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The Transportation Code, Chapter 223, Subchapter D provides that TxDOT may
use competitive sealed proposals to procure the services of archeologists,
biologists, geologists, historians, or other technical experts to conduct
environmental or cultural assessments for transportation projects. The
procedures for procuring the services of technical experts are
Subchapter
F, Contracts for Scientific Services, 43 TAC §§9.80 – 9.88. These procedures
are separate from other procedures TxDOT may use to contract for scientific
services, including procedures outlined in 43 TAC §§9.30 – 9.43 for procuring
environmental services in conjunction with engineering, architectural, and land
surveying contracts.
In accordance with 43 TAC §§9.80 – 9.88, TxDOT will:
- Publish a list of
upcoming contracts for scientific services on TxDOT’s web page, and
update this list quarterly.
- Publish a notice of invitation inviting prospective providers to submit a letter of
interest (LOI) requesting copies of individual requests for
proposals (RFPs) as they become available. Notice of requests for LOIs
will be published on TxDOT’s web page, in a newspaper, and if the contract
is for more than $25,000, in the
Electronic State Business Daily. The LOI is a simple statement of interest and a request to
receive a copy of the RFP. RFPs also can be obtained by downloading from
TxDOT’s web site or attending a pre-proposal conference, if one is held. If
RFPs are obtained by downloading or attending a pre-proposal conference,
prospective proposers must notify TxDOT of their interest in the RFP if they
wish to receive clarifications or amendments to the RFP.
Prospective providers do not have to be precertified to receive an RFP or to
be awarded a contract, but individual RFPs may contain mandatory or minimum
provider qualifications which must be met for the proposal to be considered
responsive.
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