24-RQ150385-KR- College Readiness -Addendum2.pdf

This is a Solicitation Addendum issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for Solicitation Number 24-RQ150385-KR concerning College Readiness Assessment services. Addendum 2, dated September 28, 2026, modifies the original solicitation by extending the Offer Opening Deadline from October 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET to October 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET. The solicitation seeks cloud-based Software-as-a-Service college readiness assessments serving eighth-, tenth-, and eleventh-grade students statewide, including a nationally norm-referenced college admissions test for eleventh graders, a diagnostic test aligned to that assessment for tenth graders, and a diagnostic test aligned to the same assessment for eighth graders. The contract term is five years from award, with the State retaining the option to extend for two additional one-year periods at its sole discretion. This addendum must be returned with the proposal response; failure to return it will result in the bid being deemed non-responsive and not evaluated further.

Vendors must comply with GovRAMP security requirements, with Restricted data classification requiring either GovRAMP Authorized status or a written commitment to achieve authorization within twenty-one months of contract award. Vendors must submit financial statements and complete background checks demonstrating compliance with North Carolina security and data handling policies. Evaluation criteria, in order of importance, are conformity with specifications, comparison with other vendors' offers, total cost of ownership, risks to the vendor's offer including financial stability, vendor schedule and timeline, and past performance and reference checks. The State reserves the right to make partial, progressive, or multiple awards where advantageous. Vendors must propose itemized costs and payment schedules based on acceptance of deliverables. Protests of awards exceeding $25,000 may be filed within fifteen calendar days of award. The purchasing agent for this solicitation is Krystle Rice.