About this opportunity
AI summaryThe government authority in Longview, WA requires a vendor to provide offsite election services tailored to Tribal governance needs. The vendor must supply a secure, user-friendly electronic voting system accessible via desktop and mobile devices, complete with data encryption, real-time monitoring, offline capabilities if feasible, and voter authentication measures such as PINs or multi-factor verification. The scope includes end-to-end auditability, voter-verifiable ballot tracking, voter registration and verification management, and absentee and mail-in ballot services. Additionally, the vendor must generate reports detailing floor and electronic votes per motion, registration counts relative to votes cast, in-person versus electronic registration numbers, and voter distribution by zip code. Only USA organizations operating onshore are eligible for this opportunity. The buyer seeks proposals to determine the project budget. Interested bidders must submit all questions no later than October 15, 2026.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- Cowlitz Indian Tribe
Scope of work
- Election planning, coordination, timeline, and communication plan development
- Voter registration, verification, absentee, and mail-in ballot services
- Ballot design, printing, and secure distribution
- Onsite polling location setup, management, and trained election staff
- Vote collection, counting, tabulation, and certified result reporting
- Floor motion voting management for Tribal Council meetings
- Secure electronic voting platform with voter authentication and offline capability
- Hybrid integration combining vote-by-mail and electronic voting records
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Demonstrated experience in creating, implementing, and managing election processes in Indian Country | Not specified |
| Proven track record of working with small to mid-sized Tribal, local, or state governments | Not specified |
| Experience working in Indian Country, with an understanding of Tribal sovereignty, culture, and governance structures | Not specified |
| Strong knowledge of Tribal government operations, election procedures, and legal and regulatory compliance | Not specified |
| Positive references or testimonials from previous Tribal or public sector clients | Not specified |
| Cultural competency and willingness to tailor the approach to the Tribe's unique needs | Not specified |
| Ability to meet all requirements outlined in the Scope of Work | Not specified |
| Transparency in use of subcontractors, including disclosure of experience working with Tribes | Not specified |
| Cost-effectiveness and clarity of the pricing structure | Not specified |
| Quality and clarity of the proposal | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Onshore (USA Organization Only)
- Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous communities, Tribal governments, or organizations
- Cultural competency and understanding of Tribal sovereignty
Documents to include with your response
- Elections Cycle Approach
- Floor voting and motions approach
- Proposed Timeline
- Cost Proposal
- Relevant Experience / Portfolio
- List of at least five professional references
- Tribal Experience evidence
- Team Composition (if applicable)
- Conflict of Interest Statement
Key dates
- RFP Issue Date
- September 15, 2026
- Questions and Clarifications due
- October 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. PST
- Proposals due
- November 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. PST
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Submit complete proposals in PDF format via email to [email protected] with subject line: Election Services Provider RFP – The Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
Contract details
- Term
- Expected to span a one-year period, with options to extend for subsequent years subject to performance, funding, and mutual agreement.
- Place of performance
- Offsite / Longview, WA