Nexus+Contract+Summary.docx

ND STATE CONTRACT INFORMATION

CONTRACT INTRODUCTION

The contract is Information Technology professional services in a variety of IT Contract Pool Categories. The State has an ongoing need for Information Technology (IT) professionals in a variety of categories for both project-based and staff-augmentation work. Multiple vendors have been awarded contracts in each of the IT Contract Pool Categories. State agencies may use a structured work order request process to obtain IT professional services through this contract. Use the links below to see the job class definitions, experience levels and required skill sets in each of the contract pool categories, vendors awarded in each category, schedule of vendor hourly rates, and vendor contact information:

VENDOR POOL GUIDELINES

Effective August 1, 2025, this Contract will be subject to Guidelines for Multiple Award Vendor Pool Contracts - Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Delivery - Multistep Competition pursuant to House Bill No. 1122 and N.D.C.C. 54-44.4. See Guidelines, Rules and Laws | Office of Management and Budget North Dakota.

State Agency/Boards/Commissions - IT Review for any category EXCEPT Project Manager - Any purchases made under this contract needs to be reviewed by NDIT. Submit an IT Review Request in the NDIT Service Portal. After logging into the portal, search “IT Review” to locate the form that needs to be completed. Once approved, continue with the ordering process in this contract summary. NDIT IT Review is not required for NDUS, K-12 or political subdivisions.

See Work Order Process below regarding the issuance of work orders to vendors. It is recommended that no work orders extend beyond the contract term listed for each vendor in the respective category.

IT Contract Pool Categories Microsoft.Net Programmer/Analyst Business Intelligence (BI) Consulting and Services Project Manager Business Analyst SharePoint Specialist Business Process Modeling (BPM) and Change Management Consultant Scrum Master

CONTRACTOR INFORMATION

Check the State contract website for the contractor and contract administrator information.

COOPERATIVE PURCHASING

This contract is a cooperative purchasing contract established pursuant to North Dakota Century Code Sections 15.1-09-34(1)(k), 54-44.4-13, and 54-59-18. Though not a party to this contract, North Dakota State Colleges and Universities, K-12 schools, city, county, and local governments, tribal agencies, transportation providers under N.D.C.C chapter 39-04.2, International Peace Garden and nonprofit organizations established on behalf of public entities are eligible to participate in this contract. Contact the contract administrator if you are not sure you are eligible to participate.

ORDERING INFORMATION

Work Order Process When an agency requires IT services, the agency will prepare a work order request describing the needed work. The work order form is available from the OMB State Contract web page, listed under contract #095.

There are several vendors within each IT Contract Pool Category, and the number of vendors an agency must solicit to submit a project proposal is determined by the estimated cost of the IT project. Vendors who are invited to submit project proposals must be priced at, or below, the rates proposed and contractually obligated.

*The Onsite rate must cover all travel related expenses other than “Short Notice” Work Order Requests. Short Notice requests are those issued to Vendors with less than 14 calendar days to project start date. In such cases, Vendors may be allowed, with the approval of the agency issuing the work order, to bill supplemental travel expenses caused by the short notice. The Vendor must provide documentation justifying the supplemental travel expense billing.

1. Projects estimated at less than $250,000:

a. Direct Assignment. An agency may issue a work order request directly to any of the awarded vendors in the appropriate pool category.

b. Competitive - An agency may elect to conduct a competitive process by requesting project proposals from two or more vendors. The agency will select the vendor project proposal that best meets the SOW requirements based upon the selection criteria stated in the work order request.

2. Projects estimated at $250,000 or more:

a. Direct Assignment - An agency may issue a work order request directly to an awarded vendor if prior approval is granted by the contract administrator.

b. Competitive - An agency must issue a work order to all of the awarded vendors in the respective category. The agency will select the vendor project proposal that best meets the SOW requirements and selection criteria stated in the work order request.

When you are ready to issue a Work Order, review the instructional document located on the OMB State Procurement website, under contract #095.

ITD Review / Approval Process Work Orders anticipated to be over $25,000 must be reviewed and approved by ITD Policy and Planning Division. Submit the Work Order to ITDProcurement@nd.gov . ITD is also available to answer questions and provide assistance to agencies in generating work orders.

1. Submit draft work order for review prior to issuing to vendor(s).

1. Submit final work order with vendor proposal for approval prior to executing the agreement.

Project Management and Change Control A change order process will be used to manage issues and changes during the life of a work order project. A change request must be in writing using a Change Order form to document the potential change. The change will be reviewed and, if acceptable to the agency, the vendor will submit an estimate of the charges and the anticipated changes in the delivery schedule that will result from the proposed change in the scope of work. A Change Order must be approved and signed by both parties prior to implementation of the change. A sample Change Order form is available from the Contract 095 web page.

Customer Satisfaction Surveys Upon completion of each work order, the requesting agency may complete a customer satisfaction survey rating the agency’s satisfaction with quality of work, cost and schedule adherence, and contract compliance. Contractors will be provided copies of the surveys completed for work they have performed under the contract.

The customer satisfaction surveys will be submitted to the Contract Administrator to be used in evaluating performance under this contract. Dissatisfaction with vendor performance indicated on agency customer satisfaction surveys may be used by the State in making a determination to terminate or restrict a vendor’s contract. The Customer Satisfaction Survey form is available as an attachment on the Contract 095 web page.

Frequently Asked Questions A list of frequently asked questions and answers is available from the Contract 095 web page.

Professional Services Contract Pool Categories Microsoft .NET Programmer/Analyst Category *Reminder – work orders estimated at $250,000 or greater must be sent to all vendors listed in the category.

Microsoft .NET Programmer/Analyst Designs new and enhances existing applications

· Strong understanding and experience with web technologies

· Constructs data and process models as may be required to define system functions

· Analyzes functional business requirements and design specifications for developing programs

· Develops analysis and design documentation

· Translates detailed design into computer software

· Tests, debugs, and refines the computer software to produce the required product

· Prepares required documentation

· Enhances software to reduce operating time and/or improve efficiency

· Coordinates closely with Product Owners, Scrum Masters, other developers, Agency personnel, as needed, to ensure proper development and implementation of program and system specifications

· Develops, in conjunction with functional users, system alternative solutions.

· Provides support for the creation, installation, testing, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of information systems

· Conducts and documents the results of special studies dealing with systems and/or business process issues

· Participates in Scrum ceremonies (e.g., daily scrum, sprint planning, sprint review, sprint retrospective

Microsoft .NET Programmer/Analyst Experience

· Programmer/Analyst - requires a minimum of 2 years of current experience in this job class

· Senior Programmer/Analyst - requires a minimum of 4 years of experience in the last 5 years and increasingly complex and responsible experience in this job class

Microsoft.NET Programmer/Analyst Skill Set

· Primary skill set includes Microsoft Visual Studio, C#, Web Forms, ASP.NET MVC, Razor, Entity Framework, DevOps, XML, JavaScript, .NET 4.5+, .NET Core 2.1+, .NET 5+. Use Case specifications, Structured Query Language, Oracle, MS-SQL, Web Services, SOAP, interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal English language proficiency

· Secondary skill set includes VB.NET, CSS, ADO, Crystal Reports, BI report design, functional testing tools, automated testing using DevOps

Business Intelligence Consulting and Services Category *Reminder – work orders estimated at $250,000 or greater must be sent to all vendors listed in the category.

Business Intelligence Consulting and Services Business Intelligence Solutions and System Design:

· Determines the customer’s information requirements

· Studies the customer’s requirements and determines if the business processes for gathering, cleansing, and ensuring the quality of data are adequate

· Provide BI technical and architectural guidance to projects and cross-functional teams, ensuring that new initiatives enable effective data reporting. Collaborate with dashboard/report designers and data scientists to define the necessary data sources, data elements, transformations, and structures

· Prepares an analysis document with the recommended solution

· Works with State architects as well as other technical and management personnel to develop the best solution

Design, Build and Test BI Solutions and Reports:

· Creates design documents for BI solutions based on business analysis document

· Works closely/collaborates with State’s database analysts to fine tune the BI solution design including database or data warehouse design

· Presents design documents to State architects as well as other technical and management resources to provide assurance the best solution is proposed

· Presents design documents to customer for approval

· Prototypes the solution as designed and presents prototype to the customer for approval,

· Prepares BI application and data warehouse processes for production

· Educates and conducts continuous communication with end users throughout the project

BI Project Coordination:

· Manage BI projects using project management best practices

· Coordinates with project managers responsible for specific projects to ensure that interdependencies between projects are understood and that activities and direction are consistent with the related architecture and standard

· Identifies organizational change management issues and incorporates tasks in project plans to address

General skill sets:

· Interpersonal skill set includes strong analytical, problem solving and project management skills, be able to work well with people and possess strong communication skills as needed to mentor others; communicate highly technical information to non-technical and technical users; written and verbal English language proficiency

BI Subcategories A vendor may provide individual resumes of one or more of the following BI Subcategories, but are REQUIRED to submit, at a minimum, in the BI Report Designer or BI Analyst subcategory. The STATE is looking for experts in the submitted subcategory rather than a person who has limited experience in all subcategories. Higher scores may be given to vendors who submit individual experts across all subcategories.

BI Report Designer Experience

· Meets general BI skillset requirements

· Requires three years of experience in this classification in the last four years

· Coordinates closely with State IT and business personnel to ensure proper development and implementation of BI reports

· Gathers, analyzes and documents technical and business requirements for BI reports creation

· Provides performance tuning of BI application and data warehouse processes

· Develops reports and dashboards using BI reporting tool sets

· Translates requirements using reporting tool to develop reports

· Tests and refines the reports to produce the required product

· Publishes reports for end user consumption

· Prepares required documentation, including user-level documentation

· Technical skill set includes analyzing customer reporting needs, development of dashboards and data visualization techniques; experience using business intelligence reporting tools such as: Cognos, Microsoft Reporting Services (SSRS); experience working with Oracle, MS SQL Server, DB2 or similar enterprise-level relational databases; experience with OLAP technologies

BI Data Integrator Experience

· Meets general BI skillset requirements

· Requires 3 years of data integration experience in the last four years and demonstrated proficiency in ETL tools, SQL, and stored procedures

· Creates design documents for BI solution based on business analysis document

· Proficiency in IBM Infosphere (Datastage), Informatica, SSIS, other ETL tools

BI Analyst Experience

· Meets general BI skillset requirements

· In general, would have the skills found in both report designer and data integrator

· Requires three years of experience in this classification in the last four years

· Prepares project and operational cost estimates

· Presents final analysis document and cost estimate to customer for approval

· Develops and implements multidimensional data warehouse and data cube models using enterprise standard tools such as Cognos Framework Manager or Microsoft Sequel Server Analysis Services (SSAS)

· Plans and supervises systems and customer acceptance test activities

· Develops and administers overall project management plans that establish management and reporting requirements for BI projects

· Delegates tasks to other project team members and monitor performance

BI Data Modeler Experience

· Meets general BI skillset requirements

· Requires three years of experience in this classification

· Understand and translate business needs into data models supporting ad-hoc and long-term analytics solutions. Implement data strategies, build data flows and develop conceptual data models

· Create logical and physical data models using best practices while ensuring data quality. Optimize and update existing data models based on current and future project needs. Maintain conceptual, logical and physical data models along with corresponding metadata

· Evaluate existing and proposed data models in conjunction with source system databases for variances and discrepancies which may require reverse engineering physical data models from databases and SQL scripts

· Utilize and maintain standard naming conventions and coding practices to ensure consistency of data models

· Be familiar with operational data stores, data marts, & data warehouses

BI Architect Experience

· Meets general BI skillset requirements

· Five years of experience modeling, implementing, and managing the installation of data warehouses, data marts, ODS, data lakes using multidimensional models

· Proven experience in successful implementation of data warehouses and data analytic solutions

Project Manager Category *Reminder – work orders estimated at $250,000 or greater must be sent to all vendors listed in the category.

Project Manager

· Provides leadership and direction through successful performance of a variety of detailed, diverse project management competencies and frameworks

· Directs project initiating activities, including review of historical information, establishing the project repository, development of project charter, and project kickoff

· Plans, executes, and closes out projects per ND state standards, laws and processes relating to project management (see https://www.nd.gov/itd/services/project-management and https://www.nd.gov/itd/standards/project-management-information-technology-projects)

· Assists in the management of IT procurement services including Request for Proposal (RFP) creation, assistance with solicitation, evaluation and contract negotiations, contract administration and contract closeout

· Directs project planning activities and construction of project plan that includes scope management, acceptance management, project governance, time management, cost management, quality management, human resources management, communication management, risk management, procurement management, integrated change control, implementation and transition plan

· Directs project execution activities to include management of cost, schedule, scope, quality, business value and variance reporting

· Manages the activities of project teams, which may be comprised of client’s technical and program staff, as well as contractors from one or more entities

· Coordinates project activities and communication with client’s organizational change team

· Reports in writing and verbally to client’s management as necessary

· Directs project closeout activities including post-implementation and administrative closeout

Project Manager Experience

· Requires a minimum of 4 years of current and progressive experience managing complex information technology projects

· Experience in public sector assignments preferred

· PMP credential is preferred

· Experience using a scheduling tool (Microsoft Project proficiency preferred)

Project Manager Skill Set

· Primary skill set includes:

· Formal project management

· Superior team building

· Analytical

· Group facilitation

· Relationship management

· Must be able to work effectively with all levels of client staff from clerical through executive management

· Ability to implement solutions across multiple functional and technical environments

· Ability to conduct cost and schedule variance analysis

· Interpersonal and communication skills

· Written and verbal English language proficiency

Business Analyst Category *Reminder – work orders estimated at $250,000 or greater must be sent to all vendors listed in the category.

Business Analyst

· Elicits, gathers, analyzes, communicates, validates, prioritizes, and documents business requirements, business rules, policies, and processes related to public sector service delivery for a single or multiple related entities

· Identifies, manages, monitors, and responds to requirement gaps, conflicts, and risks

· Conducts and documents the results of special studies dealing with systems and/or business process issues, such as market analysis, impact analysis, what if scenarios, and case studies

· Documents solution prototypes and mock-ups

· Formulates alternative solutions to satisfy requirements, which may involve business process reengineering, deployment of information technology, or end user training

· Plans and/or conducts knowledge transfer

· Prepares cost benefit analysis and technical feasibility assessments

· Constructs entity relationship diagrams and activity/process models as may be required to define system functions

· Translates business requirements into functional specifications; manage specification changes.

· Provides business analysis support throughout the project lifecycle for the installation, testing, data conversion, and implementation of information systems

· Assists in the definition of, and ensuring adherence to, quality standards

· Provides procurement services, including Request for Proposal (RFP) creation, assistance with solicitation, evaluation, and contract negotiations

· Assists with the analysis of the organization's strategic business needs and ensures business analysis activities contribute to and achieve strategic and organizational objectives

· Provides communication, presentation, and delivery of business documentation

· Assist with key performance indicator (KPI) analysis, monitoring, management, and documentation

Business Analyst Experience

· Requires a minimum of three years of current experience in this position. Prefer experience with large scale projects of longer than 12 months in duration

· Experience in public sector assignments preferred

Business Analyst Skill Set

· Primary skill set includes:

· superior negotiating, analytical, group facilitation, relationship management, and organization skills

· must be able to work effectively with all levels of staff from clerical through executive management

· must have an ability to conceptualize solutions across multiple functional and technical environments

· superior organizational and written/verbal communication skills

· written and verbal English language proficiency is required

· Expected documentation competencies include: project charter, Request for Proposal (RFP), process flows, business requirements, modeling techniques, organizational adoption, risk analysis, conceptual data models, gap analysis, business specifications, technical specifications, and cost benefit analysis

SharePoint Specialist Category *Reminder – work orders estimated at $250,000 or greater must be sent to all vendors listed in the category.

SharePoint Specialist Analyzes and documents requirements for information systems

· Develops and/or oversees plans for automated data processing systems from project inception to conclusion, and/or as directed

· Constructs data models and activity/process models as may be required to define system functions

· Analyzes functional business requirements and design specifications for developing programs

· Develops logical models, block diagrams and logic flow charts

· Translates detailed design into computer software

· Tests, debugs, and refines the computer software to produce the required product

· Prepares required documentation, including both program-level and user-level documentation

· Enhances software to reduce operating time and/or improve efficiency

· Coordinates closely with IT management, other P/A’s, other Agency management, other Agency personnel, as needed, to ensure proper development and implementation of program and system specifications

· Develops, in conjunction with functional users, system alternative solutions

· Provides support for the creation, installation, testing, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of information systems

· Conducts and documents the results of special studies dealing with systems and/or business process issues

· Mentors State staff in developing SharePoint skills

· Well-demonstrated skills in interactive user interface design and visual design

· Strong understanding and experience with web technologies

· Thorough knowledge of visual design principals

· Graphic design and layout, typography, icon development, identity and branding

Additional Qualifications for Senior SharePoint Specialist Senior SharePoint Developer/Designer

· Significant experience using a standard software development lifecycle process to design, build and implement high quality solutions based on MS SharePoint

· Leads and mentors other team members in MS SharePoint projects including coordination of development, work flows, systems integration and QA testing

· Well-demonstrated skills in interactive user interface design and visual design

Senior SharePoint Architect

· Has extensive knowledge and experience in SharePoint architectures and how to implement SharePoint infrastructure effectively

· Ability to work effectively with both technical and business staff at all levels including executive management on implementation strategies

· Ability to conceptualize MS SharePoint solutions to business problems in the most effective manner

SharePoint Specialist Experience

· SharePoint Specialist - requires a minimum of 2 years of current experience in this job class

· Senior SharePoint Specialist - requires a minimum of 4 years of experience in the last 5 years and increasingly complex and responsible experience in this job class

SharePoint Specialist Skill Set

· Primary skill set includes Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Power Automate, Microsoft Forms experience designing SharePoint sites and site templates, generally accepted best practices for SharePoint rollout and governance, Microsoft Studio.Net, VB.NET, ASP.NET, XML, XSD, XHTML, LDAP, JavaScript, Use Case specifications, Structured Query Language, MS-SQL, Web Services, SOAP, interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal English language proficiency

· Secondary skill set includes CSS, ADO, Microsoft IIS server configuration and deployment, FileNet P8 CM, Visual Source Safe

Business Process Modeling (BPM) and Change Management Consultant Category *Reminder – work orders estimated at $250,000 or greater must be sent to all vendors listed in the category.

BPM and Change Management Consultant

· Direct, facilitate meetings, develop and document business process models to provide a consistent graphical representation of business processes that facilitate a common understanding and means of communicating

· Current State Business Processes Models

· Business Process Improvements

· Future State Business Process Models

· Manage process change

· Lead process redesign workshops

· Provides leadership and direction through successful performance of a variety of process improvement activities

· Educate business users responsible for managing and operating business processes

· Monitor, measure and provide feedback on process performance

· Validate core requirements

· Assist business in the development of request for proposal

Business Process Analyst Experience

· Technical expertise in business process modeling using industry standard process modeling tools, methods and formats

· Experience in public sector assignments preferred

Business Process Analyst Skill Set

· Primary skill set and competencies include:

· Process modeling

· Process measurement

· Data gathering and analysis

· Problem solving

· Negotiation skills

· Technical capacity

· Collaboration

· Superior team building

· Group facilitation

· Relationship management

· Documentation management

· Must be able to work effectively with all levels of client staff from clerical through executive management

· Interpersonal and communication skills

· Written and verbal English language proficiency

· Organizational change management Scrum Master Category *Reminder – work orders estimated at $250,000 or greater must be sent to all vendors listed in the category

Scrum Master

· Provide workload direction and guidance to team members

· Lead and coach team members on how to use Agile/Scrum practices

· Ensure team members are practicing the core agile principles of collaboration, prioritization, accountability and transparency/visibility

· Communicate with all stakeholders, including executive management, architects, developers, product owners, etc. on product deliverables and issues

· Organize and facilitate daily Scrum meetings, Sprint Planning, Sprint Reviews and Retrospectives, and other scrum related meetings

· Build and maintain relationships with team members and stakeholders Scrum Master Experience

· Experience in public sector assignments is preferred

· CSM credential is preferred

· Experience using an Agile delivery tool (e.g. Azure DevOps) is preferred Scrum Master Skill Set

· Understanding of Agile/Scrum practices

· Guiding through Agile/Scrum practices

· Identifying and removing impediments to team success

· Coaching team members on Agile and Scrum

· Providing feedback on project team performance with a special focus on Agile competencies

· Proficient in the use of Agile delivery tools such as Azure DevOps

· Serving as a liaison between technical and non-technical departments image1.png