Beacon+Systems+Inc.+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 Project Manager Database Administrator – Oracle SharePoint Specialist Microsoft Project Online System Consultant

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

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

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

Database Administrator - Oracle Create and manage database objects according to business requirements

· Performs review and tuning of SQL code

· Performs database tuning and monitoring

· Monitor and audit database access

· Perform capacity planning

· Ensures database integrity; schedules database backup; provides for database recovery

· Supports development databases including refresh from production databases

· Transfers and maintains production program code

· Assists programmers or writes conversion programs to support changes in database structure; applies conversions, and verifies integrity of converted data

· Assists in providing twenty-four hour coverage for database support

· Maintains current procedure manuals for the maintenance of databases on existing systems

· Provides extensive troubleshooting and problem solving of database and application development issues for applications

· Works with vendors in support of database and administration toolsets enhancements that are beneficial to State applications

· Installs new and upgrades existing databases and administration toolsets; coordinates with development on testing and implementing enhancements and new features/functions

· Assists and trains State’s application development and technical staff in database technologies and methods

Database Administrator – Oracle Experience

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

· Experience in design, implementation, and manipulation of database management systems, data warehouses, and multidimensional databases. Experience with design of relational databases and data manipulation.

· Experience in Oracle RAC infrastructure support and troubleshooting

Database Administrator – Oracle Skill Set

· Primary technical skill set includes Oracle RDBMS, Structured Query Language, ODBC, JDBC, and XML

· Secondary technical skill set includes COGNOS, SAS, and Informatica

· Interpersonal skill set includes strong analytical, problem solving 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

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

Microsoft Project Online System Consultant

· Consulting would include ability to provide system, process, configuration, and scheduling expertise relating to Microsoft’s project web app enterprise project management system. Consulting skill requires in depth knowledge of how the enterprise system works, may be configured, how it interfaces to other systems to share and update data, how reports are generated through Power BI interfaces, how advanced enterprise project scheduling and resource management is accomplished, and other finer points of making the system reach its full potential as an enterprise management tool. Winning bidders must not only possess the knowledge capability, but also the technical skills required to modify or enhance the state’s project online system.

Microsoft Project Online System Consultant Experience:

· Requires a minimum of four years of current and progressive experience implementing and managing enterprise Microsoft Project Online systems

· Progressive and demonstrated experience utilizing Microsoft Project client software, and Project Online system, including advanced scheduling functions (e.g., cost types, resource balancing, budgeting, variance, earned value, critical path analysis)

· Progressive and demonstrated experience utilizing Microsoft Project Online system, including system configuration and implementation (e.g., development of custom fields, project detail pages, building resource hierarchies, maximizing resource forecasting capabilities, building portfolio management and project prioritization capability, utilizing APIs to connect to other systems such as Power BI and Azure DevOps)

· Must be experienced utilizing these capabilities across multiple units or divisions across an enterprise installation image1.png