HINDS COUNTY

 

 

Kenneth Wayne Jones

County Administrator

                                                                                                        

 

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

 

 

RFI No. ______________, Technology Infrastructure Planning Services

Issue Date: February 28, 2022

 

 

CLOSING LOCATION

Hinds County

316 S President St

Jackson, MS  39205

 

 

CONTACT

Name: Stephen Hopkins

E-Mail: shopkins@co.hinds.ms.us

Phone Number: (601) 714-6209

 

 

CLOSING DATE AND TIME

Responses must be received by March 9, 2020, at 12:00 PM (Central Time)

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to identify solutions capable of facilitating a technology infrastructure plan.

 

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for informational purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Qualification (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFP, IFB, or RFQ in the future. This request for information does not commit Hinds County to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, Hinds County is not at this time seeking proposals, bids, or qualifications and will not accept unsolicited proposals, bids, or qualifications. Respondents are advised that Hinds County will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, IFB, or RFQ, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be available on the Hinds County website (https://www.hindscountyms.com) and the Contract/Procurement Opportunity Search Portal. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

SECTION 2. BACKGROUND

 

This Request for Information is being issued by Hinds County in preparation for the selection of a vendor to provide technology infrastructure planning services for the County beginning some time in 2022.

 

This RFI is being used to gather market research for Hinds County to make decisions regarding

development of strategies for assessing and planning for technology infrastructure needs in accordance with state and federal laws. Hinds County is seeking information from qualified vendors on their ability to provide these services. The ability to identify and/or apply for external funding for solutions would be a plus. The ultimate objective is to create a design and implementation solution to meet the current and future technological needs of Hinds County personnel and citizens.

 

Hinds County is interested in receiving vendor information which identifies providers in the United States that are currently capable of facilitating the evaluation, strategic planning, implementation, and if possible, funding to meet Hinds County’s technology infrastructure needs.

 

 

 

SECTION 3. TIMELINE

 

Request for Information Issue Date:	Monday, February 28, 2022
Questions and Requests for Clarification to Hinds County Deadline:	Friday, March 4, 2022, 12:00 PM CT
Anticipated Posting of Written Answers to Questions:	Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 12:00 PM CT
Response Submission Deadline:	Friday, March 11, 2022, 12:00 PM CT

 

Note: Hinds County reserves the right to adjust this schedule as it deems necessary.

 

 

SECTION 4. DESCRIPTION – VENDOR INFORMATION

 

Respondents are requested to provide the following information:

 

1. Proof of eligibility to provide services in Mississippi.
2. Description of capability to test network hardware and software for a multiple facility entity with 900 employees and regular customer interaction involving exchange of funds and capture of sensitive information
3. Description of technology infrastructure project planning experience
4. Description of network design capability
5. Description of security architecture knowledge and experience
6. Description of capability to install and integrate a technology infrastructure project for a multiple facility entity with at least 900 internal users as well as a public interface
7. Description of knowledge and experience ensuring compliance with federal and Mississippi laws while providing technology infrastructure planning and implementation services
8. Description of ability to perform acceptance testing on integrated network
9. Description of ability to identify funding sources for technology infrastructure
10. Description of previous experience working in Mississippi, with a county government in Mississippi, and/or specifically with Hinds County
11. Identification of Respondent’s security protocols, ability to comply with MS ITS Enterprise Security Policy and IRS regulations.
12. The growth of the IDEC Consortium is a goal for the Seat Agency. Respondents should describe plans to facilitate growth of consortium by adding additional Title IV-D state agencies either through Full or Limited Partnerships.

SECTION 5. CONTACT AND QUESTIONS/REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to Stephen Hopkins at shopkins@co.hinds.ms.us. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers to the Hinds County website (http://www.hindscountyms.com); accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. Hinds County does not guarantee that questions received after the deadline reflected in Section 3 will be answered.

Hinds County reserves the right to meet (or hold conference calls) with RFI respondents. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of provided responses.

SECTION 6. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

 

1. The original and one copy of the response shall be signed and submitted (mailed or hand-delivered) in  a sealed envelope or package to 200 South  Lamar Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201 or e-mailed to Stephen Hopkins at shopkins@co.hinds.ms.us no later than the deadline in Section 3.

 

1. In addition to the response provided for in Section 4. “Description: the following information should be included: respondent’s name, physical address, mailing address (if different from physical address), phone number, and e-mail of designated point of contact.
2. Timely submission of the response is the responsibility of the respondent. Responses received after the specified time may not be considered by Hinds County.

 

1. The time and date of receipt will be indicated on the envelope or package by Hinds County staff.

 

1. Each page of the response and all attachments shall be identified with the name of the respondent.

 

1. Any respondent claiming that its response contains information exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act (Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 25-61-1, et. seq., and 79-23-1), shall segregate and CLEARLY mark the information as confidential and provide the specific statutory authority for the exemption.

 

1. Reponses submitted via facsimile (faxes) will not be accepted.