137-047-0257 Multistep Sealed Bidding (1) Generally. A Contracting Agency may procure Goods or Services by using multistep sealed bidding under ORS 279B.055(12). (2) Phased Process. Multistep sealed bidding is a phased Procurement process that seeks information or unpriced submittals in the first phase combined with regular competitive sealed bidding, inviting Bidders who submitted technically eligible submittals in the first phase to submit competitive sealed price Bids in the second phase. The Contract must be Awarded to the lowest Responsible Bidder. (3) Public Notice. When a Contracting Agency uses multistep sealed bidding, the Contract Agency shall give public notice for the first phase in accordance with OAR 137-047-0300. Public notice is not required for the second phase. However, a Contracting Agency shall give notice of the second phase to all Bidders, inform Bidders of the right to protest Addenda issued after the initial Closing under OAR 137-047-0430, and inform Bidders excluded from the second phase of the right, if any, to protest their exclusion under OAR 137-047-0720. (4) Procedures Generally. In addition to the procedures set forth in OAR 137-047-0300 through 137-047-0490, a Contracting Agency shall employ the procedures set forth in this rule for multistep sealed bidding and in the Invitation to Bid. (5) Procedure for Phase One of Multistep Sealed Bidding. (a) Form. A Contracting Agency shall initiate multistep sealed bidding by issuing an Invitation to Bid in the form and manner required for competitive sealed Bids except as provided in this Rule. In addition to the requirements set forth OAR 137-047-0255(2), the multistep Invitation to Bid must state: (A) That the solicitation is a multistep sealed Bid Procurement and describe the process the Contracting Agency will use to conduct the Procurement; (B) That the Contracting Agency requests unpriced submittals and that the Contracting Agency will consider price Bids only in the second phase and only from those Bidders whose unpriced submittals are found eligible in the first phase; (C) Whether Bidders must submit price Bids at the same time as unpriced submittals and, if so, that Bidders must submit the price Bids in a separate sealed envelope; (D) The criteria to be used in the evaluation of unpriced submittals; (b) Evaluation. The Contracting Agency shall evaluate unpriced submittals in accordance with the criteria set forth in the Invitation to Bid. (6) Procedure for Phase Two of Multistep Sealed Bidding. (a) After the completion of phase one, if the Contracting Agency does not cancel the Solicitation, the Contracting Agency shall invite each eligible Bidder to submit a price Bid. (b) A Contracting Agency shall conduct phase two as any other competitive sealed Bid Procurement except: (A) As specifically set forth in this rule or the Invitation to Bid; (B) No public notice need be given of the invitation to submit price Bids because such notice was previously given. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 279A.065 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 279B.055 History: DOJ 10-2011, f. 11-29-11, cert. ef. 1-1-12 DOJ 19-2007, f. 12-28-07, cert. ef. 1-1-08 DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06 DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05