GRANT WRITING SERVICES ( ANNUAL CONTRACT)
Proposals are due June 6, 2025, 5:00 PM Eastern, submitted via Demandstar. Addenda will be posted at www. ***. *. * are responsible for checking for addenda. Proposals will be evaluated according to the procurement ordinance, section 3110. The contract will be for three years with an option to renew for two additional twelve-month periods. The city reserves the right to award the project or reject all proposals. All information submitted becomes the property of the Columbus Consolidated Government and is subject to the Georgia Public Records Law. The successful vendor will comply with all federal and state requirements concerning fair employment and employment of the handicapped, and concerning the treatment of all employees, and will not discriminate between or among them by reason of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or physical handicap. The city is exempt from state retail tax and federal excise tax. A drug-free workplace policy applies. All respondents will comply with all federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations relative to conducting business in Columbus, Georgia and performing the prescribed service. The final contract will include the RFP, addenda, awarded vendor's response, awarded vendor's clarifications, negotiated components, and awarded vendor's business requirements. After award, the awarded vendor will provide one identical hard copy of the submitted proposal with original signatures. The city reserves the right to deduct various fees from payments, including false alarm fees, ambulance fees, occupation license fees, landfill fees, etc. The city's standard payment term is usually net 30 days. Any actual or prospective bidder offeror, or contractor who is aggrieved in connection with a solicitation or award of a contract may protest to the purchasing manager initially. A protest must be in writing, executed by a company officer or authorized legal representative. The protest must be submitted at least five business days prior to the opening of bids or the closing date of proposals or qualification statements. The city reserves the right to seek proposals in a shorter period, if necessary. The city reserves the right to mail or email invitations directly to vendors under certain circumstances. The city will not orally or telephonically address any question or clarification regarding bid/proposal specifications. All contact concerning this solicitation shall be made through the purchasing division. Vendors shall not contact city employees, department heads, using agencies, evaluation committee members or elected officials with questions or any other concerns about the solicitation. The city reserves the right to request any other omitted information. Proposals shall be as thorough and detailed as possible. Proposals shall be prepared simply, providing a straightforward, concise description of capabilities to satisfy the requirements of the RFP. Offerors shall submit the following items as a complete proposal: transmittal letter, everify affidavit, communication concerning this solicitation form, addenda acknowledgement form, federal compliance form, conflict of interest affidavit, exceptions to RFP, qualifications and capabilities, service plan, local experience and knowledge, project staff, client work history, subcontractors, DBE and affirmative action information, cost proposal, contract signature page, proof of insurance, and Form W9. The evaluation process normally takes approximately 3 months before a recommendation is provided to Columbus council for review. The evaluation process may take longer if the required services or products are complex in nature, if negotiations are required, if presentations are required, if demonstrations are required, if site visits are required, etc. The following weighted criteria will be used to evaluate proposals: qualifications/capabilities (20%), techn