Page 77 - CONTRACT POLICY MANUAL

(2) Proposers will be prequalified by responding to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) or
equivalent solicitation, which will include a request for information related to the
proposers’ ability to fulfill the contract conditions.
a) Qualification criteria may include:

i. financial capacity/stability;
ii. company history;
iii. capacity to perform;

iv. relevant experience; and,
v. any other criteria relevant to the services and commodities being
sought by the County.
(3) Prequalification requirements will be reasonable and will constitute the minimum
requirements necessary to fulfill the terms of the contract.

§4.3-104 Vendor Advisory

(1) All RFPs will include as part of their language the following vendor advisory: “The County
of Orange does not require and neither encourages nor discourages the use of lobbyists or
other consultants for the purpose of securing business.”

§4.3-105 Pre-Proposal Conference

(1) When it is in the County’s best interest, a pre-proposal conference may be held. The
purpose of the conference will be to further define or illustrate the County’s needs and/or
to answer any questions which may exist on the part of proposers. The conference shall be
hosted by the County Procurement Officer or by the appropriate Deputy Purchasing Agent.
Any changes, deletions, additions, or clarification to the RFP shall be issued as an
addendum and sent to all prospective proposers. Pre-proposal conferences shall not be
mandatory for potential proposers unless it is clearly in the County’s best interest.

§4.3-106 Receipt and Acceptance of Proposals

(1) Proposals are to be received by the date and time specified in the RFP. Proposals shall
be unconditionally accepted without alteration or correction. All proposals must be
received by someone other than the person who conducted the solicitation and must be
time and date stamped immediately upon receipt. All proposals must be kept in a secure
locked location for access by only authorized personnel.
(2) Late proposals may be accepted or rejected depending on the best interest of the County.
No proposal will be accepted which is received by the County Procurement Officer or
Deputy Purchasing Agent later than 24 hours from the due date and time specified in the
solicitation. The appropriate Deputy Purchasing Agent will have sole discretion in
deciding to accept or reject late proposals. If a late proposal is accepted, however, all
proposals received within 24 hours of the specified date and time will be accepted.

73