71-Q2026-01 Questions and Answers.docx

Questions and Answers

RFP# 71-Q2026-01

1. Would you consider a bid that addresses points 1-3 in section 5.2, not 4 & 5?

Vendors are expected to respond to all requirements outlined in Section 5.2 of the RFP. Proposals that do not address all required elements may be deemed non‑responsive.

1. Would you consider awarding to multiple vendors under this RFP?

The University intends to make a single award under this RFP. However, the University reserves the right to take any action permitted under state procurement rules, including making multiple awards, if it is determined to be in the best interest of the University.

1. Would you please provide more details on the student support services required?

Student support services are expected to include front‑end engagement and inquiry support for prospective students related to admissions awareness, application processes, and enrollment steps, as described in the RFP. These services are intended to supplement, not replace, existing institutional advising and student services functions. Vendors should propose support models consistent with the scope of services outlined in the RFP.

1. Would you please provide more details on the faculty support services required?

Faculty support services are expected to include communication, coordination, and information support related to enrollment marketing and student recruitment activities described in the RFP. These services are intended to support institutional goals and processes, not to replace faculty roles in curriculum, instruction, advising, or academic decision‑making. Vendors should propose faculty‑facing support that aligns with the scope of services outlined in the RFP.

1. What is the goal of this RFP? To hire an OPM that does marketing or to hire an enrollment marketing specialist?

The goal of this RFP is to engage a vendor to provide enrollment marketing and related support services aligned with the scope and requirements outlined in the RFP. The University is not seeking a full academic program management (OPM) partnership, but rather targeted services that support enrollment growth and student engagement.

1. Would you please provide more details on the requirements for support being 24x7, and provide the historical volume of inquiries during the hours outside of the 8 AM to 5 PM timeframe?

The 24x7 support requirement reflects the University’s expectation that prospective and current students may engage outside standard business hours. Vendors should propose support models that address this expectation. The University does not have historical inquiry volume data available for after‑hours activity and expects vendors to propose solutions based on their experience and best practices.

You may include an alternative proposal.

No, these are NC State Terms and Conditions. Please identify which terms and conditions you are referring to.

These are required NC Terms & Conditions. If there are certain items from the RFP that need to be discussed, it would be during the negotiation process.

At this time, the University is not able to provide specific target enrollment numbers by program. Enrollment planning is ongoing and will continue to be informed by institutional priorities, market considerations, and program capacity.

The MBA program is currently developing three certificates. Additional certificates may be considered in the future; however, the number and timing of any additional offerings have not yet been determined.

The University may consider expanding the MBA program beyond its current scope in the future. Any such expansion is still under review, and decisions regarding the number or type of additional programs or concentrations have not yet been finalized.

Yes. At this time, all existing graduate programs are expected to maintain their current admissions requirements and credit structures.

Currently, most graduate programs operate with six start dates per year. The MSA program is an exception, as it currently offers three start dates annually.

UNCP currently supports online graduate program recruitment and enrollment through a combination of centralized Graduate School oversight, program‑level faculty input, institutional marketing and communications resources, and support from an external vendor.

Graduate admissions decisions rest with the Dean of The Graduate School with input from academic programs. The Graduate School provides centralized processing, compliance oversight, and policy coordination, while programs contribute disciplinary expertise and admissions recommendations.

This mixed internal–external support model reflects UNCP’s current operational context and is provided for informational purposes only.

Enrollment goals may vary by program based on capacity, accreditation requirements, and market conditions. Vendors should propose scalable strategies aligned with sustainable growth rather than fixed numerical guarantees.

UNCP anticipates prioritizing established online graduate programs with demonstrated demand during the initial contract period. Specific program prioritization may evolve over time based on institutional needs, market analysis, and available capacity.

Historical enrollment data may be shared at a high level during later stages of the process or with a selected vendor, as appropriate. Detailed program‑level data is not included as part of the RFP documentation.

All RFP pages are required to be returned as part of the proposal. We prefer all pages to be in order for evaluating purposes.

HUB is part of the review process for NC Purchase &Contract

UNCP anticipates that the selected vendor will primarily provide market research, marketing, and recruitment support. Instructional design and course development remain institutional responsibilities unless otherwise specified in future agreements.

UNCP currently utilizes TargetX built on the Salesforce platform to support graduate admissions and recruitment activities. Additional details regarding system integrations or data exchange expectations can be discussed with the selected vendor during implementation planning.

Yes. UNCP generally prefers that prospective student data and communications be accessible to the institution and aligned with institutional systems. Expectations regarding data ownership, access, and integration will be clarified during contract negotiations.

UNCP maintains internal capacity for curriculum oversight, faculty development, and instructional design support. These capabilities vary by program and are coordinated through academic units and central academic affairs resources.

UNCP values high‑quality student support and is open to a range of service delivery models. Any AI‑supported services must be transparent, reliable, and aligned with institutional policies and student support expectations.

Yes, this is a summarized service agreement incorporating NC terms and conditions, UNCP IT services and systems terms as applicable and UNCP’s RFP document.

By the university, assuming you are speaking from who will manage the budget side of contract.

You may present this as an alternative for the committee to review.

Please use the RFP pricing table and provide yours as well for the committee to view.