RFQ #26-007 - Smartmatic VSR1 2.1 Voting System

The California Secretary of State is soliciting a state approved testing agency to provide voting system test support services for the evaluation of the Smartmatic VSR1 2.1 voting system. The primary objective is to determine the system's suitability for use in California by conducting functional, hardware, and volume testing, as well as usability, accessibility, and privacy evaluations. All testing must adhere to the California Voting Systems Standards and relevant sections of the California Elections Code. The contractor will also be responsible for providing support and presentations for public hearings. The anticipated period of performance is from January 2, 2027, through January 1, 2029. This is a low-cost award based on a pass/fail evaluation of administrative and technical requirements. Mandatory qualifications for the contractor include extensive experience in voting technology system design, security analysis, source code review, and government-level testing, with specific requirements ranging from three to six years of experience in these areas. Additionally, the contractor must demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft server and workstation operating systems and SQL server. The contract includes strict confidentiality requirements via non-disclosure agreements and requires compliance with California civil rights laws and non-discrimination programs. Payment is contingent upon satisfactory performance and the submission of itemized invoices.