Azure Data Platform Design and Implementation

The contract issued by the Houston-Galveston Area Council seeks proposals for designing and implementing a comprehensive Azure Data Platform to enhance data-driven decision-making across various sectors, including socioeconomic forecasting, transportation, environmental analysis, and workforce development. The scope encompasses the deployment of Azure Data Lake Storage and Synapse Analytics, development of scalable data pipelines, data governance, security frameworks, and staff training, with an emphasis on industry best practices and compliance with federal and state regulations. The project has an initial performance period of one year, with options to extend up to three additional years, and the total contract value is estimated between 500,000 and 2 million dollars, based on the opportunity's budget range. The procurement process involves a two-phase evaluation—initial scoring based on methodology, experience, capacity, and price, followed by presentations or demonstrations—culminating in a best-value award decision subject to H-GAC Board approval. The contract incorporates numerous federal, state, and local clauses, including compliance with the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act, Clean Air Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, debarment and suspension regulations, and prohibitions on certain telecommunications equipment. It mandates adherence to security guidelines, conflict of interest restrictions, and reporting obligations, with specific prohibitions on using covered telecommunications equipment. The agreement emphasizes the importance of maintaining active SAM registration, providing socioeconomic and business classification documentation, and certifying compliance with equal employment opportunity and other statutory requirements. Deliverables are to be provided within the performance timeline, with products inspected either at the delivery site or manufacturing location, ensuring they meet or exceed solicitation standards and industry norms. Payment will be made via ACH within 30 days of invoice submission, contingent upon satisfactory performance and proper documentation, with the contract subject to amendments, termination rights, and audit rights reserved by H-GAC. Proposal submissions must be completed electronically through the OpenGov portal by November 20, 2025, in PDF or Excel formats, with questions due by October 23, 2025, and all responses binding upon submission.