Specifications

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SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/INSTRUCTIONS (CONTINUED)
While Harris County appreciates a brief, straightforward, concise reply, the proposer must fully
understand that the evaluation is based on the information provided. Accuracy and completeness are
essential.
Omissions, ambiguous and equivocal statements may be construed against the proposer. The proposal
response may be incorporated into any contract which results from this RFP, and vendors are cautioned
not to make claims or statements it is not prepared to commit to contractually. Failure of the vendor to
meet such claims will result in a requirement that the vendor provide resources necessary to meet
submitted claims.
Harris County Purchasing may initiate discussions with selected vendors; however, discussions may not
be initiated by vendors. Harris County Purchasing expects to conduct discussions with vendor’s
representatives authorized to contractually obligate the vendor with an offer. Vendors shall not contact
any Harris County personnel during the RFP process without the express permission from the Office of
the Harris County Purchasing Agent. Harris County Purchasing may disqualify any vendor who has
made site visits, contacted Harris County personnel or distributed any literature without authorization
from Harris County Purchasing.
All correspondence relating to this RFP, from advertisement to award shall be sent to the Harris County
Purchasing. All presentations and/or meetings between Harris County and the vendor relating to this RFP
shall be coordinated by Harris County Purchasing.
Selected vendors may be expected to make a presentation/product demonstration to an evaluation
committee. Proposals, vendor presentations and product/service evaluations may develop into
negotiating sessions with the vendor(s) as selected by the Evaluation Committee. Harris County expects
to conduct negotiations with vendor’s representatives authorized to contractually obligate the vendor
with an offer. If vendor is unable to agree to contract terms and conditions, Harris County reserves the
right to terminate contract negotiations with that vendor and initiate negotiations with another vendor.
In addition to a presentation, visits by the Evaluation Committee to representative vendor client sites may
be conducted where the proposed solution can be demonstrated in a production environment.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Award shall be made to the responsible vendor whose proposal is determined to be the best evaluated offer
resulting from negotiations and taking into consideration all aspects of proposal impact items and the
following in order of relative importance:
• Proposed system;
• Turnaround time for services requested;
• Pricing;
• Past performance history with Harris County (if applicable);
• Vendor’s professional reputation for integrity and compliance with state and federal law, including
having the appropriate license to do business in Texas; and
• Overall quality of vendor’s proposal.