3202700005 2027 Texas Rising Star Early Educator Conference Keynote Speaker

The Texas Workforce Commission is seeking a qualified keynote speaker to deliver presentations at three Texas Rising Star Early Educator Conferences in 2027, with the selected individual expected to speak at events in Houston in January and July and in Grapevine in August. The contract is structured as a firm-fixed-price arrangement with a total estimated value of $37,500, based on a cap of $12,500 per presentation, covering all speaker fees, travel, preparation, and related services. Respondents must submit a comprehensive proposal including an executive summary, detailed work plan, speaker biography, video sample of prior engagements, and completed forms covering cost, references, and certifications. Evaluation will prioritize cost reasonableness at 40%, followed by past performance and qualifications at 30%, and the quality and relevance of the proposed presentation at 30%, with award to be made based on best value rather than lowest price. The speaker must be available to present in person across all three Texas locations, with travel and lodging arranged by the state, and must comply with state-specific requirements including E-Verify for employees, professional liability insurance of at least $25,000 with primary coverage and no subrogation against the state, and strict adherence to Texas laws prohibiting discrimination against firearm industry businesses and boycotts of energy companies. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the TWC Procurement Portal by July 14, 2026, and all submissions must conform to formatting guidelines including Verdana or Arial font, 12-point size, one-inch margins, and 1.25 line spacing. The speaker’s deliverables include a polished keynote address, supporting materials, and post-event compliance with transparency laws under the Texas Public Information Act. The contract includes clauses on severability, survival of obligations, termination with thirty days’ notice, change in law, and indemnification coordinated with the Texas Attorney General, while affirming that TWC retains sovereign immunity and reserves the right to audit records. No federal acquisition regulations apply; instead, the contract is governed entirely by Texas statutes and procurement policies, with responses evaluated by a state panel and no formal contracting officer’s representative designated.