Internet-Based Legal Research Services

August 21, 2020 2:00 PM EST Government Center Procurement Department 500 N. Main Street, Suite 709 Monroe, NC 28112 Request for Proposals No. 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service Due Date: Time: Receipt Location: Procurement Contact: Vicky Watts, CLGPO Senior Procurement Specialist 704.283.3601 vicky.watts@unioncountync.gov Page 1 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service Contents 1 Notice of Advertisement ..................................................................................................................... 2 2 Submittal Details ................................................................................................................................. 3 2.1 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND DELIVERY ADDRESS ..................................................................................... 3 2.2 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

....................................................................................................................... 3 2.3 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.4 PROPOSAL ADDENDUM .................................................................................................................................................. 3 2.5 COMMUNICATION ........................................................................................................................................................... 4 3 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................. 4 3.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 3.1 COUNTY .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 4 Scope of Work ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Detailed Submittal Requirements and Instructions ............................................................................... 5 4.1 PROPOSAL FORMAT ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 4.1.1 Section A – Cover Letter ........................................................................................................................................... 6 4.1.2 Section B – Company Background and Experience ................................................................................................ 7 4.1.3 Section C – Company Staff ....................................................................................................................................... 7 4.1.4 Section D – Service/Product Description ................................................................................................................. 7 4.1.5 Section E – Implementation Plan ............................................................................................................................. 7 4.1.6 Section F – Price/Rate Schedule ............................................................................................................................... 7 4.1.7 Section G – Required Forms ..................................................................................................................................... 8 5 Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process ...................................................................................... 8 5.1 SELECTION PARTICIPANTS ............................................................................................................................................. 8 5.2 EVALUATION SELECTION PROCESS ............................................................................................................................... 8 5.3 AWARD PROCEDURE ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 6 General Conditions and Requirements ............................................................................................ 9 6.1 TERMS AND CONDITIONS ............................................................................................................................................... 9 6.2 FINANCIAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................................ 10 6.3 CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS ..................................................................................................................................... 10 6.4 SUB-CONTRACTOR/PARTNER DISCLOSURE ................................................................................................................ 10 6.5 EXCEPTION TO THE PROPOSAL ................................................................................................................................. 10 6.6 MODIFICATION OR WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSAL ....................................................................................................... 11 6.7 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ......................................................................................................................... 11 6.8 MINORITY BUSINESSES (MBE) OR DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES (DBE) ............................................................... 11 6.9 LICENSES ...................................................................................................................................................................... 11 6.10 E-VERIFY ...................................................................................................................................................................... 11 6.11 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ............................................................................................................................................ 12 6.12 INSURANCE ................................................................................................................................................................... 12 6.13 INDEMNIFICATION ........................................................................................................................................................ 14 7 Appendix A - Proposal Submission Form ..................................................................................... 15 8 Appendix B – Addendum and Anti-Collusion .............................................................................. 16 9 Appendix C – References ................................................................................................................. 17 10 Appendix D – Sample Vendor Payment Notification .............................................................. 18 Page 2 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service 1 NOTICE OF ADVERTISEMENT Union County, North Carolina Request for Proposals No. 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service Electronic proposals will be received by the Union County’s Procurement Department at the Union County Government Center, 500 North Main Street, Monroe, NC 28112 until 2:00 PM EST on Friday, August 21, 2020. Late submittals will not be accepted. Union County, North Carolina, through the Legal Department, is seeking proposals from qualified Offerors to provide Internet-based legal research services or products in response to this solicitation. Copies of the solicitation may be obtained from the locations listed below: 1. Download the Bid Documents from the Union County website https://www.unioncountync.gov/departments/bids-procurement/current-bids 2. Download the Bid Documents from the State of North Carolina IPS website www.ips.state.nc.us (Bid by Departments, search County of Union). Union County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive technicalities and to make such selection deemed in its best interest. Union County reserves the right to award to multiple vendors. Bidders are required to comply with the non-collusion requirements set forth in the Bidding Documents. Union County encourages good faith effort outreach to Minority Businesses (HUB Certified) and Small Businesses. https://www.unioncountync.gov/departments/bids-procurement/current-bids http://www.ips.state.nc.us/ http://www.ips.state.nc.us/ Page 3 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service 2 Submittal Details 2.1 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND DELIVERY ADDRESS All Proposal Submittals are to be received by the Union County Procurement Department no later than 2:00 PM EST on Friday, August 21, 2020 per the instructions below. Any submittals received after this date and time shall be rejected without exception. 2.2 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The proposal must be submitted electronically by using the following link: https://lfportal.unioncountync.gov/Forms/procurementsubmit. The proposal package must be signed by a person who is authorized to bind the proposing Company. Instructions for preparing the proposal are provided herein. Paper submissions will not be accepted. There is no expressed or implied obligation for Union County to reimburse Offerors for any expenses incurred in preparing proposals in response to this request. Union County (UC) reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive technicalities and to make such selection deemed in its best interest. Union County reserves the right to award to multiple vendors. 2.3 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS Proposal questions will be due on or before Friday, August 14, 2020 at 2:00 PM EST. The primary purpose is to provide participating Offerors with the opportunity to ask questions, in writing, related to the RFP. The County may respond with an addendum within three (3) calendar days. Submit questions by e-mail to Vicky Watts at vicky.watts@unioncountync.gov by the deadline shown above. The email should identify the proposal number and project title. All questions and answers may be posted as addenda on www.unioncountync.gov and www.ips.state.nc.us. 2.4 PROPOSAL ADDENDUM Union County may modify the RFP prior to the date fixed for submission of proposals by the issuance of an addendum. Should an Offeror find discrepancies or omissions in this RFP or any other documents provided by Union County, the Offeror should immediately notify the County of such potential discrepancy in writing via email as noted above. Any addenda to these documents shall be issued in writing. No oral statements, explanations, or commitments by anyone shall be of effect unless incorporated in the written addenda. Receipt of Addenda shall be acknowledged by the Offeror on Appendix B, Addendum and Anti-Collusion form. https://lfportal.unioncountync.gov/Forms/procurementsubmit mailto:vicky.watts@unioncountync.gov http://www.unioncountync.gov/ http://www.ips.state.nc.us/ Page 4 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service 2.5 COMMUNICATION All communications, any modifications, clarifications, amendments, questions, responses or any other matters related to this Request for Proposals must be made only through the Procurement Contact noted on the cover of this RFP. A violation of this provision is cause for the County to reject a Company’s bid. No contact regarding this document with other County employees is permitted and may be grounds for disqualification. 3 PURPOSE 3.1 INTRODUCTION Union County, North Carolina, through the Legal Department, is seeking proposals from qualified companies to provide Internet-based legal research services and/or products in response to this solicitation. At a minimum, these services should include statutes, case law, and secondary sources as described in this Request for Proposal (RFP) document. The service or product must also contain the ability to check the history and subsequent treatment of case law, including any negative treatment and subsequent cases that discuss and/or cite a particular case. 3.1 COUNTY The County (estimated population 237,477) is located in the central, southern piedmont. The County provides its citizens with a full array of services that include public safety, water/wastewater utilities and sanitation, human services, cultural and recreational activities, and general government administration. 4 SCOPE OF WORK The offeror will be responsible for providing Internet-based legal research services and/or products to allow the Legal Staff employed by Union County to search, at a minimum, statutes, case law, and secondary sources. The service or product must also contain the ability to check the history and subsequent treatment of case law, including any negative treatment and subsequent cases that discuss and/or cite to a particular case. Purchase of the service by Union County must also include training on use of the service. Proposals should include information in response to the following inquiries in Section D – Service/Product Description of this solicitation: 1. What are the features of the service? 2. Which features of the service are specifically designed to aid attorneys in more effective and efficient legal research? 3. How does the service work to ensure search result optimization such that the most relevant and current authority and sources are shown first? Page 5 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service 4. How may a user of the service check the history and subsequent treatment of a court’s holding or statute? 5. How often is the case law database updated? 6. How does the service track bills and legislation at the state level (specifically North Carolina)? 7. Does the service track a user’s search history? 8. What are the features of this search history tool? 9. What resource materials are available to users of the service? This refers to cases, statutes, secondary source, and any other resources a user may access through the service. 10. When a search is performed, does the user receive results that are not in the plan, in addition to those that are within the plan? If so, are users given the option to purchase access to individual results? 11. Why should Union County trust in the accuracy of the information found using this legal research service? DETAILED SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS 4.1 PROPOSAL FORMAT Offerors should prepare their proposals in accordance with the instructions outlined in this section. Each proposer is required to submit the proposal electronically. Proposals should be prepared as simply as possible and provide a straightforward, concise description of the proposer’s capabilities to satisfy the requirements of the RFP. Utmost attention should be given to accuracy, completeness, and clarity of content. All parts, pages, figures, or tables should be numbered and clearly labeled. Response information should be limited to pertinent information only. Marketing and sales type information is not to be included. Proposals should be on 8 1/2" x 11" pages with an 11 point minimum text size. The proposal should be organized into the following sections: • Section A – Cover Letter • Section B – Company Background and Experience • Section C – Company Staff • Section D – Service/Product Description • Section E – Implementation Plan • Section F – Price/Rate Schedule • Section G – Required Forms Page 6 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service o Appendix A – Proposal Submission Form o Appendix B – Addenda Receipt and Anti-Collusion o Appendix C – Reference Form Omissions and incomplete answers may be deemed unresponsive. Please initial any corrections. 4.1.1 SECTION A – COVER LETTER The cover letter shall present the Company’s understanding of the RFP and a summary of the approach to be undertaken to perform the services. Provide the following information about your company. Respond to each item and provide supporting documentation and/or exhibits as requested or desired. 1. Legal Company Name and DBA (if applicable) Address Telephone Number Website Address 2. Name of Single Point of Contact Title Telephone Number Email Address 3. Name of Person with Binding Authority Title Address Telephone Number Email Address 4. Evidence of authority to do business in North Carolina. 5. Stipulate that the proposal price will be valid for a period of 120 days. 6. Make the following representations and warranty in the cover letter, the falsity of which might result in rejection of its proposal: “The information contained in this proposal or any part thereof, including any exhibits, schedules, and other documents and instruments delivered or to be delivered to the County, is true, accurate, and complete. This proposal includes all information necessary to ensure that the statements therein do not in whole or in part mislead the County as to any material facts.” Page 7 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service 4.1.2 SECTION B – COMPANY BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE 1. Describe your company’s purpose, mission and values and explain how they will support the relationship with Union County by providing the services listed in this RFP. 2. Describe general characteristics that differentiate your Company from others in the industry. Include any special advantages your services provide. 3. Provide a company history and the number of years in business under the current organizational name and structure and services offered. 4. Three (3) references for current or past work are required for this solicitation and should be submitted in Section F – Required Forms, Appendix D – Reference Form. 4.1.3 SECTION C – COMPANY STAFF Describe the professional staff, individuals, affiliates, and subcontractor, to be associated with this services and/or product. At a minimum, this section should include the following information, for each key person identified by the company: 1. Name and title 2. Office location and city of residence 3. Project responsibilities and roles 4. Educational background 5. Professional registrations and memberships (if applicable) 6. Years of relevant experience 7. Length of service with the company 4.1.4 SECTION D – SERVICE/PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Provide answers to questions listed in Scope of Work as well as any additional information relevant to this solicitation. 4.1.5 SECTION E – IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Provide a detailed implementation plan for this project. 4.1.6 SECTION F – PRICE/RATE SCHEDULE Provide the following information: 1. The pricing/rate schedule for the service and/or product. 2. What are the features that are available in the base price plan? 3. Which source databases are included in the base price? 4. Is à la carte access to databases outside the base plan available? If so, what are the prices for such à la carte access? Page 8 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service 4.1.7 SECTION G – REQUIRED FORMS Offerors must include copies of the following documents: • Appendix A – Proposal Submission (signed) • Appendix B – Addenda Receipt and Anti-Collusion (signed) • Appendix C – Reference Form 5 EVALUATION CRITERIA AND SELECTION PROCESS 5.1 SELECTION PARTICIPANTS 1. Maintaining the integrity of the RFP process is of paramount importance for the County. To this end, please do not contact any members of Union County or its staff regarding the subject matter of this RFP until a selection has been made, other than the County’s designated contact person identified in the introduction to this RFP. 2. Representatives of Union County will read, review, and evaluate the RFP independently based on the evaluation criteria. Union County reserves the right to conduct interviews with a shortlist of selected Offerors. Failure to abide by this requirement shall be grounds for disqualification from this selection process. 3. The County will establish an RFP Evaluation Team to review and evaluate the RFPs. The RFP Evaluation Team will evaluate the RFPs independently in accordance with the published evaluation criteria. Union County reserves the right to conduct interviews with a shortlist of selected respondents. 4. At its sole discretion, the Owner may ask written questions of Offerors, seek written clarification, and conduct discussions with Offerors on the RFPs. 5. The County reserves the right to determine the suitability of proposals on the basis of a proposal meeting scope and submittal criteria listed in the RFP. Evaluation criteria and other relevant RFP information will be used to assist in determining the finalist Vendor. 5.2 EVALUATION SELECTION PROCESS A weighted analysis of the evaluation criteria will be utilized to determine the Vendor that represents the best value solution for the County. In the evaluation and scoring/ranking of Offerors, the Owner will consider the information submitted in the RFP as well as the meetings (if applicable) with the respect to the evaluation criteria set forth in the RFP. The initial evaluation criteria/factors and relative weights listed below will be used to recommend selection of the Proposed Offeror or for the purpose of selecting Short-Listed Offerors. The County may choose to award without engaging in interview discussions. Page 9 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service RFP Criteria Weights Company Background and Experience 40% Company Staff Experience 30% Price/Rate Schedule 20% Compliance with Submittal Requirements 10% After identification of Short-Listed Offerors, the Owner may or may not decide to invite Short-Listed firms to interviews. If interviews are scheduled with the Short-Listed Offerors, previous evaluation and rankings are not carried forward. For the purpose of selecting a Preferred Offeror, the evaluation criteria will be given the following relative weights: Interview Criteria Weights Proposed Approach and Staff 65% Price, Quality and Relevance of Interview as it Relates to the Scope of the RFP 35% 5.3 AWARD PROCEDURE The County reserves the right to make an award without further discussion of the proposals received. Therefore, it is important that the proposal be submitted initially on the most favorable terms. It is understood that any proposal submitted will become part of the public record. A proposal may be rejected if it is incomplete. Union County may reject any or all proposals and may waive any immaterial deviation in a proposal. The County may accept that proposal that best serves its needs, as determined by County officials in their sole discretion. More than one proposal from an individual, firm, partnership, corporation or association under the same or different names, will not be considered. County may select and enter into negotiations with the next most advantageous Proposer if negotiations with the initially chosen Proposer are not successful. The award document will be a Contract incorporating, by reference, all the requirements, terms and conditions of the solicitation and the Proposer’s proposal as negotiated. 6 GENERAL CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 6.1 TERMS AND CONDITIONS The contract award will have an initial term of three (3) years with two (2) one year options at the County’s discretion, pending annual budget approval. All proposals submitted in response to this request shall become the property of Union County and as such, may be subject to public review. Page 10 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service Union County has the right to reject any or all proposals, to engage in further negotiations with any Company submitting a proposal, and/or to request additional information or clarification. The County is not obligated to accept the lowest cost proposal. The County may accept that proposal that best serves its needs, as determined by County officials in their sole discretion. All payroll taxes, liability and worker’s compensation are the sole responsibility of the Offeror. The Offeror understands that an employer/employee relationship does not exist under this contract. 6.2 FINANCIAL INFORMATION The Bidder must have the following financial information readily available and have the ability to provide it to the County, without exception, within twenty-four (24) hours upon request during the proposal certification process: 1. Annual audited financial reports for the past five (5) fiscal years; 2. Credit reports, credit bulletins, bank and vendor references, and any other published statements by agencies that have been issued or published about the entity within the past five (5) years; 3. Indicate whether the Company (and/or predecessor, guarantor, or subcontractor) has declared bankruptcy within the last five (5) years; 4. Provide a description of the financial impact of any past or pending legal proceedings and judgments that could materially affect the Bidder’s financial position or ability to provide service to the County. 6.3 CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS The contents of this Proposal and the commitments set forth in the selected Proposal(s) shall be considered contractual obligations, if a contract ensues. Failure to accept these obligations may result in cancellation of the award. All legally required terms and conditions shall be incorporated into final contract agreements with the selected Service Provider(s). 6.4 SUB-CONTRACTOR/PARTNER DISCLOSURE If the proposal by any Company requires the use of sub-contractors, partners, and/or third- party products or services, this must be clearly stated in the proposal. The Company submitting the proposal shall remain solely responsible for the performance of all work, including work that is done by sub-contractors. 6.5 EXCEPTION TO THE PROPOSAL An “exception” is defined as the Service Provider’s inability or unwillingness to meet a term, condition, specification, or requirement in the manner specified in the Proposal. All exceptions taken must be identified and explained in writing in the proposal and must specifically reference the relevant section(s) of this Proposal. Other than exceptions that are stated in compliance with this Section, each proposal shall be deemed to agree to Page 11 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service comply with all terms, conditions, specifications, and requirements of this Proposal. If the Service Provider provides an alternate solution when taking an exception to a requirement, the benefits of this alternate solution and impact, if any, on any part of the remainder of the Service Provider’s solution, must be described in detail. 6.6 MODIFICATION OR WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSAL Prior to the scheduled closing time for receiving proposals, any Vendor may withdraw their proposal. After the scheduled closing time for receiving proposals, no proposal may be withdrawn for 180 days. Only written requests for the modification or correction of a previously submitted proposal that are addressed in the same manner as proposals and are received by the County prior to the closing time for receiving proposals will be accepted. The proposal will be corrected in accordance with such written requests, provided that any such written request is in a sealed envelope that is plainly marked “Modification of Proposal” – with solicitation number and name on the front of the envelope. Oral, telephone, or fax modifications or corrections will not be recognized or considered. 6.7 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY All Firms will be required to follow Federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies. Union County will affirmatively assure that on any project constructed pursuant to this advertisement, equal employment opportunity will be offered to all persons without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, and marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. 6.8 MINORITY BUSINESSES (MBE) OR DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES (DBE) It is the policy of Union County that Minority Businesses (MBEs), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and other small businesses shall have the opportunity to compete fairly in contracts financed in whole or in part with public funds. Consistent with this policy, Union County will not allow any person or business to be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be discriminated against in connection with the award and performance of any contract because of sex, race, religion, or national origin. 6.9 LICENSES The successful Firm(s) shall have and maintain a valid and appropriate business license (if applicable), meet all local, state, and federal codes, and have current all required local, state, and federal licenses. 6.10 E-VERIFY E-Verify is the federal program operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies, or any successor or equivalent program, used to verify the work authorization of newly hired employees pursuant to federal law. Vendor/Firm shall ensure that Firm and any Subcontractor performing work under this Page 12 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service contract: (i) uses E-Verify if required to do so; and (ii) otherwise complies with applicable law. 6.11 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE During the performance of this Request, the Firm agrees to provide a drug-free workplace for his employees; post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance or marijuana is prohibited in the workplace and specify the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of such prohibition; and state in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the firm that the Firm maintains a drug-free workplace. For the purposes of this section, “drug-free workplace” means a site for the performance of work done in connection with a specific contract awarded to a Contractor/Firm in accordance with this chapter, the employees of whom are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of any controlled substance or marijuana during the performance of the Request. 6.12 INSURANCE One or more of the following insurance limits may be required if it is applicable to the project. The County reserves the right to require additional insurance depending on the nature of the agreement. At Contractor’s sole expense, Contractor shall procure and maintain the following minimum insurances with insurers authorized to do business in North Carolina and rated A-VII or better by A.M. Best. A. WORKERS’ COMPENSATION (for any agreement unless otherwise waived by the Risk Manager) Statutory limits (where contractor has three or more employees) covering all employees, including Employer’s Liability with limits of: $500,000 Each Accident $500,000 Disease - Each Employee $500,000 Disease - Policy Limit B. COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY (for any agreement unless otherwise waived by the Risk Manager) Covering Ongoing and Completed Operations involved in this Agreement. $2,000,000 General Aggregate $2,000,000 Products/Completed Operations Aggregate $1,000,000 Each Occurrence $1,000,000 Personal and Advertising Injury Limit $5,000 Medical Expense Limit Page 13 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service C. COMMERCIAL AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY (for any agreement involving the use of a contractor vehicle while conducting services associated with the agreement) $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit - Any Auto D. PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY (only for any agreement providing professional service such as engineering, architecture, surveying, consulting services, etc.) $1,000,000 Claims Made Contractor shall provide evidence of continuation or renewal of Professional Liability Insurance for a period of two (2) years following termination of the Agreement. E. NETWORK SECURITY & PRIVACY LIABILITY (CYBER) $1,000,000 Claims Made Contractor shall provide evidence of continuation or renewal of Network Security & Privacy Liability Insurance for a period of two (2) years following termination of the Agreement. ADDITIONAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS A. The Contractor’s General Liability policy shall be endorsed, specifically or generally, to include the following as Additional Insured: UNION COUNTY, ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES ARE INCLUDED AS ADDITIONAL INSURED WITH RESPECTS TO THE GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY. Additional Insured status for Completed Operations shall extend for a period of not less than three (3) years from the date of final payment. B. Before commencement of any work or event, Contractor shall provide a Certificate of Insurance in satisfactory form as evidence of the insurances required above. C. Contractor shall have no right of recovery or subrogation against Union County (including its officers, agents and employees). D. It is the intention of the parties that the insurance policies afforded by contractor shall protect both parties and be primary and non-contributory coverage for any and all losses covered by the above-described insurance. E. Union County shall have no liability with respect to Contractor’s personal property whether insured or not insured. Any deductible or self-insured retention is the sole responsibility of Contractor. Page 14 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service F. Notwithstanding the notification requirements of the Insurer, Contractor hereby agrees to notify County’s Risk Manager at 500 N. Main Street # 130, Monroe, NC 28112, within two (2) days of the cancellation or substantive change of any insurance policy set out herein. Union, in its sole discretion, may deem failure to provide such notice as a breach of this Agreement. G. The Certificate of Insurance should note in the Description of Operations the following: Department: _____________________ Contract #: _____________________ H. Insurance procured by Contractor shall not reduce nor limit Contractor’s contractual obligation to indemnify, save harmless and defend Union County for claims made or suits brought which result from or are in connection with the performance of this Agreement. I. Certificate Holder shall be listed as follows: Union County Attention: Keith A. Richards, Risk Manager 500 N. Main Street, Suite #130 Monroe, NC 28112 J. If Contractor is authorized to assign or subcontract any of its rights or duties hereunder and in fact does so, Contractor shall ensure that the assignee or subcontractor satisfies all requirements of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, maintenance of the required insurances coverage and provision of certificate(s) of insurance and additional insured endorsement(s), in proper form prior to commencement of services. 6.13 INDEMNIFICATION Contractor agrees to protect, defend, indemnify and hold Union County, its officers, employees and agents free and harmless from and against any and all losses, penalties, damages, settlements, costs, charges, professional fees or other expenses or liabilities of every kind and character arising out of or relating to any and all claims, liens, demands, obligations, actions, proceedings, or causes of action of every kind in connection with or arising out of this agreement and/or the performance hereof that are due, in whole or in part, to the negligence of the Contractor, its officers, employees, subcontractors or agents. Contractor further agrees to investigate, handle, respond to, provide defense for, and defend the same at its sole expense and agrees to bear all other costs and expenses related thereto. Page 15 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service 7 APPENDIX A - PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORM RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service This Proposal is submitted by: Company Legal Name: Representative Name: Representative Signature: Representative Title: Address: City/State/Zip: Email Address: Phone Number: Website Address: It is understood that Union County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to make awards according to the best interest of the County, to waive formalities, technicalities, to recover and re-proposal this project. Proposal is valid for 120 calendar days from the Proposal due date and is submitted by an executive of the company that has authority to contract with Union County, NC. Name: Title: Signature: Date: Page 16 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service 8 APPENDIX B – ADDENDUM AND ANTI-COLLUSION RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service Please acknowledge receipt of all addenda by including this form with your Proposal. Any questions or changes received will be posted as an addendum on www.co.union.nc.us and/or www.ips.state.nc.us. It is your responsibility to check for this information. Addendum No. Date Downloaded I certify that this proposal is made in good faith and without collusion with any other offeror or officer or employee of Union County. Company Name: Name: Title: Email Address: Signature: Date: http://www.co.union.nc.us/ http://www.ips.state.nc.us/ Page 17 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service 9 APPENDIX C – REFERENCES RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service Reference No. 1 Company Name: Contact Name: Title: Address: Phone Number: Email Address: Length of Service: Reference No. 2 Company Name: Contact Name: Title: Address: Phone Number: Email Address: Length of Service: Reference No. 3 Company Name: Contact Name: Title: Address: Phone Number: Email Address: Page 18 of 19 Union County, North Carolina RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service 10 APPENDIX D – SAMPLE VENDOR PAYMENT NOTIFICATION RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service Informational Purposes Only - Do not submit with proposal. Thank you in advance for your participation. Union County prefers all vendors participate in one of the two methods described above. An EFT Enrollment Form to enroll in the program is attached for your convenience. You can also visit the Union County website at www.unioncountync.gov at any time to get a new form if your banking information changes. If the banking information changes and you do not notify us, it will delay receipt of payment for invoices. The first and preferred method available is to accept a VISA card payment from the County. If you accept payment via VISA, payment is made at the time of the transaction or upon receipt and approval of the invoice. The second method is an Electronic Funds Transfer. (EFT) This means that you will receive payment of invoices due directly into your bank account. With this method, you will get an email confirmation giving you the date, invoice numbers, and total amount paid. Your payment will be available to you on Monday (or the first banking day if Monday is a bank holiday) following receipt of an approved invoice from the County department invoiced. If you wish to receive payment via the County’s VISA card, please contact Alex Whitaker at 704-283-3538 or Christi Climbingbear at 704-283-3543, or send an email to alex.whitaker@unioncountync.gov and you will be added to the list of vendors accepting the VISA card method of payment. Administrative Services Finance Division 500 N Main Street Suite 714 7th Floor Monroe, NC 28112 704.283.3886 www.unioncountync.gov ATTENTION: ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VENDORS As part of our Fraud Prevention Program, Union County now prefers two methods for payments to vendor accounts. These methods allow for faster and easier payments to vendors. http://unioncountync.gov/ Union County -Finance Office Authorization for payment via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Today's Date Company Name Street Address City, State, Zip By signing below, I hereby authorize Union County to electronically deposit funds into the account indicated below. I understand that if my banking information changes and Union County is not made aware of this change, then payment may be delayed. Address City, State, Zip Bank Name Routing/ABA # Bank Acct No. Payment Notification: I hereby authorize the following individual to receive an email notification of payment details for all funds deposited to the above account by Union County. Phone Number Email Address Name & Title Officer Name & Title Signature: FOR ACCOUNT VERIFICATION, PLEASE ATTACH A VOIDED CHECK. This authorization will remain in effect until Union County has received written notice to discontinue. Initial Enrollment Change Information Phone Number Please return this completed form and supporting documents to: Print Form Suite 714, 7th Floor, 500 N. Main Street, Monroe NC 28112 Phone: (704) 283-3886 Fax: (704) 225-0664 Email: ap@unioncountync.gov RFP 2021-009 Internet-Based Legal Research Service 1 Notice of Advertisement 2 Submittal Details 2.1 Proposal Submission Deadline and Delivery address 2.2 Proposal Submission requirements 2.3 Proposal Questions 2.4 Proposal Addendum 2.5 communication 3 Purpose 3.1 Introduction 3.1 County 4 Scope of Work Detailed Submittal Requirements and Instructions 4.1 Proposal Format 4.1.1 Section A – Cover Letter 4.1.2 Section B – Company Background and Experience 4.1.3 Section C – Company Staff 4.1.4 Section D – Service/Product Description 4.1.5 Section E – Implementation Plan 4.1.6 Section F – Price/Rate Schedule 4.1.7 Section G – Required Forms 5 Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process 5.1 Selection Participants 5.2 Evaluation Selection Process 5.3 Award Procedure 6 General Conditions and Requirements 6.1 Terms and Conditions 6.2 Financial Information 6.3 Contractual Obligations 6.4 Sub-Contractor/Partner Disclosure 6.5 Exception to the PROPOSAL 6.6 Modification or Withdrawal of Proposal 6.7 Equal Employment Opportunity 6.8 Minority Businesses (MBE) or Disadvantaged Businesses (DBE) 6.9 Licenses 6.10 E-Verify 6.11 Drug-Free Workplace 6.12 Insurance 6.13 Indemnification 7 Appendix A - Proposal Submission Form 8 Appendix B – Addendum and Anti-Collusion 9 Appendix C – References 10 Appendix D – Sample Vendor Payment Notification Vendor Payment Letter 12 16 19