Elections Ballot Sorting System

Pierce County is soliciting proposals for an automated, scalable elections ballot sorting system for the Auditor's Office to process incoming ballot envelopes and election-related mail. The system must be capable of sorting envelopes into categories, capturing images, interpreting envelope data, interfacing with the VoteWA state voter registration system, and opening envelopes without damaging the contents. The project is envisioned as a blanket contract for one year with four optional renewal years, with an estimated budget of 600,000 dollars and a required implementation deadline of June 15, 2027. Proposals are evaluated based on a weighted criteria of 60 percent technical proposal, 30 percent cost, and 10 percent vendor qualifications. The procurement process requires electronic submission via the OpenGov portal by September 16, 2026, and includes a detailed pricing breakdown for hardware, software, and five years of operation and maintenance. Selected vendors must comply with Washington State UBI requirements, ADA standards, and specific insurance mandates, including cyber and professional liability coverage. The contract includes strict confidentiality requirements and mandates that all deliverables become the exclusive property of the County.