​Review Requirements

1. Every IAS TORFP (both Long and Short forms) must be reviewed and approved by ITPO prior to release.
2. A draft IAS TORFP submitted for initial ITPO review must use the latest IAS TORFP template (see links on Service Center page).

The latest IAS TORFP template includes the latest language, terms, and conditions required by statute or by State policy. It also standardizes the IAS TORFP format to facilitate solicitation review.

Review Timeline, Short Form

The Short Form IAS TORFP is significantly less complex than the Long Form, and is intended for less complicated engagements.  Consequently, the review timeline is shorter as well:

• With the latest IAS TORFP Template:  7 - 14 days.
• IAS TORFPs not using the current template will be rejected, as there is no previous template that is usable for this type of procurement.
  

IAS TORFPs not using the current Short Form IAS TORFP Template will be returned to the agency to place the IAS TORFP in the proper template.

Review Timeline for IAS Long Form

The Long Form IAS TORFP is more complex than the short form, and is used with more complex engagements; therefore the review times are longer.

• With latest IAS TORFP Template: 14 - 28 days
• IAS TORFPs not using the current template will be rejected, as there is no previous template that is usable for this type of procurement.
  

IAS TORFPs not using the current Long Form IAS TORFP Template will be returned to the agency to place the IAS TORFP in the proper template.

Tips to Shorten the IAS TORFP Review Time

Here are some tips which will shorten the IAS TORFP review time:

• Review the documentation on this web site if you have not previously completed this document. The Guidance for Writing an IAS TORFP has a step by step and field by field description of the information that needs to be provided for an Short Form IAS TORFP. Detailed information is also provided for the Long Form IAS TORFP Template.
• Be sure that the scope of the procurement is suitable for an IAS procurement. If you are not sure, ask central.procurement@maryland.gov for assistance.
• Provide ALL of the information required on the template. Failure to do this will just result in another review cycle.
• If you have questions, email them to central.procurement@maryland.gov. It is much easier for both DoIT and your agency to get it right the first time rather than waiting for the review.
• When you believe that you are done, perform the following checks before you send it to ITPO:
• Have someone else perform a peer review on the document to catch errors that you did not see, and to ensure that the IAS TORFP is understandable.
• Using the Advanced Find feature, search for each attachment to ensure that reference to all attachments are numbered correctly
• Using Advanced Find, search for all instances of the word “Section” and check to ensure that all section references are correct.
• Spell Check the document.
• On second or third reviews:
• Review and address all ITPO comments. If you make a change, check to see if the change affects other parts of the IAS TORFP, and if so, make changes there as well.
• If you agree with ITPO suggested changes, accept them. If you do not agree, correct the language (be sure that Track Changes is ON) and provide a comment explaining the change.
• Upon return of a draft IAS TORFP to ITPO after agency edits, ITPO may complete a review on a shorter timeline. However, a shorter timeline depends on factors such as: the extent of revisions required in the draft IAS TORFP, the extent to which the agency adopted ITPO recommendations, and ITPO’s solicitation review backlog.
• If your agency splits IAS TORFP authoring among multiple authors, make sure all individual IAS TORFP authors see the summary feedback.
  

Upon return of a draft IAS TORFP to ITPO after agency edits, ITPO may complete a review on a shorter timeline. However, a shorter timeline depends on factors such as: the extent of revisions required in the draft IAS TORFP, the extent to which the agency adopted ITPO recommendations, and ITPO’s solicitation review backlog.

Solicitation Review Feedback

1. ITPO will summarize findings, suggestions, and next steps at the end of the draft IAS TORFP. When reading ITPO feedback, always start with the summary page.
2. Whenever possible, ITPO will now make small adjustments to improve readability, formatting, and correct language (such as changing “Contractor” to “TO Contractor”). These changes may be made with change tracking off.
3. ITPO will often provide sample language in addition to its suggestions to help guide the agency for required or recommended content.  It is the agency’s responsibility to review the sample language and adjust as appropriate for the draft IAS TORFP.

ITPO is available to answer questions about its comments, guidance, and likely timeline.

Number of Review Cycles

The number of solicitation review cycles required for a draft IAS TORFP depends on a number of factors, including: whether the latest draft IAS TORFP Template is used, and the extent of revisions required in the draft IAS TORFP. ITPO can often indicate whether it anticipates one final review or multiple additional reviews.