| (a) Purpose. Transportation Code, §228.052 authorizes
the department to enter into an agreement with one or more persons
to provide, on terms approved by the department, personnel, equipment,
systems, facilities, and services necessary to operate a toll project
or system. This section prescribes the requirements for soliciting
proposals for services to support the operation of a department toll
project or system that will be provided by a private entity at no
cost to the department.
(b) Types of services. The department may enter into
agreements with private entities for services to support toll operations,
including:
(1) establishing fleet account programs to manage the
payment of tolls;
(2) providing account maintenance services, including
accepting payments, updating customer account information, and selling
and registering tags; and
(3) any other activities that the department considers
necessary to enhance customer service and promote the efficient and
effective operation of its toll projects and systems.
(c) Solicitation process. The department will publish
a notice regarding opportunities to provide the services described
in subsection (b) of this section on the department's internet website.
The notice will include information regarding the proposed scope of
work, technical specifications, professional experience requirements,
proposal submission requirements, and specific evaluation criteria
that will be used during the selection process. The notice will specify
the duration of the solicitation, which may be an indefinite or extended
period of time as determined by the department.
(d) Evaluation and selection procedures. The department
will evaluate the proposals based on the criteria specified in the
notice and identify those entities that are qualified to perform the
specified services. The department will advise each entity, in writing,
whether it has been selected. If a proposal is rejected, the department
will provide to the entity the reason for the rejection.
(e) Agreement. Following selection, the entity must
execute an agreement to provide the services, in a form specified
by the department.
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