Solicitation Conference for ITN C02/14J1011001. The purpose of the Solicitation Conference is to review the ITN with interested vendors so that areas of misunderstanding or ambiguity are clarified. The Department encourages all prospective vendors to participate in the solicitation conference, during which vendors may pose questions. Small Businesses, Certified Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises are encouraged to participate in any conferences, conference calls, pre-solicitation, or pre-bid meetings which are scheduled. All vendors shall be accorded fair and equal treatment. Only responses posted on the VBS website are to be considered official Department responses by the vendor. Participation in the solicitation conference is not a pre-requisite for acceptance of replies from prospective vendors.