About this opportunity
AI summaryThe California Secretary of State seeks quotes for voting system test support services for the Smartmatic VSR1 2.1 voting system. The scope of work covers functional testing, software testing, security and telecommunication testing, usability, accessibility, and privacy testing, volume testing, optional hardware testing, support for public hearings, and additional testing. Eligible bidders include United States onshore organizations, with small business preferences available to certified small businesses, non-small businesses providing at least 25% certified small business participation, and qualifying nonprofit veteran service agencies. Bidders must deliver written quotes to the Secretary of State's Office in Sacramento, California, before 4:00 PM on November 2, 2026. All written questions must be submitted by November 5, 2026, via mail or email. The department will evaluate proposals based on administrative pass/fail criteria, cost, customer references, and staff qualifications, with a resulting contract term of two years.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- Secretary of State
- Solicitation No.
- 26-007
Scope of work
- Functional testing
- Software testing and source code review
- Security and telecommunications testing
- Usability, accessibility, and privacy testing
- Volume testing
- Hardware testing (optional)
- Support for public hearing
- Additional testing (optional)
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Administrative Requirements | Pass/Fail |
| Technical Requirements / Mandatory Qualifications | Pass/Fail |
| Cost | Low-cost award based on responses passing Administrative and Technical criteria |
Minimum qualifications
- Active registration status with the California Secretary of State to do business in California.
- At least five years of knowledge and experience in voting technology.
- At least three years of knowledge and experience of threats to voting technology.
- At least five years of knowledge and experience with Microsoft server operating systems.
- At least three years of knowledge and experience with Microsoft SQL.
- At least three years of proven experience testing voting technology.
- At least six years of proven experience conducting source code review.
- Proposed software testing staff must have six or more years of experience each in software engineering, information security, penetration testing, and voting technology system security.
Documents to include with your response
- Cover Letter (Attachment 2)
- Cost Worksheet (Attachment 3)
- Customer Experience Reference Forms for two client references (Attachment 4)
- Payee Data Record (STD 204) (Attachment 5)
- Bidder Declaration Form (DGS PD 05-105) (Attachment 6)
- CA Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Program Requirement (Attachment 6 / STD. 843 if applicable)
- California Civil Rights Laws Certification (DGS OLS 04) (Attachment 7)
- Staff Experience Worksheet (Attachment 8)
- Proposed staff resumes and work histories
- Target Area Contract Preferences Act form (Std. Form 830) (if applicable)
Key dates
- Quote due date
- 11/2/2026 before 4:00 PM
- Submission of written questions
- November 5, 2026
- Department's response to written questions
- November 9, 2026
- Anticipated Notice of Intent to Award
- November 23, 2026
- Anticipated Contract Award
- December 1, 2026
How to submit
- Method
- Email or mail / physical delivery
- Instructions
- Submit via email to [email protected] (suggested in .PDF format) or deliver hard copy plainly marked with RFQ number and title to Secretary of State, Attn: Contract Services Unit, 1500 11th Street, Room 460, Sacramento, CA 95814 before 4:00 PM.
Contract details
- Term
- Two years
- Place of performance
- Sacramento, CA and offsite
- Funding
- State of California Budget Act