DPC-2353481131-MT - Request for Information.pdf

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NO. DPC-2353481119-MT

Department of Administration Division of Purchase and Contract

Due Date: August 27, 2026

Refer ALL Inquiries regarding this RFI to:

Melinda Tomlinson Melinda.tomlinson@doa.nc.gov

Commodity No. and Description: 801600 – Business administration services

Issue Date: August 13, 2026

RFI SUBMITTAL: Vendor’s response to this RFI must be submitted through the Sourcing Tool. For training on how to use the Sourcing Tool, Vendors should visit the following site: https://eprocurement.nc.gov/training/vendor-training.

Questions or issues related to using the Sourcing Tool itself can be directed to the North Carolina eProcurement Help Desk at 888-211-7440, Option 2. Help Desk representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.

NOTICE TO VENDOR

Request for Information (RFI) will be received at this office until 2:00 PM EST on the day of opening.

QUESTIONS

Submit written questions to Melinda Tomlinson by August 20, 2026. Questions may be submitted by e-mail to Melinda.tomlinson@doa.nc.gov. Please insert “RFI No. DPC-2353481119-MT- Questions” in the Subject Line of your e-mail. A summary of all questions and answers will be posted to the electronic Vendor Portal (eVP), https://evp.nc.gov), as an addendum to this RFI on or about August 25, 2026.

EXECUTION

VENDOR NAME: E-MAIL:

STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:

CITY & STATE: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TOLL FREE TEL. NO:

TYPE OR PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING: FAX NUMBER:

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:

DATE:

mailto:Melinda.tomlinson@doa.nc.gov https://eprocurement.nc.gov/training/vendor-training https://eprocurement.nc.gov/training/vendor-training https://evp.nc.gov/

RFI – #DPC-2353481119-MT

1.0 OBJECTIVE & PURPOSE

The intent of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather information for a possible future solicitation, which may result in a contract for the North Carolina State Government.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION (DEPARTMENT) MAKES NO COMMITMENT TO ACQUIRE ANY SERVICES UNDER THIS RFI. DEPARTMENT WILL NOT PAY FOR INFORMATION RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO THE RFI. THE VENDOR SOLELY BEARS ANY COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF A RESPONSE.

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. Responses to the RFI will not be returned, nor will the Department confirm receipt of the RFI response. Whatever information is provided in response to this RFI will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for determining how to proceed in the acquisition process. Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Department to form a binding contract.

All interested vendors are requested to provide a written response to the questions below. A response to this RFI is necessary to assist the Department in determining the potential levels of interest, adequate competition, market maturity, and service capabilities within the business community.

The Department requests detailed vendor specific and industry standard information on how your firm would address the items in the following sections of this RFI.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

The State of North Carolina, through the Department of Administration’s Division of Purchase and Contract, is conducting this RFI as market research to determine variables to consider for a Business Consulting Service

Solution, as defined herein.

Based on the responses to this RFI, Department may further solicit for the requirements that most meet its needs regarding cost, performance, delivery method, growth potential, scalability and least disruptive to operations.

3.0 BACKGROUND & CURRENT STATUS

The Division of Purchase and Contract (P&C) is currently assessing the potential need for establishing a Statewide Term Contract for Business Consulting Services to support agencies in strategic planning, operational improvement, organizational development, financial and economic analysis, and related advisory functions. Initial market reviews and early feedback from state entities indicate recurring demand for consulting expertise and gaps in consistency, access, and efficiency across agencies.

To ensure any future solicitation is aligned with industry capabilities and reflects the most effective service models, the Division of Purchase and Contract is requesting information from potential suppliers regarding available service offerings, market best practices, pricing and delivery considerations. Vendor input will help P&C evaluate options, understand market maturity, and determine the most appropriate path forward in the sourcing process.

4.0 RFI PROCEDURES

P&C recognizes that considerable effort may be required in preparing a response to this RFI. However, respondents are advised that this is a request for information only, and not a request for services. Respondents shall bear all costs for preparing their RFI response. Respondents to this RFI are asked to be thorough and concise.

Entities who submit documentation in response to this RFI may be invited to present their ideas. An in-person presentation by an entity that submits documentation or participates in discussion or demonstrations in response to this RFI will not serve as a basis for precluding that entity from responding to any future solicitation regarding handling and disposition services.

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All responses, inquiries, or correspondence relating to or in reference to this RFI, and all documentation submitted by the various respondents shall become the property of the Department when received. The responses to this RFI, any follow-up questions and presentations may be used to develop any future solicitation.

5.0 SCHEDULE

Respondents will have two (2) weeks to prepare their submissions to this RFI. Responses must be received by the date and time specified in this RFI. Respondents may also be invited to present and discuss their solutions. This could be virtually or in person. Respondents will be notified of the specific date and time at least two (2) weeks in advance of their presentation.

6.0 CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS

Clarification questions regarding this RFI will be accepted until the specified time on the cover sheet of this RFI.

All questions must be submitted in writing to the email address specified on the cover sheet of this RFI. An addendum containing clarification questions and their answers may be issued as an addendum to this RFI, through eVP.

7.0 RESPONSE

P&C is not interested in brochures or “boilerplate” responses. Instead, responses should clearly define how the Vendor’s proposed solution(s) would meet the Department’s business requirements. Any issues or exceptions to the requirements herein should also be identified and explained in detail. The Vendor shall provide the following in their response:

A. Transmittal Letter

The transmittal letter should be in the form of a standard business letter and should be signed by a respondent-authorized individual. It should note the following:

i. A statement that deviations are included, if applicable.

ii. A statement that proprietary information is included, if applicable.

B. General Information

Respondent information:

i. Name of Company

ii. Contact Person

iii. Address, Telephone Number, Email Address

iv. Brief history of company

C. Content

Is your firm interested in a potential partnership with the State of North Carolina to provide Business Consulting Services?

Interested firms should submit a response to this RFI together with:

• Marketing materials including information on your firm

• Detailed description of the product(s), services and capabilities available to the Department

• Representative cost estimates

• Recommended implementation strategy

• Timeline estimates

• References from current clients who received the same services as described in the RFI response

The response should define all services that will be required by the proposed solution. The response should also include:

RFI – #DPC-2353481119-MT

• The vendor’s understanding of the project and services by addressing the business requirements described herein;

• An estimated total cost of ownership for the solution including continued compliance with emerging industry standards.

D. Cost and Schedule Estimates

These cost estimates are not formal quotes and have no bearing on any future solicitation for solutions. This information is for research and planning purposes only.

i. Cost Estimates for initial solution implementation to include hardware, software and services.

ii. Cost Estimate for total cost of ownership

iii. Define any limitations to cost estimates

iv. Describe DEPARTMENT resources required to implement and support solution

v. Describe all related charges or fees, for a solution proposed.

E. Multiple Responses

Multiple responses will be accepted from a single vendor provided that each response is comprehensive, meets all of the state’s requirements, and is truly unique. Please submit responses separately and clearly indicate responses as “Vendor Name_Response #1, Vendor Name_Response #2, etc.

8.0 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

In accordance with 09 NCAC 06B.0103 the State may maintain confidentiality of certain types of information described in N.C. Gen. Stat. 132-1 et. seq. Such information may include trades secrets defined by N.C. Gen. Stat.

132-1.2. Respondents may designate appropriate portions of its response confidential, consistent with and to the extent permitted under the Rules and Statutes set forth above, by marking the pages containing confidential information with boldface type at the top and bottom of each such page stating “CONFIDENTIAL.” By so marking any page, the Respondent warrants that is has formed a good faith opinion, having received such necessary or proper review by counsel and other knowledgeable advisers that the portions marked confidential meet the requirements of the Rules and Statutes set forth above. The State may serve as custodian of Respondent’s confidential information and not as an arbiter of claims against Respondent’s assertion of confidentiality. If an action is brought pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 132-9 to compel the State to disclose information marked confidential, the Respondent agrees that it will intervene in the action through its counsel and participate in defending the State, including any public official(s) or public employee(s). The Respondent agrees that it shall hold the State and any official(s) and individual(s) harmless from any and all damages, costs, and attorney’s fees awarded against the State or official or individual in the action. The State agrees to promptly notify the Respondent in writing of any action seeking to compel disclosure of Respondent’s confidential information. The State shall have the right, at its option and expense, to participate in the defense of the action through its counsel. The State shall have no liability to Respondent with respect to the disclosure of Respondent’s confidential information ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 132-9 or other applicable law.

All information received in response to the RFI that is marked Confidential will be handled accordingly. The Department shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information submitted and not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable state regulations.