred by the SP, including but not limited to workers compensation costs or insurance premiums, unemployment compensation costs, taxes or other obligations of the SP associated with the provision of services requested under the ITQ and related POs, except as agreed upon by the parties and incorporated in the award of actual work ITQ and related POs. The amounts proposed by the SP and agreed to by the agency shall be in full payment of the POs. Amounts for deliverables proposed by the SP and agreed to by the agency, and hourly rates stated for staff augmentation shall incorporate all business expenses of the SP. The STATE does not contemplate reimbursing the SP separately and apart from or in addition to the POs any sums for travel expenses, office expenses, equipment rentals, meals or similar expenses.

The STATE will pay the SP upon the receipt of an original invoice. The STATE intends and will make a reasonable effort to make payment within thirty (30%) days. However, interest on unpaid balances will not accrue until after sixty (60) days after the date of receipt of the invoice by the STATE in accordance with Chapter 421.

2.3 ASSIGNMENT OF ITQ AND RELATED POS: The SP may not assign this ITQ and related POs to another person or entity without the prior written consent of the STATE.

2.4 DEFAULT; REMEDIES OF STATE: The STATE may declare the SP in default of its obligations under the ITQ and related POs for any of the following reasons:

a) Failure by the SP to meet the project completion deadlines as required.b) Failure by the SP to substantially and materially conform to the specifications in the requirements

statement.c) A breach of any term of this ITQ or a related PO.

The STATE shall issue a written notice of default providing therein for fifteen (15) day period in which the SP shall have an opportunity to cure, provided that cure is possible and feasible. Time allowed for cure of a default shall not diminish or eliminate the SP’s liability for liquidated damages. If, after opportunity to cure, the default remains, the STATE may do one (1) or more of the following:

a) Exercise any remedy provided by law;b) Terminate the ITQ and related POs andc) Obtain liquidated damages from the SP, as described herein.

2.5 ORDER OF PRECEDENCE: In the event of conflict among documents constituting the ITQ and related POs between an SP and the STATE, provisions shall be interpreted in the following order.a) The STATE Purchase Order.b) The ITQ.c) The SP’s response to an RFP for a project or staff augmentation assignment.

2.6 ENTIRE AGREEMENT: This ITQ, the STATE PO, the STATE RFP, and the SP’s written response to an RFP. constitutes the entire agreement between the parties for any project or staff augmentation assignment, and any prior understanding or representation of any kind by either party shall not be binding except to the extent incorporated herein.


2.7 ACTS OF GOD: The SP shall not be considered in default under any provision of this ITQ nor shall any liquidated damages be assessed if performance is delayed or made impossible by any causes beyond the control of and without the fault of the SP, including, but not limited to: acts of God, fires, floods, severe weather, epidemics or any other natural disaster, embargoes, national emergencies such as war, utility interruptions, or quarantines.

2.8 SP’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUBCONTRACTORS AND OFFSETS: A breach of this ITQ which is the result of a subcontractor’s conduct, negligence or failure to perform shall not excuse the SP from the provisions of this ITQ and related POs.

Should the STATE obtain a money judgment against the SP as a result of a breach of this ITQ and related POs, the SP consents to such judgment being set-off against moneys owed the SP by the STATE under this ITQ, related PO or other ITQ and related POs between the SP and the STATE.

Amounts due to the STATE as liquidated damages or any other damages may be deducted by the STATE without a judgment or any court action from any money payable to the SP pursuant to this ITQ, related PO, or any other ITQ and related POs between the SP and the STATE. The STATE shall notify the SP in writing of any claim for liquidated damages or any damages or any other damages on or before the date the STATE deducts such sums from money payable to the SP.

2.9 DEFAULT: REMEDIES OF SP: Should the SP consider the STATE to be in default of its obligations, the SP shall issue a written notice of default providing therein for a fifteen (15) day period in which the STATE shall have an opportunity to cure, provided that cure is possible and feasible. If, after opportunity to cure, the default remains, the SP may exercise any remedy provided by law.

2.10 TERMINATION DUE TO NON-APPROPRIATION: Notwithstanding any other provision of this ITQ, if funds anticipated for the continued fulfillment of any related PO are, at any time, not forthcoming or are insufficient, either through the failure of the STATE to appropriate funds or funding from a federal funding source is reduced or discontinued for any reason, or through discontinuance or material alteration of the program for which funds were provided, the STATE shall give the SP written notice as soon as practical documenting the lack of funding, discontinuance or program alteration. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, the subject PO shall terminate on the last day of the fiscal year for which appropriations were available. However, in the event that an appropriation to cover the cost of a PO related to this ITQ becomes available within sixty (60) days subsequent to termination under this section, the STATE agrees to continue the ITQ and related Pos with the SP under the same provisions, terms and conditions as contained in the original agreements.

2.11 TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE: The STATE may terminate this ITQ and related PO’s for convenience for any reason upon thirty (30) days written notice to the SP of the STATE’s intent to terminate, and the SP’s sole remedy in the event of termination for convenience is payment for satisfactory services rendered prior to the date of termination for convenience, subject to liquidated damages and offsets as specified in this ITQ.

2.12 REMEDIES OF SP IN EVENT OF TERMINATION FOR NON-APPROPRIATION OR CONVENIENCE: In the event of termination of this agreement and any related Po’s for non-appropriation or for convenience, the SP’s sole and exclusive remedy is to recover and possess its own equipment and amounts, if any, due and owing to the SP by the STATE on the date of termination.

2.13 SP DUTIES:


a) All records of the SP relating to this agreement or related PO shall be retained for five (5) years following the date of final payment under related PO’s.

b) The SP agrees that the Auditor of the STATE or any authorized representative of the STATE, and where federal funds are involved, the Comptroller General of the United States or any other representatives of the United States Government, shall have access to and the right to examine, audit, excerpt and transcribe any directly pertinent books, documents, papers, and records of the SP relating to the SP’s performance under this agreement. The SP shall not impose any charges for access to its books and records regarding its performance under this agreement, and shall fully cooperate with authorized representatives in the examination or audit of books and records. The STATE shall not impose a charge for audit or examination of the SP’s books and records.

c) The SP shall comply with the applicable provisions of federal, STATE and local laws and regulations to insure that no employee or applicant for employment is discriminated against because of race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The SP shall have an affirmative action plan, if required by law.

d) The SP warrants that no person or selling agency has been employed or retained to solicit and secure this ITQ upon an agreement or understanding for commission, percentage, brokerage or contingency excepting bona fide employees or selling agents retained for the purpose of securing business. In the event of breach of this subsection, which shall be considered a material term of this agreement, the STATE shall have, in addition to the remedies contained in this ITQ, a right to liquidated damages in the sum of $100,000. Such damages are not a penalty and would be assessed only because the monetary damage to the STATE’s competitive procurement process resulting from breach of this subsection is difficult, if not impossible, to measure.

e) In the event that the SP utilizes subcontractors for the purpose of fulfilling its obligations under POs issued pursuant to this ITQ, all subcontractors shall be selected with appropriate attention to the principles of competition and quality of workmanship; however, the SP shall not be required to adhere to the STATE’s competitive procurement procedures in its selection of subcontractors. All records relating to subcontractors shall be retained as required in subsection A. above and available for audit or examination as required in subsection B. above.

f) If the SP is a joint entity, consisting of more than one (1) individual, partnership, corporation or other business organization, all such entities shall be jointly and severally responsible for fulfilling the activities and obligations of this ITQ and related POs.

g) The SP shall provide and pay for all labor, materials, equipment, tools, machinery, storage of same and transportation necessary for the SP to provide the services required under any PO related to this agreement.

h) Some data, policies and activities of the STATE are confidential. The SP shall preserve the confidentiality of such data, policies and activities that are revealed to SP in the performance of this ITQ and related POs. The SP shall maintain procedures for safeguarding the identified confidential information. In the event of a breach of this provision, the STATE may terminate this ITQ and related POs immediately without notice of default and opportunity to cure.


i) The SP irrevocably consents to service of process by certified or register mail addressed to the SP’s designated agent. The SP appoints ________________ at ________________ as its agent to receive service of process.

Please insert this clause in your signature pages. If for any reason the SP’s agent for service is unable to act as such or the address of the agent changes, the SP shall immediately appoint a new agent and provide the STATE with written notice of the change in agent or address. Any change in the appointment of the agent or address will be effective only upon actual receipt by the STATE. Nothing in this provisions will alter the right of the STATE to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

2.14 INDEMNIFICATION; CONSEQUENTIAL AND INDIRECT DAMAGES: The SP shall indemnify and hold harmless the STATE, its officials, agents and employees, from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, settlements, judgments, costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees (collectively damages), arising out of or resulting from the SP’s performance or attempted performance of its obligations under PO’s related to this ITQ, claims for infringement of patents, trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets, or copyrights arising from the design of the project; and, any other violation of this ITQ and related Pos.

The SP shall indemnify and hold harmless the STATE, its officials, agents and employees, from and against any and all claims by an employee of the SP, its subcontractors, anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them, or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable. The indemnification under this subsection shall not be limited in any way by any limit on the amount or type of damages, compensation or benefits payment by or for the SP or a subcontractor under Workers Compensation Actions, disability benefit acts or other employee benefit acts.

The STATE shall not be liable to any party for lost profits, indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages arising under POs related to this ITQ, or from any breach or partial breach of the provisions of this ITQ and related POs or arising out of any act or omission of any party to this ITQ and related POs, its subcontractors, employees, servants, representatives or agents, or arising under theories of strict liability or tort.

The obligations of the respective parties under this section shall survive the expiration or termination of this ITQ and related POs, including any extensions thereto, with respect to any occurrences within the term of this ITQ and related POs.

2.15 OFFSET BY THE STATE: If the SP is in arrears in payment of any STATE taxes which are due and payable to the STATE, the STATE may offset any taxes in arrears from payments to the SP.

2.16 PROPERTY DAMAGE: The SP shall exercise its best efforts to prevent damage to property of the STATE in the course of performing its obligations under this ITQ and related POs. The SP shall replace or pay replacement costs of any property damaged by its operations. The SP shall restore damaged property to its condition prior to the damage at the sole expense of the SP. Such restoration shall be complete when judged satisfactory by the STATE.

2.17 SAFETY OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY INSURANCE: The SP shall maintain in full force and effect during the term of this ITQ and related POs, liability and property damage insurance to protect the SP, its subcontractors, if any, and the STATE from claims for damage which may arise from


operations under this ITQ and related POs, and the amount of such insurance shall not be less than DRF Policy #240.102, pg 32. (check the link for current amounts).

General Liability written on an occurrence basis.General Aggregate $2 MillionProduct Liability Aggregate $1 MillionPersonal Injury $1 MillionComprehensive Aggregate $1 MillionEach Occurrence $1 Million

Automobile liability, including any auto, hired autos and non-owned autos Combined Single Limit $2 MillionWorkers Compensation and Employer Liability As required by Iowa lawProperty Damage Each Occurrence $1 Million

Aggregate $1 Million

The SP shall arrange with its insurer for notice of cancellation of the required insurance coverage's to be directed to the STATE in additional to any notices of cancellation which may be directed to the SP. The SP’s insurer shall state in the certificate of insurance that no cancellation of the insurance is effective without thirty (30) days prior written notice to the STATE. All insurance coverage required by this ITQ and related POs shall provide coverage for all claims arising from activities occurring during the term of the policy regardless of the date the claim is filed or expiration of the policy.

The SP shall take all reasonable precautions for the safety of, and shall provide all reasonable protection to prevent damage, injury or loss to: All employees on the job site and all other persons who may be affected thereby; the public, including the STATE’s staff and employees; all the property and equipment to be incorporated therein, whether in storage on or off the site, under the care, custody or control of the SP or any of its subcontractors; and other property at the site or adjacent thereto, including trees, shrubs, lawns, walks, pavements, roadways, structures, and other improvements.

2.18 RECEIVERSHIP: The SP shall immediately, and not later than two (2) business days after any such filing, notify the STATE, in writing, if: (a) the SP files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, a voluntary petition to reorganize its business, or a voluntary petition to effect a plan or other arrangements with creditors; (b) the SP files an answer admitting the jurisdiction of the court and the material allegations of an involuntary petition filed pursuant to the United States bankruptcy code, as amended; (c) the SP is adjudicated bankrupt, makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, applies for or consents to the appointment of a receiver or trustee for all or any part of its property; (d) the SP institutes dissolution or liquidation proceedings with respect to its business; (e) an order is entered approving an involuntary petition to reorganize the business of the SP or to effect a plan or other arrangement with creditors or appointing a receiver or trustee for the SP of all or part of its property; or (f) if a writ or warrant of attachment, execution, distant levy, possession, or any similar process which may materially affect the operation of the SP, is issued by any court against all or any material part of the SP’s property.

In the event that said petition, writ or warrant is not dismissed or a stay of foreclosure obtained or said appointment, assignment, or proceedings are not rescinded or terminated within one hundred twenty (120) days of the issuance, making, or commencement thereof, and the effect thereof is to materially impede or frustrate the ability of the SP to fulfill its obligations under this ITQ and related POs, then the STATE may terminate this ITQ and related POs without penalty, unless: (a) within one hundred twenty (120) days after the election or appointment, any receiver or trustee of the SP, or the SP as a



debtor-in-possession in connection with any reorganization or similar proceedings, shall have remedied any uncured failure to comply with any provision of this ITQ and related POs; and, (b) within said one hundred twenty (120) days, the receiver or trustee, or the SP as a debtor-in-possession, shall have executed a ITQ and related POs with the STATE, which shall have been approved by the court having jurisdiction, whereby the receiver or trustee, or the SP in its capacity as a debtor-in-possession, assumes all obligations and agrees to be bound fully by each and every provision of this ITQ and related POs.

2.19 OBLIGATIONS BEYOND AGREEMENT TERM: All obligations of the STATE and the SP incurred or existing under this ITQ and related POs as of the date of expiration, termination or cancellation will survive the expiration, termination or cancellation of this ITQ and related POs.

2.20 AUTHORIZATION: Each party to this ITQ and related POs represents and warrants to the other that:

a) It has the right, power and authority to enter into perform its obligations under this ITQ and related POs.

b) It has taken all requisite action (corporate, statutory or otherwise) to approve execution, delivery and performance of this ITQ and related POs and this ITQ and related POs constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation upon itself in accordance with its terms.

2.21 SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY: The STATE specifically reserves the defense of sovereign immunity as allowed by STATE or federal law or regulations for any claim arising out of or related to the duties and obligations imposed by this ITQ and related POs.

2.22 WORKS MADE FOR HIRE: The STATE and SP shall jointly own the copyright interest in specified deliverables agreed to be "joint property" defined as those to be developed by SP, either entirely by SP or jointly with the STATE, and solely for the STATE.

"Contractor works", defined as software or similar intellectual products developed previous to this ITQ and related POs, or independently outside of the intent to exclusively satisfy the ITQ and related POs with the STATE, or resulting from any ITQ and related POs with other parties, are not joint property. For contractor works, so defined, used in deliverables for the STATE and embodied in joint property, the STATE shall be given a internal use only license, royalty free and perpetual, by SP.

All other information, reports, studies, object or source code, flow charts, diagrams, and other tangible and intangible material of any nature whatsoever not so specified as joint property or contractor works produced by or as a result of any other services and all copies of any of the foregoing shall be the sole and exclusive property of the STATE, and all such material and all copies shall be deemed “works made for hire” of which the STATE shall be deemed the author.

The STATE shall have the right to audit the source codes for any software developed by the SP and used in connection with this ITQ and related POs. The source codes shall be deposited in a location mutually agreeable to the parties and stated in the PO. The source codes for the software shall be audited at least once annually during the term of this ITQ and related POs and any extension thereof.

To the extent that the materials are not deemed “works made for hire”, the SP hereby irrevocably grants, assigns, transfers, and sets over to the STATE all legal and equitable right, title and interest of


any kind, nature or description in and to the materials and the SP shall be entitled to make absolutely no use of any of the materials except as may be expressly permitted in this ITQ and related POs.

2.23 MISCELLANEOUS: The terms and provisions of this ITQ and related POs shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the STATE. Any and all litigation or actions commenced in connection with this ITQ and related POs shall be brought in Des Moines, Iowa, in Polk County District Court for the STATE. If, however, jurisdiction is not proper in the Polk County District Court, the action shall only be brought in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa provided that jurisdiction is proper in that forum. This provision shall not be construed as waiving any immunity to suit or liability which may be available to the STATE.

If any provision of this ITQ and related POs is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall be valid and enforceable.

Failure of the STATE at any time to require strict performance of any provision of this ITQ and related POs shall not constitute a waiver of that provision no in any way limit enforcement of the provision.

PART 3 - SCOPE OF WORK


The ITQ scope of work will cover nine (9) categories of Computer Programming and Systems Analysis. For each category you attempt to qualify for, you must indicate in your cost statement whether you will offer services either by project development only or by hourly staff augmentation only, or offer both options as required.

The major categories are:

Project Development:

1) Strategy / Vision / Consulting2) Project Management3) Design/Planning4) Developing5) Testing6) Implementation7) Training

Staff Augmentation:

8) On-Going Support9) Administration

For each major category group that you wish to pre-qualify for, you should name specific consulting services below and their per hour costs in your cost statement. You may name other services with prior approval but define them similarly.


Category Description1. Strategy/Vision/ConsultingArchitect Brings the ability to put together a “big picture”

of a technical solution.Subject Matter Expert Brings a deep expertise in a specific technology

or business area.Business Consultant/Analyst Brings the ability to analyze and recommend

business process improvements and re-engineering.

2. Project ManagementProgram Manager Manages multiple projects at once both related

and unrelated in nature and scope.Project Manager Manages a specific project or aspect of a project

on larger projects.Project Administrator Assists with the administration of the project

management activities.Technical Writer A writer with skills in a specific technical arena

and the ability to write technical information to be consumed by an end-user community.


3. Design/PlanningArchitect / Technology Lead Responsible for the design and technical

specification of a business solution or a specific aspect of a business solution on larger projects.

(see Developers section)

4. DevelopingDeveloper Builds solution components based on technical

specifications.Sr. Developer Builds solution components based on technical

specifications. Extensive experience.Jr. Developer Builds solution components based on technical

specifications. Limited experience.Engineer Builds infrastructure solutions based on

technical specifications.Sr. Engineer Builds infrastructure solutions based on

technical specifications. Extensive experience.Jr. Engineer Builds infrastructure solutions based on

technical specifications. Limited experience.Emerging/Niche Technology Builds solutions based on technical

specifications using emerging or niche technologies.

Sr. Emerging/Niche Technology Builds solutions based on technical specifications using emerging or niche technologies. Extensive experience.

Jr. Emerging/Niche Technology Builds solutions based on technical specifications using emerging or niche technologies. Limited experience.

5. TestingTest Planning Analyzes business requirements and technical

specifications to determine and build a test plan.Quality Assurance Builds and executes test scripts based on a test

plan. Tracks and coordinates issue resolution.

6. ImplementationImplementation Planning Analyzes business requirements, technical

specifications and end-user community requirements to determine and build an implementation plan.

(see Developers section)


7. TrainingProduct Building Build a training product.Classroom Delivery Deliver a training product in a classroom setting.Online / CBT Build a training product specifically for online and

computer based training.Field Delivery Deliver a training product at the customer’s

location.

8. On-Going SupportHelp Desk Support Provide required technical support via phone.On-Site Support Provide required technical support working at the

customer’s site.On-Call Support Provide required technical support on an as needed

basis, normally associated with a service level agreement.

9. AdministrationDatabase Perform database administration activities on the

selected database.LAN/WAN Perform local-area network and wide-area network

administration activities on the selected network operating system.

Operating System Perform operating system administration activities on the selected operating system.

Web Perform administration activities related to web infrastructure components, such as web server, application servers, search engines, etc.

Messaging Perform administration activities on the selected messaging platform.

Security Perform administration activities relating to security, auditing, and enforcement.

Emerging/Niche Technology Perform administration activities on technologies which are emerging or unique to the organization.

SPs may request to be qualified in any of the nine listed service categories above by submitting separate responses consisting of sets of client references, professional / technical questionnaire, and cost data sheets for EACH of the service categories for which they wish to be qualified. The STATE does not wish to have to copy and insert common elements of each proposal. Be sure each response can stand on its own as a complete response.



PART 4 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

4-1 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

(a) Submit a complete response including all documentation requested in this ITQ for each category of work for which you are attempting to qualify. Include a copy of this ITQ itself. a table of contents and a cover letter, and two (2) signed signature pages in the original.

(b) Have or had a contractor role in at least three (3) projects for each category you are attempting to qualify for and receive a score of fifty (50) points or higher on each client reference survey. Previous projects or current work being done for the STATE can be included. Include a list in your response of who you expect to submit a survey on your behalf. (TSBs will be given a waiver on references for a conditional qualification per Part 1-30.)

(c) Receive an average rating of five (5) or more on a scale of one (1) to ten (10) by the evaluation committee on the professional / technical questionnaire per Part 4-3 below.

4-2 MANDATORY AGREEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE See Exhibit C

This section consists of a series of questions that must be answered in the affirmative prior to developing your response. It confirms your understanding of and agreement with the STATE's requirements for submitting a response. Negative responses will automatically disqualify you. Please insert a copy of your answers inside each of your response.

4-3 PROFESSIONAL / TECHNICAL PERSONNEL QUESTIONNAIRE

Evaluation committee members will independently rate your response to this questionnaire on a scale from one (1) to ten (10), and the average rating of five (5) defined as satisfactory will be used to determine acceptability.

This section provides a series of questions asking for narratives that outline your organization's structure relevant to this ITQ. Limit responses to four paragraphs to each question. You should use your company stationary to submit responses but include the questions. In addition to these questions, agencies in their RFPs may request resumes of personnel who may be assigned to specific STATE projects. Resumes are not required for the ITQ , but can be considered supplemental to illustrate your focus of expertise. Do not substitute resumes for answering all mandatory questionnaires. Also, since resumes frequently change, SPs must provide current applicable resumes in responses to agency proposal requests. Agencies will not refer to resumes submitted with the ITQ when selecting a SP for a project or staff augmentation assignment.

SUBMIT ANSWERS FOR EACH SERVICE CATEGORY YOU SEEK TO QUALIFY FOR .

1.1. How do you intend to provide the resources required by this ITQ?2.2. Identify the SP contract administrator and describe the functions that person will perform.3.3. Describe how you plan on providing additional personnel if it becomes necessary to properly

staff projects.


4.4. Describe your company's ability to uniquely address problems and issues related to the service category.

5.5. Describe your company's practices in adopting client policies and methods.

For the following questions indicate in each area the extent of knowledge and training your company would be able to offer and whether your company would be able to provide performance with or without guidance, or could teach others.

6.6. List each type / brand of operating system/ communication system you are experienced with in each category below and make comments.

g) Mainframes: h) Midrange / Minicomputer:i) Client / Server / Distributed Systems:j) Desktop:k) LAN:l) Languages and DBMS:

8. Describe your products / experience with Databases.a) Administration:b) Application Development tools:c) End user tools:d) Structure and methodologies:e) Other

9. What general software applications have you experience in?10. Please describe any experience and deployed solutions in each of the following specific

technologies below.a) Help desk solutions / technologiesb) Data developmentc) Data analysisd) Data modelinge) Facilitating and consultingf) Photogrametery and remote sensingg) Data collection and clean up mappingh) GIS / ESRI Software / Mapinfoi) Electronic Commerce / EDIj) Document managementk) Telecommunications wide area networkl) Biometricsm) Wireless networkingn) IT staffingo) Graphic / web designp) Other


4- 4 CLIENT REFERENCES


For each service category you seek to qualify for, a client reference survey form must be submitted by three (3) references in the format per Exhibit D. STATE agencies can be used as a reference, BUT NOT SUBSIDARIES OF YOUR COMPANY. If you are attempting to qualify for more than one service category, a minimum of three reference surveys must be provided, with at least one reference survey in each service category (Substitute a statement that additional references are included in another response to a different service category). From time to time the STATE may request updated references in order for an SP to remain qualified , particularly if an agency rates an SP’s performance as unsatisfactory, or if it has been two (2) years or more since the SP has worked for STATE and references on file are more than two years old.

NOTE: In lieu of three references, the state will grant TSB's a conditional acceptance for non-critical projects if appropriate training is evident. A satisfactory performance rating by an agency will count a reference. After three reports, or after other references are submitted, the TSB will be fully qualified for consideration for all projects and staff augmentation assignments. The determination of what is a non-critical project will be mutually decided upon by ITD and the agency prior to soliciting proposals.

Visit the DGS web site at: http://www.STATE.ia.us/government/dgs/csap/purhome/howvend/vendform.htm

for information on becoming a certified TSB.

Each survey must be prepared specific to this ITQ independently and without collusion. Photocopies of prior 'letters of recommendations' will not be accepted.

Complete section one only of each survey form and mail to each client reference instructing them to complete sections two and three of the survey and send all pages and two copies to the issuing officer of this ITQ . Have them mark the outside of the envelope with the ITQ number and your company name. Provide the list of references you send survey forms to inside your response packet. Include contacts and phone numbers.

Contact your references. Advise them you are sending the survey to them and explain what it is for. It is your responsibility to ensure that completed reference surveys are received by issuing officer before any evaluations can begin.

The STATE desires candid reference survey responses. To that end, the STATE shall not hold your client liable for damages arising from their survey answers and releases them from any and all responsibility for decisions the STATE makes based on their responses to the survey, unless collusion is evident.

The ITQ will NOT have a required due date for your response. Therefore, the evaluation process will not begin until all reference surveys and your response are received by the STATE. Include a list in your response of whom you expect to submit a survey on your behalf. We do not want you involved with the client survey in any manner except to send the forms out to your client. This is for purposes of avoiding any appearance of collusion in the survey answers. We recommend that surveys be sent out early as your prepare your response. You may contact the client to follow up on whether completed surveys have been



sent to the STATE, and you may contact the STATE to follow up on whether the completed surveys were received by the STATE.

We encourage using e-mail to send the forms to your client. The only exception to email would be any document that must have a handwritten signature on hard copy to be a valid executable document. Therefore, your client will need to send their completed signed survey via US Mail or courier. Note: The State will NOT accept or sign a legal document, unless it is an original hard copy (no fax), and if it is already signed by the other party.

PART 4 – 5 Cost Data Format - See Exhibit E

4-5-1 FORMAT: Submit a cost data sheet exactly per Exhibit E, quoting your “firm” maximum rates per hour for each service position. Be very specific and clear. The SP may request the STATE to add additional line items at a later date to this ITQ and related POs if it is in the same service category as originally qualified for under the ITQ, and If such a request is approved by the STATE.

4-5-2 RATES PER HOUR AND PERIODIC CHANGES: State hourly rates in US dollars. Changes to the cost data may be made upon approval by the STATE once every 12 months from date of ITQ approval. You may update your cost data sheet for any category by addendum, upon our acceptance. Acceptance will be based upon a review of how the new cost data fits into the range of all cost data from all other SPs on file for that category at the time. Changes of more than five percent (5%) must be justified with specific reasons.

4-5-3 EXPENSES: The STATE will not reimburse SPs for operating expenses such as car rentals, air fare, meals, lodging, copies, postage, etc. Your operating costs must be incorporated in your hourly rates or the quoted price for each deliverable and the total project. A request to increase the PO amount must be reasonably related to a modification in the requirements statement and documented through a modification to the project or staff augmentation purchase order. Except for good cause, the STATE will not approve a modification to the requirements statement after the fact.

4-5-4 USE OF COST DATA: Use of your cost data will be as follows:

a) Serve as a “not to exceed” rate for staff augmentation assignments.b) Benchmarking against other SPs for value analysis when considering proposal responses for

projects.c) Negotiating cost increases or decreases related to project requirements statement modification.



Part 5 – SIGNATURES, EVALUATIONS AND SP APPLICATIONS

5-1 REQUIRED SIGNITURE FORMAT: Use Exhibit F

This shall be the format of the final sheet of your response to this ITQ. Use Exhibit F in your response. Include two originally signed copies in your original response. The State will sign both copies and send one back to you for your file.

5 – 2 VENDOR APPLICATION AND W-9 TAX FORM:

***** Required of ALL Vendors Regardless of ITQ ******

If you believe you have once already submitted a general vendor application and W-9 within the last month, indicate so in your cover letter of your proposal. If you believe you’ve completed one before but it has been more than a month, request and complete the forms and mark them as an update. MAKE SURE YOU INDICATE ALL OF THE COMMODITIES FOR WHICH YOU WANT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ON FOR FUTURE REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS EVEN IF NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS ITQ. The information you provide on these forms is entered into the STATE general automated bid list, and into the STATE Accounting System (IFAS) which processes payments. It is your responsibility to keep this information current. Failure to have a vendor application on file is not mandatory for responding to this ITQ. However, it is necessary for awards of ITQ and related POs and payments.


Vendor application forms and W-9 forms can be downloaded from the DGS web site at:http://www.STATE.ia.us/government/dgs/csap/purhome/howvend/vendform.htm.

or forms and related information can be obtained by contacting:[email protected].

PART 5 - 3: SAMPLE EVALUATION SCORING CRITERIA SHEET

The following is a typical evaluation criteria format used by agencies to evaluate SPs proposal responses to specific RFPs. A requirements statement and general evaluation criteria will be included in RFP's for specific projects.

1) OVERALL WORK PLAN:

25 PTS – Work plan demonstrates detail; strong management concepts; methodology is clear and logical; adequately addresses work scope.

15 PTS –Demonstrates some elements of detail; project management concepts; methodology is identifiable; generally addresses work scope.

0 PTS – Inadequate detail; project management concepts not sound or inadequate; methodology unclear; does not address work scope.

2) SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

15 PTS– Provides detailed implementation and technical descriptions addressing requirements.

10 PTS – Provides implementation and technical descriptions but lacks detail.

0 PTS – Fails to provide details that address the work scope.

3) IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE:

10 PTS -- Provides detailed schedule and is reasonable considering work scope and desired time line.

5 PTS – Provides only a general schedule but reasonable.

0 PTS – Schedule is unreasonable.

4) TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS:

20 PTS – Provides recommended technical solution(s) using leading edge tools; good detail in architecture and approach that will integrate well into existing architecture and addresses Internet security.

15 PTS – Recommended solution(s) use commonly used and mixed software tools; adequately details architecture and approach that will integrate into existing architecture and addresses internet security.




10 PTS – Recommended solution(s) use less commonly used tools or limits flexibility or expansion; adequately details architecture and approach that will integrate into existing architecture and addresses internet security.

5 PTS – Recommended solution(s) will marginally provide functionality or meet work scope; will be difficult to deploy or support; creates problems to integrate with existing architecture; minimally addresses Internet security.

0 PTS – Recommended solutions do not address work scope; will not integrate into existing architecture; fails to address Internet security.

5) COST:

15 PTS – Provides detailed cost schedule; rates do not exceed ITQ and related POsed ITQ rates, indicates strong value of deliverables based on hours and tasks identified in work scope.

10 PTS – Provides adequate cost schedule; rates do not exceed ITQ and related POsed ITQ rates.

5 PTS – Provides incomplete cost schedule but rates do not exceed ITQ ITQ and related POs rates.

0 PTS – Provides cost schedule with rates that exceed ITQ ITQ and related POs rates.

BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSBACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 6 - EXHIBITS, ATTACHMENTS AND ADDENDUMS:



ITQ EXHIBIT A

NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT


I, the undersigned, am the person responsible for the preparation of and cost data contained in this response submitted to the STATE in response to this ITQ and certify that:

Cost data has been arrived at independently and without consultation with any other party.

No information regarding this response content has been disclosed to any other party that may be or may potentially be responding to the ITQ with a response.

No attempt has been made to induce or to refrain any other party in responding to this ITQ or to influence the content of their response.

This response and subsequent proposal(s) submitted by my firm to RFPs referring to this ITQ is made / will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any discussions / agreement with any other party.

My firm and its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors and employees are not currently under investigation or been convicted for any act prohibited by federal law involving conspiracy or collusion with respect to bidding on public ITQ and related POs, except as follows:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I understand that any miss-statement in this affidavit is and shall be treated as fraudulent concealment from the STATE of the true facts relating to the response submission for this ITQ.

Name: ___________________________, Position : ____________________________

SIGNITURE: ____________________________________ Date : _________________

Representing COMPANY NAME: ___________________________________________

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME THIS DAY ___________ OF 20 _______ .

NOTARY PUBLIC _________________________ My commission expires: ___________


ITQ EXHIBIT B

LOBBYING CERTIFICATION FORM

FOR ITQ AND RELATED POSS, GRANTS, LOANS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

The undersigned certifies, to the best of her or his knowledge and belief, that

No federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress in connection with the awarding of any federal contract or agreement, or the making of any federal grant, loan, or co-operative agreement.

If any funds other than federal appropriated funds have been paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence the making of federal contracts or federal grants, loans, co-operative agreements, the undersigned will submit full disclosure of lobbying activities showing all details and supporting documents.

The undersigned will require any or all subcontractors to submit a separate lobbying certification and disclosure accordingly.

SIGNATURE: ___________________________________ TITLE: ____________________

COMPNY NAME: __________________________________ DATE: ____________


ITQ EXHIBIT C --- MANDATORY AGREEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE

This section consists of a series of questions that must be answered to the affirmative prior to proceeding with development of your response. It confirms your understanding of and agreement to our requirements for submitting a response. Negative responses will disqualify you. Please insert a copy of your answers inside each of your responses.

12. Do you agree that the contents of your proposal(s) will become part of any resulting ITQ and related POs and can not be held confidential? YES _____ NO _____

13. Do you agree to submit one original of your proposal, together with two (2) copies and a electronic soft copy on diskette? YES _____ NO _____

14. Will you include at least three (3) client references and agree you must attain acceptable scores from references for each service category you are attempting to qualify for? YES _____ NO _____

15. Do you agree that you must maintain an acceptable rating by each agency you do work for in order to remain pre-qualified for each service category? YES _____ NO _____

16. Do you agree to abide by agency specific requirements as outlined in section 1-25? YES _____ NO _____

17. Do you agree that your response will remain valid for at least 120 business days and duration of ITQ and related POs? YES _____ NO _____

18. Are you a TSB or do you currently have or have had a contracting role in three (3) projects for each of the categories you are attempting to qualify for? YES _____ NO _____

19. Do you agree that if the STATE finds any part of your response to be false, you will be placed on temporary suspension from doing business with the STATE? YES _____ NO _____

20. Do you accept the requirements stated in sections 1-19 and 1-21?

YES _____ NO _____

21. Will you provide all documents of proof of insurance as required by this ITQ and any related POs? YES _____ NO _____

22. Are you aware that the STATE will conduct any and all background checks it deems necessary? YES _____ NO _____


SUBMIT COMPLETED COPY INSIDE YOUR RESPONSE.

COMPLETED BY ________________________

ITQ EXHIBIT D - REFERENCE SURVEY FORMS ( 3 sections )

REFERENCE SURVEY FORM - section one

( to be completed by SP providing proposal)

SP Name: ___________________________________________

Referring Client Name: ___________________________________________

ITQ Service category: _____________________

Give name and description of the project you want client to provide the STATE of Iowa a performance rating on per section two.

Start date of project: ______________ End date: ___________________

Give brief description of Project Scope:


THE REMAINING 2 SECTIONS TO BE COMPLETED INDEPENDENTLY BY THE CLIENT. The fully completed survey shall be SENT DIRECTLY TO THE ISSUING OFFICER OF THE INVITATION TO QUALIFY FOR THE STATE OF IOWA 'S IT CONSULTING SERVICE ITQ AND RELATED POS.

CLIENT REFERENCE SURVEY FORM - section two

PERFORMANCE RATING

( To be completed by referring client )

The purpose of the client reference survey below is to provide a performance rating of the Service Provider (SP) relative to their performance for the project identified in section one. The rating will be used by the STATE of Iowa to determine service qualifications for the SP who is using your company as a client reference. When answering, consider only the intended service category indicated in section one. ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED WITH A RATING or the vender will get a zero score for that question. Use additional sheets if necessary for any comments.

1) How would you rate the SP's philosophy and attitude toward your company as a client? Circle one:

(lowest) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (highest)

Comments: __________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

2) How would you rate the SP's performance on your specific project, relative to understanding your business practices and standards? Circle one:

(lowest) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (highest)

Comments: __________________________________________________________________


____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

3) How would you rate the SP's performance in the use of advanced technology and adherence to your IT architecture standards and practices on your specific project? Circle one:

(lowest)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (highest)

Comments: __________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Continued ….

4) How would you rate the SP's performance on the services and deliverables required for your specific project? Circle one:

(lowest)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (highest)

Comments: __________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

5) How would you rate the SP's estimating and actual performance on the budgeting aspects of your specific project? Circle one:

(lowest)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (highest)

Comments: __________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

6) Rate the SP's estimating and performance on the scheduling aspects. Circle one:

(lowest)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (highest)

Comments: __________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________


____________________________________________________________________________

7) Rate the SP on providing adequate trained and skilled staffing. Circle one:

(lowest)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (highest)

Comments: __________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

8) How would you rate the SP's overall performance on your project? Circle one:

(lowest)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (highest)

Comments: __________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

CLIENT GO ON TO SECTION THREE

CLIENT REFERENCE SURVEY FORM - section three

Client Verification and Signature

Do you agree with the project name, dates and description as provided by the SP in section one?YES _______ NO _________

Have you completed this survey independently without influence by the SP?

YES _______ NO _______

The individual completing the Client Reference Performance Survey in section two must sign with an original signature below. The State of Iowa and SP agree not to hold the undersigned liable for any damages arising from your survey answers. The State further releases you from any and all responsibility for decisions which the STATE may make based on responses to this survey, unless there is clear evidence of collusion, conflict of interests, or neglect in avoiding undue influence on your answers by the SP requesting this survey or by their agent.


Signature ______________________________________________ Date: __________

Title: _______________________________ Phone No. ___( _______)___________________

Email Address: _______________________________________________________________

Company Name: ______________________________________________________________

Full Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________

Return all three sections to :

Ashley Super, Purchasing Agent III.ITQ Number : BD080200S102 On Behalf Of (SP's Name):STATE of Iowa Department of General Services, Purchasing DivisionHoover STATE Office Building, Level ADes Moines, IA 50319-0105

Submit original set and two copies. We regret we can not reimburse you for any expenses incurred in completing and sending this survey. Questions regarding the use of this form can be directed to the issuing officer above at phone number : 515-281-7073 or preferably by email at: [email protected]

Thank you for your cooperation.

ITQ EXHIBIT E -- COST DATA SHEET FORMAT

COST DATA SHEET for ITQ Number ______________ Revision ______

FOR SERVICE CATEGORY: ___________________

COMPANY NAME: ________________________________ date ____________



DESCRIPTION OF SERVICERATE PER HOUR NOT TO EXCEED

.Note: The SP may be able to have additional line items added at a later date to this ITQ, IF it is in the same service category as originally qualified for under the ITQ, and If such a request is approved by the STATE. In such case, an addendum will be issued by the STATE.

Submit additional sheets as necessary. RATE PER HOUR is to be in US dollars and is firm for the duration of ITQ, except that changes to the rates per hour may be made upon approval by the STATE once every 12 months from date of the ITQ execution and no change will be allowed over 5% for each line item without justification. In such case, an addendum will be issued by the STATE.

ITQ EXHIBIT F - REQUIRED SIGNATURE PAGE (submit two signed originals in your response)


I / we as undersigned agree to the terms and conditions of the aforementioned ITQ #BD80200S102 and

if our response is accepted, to furnish any and all services upon which cost data has been submitted.

Any material misstatement in our response shall be treated as fraudulent concealment from the STATE

of the facts relating to this ITQ.

Name of Entity / Person Submitting Proposal:

_________________________________________

Mailing address: ________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ____________________ Fax: __________________ Email: _______________________

If Individual: SIGNATURE: ___________________________________Date: _________

Social Security Number: _____________________________

If Partnership: Names -type written:

______________________/_____________________

Social Security Numbers: ______________________/_____________________

SIGNATURES of PARTNERS: ____________________________________ Date: __________

_____________________________________Date: __________

If Corporation: Corp ID# _____________________________________ State: __________

SIGNATURE: __________________________________ Date: __________

Name and Title -type written: _____________________________________________________________

I / we consent to service of process by certified or register mail addressed to our designated agent as required by Part 5-13-i of the Terms and Conditions of the ITQ. I / we appoint

______________________ at ___________________________ as our agent to receive service of process.


WITNESS SIGNATURE: ______________________ Title: ________________ Date: __________

The STATE of Iowa, acting through the undersigned officer(s), hereby accepts the foregoing response to the ITQ and pre-approves the SP named for agency requests for proposals using this agreement. This acceptance and the SP’s response for the above referenced ITQ and related POs, including the terms and conditions of the ITQ constitute a binding contract between the STATE and the SP.

CT ____________ Vendor ID# ____________________ CONDITIONAL TSB

Evaluation Committee Chairperson ____________________________ Date:

_______________

DGS Purchasing Div. Administrator: ____________________________ Date:

_______________

Purchasing Agent / Issuing Officer : ____________________________ Date : _______________

ITQ EXHIBIT G –

Questions and Answers Regarding the IT Consulting ITQ

As of 4/17/01

The following questions were submitted by agencies and SPs during the drafting of the ITQ. The answers are for discussion only and do not constitute any legally binding component of the ITQ.


1. Q: How much does the State spend annually on IT Consulting? On IT staff augmentation?

A: It is not currently possible to know the aggregate dollars statewide. All indications are that it is a

significant amount.

2. Q: Will you develop measurements to demonstrate the benefits to the State of the ITQ

process? IE: Reductions in processing costs of contracting? In legal costs? In cost savings generally?

A: The ITQ process is intended to reduce the effort by both the State and the SP in restating standard

terms and conditions for each RFP, to the degree possible, tie contract prices to specific deliverables,


and reduce time required to solicit and consider RFP responses. An estimate of related cost reductions

has not bee made.

3. Q: Will TSBs [Targeted Small Businesses] have access to the criteria that the evaluation team

will use for the evaluation process of the ITQ? Is the evaluation process just one of submitting the

correct paper work?

A: Responses to the ITQ will undergo a simple examination of qualifications submitted and

rated. If you achieve a satisfactory rating and satisfactory references are received, you will be placed

on the pre-qualified list and will be eligible for non-critical projects. You must continue to receive

satisfactory performance reports from agencies to remain on the list. Satisfactory in this regard is an

average score across all reference surveys and performance reports of 50% or higher. For particular

projects, agencies will use an evaluation process which will consider SP expertise, past performance,

references, experience and cost. Each of these factors will be weighted based on the relative importance

assigned to each by the agency.

4. Q: What MS Word Format do you need? We are using MS Office 2000, which sometimes

does not convert back to 97.

A: MS Office 2000 is acceptable.

5. Q: Should promotional or display materials be directly related to the category we attempting

to qualify for?

A: Yes. Anything else presented is not relative.

6. Q: As a small business some of the TSB companies may not have had 3 contracts for each

category. However that does not mean we are not qualified to do the work. This would not allow a

TSB to have the opportunity to pursue other areas of their businesses. It may keep a small business

very small and only able to secure a ITQ and related POs that they have had in the past. This item

seams to help large corporations more than the TSB business in the State of Iowa. If not able to supply

three references for a category that a TSB has been trained to do, how will we ever be able to get

qualified? Education is a continuing process for a computer consulting business. Which brings up this

question: if we have had the training but have not had three references in the specific area, how can we

as a small business ever qualify for another area? Would the State of Iowa consider a certificate or

degree from a certified school in the qualification process to pursue other areas?


A: In lieu of three references, the state will give certified TSB's a "conditional" acceptance for

non-critical projects if appropriate training is evident. A good performance report would then

count as a reference. After three such reports, or after other references are submitted, the

TSB can be removed from the conditional status. What will be a non-critical project will be

discretionary, and mutually decided upon by ITD and the agency prior to soliciting bids.

7. Q: Will sufficient time be given to establish all client references? Client references need to

be sent directly to the issuing officer. Not liking to leave any thing to chance, what if one of our clients

is on vacation when the client reference, survey, and verification forms are sent. May we have this

filled out in person?

A: The ITQ will NOT have a required time frame for your response to be submitted by. Therefore,

whenever the references are received by the STATE, as well as your response, the evaluation process

would begin. We do not want you involved with the client survey at in any manner except to send the

forms out to your client. This is for purposes of avoiding any appearance of collusion in the survey

answers. We suggest that surveys be sent out early in your response preparation. You may contact the

client to follow up on whether completed surveys have been sent to the STATE, and you may contact

the STATE to follow up on whether the completed surveys were received by the STATE.

8. Q: May the client reference surveys be e-mailed to out of state clients?

A: Yes. We encourage e-mail. The only exception would be any document that must have a

handwritten signature to be a valid executed document. They should always be sent US Mail or

courier. Note: The State will NOT sign a legal document, unless it is an original hard copy (no fax),

and if it is already signed by the other party.

9. Q: Will all forms be on the Web Site for download?

A: At some point in the future, Yes. The ITQ and all forms will be downloadable from our web site,

but for the time being, copies of all forms can be requested and sent by e-mail.

10. Q: If submitting several categories, if we understand this correct, we will need each reference

to fill out separate client forms for each category? All TSB companies would like to do more business


with the State of Iowa; however, this might sound a little redundant to our established clients. May we

submit copies were applicable?

A: Please submit forms for each service category as stated in the ITQ. While this may appear

redundant, this approach make consideration of responses, including yours, more consistent and is

intended to improve the efficiency of the evaluation process.

11. Q; Is there a link on the web showing what the State has decided will be its IT Standards?

A: YES. It is: http://www.state.ia.us/government/its/Standards & Policies/ITStandards/index.htm

12. Q: How shall payments to vendors be handled?

A: Payments to vendors will based on invoices submitted in relationship to approved State purchase

orders according to Part 1- 13 PAYMENT METHODS AND PAYMENT TERMS of the latest ITQ

version.

13. Q: Some of our clients are restricted by their legal departments to fill out reference surveys

[ we assume out of fear of retributions if they recommend a vendor and then they fail, or for fear that

they may be sued for slander if they submit a derogatory survey ]. How is this situation addressed?

A: Thank you for this comment. Added to the ITS survey signature form: “The State of Iowa and SP

agree not to hold client, the undersigned, liable for any damages arising from your survey answers.

The State further releases you from any and all responsibility for decisions which the STATE may make

based on responses to this survey, unless there is clear evidence of neglect in avoiding undue influence

on your answers by the SP or by their agent."

14. Q: Three references per category seem excessive. Is it really necessary? Will one do in each

category?

A: The STATE will require three references total at a minimum, with at least one reference in each

category. (Substitute a statement that additional references are included in another response).

However, the more references submitted the easier it is for us to accept you as a qualified SP. From

time to time we may request updated references in order for you to remain on the qualified status,

particularly if performance is less than satisfactory, or if it has been two (2) years or more since you

have done work for the STATE and references on file are more than two years old.


http://www.state.ia.us/government/its/Standards%20&%20Policies/ITStandards/index.htm

15. Q: Regarding Ownership / Works for Hire - Would the State consider joint ownership of

custom code, for software / consulting firms, whose normal practice is to retain rights for re-use?

A: YES. The STATE and SP shall jointly own the copyright interest in "joint property" defined as

those deliverables developed by SP, either entirely by SP or jointly with the STATE, and solely for the

STATE as required by the ITQ and related POs.

"Contractor works", defined as work products developed previous to the ITQ and related POs, or

independently outside of the intent to exclusively satisfy the ITQ and related POs with the STATE, or

resulting from any ITQ and related POs with other parties, are not joint property. For contractor

works, so defined, used in deliverables for the STATE and embodied in joint property, the STATE

shall be given a internal use only license, royalty free and perpetual, by SP.

16. Q: Could the STATE better define contract liabilities and consider a need for liquidated

damages? It is not customary to accept liability for damages, indirect, incidental, or consequential, and

pricing usually reflect limitations to liability to the value of the ITQ and related POs .

A: The State believes it is prudent to take reasonable and customary steps to protect against standard

business risks.

17. Q: May a vendor request annual adjustments to the cost data sheet?

A: YES. A process is explained in the ITQ.

18. Q: Could the STATE better define contract terms regarding warranties and remedies? For

instance, consistent with industry standards, deficiencies in services or deliverables must be reported in

writing within 90 days. SP should be allowed to correct deficiencies or in the event they can't, the

STATE should ONLY be able to recover the fees paid for the deficient service.

A: The State is open to considering recommendations in this area and will revise the ITQ if warranted.

19. Q: What is the process of certifying that we are not tax delinquent nor under suspension or

otherwise debarred?

A: You may use your letterhead to make a signed statement.

20. Q: What are the service categories?

A: The service categories are described in the ITQ.


21. Q: Regarding references - if more than 3 letters are sent out are only the first 3 received

accepted or are all reference letters used per each service category?

A: More than three references are acceptable. They all must be in the form of the client reference

survey.

22. Q: RE: CONTRACT RESPONSIBILITY: SPs must certify that they or any subcontractors

are not currently tax delinquent nor under suspension or otherwise debarred from doing business with

the State of Iowa, any other state, or federal government. What form must the certification take and

must it be notarized?

A: See question 19. Notarizing is not necessary.

23. Q: If a vendor wishes to be considered for all categories, is it necessary to submit a proposal

for each category or will one proposal suffice?

A: Yes. The STATE wishes to avoid the expense of making copies of the common pages of your

responses.

24. Q: If multiple proposals are required, must each proposal be submitted in a separate envelope

or can all proposals be included in one envelope?

A: Yes. Please limit the weight of each package containing proposals to under 20 lbs.

25. Q: Is it necessary to submit resumes with this ITQ?

A: Resumes are not required for the ITQ , but can be considered supplemental to illustrate your focus

of expertise. Do not substitute resumes for answering all mandatory questionnaires. Also, since

resumes frequently change, agencies may require current applicable resumes in their requests for bids.

They will not use the resumes submitted with the ITQ.

26. Q: For each "service category", how many client reference surveys are required?

A: See questions 14 and 21.

27. Q: How can we confirm that all client reference surveys have been received by the State?

A: We will gladly reply to your phone call, or preferably your e-mail asking for confirmation.


28. Q: As the duration of the ITQ and related POs is for five years, is the rate schedule graduated

over five years where a rate schedule for each year is presented or is only one rate schedule, effective

for all five years, required?

A: You will be able to update your cost data sheet for any category once a year by addendum, upon

our acceptance. Acceptance will be based upon a review of the new cost data compared to l cost data

from all other SPs on file for that category at the time. Changes of more than 5% will not be

considered without justification evidence.

29. Q: Will the categories correspond to Dept of Personnel Classifications?

A: No.

30. Q: Will the STATE allow charges for extraordinary travel expenses?

A: No. The STATE will not reimburse SPs for any personal expenses such as car rentals, air fare,

meals, lodging.

31. Q: Define: “satisfactory” performance? Will there be objective ratings of performance in

keeping track of vendor performance? IE: Percent of times there were cost over-runs; delays etc.

A: Each RFP will address the evaluation criteria used to define satisfactory performance. A sample

criteria is included in the ITQ. The agency will then submit to ITD an overall rating of performance

very similar in form to the reference survey form used in this ITQ. Getting pre-qualified by this ITQ,

simply put, is by submitting a response to the ITQ, and if all MINIMUM requirements are met for a

category, and satisfactory references are received, you will be awarded a ITQ and related POs which

puts you on the bid list. You must continue to receive satisfactory performance reports from agencies

to remain on the list. Satisfactory in this regard is a score of 50% or higher on the survey form on the

average across all surveys / performance reports received on your company.

32. Q: On large projects, will the STATE issue one RFP or break it down into segments and issue

RFPs for each segment? All at once? Or as segments are completed?

A: Each agency will determine how best to issue their Requests for Bids, however, it will be highly

recommended to break the project down into segmented requests for bids, and whenever possible, to

issue them all at once. Note: In the event that state agencies deem it necessary to get outside

assistance with constructing the work scope a request for bid, the agency will be required to solicit bids

for the assistance. SPs who are then selected to assist with constructing any request for bid, will not be


allowed to bid on the resulting / subsequent Request for Bid(s). The agency shall be required to give

notice of that restriction prominently in their RFP.

33. Q: If a vendor receives an RFP to help write an RFP for another project and is awarded the

job, will that vendor be allowed to submit a proposal on the other project?

A: No. See question 32

34. Q: Why issue RFPs for competitive bids when vendors are pre-qualified already by the ITQ

process and the STATE already has cost data?

A: The ITQ's purpose in multifold. First, RFPs today usually require the same large amounts of the

same types information with each request, such as references and answering tedious questions as to

qualifications. It is our intent with the ITQ process to standardize that information and instead of

submitting the same information over and over again with each RFP, SPs merely submit the

information once with the ITQ.

Secondly, the information received in responses will be consolidated in one location, together with

performance reports, for ALL agencies to view on line, and compare in deciding who to solicit bids

from. The cost data sheets will only be used as a guide. Competition still must prevail for each

project.

Thirdly, service is typically required expediently. The ITQ process will speed the process of

getting competitive bids and more of them with each project. Less time will be spent writing requests

for bids; evaluating proposals and awarding ITQ and related POs since SPs will be pre-qualified for the

service, and general terms and conditions will be pre-negotiated.

This is not to say the ITQ will replace current requirements stipulated by law such as providing a

48 hour notice to TSBs and placing advertisements in the media of the requests for bids on large

projects.

Non-prequalified SPs submitting bids on a project will have to submit a response to the ITQ prior

to being selected for work. The disadvantage to a SP who hasn't already undergone the ITQ process,

will be the constricted time they will have in gathering and submitting the required qualifying

information such as references, for meeting the quicker bid due dates, relative to the time pre-qualified

SPs will have. Pre-qualified SPs will be more likely to receive a direct request, and will be able to

submit abbreviated bids as compared to a SP who has yet to pre-qualify under the ITQ.


Lastly, the ITQ process will also provide a better central location to gather data on where, with

who, for what, and how effective tax dollars are being spent on consulting. If the process works well

for IT, it will be expanded to cover all areas of need other than IT.

35. Q: Will DGS offer flow charts on how agencies are to use the multi-award ITQ and related

POs? (especially regarding the dollar value thresholds mentioned in the meeting 3/21/01)

A: YES

36. Q: Will the dollar thresholds be consistent with ITD approval thresholds?

A: This is being evaluated.

37. Q: Will the dollar thresholds be applicable to staff augmentation?

A: This is being evaluated

38. Q: Will the dollar thresholds be increased for this process? Especially for TSBs?


39. Q: How will the concerns of the State’s Bargaining Unit be addressed in staff augmentations

in the multi-award ITQ and related POss?


40. Q: Will there be a requirement for clear finality to the term of any ITQ and related POs

involving staff augmentations?

A: YES. Per hour payment options can not be open ended. There must be a start and estimated end

date or estimated total expected hours, both accurate to within 10%. Deviations must have prior

approvals by both parties 5 days in advance..

41. Q: Will there be accurate guidance on when to use staff augmentation consistent with Iowa

Dept of Personnel policy? A: Referred to IDOP.

42. Q: To avoid confusion, can the term “proposals”, when submitted to the ITQ, be referred to as

“responses” (as opposed to ‘proposal’ as generally understood to be a response to an RFP) ? Further,

can the term “proposal” in the context of RFP, be replaced with Request for “Services” ?


A: YES

43. Q: Will vendors not yet qualified through the ITQ be allowed to bid on projects? Will they be

allowed to submit a response to the ITQ while they are preparing a proposal? Or while their proposal

is being evaluated?

A: YES on all counts. See question 34: "Non-prequalified SPs submitting bids on a project will have

to submit a response to the ITQ prior to being selected for work. The disadvantage to a SP who hasn't

already undergone the ITQ process, will be the constricted time they will have in gathering and

submitting the required qualifying information such as references, for meeting the quicker bid due

dates, relative to the time pre-qualified SPs will have. Pre-qualified SPs will be more likely to receive

a direct request, and will be able to submit abbreviated bids as compared to a SP who has yet to pre-

qualify under the ITQ."

44. Q: Will the STATE address the need for a “Knowledge Transfer” requirement in the ITQ?

A: YES. See part 1-37.

45. Q: Once a vendor has completed the requirements to become a “Qualified” vendor, will DGS

enter into a binding ITQ and related POs with that vendor? If so, when [ an agency ] goes out for a ITB

/RFS and one of the pre-qualified vendors responds and gets chosen, will [the agency ] have to enter

into a new ITQ and related POs with the chosen vendor? If not, will the [agency] reference the DGS

ITQ and related POs?

A: YES. DGS will enter into a binding ITQ and related POs with all SPs who successful complete

the ITQ process in that the terms and conditions contained in the ITQ will automatically (and must), by

reference, become a part of the agency's subsequent PO with a SP. The PO may, and is expected to,

stipulate additional terms and conditions as necessary for the specific project, as long as those terms

and conditions do not conflict with the terms and conditions of the DGS ITQ and related POs , unless

approved by DGS. In addition, DGS is, therefore, is primary state agency by name in all consulting

ITQ and related POss.

46. Q: How will vendors be notified of new categories? Perhaps a method of updating vendors

via e-mail when a new service category is created so they can apply to be qualified for the category

would be appropriate.


A: YES, Besides additional service categories, ANY proposed change to the ITQ will first be

submitted to ALL existing pre-qualified SPs and State Agencies for approval. If it becomes necessary

to revise / improve any part of this ITQ, a notice of addenda will be sent via email to all agencies,

potential responders and ITQ and related POsed SPs for approvals 30 days prior to execution. An

addendum will be issued after a majority of the agencies and SPs approve it either by return email, or

by approving it by default in not responding after 30 days from the date of notice. From time to time, a

complete updated version of this ITQ may be issued encompassing all such addendum into appropriate

sections. New versions of this ITQ will replace the old version upon the date of issuance, and

constitute the valid ITQ component of all multiple award previously executed.

47. Q: Please clarify the following, “…encourage SPs to use tools without agencies being

required to purchase specific tools.”

A: That statement has been deleted from the ITQ.

48. Q: Confidentiality and Customer References: Many large customers are not willing to

provide references as a normal course of business. The fact that the information you are requesting is

NOT confidential will make it difficult to secure the references. Some customers may consider

completing the reference information if they know that it would stay confidential with the State. Also,

please be aware that there are clients that have an issue with how their name is used as an endorsement

or a business testimonial regardless of confidentiality. Thus, if you require 3 references with each

service category, for those vendors that deal with large clients, it will be hard for them to get companies

willing to give references. Can the reference portion be keep confidential? Would you consider three

general business references and perhaps one additional reference per category?

A: See question 13. Client reference surveys will not be viewable by any state agency on a web site,

but will be furnished upon request, therefore not confidential. NOTE: You can request any

portion of a response be held confidential, and DGS will undertake every step to ensure confidentiality,

however, with current Right to Know Laws, we can not “guarantee” that anything requested to be held

confidential will be especially in a court of law. You will be notified prior to our releasing such

information. You may not request the entire response to be held confidential. Only those sections for

were there is obvious proprietary information will qualify.

49. Q: Page 11, part 2-1 [ of the initial draft of the ITQ ]– There are forms for “client references”

and “cost data”, but where are the forms for the “separate proposals” and “technical overview”?


Should the sentence read, “ … submitting separate proposals consisting of sets of ….”? Is the

“technical overview” the “Professional/Technical Personnel Questionnaire”? It would be helpful for

this to be clarified and forms properly labeled.

A: The Technical overview would be your responses to the “Professional / Technical Personnel

Questionnaire”.

50. Q: Page 20, paragraph 3-5 [ of the initial draft of the ITQ ]– Is a range acceptable for rates per

hour?

A: Yes, but unnecessary. In the context of how the cost data sheets will be used, the cost data sheets

are not binding. Agencies will use the cost data sheets as a guide in selecting SPs for requests to bid

and will generally just want to know your true "not to exceed" cost. The cost data sheets should reflect

your true pricing as to not be miss-leading to agencies. If it is found that you consistently quote higher

than your submitted cost data with intent to miss-lead, you may be disqualified from doing business

with the STATE. You are responsible for keeping your cost data up to date, and you may do so only

once per year and limited to changes under 5%, therefore, care should be taken in submitting the cost

data accurately.

51. Q: Section 1-8. The 3rd sentence states that the “ownership of an automated report” goes to the

state. Can you provide your interpretation? We believe the ability to reproduce the report on an

ongoing basis would still require the state to purchase a software license.


52. Q: Section 1-21(h). This section states that the State of Iowa reserves the right to accept or

reject any part of a proposal. From our standpoint, we would prefer to have the right to withdraw the

proposal if only a portion is accepted. Without this option, it would be more difficult manage standard

methodologies and deliverables.

A: Vendors have that option.

53. Q: Part 3-5 Cost Data Format. This was discussed in the 3/28/01 meeting. Within our industry,

five years is a long time to maintain fixed rates for services. A reasonable compromise would be some

sort of cost inflator based on a standard index or possibly establish an optional uplift factor at the

beginning of the ITQ and related POs.

A: The official ITQ now allows for cost adjustments.


54. Q: Part 5-2 Payments. We recommend specifying payment terms. For example “Payment is

due 15 days after receipt of a properly submitted and properly documented invoice”.


55. Q: Section 5-11 and 5-12. The language seems to be inconsistent, 5-11 provides for payment

up to termination date. 5-12 does not allow for payment of services up to termination.

A: Sections deleted.

56. Q: Section 5-13(b). We would recommend additional language that states “Access to the

books is during normal business hours, at the State of Iowa’s sole expense and that the State will

provide reasonable advance notice unless it suspects fraud or other circumstances where advance notice

might impair the investigation”

A: Section deleted.

57. Section 5-14. The 3rd paragraph states “The state shall not be liable for…..” . Based on our

experience with past ITQ and related POs, this liability should be mutual to both parties.

A: Section deleted.

58. Q: Section 5-22 Works Made for Hire. We suspect this will be a serious issue for companies

such as ourselves who don’t always work on a “Made for Hire” basis. The core of our services business

is systems integration activities, which vary significantly from other firms who focus on software

development. Part of the value that we bring to clients is our “intellectual tool-kit” of knowledge from

past experience. It would be extremely difficult for our company to agree to terms that required us to

transfer ownership of that “intellectual tool-kit”. We do however acknowledge that the state should be

granted a perpetual, royalty free license to use that work. The following language would address the

issue of work the ITQ and related POsor brings with them: “ Not withstanding Section 5-22, Vendor

hereby reserves and retains ownership of the works which Vendor created before entering into this

Agreement. With respect to such works, and without further charge, State shall have a nonexclusive

license to use such works in machine-readable form throughout State’s organization. Pursuant to such

license, State may also modify and make additional copies of such works for internal use and

installation by State. Vendor shall also make available the source code version of such works, as

requested by State, for support and maintenance purposes, provided that the use and handling of all


source code shall be subject to strict confidentiality procedures. State is cautioned against making un-

reviewed changes to such works which could disrupt or impair the functioning of the Software. Not

withstanding anything to the contrary herein, Vendor and its personnel shall be free to use and employ

its and their general skills, know-how and expertise, and to use, disclose and employ any generalized

ideas, concepts, know-how, methods, techniques or skills gained or learned during the course of any

assignment, so long as it or they acquire and apply such information without disclosure of any

confidential or proprietary information of State and without any unauthorized use or disclosure of

Work Product.”

A: Section replaced with Part 1 -31.

59. Q: Is it the intent of the State of Iowa to use the category list crafted on 4/10/01 as a

complete document in the new RFP to describe the IT services needed ?, or will this document

be used to describe the services required under a "specific" IT service category, such as Help

Desk Operation, SQL Database Development, Disaster Recovery, Network Security, End-User

Desk-Side Support, etc, etc,,,,?

A: Question is unclear.

60. Q: How will vendors invoice under the current hourly rate methodology ? For actual hours on

site ?, for total hours per project on-site and off-site ?, a not to exceed level, or total hours to meet the

service level agreement ? Under the hourly method, how will vendors include or invoice for h/w & s/w

tools, parts, cabling infrastructure assemblies, and other products necessary for project completion ?

A: This is being evaluated. For now, payments for staff augmentation will simply be based on actual hours worked during each month.



UNOFFICIAL NOTES:


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THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS ITQ.

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Business

allied van

midrange minicomputer

notary public

subject matter

attain acceptable

local branch

separate lobbying

online cbt