The scope of services is defined in statute with required deadlines that are subject to potential legislative change. Such changes could affect the contractual and funding obligations in the future. The Department may request the awarded Bidder to support, in-person, the Department’s reporting of evaluation results to the Joint Standing Committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over economic development matters and the joint standing committee having jurisdiction over taxation matters. Costs relating to travel to Augusta Maine for such support must be included in the cost proposal. Additionally, it is expected that the Department will need to consult via remote (Zoom or Microsoft Teams) on a quarterly basis with the awarded Bidder on any deliverables prior, during, and after the reporting deadlines. Meetings may be more frequent as the two deadlines approach. In order to comply with the statutory deadlines, the reports will be due to the Department as outlined in Task 4. All tasks will be undertaken under the direction and oversight of the Department. The final report will be submitted to the Department for review and approval at a minimum of three months before the legislative due date, to accommodate the Department’s review (see above). Project progress will be reviewed/approved by the Commissioner of the Department, or his designee, if requested. All legislative communications will be reviewed and approved by the Commissioner’s Office. In planning and conducting the evaluation, the awarded Bidder may consider pertinent information available from the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability. The awarded Bidder may consult with the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability on accessing data, confidential or otherwise, necessary for the evaluation.
