UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MERCED
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
NO. 003836-Oct2025
FOR
WEB MODERNIZATION CONSULTANT
______________________________________________________________________________
Register and Submit Proposals at the University CalUSource Portal
https://smart.gep.com/Nexus/Registration/PartnerRegistration?dd=YnBjPTQxMTk4MyZzcGM9
MCZmYz0x0&oloc=102
The information contained in this Request for Proposal (RFP) is confidential and proprietary to
the University of California and is to be used by the recipient solely for responding to this RFP.
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Table of Contents
1 Instructions to Proposers ............................................................................................................4
1.1 Issuing Office and University Contact.......................................................................................... 4
1.2 Schedule of Events....................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Proposer Questions ..................................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Addenda to the RFP ..................................................................................................................... 5
1.5 Instructions for Submitting Proposals ......................................................................................... 5
1.6 Proposal Receipt .......................................................................................................................... 5
1.7 Restriction on Communications .................................................................................................. 5
1.8 Proposal Format and Required Submittals.................................................................................. 5
1.9 Proposer Representation............................................................................................................. 5
1.10 Simplicity of Preparation ............................................................................................................. 6
1.11 Complete Proposals..................................................................................................................... 6
1.12 Meet/Exceed Specifications ........................................................................................................ 6
1.13 Amendments to RFP before Due Date ........................................................................................ 6
1.14 Firm Proposals ............................................................................................................................. 6
1.15 Proposal Preparation Costs ......................................................................................................... 6
2 Intent and Service Requirements ................................................................................................7
2.1 Intent ........................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 Scope of Services ......................................................................................................................... 7
2.3 Standards of Performance/ Workmanship.................................................................................. 7
2.4 Corrective Work........................................................................................................................... 8
2.5 Hours of Operation...................................................................................................................... 8
2.6 Contractor’s Responsibility for Work .......................................................................................... 8
2.7 Non-Performance of Service ....................................................................................................... 9
2.8 Delay by UC Merced .................................................................................................................... 9
2.9 Contractor and Employees .......................................................................................................... 9
2.10 Use of Subcontractors ............................................................................................................... 10
2.11 Employee and subcontractors Background Check .................................................................... 10
2.12 Project and Product Usage Reports........................................................................................... 10
2.13 Program Evaluation ................................................................................................................... 10
2.14 Contract Term............................................................................................................................ 10
3 Additional Terms and Conditions ..............................................................................................11
3.1 UC Policy on Equal Opportunity in University Business Contracting ........................................ 11
3.2 University of California Terms and Conditions of Purchase ...................................................... 11
3.3 University of California Employees............................................................................................ 11
3.4 Supplier Code of Conduct .......................................................................................................... 11
3.5 University’s Right to Reject or Modify....................................................................................... 12
3.6 Supplemental Terms and Conditions/ Modifications................................................................ 12
3.7 Form of Agreement ................................................................................................................... 12
3.8 Disclosure of Records ................................................................................................................ 13
3.9 Release of Information .............................................................................................................. 13
3.10 Marketing References ............................................................................................................... 13
3.11 Proprietary Information ............................................................................................................ 13
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3.12 Hold Harmless Agreement......................................................................................................... 13
3.13 Ethics.......................................................................................................................................... 14
3.14 Insurance Requirements............................................................................................................ 14
3.15 Independent Contractor Status ................................................................................................. 14
3.16 UC Fair Wage/ Fair Work ........................................................................................................... 14
3.17 Quantities .................................................................................................................................. 14
3.18 Payment..................................................................................................................................... 14
3.19 Termination of Agreement ........................................................................................................ 15
3.20 Mutually Extended Pricing and Terms....................................................................................... 15
4 Evaluation Criteria ....................................................................................................................16
5 Proposal Response ...................................................................................................................17
5.1 Proposer Profile ......................................................................................................................... 17
5.2 References ................................................................................................................................. 17
5.3 Understanding of Technical Specifications and Service Requirements .................................... 17
5.4 Personnel Background/ Experience .......................................................................................... 18
5.5 Sustainable Procurement .......................................................................................................... 18
6 Basis for Award ........................................................................................................................19
6.1 Proposal Evaluation Method ..................................................................................................... 19
6.2 Contract Award in Best Interest ................................................................................................ 19
7 Pricing Schedule .......................................................................................................................21
8 Terms and Conditions .......................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
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1 Instructions to Proposers
1.1 ISSUING OFFICE AND UNIVERSITY CONTACT
This RFP is issued by the University Procurement and Contracts Division, which is the only
authorized entity to change, modify, and clarify, etc., the provisions of this RFP and to
award any contract(s) resulting from this RFP.
1.2 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Listed below are the key action dates/times for this RFP. If the University finds it
necessary to change any of the dates indicated below an addendum to the RFP will be
issued.
Event
RFP Issued
Deadline for Questions regarding RFP
Addendum Issued
Proposal Due Date
Anticipated Award Date
Date
October 14, 2025
October 20, 2025
October 24, 2025
October 31, 2025, 3:00 P.M. (PT)
November 11, 2025
It is the responsibility of each Proposer to be familiar with all specifications, terms and
conditions and site conditions (if applicable). The Proposer agrees and acknowledges all
RFP specifications, terms, and conditions and indicates the ability to perform by
submission of a proposal. By the submission of a proposal, the Proposer certifies that if
awarded a contract, they shall make no claim against UC Merced based upon ignorance
of conditions or misunderstanding of the specifications.
1.3 PROPOSER QUESTIONS
Each Proposer shall exercise their best professional, independent judgment in analyzing
the requirements of this RFP to ascertain whether additional clarification is necessary or
desirable before responding. If there are any discrepancies in, omissions to, or questions
about the information provided in the RFP or by any other source, a request shall be
submitted via the CalUSource portal using the Discussion Forum
,
which is located on the top right of the page.
Responses to individual Proposer questions shall be made available to all Prospective
Proposers.
All contacts during the proposal process shall be made through the Procurement and
Contracts Division. Attempts by the Proposer to contact department representatives may
result in disqualification of the Proposer from the proposal process.
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1.4 ADDENDA TO THE RFP
Any changes, additions, or deletions to this RFP shall be in the form of a written addenda
issued by the University via the CalUSource portal. Any addenda to this RFP shall be
distributed to all participating Proposers via the CalUSource portal. The University shall
not be responsible for the failure of any prospective Proposer to receive such Addenda.
All Addenda shall become part of the RFP.
1.5 INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS
Proposals shall be submitted online using the University of California Supplier Registration
and Sourcing web tool (CalUSource).
Proposals submitted through any other means shall not be accepted and late proposals
will be rejected.
Responses will take time to enter into the CalUSource System. The Proposer shall provide
a complete response to all prerequisites, questions and/or information in the RFP as
requested in the CalUSource portal.
1.6 PROPOSAL RECEIPT
The University reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities
or minor irregularities in a proposal.
1.7 RESTRICTION ON COMMUNICATIONS
The Proposers are not permitted to communicate with University staff regarding this
solicitation during the period between the Request for Proposal issue date and the
announcement of award(s), except during:
• Presentations, if conducted.
If the Proposer is found to be in violation of this provision, the University reserves the
right to reject their proposal without redress.
1.8 PROPOSAL FORMAT AND REQUIRED SUBMITTALS
The Proposers shall provide a written proposal addressing the full scope specified under
this RFP. Proposals in any other format as described in this RFP shall be considered
informal and will be rejected. Conditional proposals shall not be considered. If the
Proposer fails to provide any of the information, the University may, at its sole discretion,
evaluate the proposal without the missing information.
1.9 PROPOSER REPRESENTATION
Each Proposer, by submitting a proposal, represents that he/she has:
• Read and completely understand the RFP and associated documents
• Based their proposal submittal upon the requirements described in the RFP
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.