2015-439 OPT - FY2016 5311 Nonurbanized area public transportation grant

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(3) The Contractor agrees that the RFP method, in accordance with FTA Circular 4220.I F, under the guidelines of FTA "Best Practices Procurement Manual," should: be used for proCUrernents of professional services, such as consultants for planning activities and for transit system operations /management. The Contractor acknowledges that certain restrictions apply under North Carolina law for use of the RFP method and these restrictions and exceptions are discussed in Subsections 14t(1) and '14t(2) of this Agreement. For all architectural, engineering, design, or related services, the Contractor agrees that the qualifications- based competitive proposal process shall be used (see Subsection, 14q, this Agreement). (4) When the RFP method is used for procurement of professional services, the Contractor agrees to abide by the following rninimurn reqUirernents: (a) Normally conducted with more than one source submitting ail offer (proposal); (b) Either fixed price or cost reimbursement type contract will be used; (c) Generally used when conditions are not appropriate for use of sealed bids-, (d) Requests for proposals will be publicized,' (e) All evaluation factors will be identified along with their relative importance; (f) Proposals will be solicited from an adequate number (3 is recommended) Of qualified sources; (g) A standard method must be in place for conducting technical evaluations of the proposals received and for selecting awardees; (h) Awards will be made to the responsible firm whose proposal is most advantageous to the Contractor's program with price and other factors considered; and (i), In determining which proposal) is most advantageous, the Contractor may award to the proposer whose proposal offers the greatest business value (best value) to the agency. "Best value" is based oil determination of which proposal offers the best tradeoff between price and performance, where quality is considered an integral performance factor. U. Award to Other than the Lowest Bidder. In accordance with Federal and St,ate statutes, a third party contract may be awarded to other than the lowest bidder, if the award furthers an objective (Such as improved long-term operating efficiency and lower long-term costs). When specified in bidding documents, factors such as discounts, transportation costs, and life cycle costs willl be considered in determining which bid is lowest. Prior to the award of any contract equal to or greater than $2,500 to other than apparent lowest bidder, the Contractor shall Submit its recommendation along with basis/reason for selection to the Department for pre-award approval. V, Award to Responsible Contractors, The Contractor agrees to award third party contracts only to responsible contractors who possess potential ability to Successfully perform under the terms and conditions of the proposed procurement. Consideration will be given to such matters as contractor integrity, cornpliance with public policy, record of past performance, and financial and technical resources. Contracts will not be awarded to parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities in accordance with the Federal debarment and Suspension rule, 49 C.F.I. 29, For procurements over $25,000, the Contractor shall comply, and assure the compliance of each third party contractor and subrecipient at any tier, with the debarment and suspension rule. FTA and the Department recommend that grantees use a certification form for projects over $25,000, which are funded in part with Federal funds. A sarnple certification form can be obtained frorn the Department, The Contractor also agrees to Updated 91 17/10 Page 4 9 of 35