ESBD_507061_1777992134447_717-26-745 Addendum 2 Questions and Answers.pdf

Procurement Services - Purchasing

Addendum 2

Questions & Answers

RFO # 717-26-745

Online Course & CHW Program Design

1. How many courses are currently included in the overall program portfolio?

Answer: @600

2. What is the typical structure of a single course (e.g., number of modules, weeks, or units)?

Answer: 16 weeks and 18 weeks

3. How many courses are anticipated to be delivered in a hybrid format versus fully online?

Answer: TBD

4. What are the expected student learning hours for each course?

Answer: Standard 3 credit hours; some may be 1 or 2 credits (lab courses etc.)

5. Are the courses accredited, and if so, by which accrediting body or framework?

Answer: The institution is SACSCOC-accredited

6. What are the licensing requirements associated with the Community Health Worker (CHW) program?

Answer: None

7. To what extent does existing content (e.g., video and PowerPoint materials) already exist?

Specifically, will the scope primarily involve re-editing and restructuring existing materials, or will new content development also be required?

Answer: Content exists for established courses, but new content development to enhance courses is expected.

8. My first question is the due date of 5/3 at 1pm is a Sunday. Is that the correct date?

Answer: The submission date is Thursday, May 5, 2026 @ 1:00 pm.

9. Can you provide more clarification on the expectations for the Licensed/accelerated solutions you are looking for as part of this RFP.

Answer: This part is exploratory – based on what the vendor may offer.

10. How many courses are part of the program and the length of the courses?

Answer: Varies by program. For CHW @10 courses.

11. What is the set up and expectation for the hybrid courses---would they be similar to the online versions in regards to length but just adapted to the hybrid environment?

Answer: Yes, correct.

12. What is the expectation for interactives/videos etc---how many or how much of the course are you looking to include these types of things?

Answer: A balance that supports student engagement and motivation in the courses.

13. Will TSU provide SMEs for each course or will the vendor need to provide them?

Answer: Yes, we will provide SMEs but in instances where faculty are not available, the vendor would provide.

14. The interactive ebooks--does TSU have a 3rd party integration in Canvas to create these or what is your expectation for how these are created? Or are you referring to publisher ebooks?

Answer: Publisher eBooks and their related online content.

15. Does your instance of Canvas---does it utilize Citi-labs?

Answer: Not currently

16. Pricing--how do you want it structured? By course, by hour, by role?

Answer: A breakdown by course, hour and role is fine.

17. Please clarify whether MWBE/SDVOB certification must be with the State of Texas specifically, or if equivalent certifications from other jurisdictions are acceptable. Is subcontracting with certified MWBE/SDVOB partners mandatory, or is participation encouraged but not compulsory?

Answer: MWBE/SDVOB/VetHUB certifications with the State of Texas are preferred.

18. Course Volume: The RFO does not specify the total number of courses or modules to be developed under this engagement. Could TSU confirm: (a) the total number of online/hybrid courses expected; (b) the average number of modules per course; and (c) the approximate total instructional hours or seat time targeted?

Answer: This project will occur in phases of about 20 courses each cycle. Standard 16 and 8 week 3 credit hour courses.

19. CHW Program Scale: For the custom CHW program, could TSU confirm the total number of courses or modules, the approximate instructional duration, and the number of learner enrolments anticipated in the first program cohort?

Answer: TBD

20. Source Materials: When does TSU anticipate providing the complete set of source materials

(PPTs, videos, reference documents) to the selected vendor? Are all materials currently available and ready for handover, or will they be provided in phases during development?

Answer: They will be provided as courses are developed where applicable, but some are expected to be developed in whole.

21. CHW Accreditation Constraints: The RFO notes that certain CHW source materials must remain unchanged due to accreditation requirements. Could TSU indicate the approximate proportion of CHW content that is fixed (non-editable) versus content where instructional design and restructuring is permitted?

Answer: We do not have a fixed percentage ratio for this.

22. Revision Rounds: What is the expected number of review and revision rounds per course or module? Will TSU designate named SME reviewers and faculty reviewers, and can TSU confirm expected turnaround time for review feedback (e.g., 5 business days)?

Answer: This is expected to be a collaborative process from beginning development to delivery.

23. Canvas Environment: Will the selected vendor be given direct build access to TSU's Canvas production or staging environment, or will course shells be set up by TSU IT and handed over? Are there any institutional Canvas templates, approved third-party LTI tools, or content standards the vendor must conform to?

Answer: The Canvas platform will be available to the vendor and yes, we have an institutional template and various approved third party LTI tools.

24. CPACC Certification: The RFO requires a CPACC-certified Accessibility Specialist. Is this a mandatory qualification that must be demonstrated at proposal stage (with named resource), or is it sufficient to confirm the resource will be assigned upon award?

Answer: We’d like it to be demonstrated during the proposal stage if possible.

25. Quality Matters Certification: The RFO specifies QM-certified instructional designers. Is

QM certification mandatory for all instructional designers on the project, or for the lead designer only? Is a QM Subscriber organization affiliation acceptable in lieu of individual certification?

Answer: QM certified design is the preferred standard.

26. Structure: Should pricing be submitted as a fixed fee per course/module, a total programme lump sum, or on a time-and-materials basis? Are there preferred line-item categories TSU expects to see in the pricing table?

Answer: Please see Addendum 1 Pricing Sheet.

27. Off-the-Shelf CHW: Is TSU intending to evaluate the custom-build CHW and the off-the-shelf CHW option as separate line items within a single proposal, or will vendors be required to submit separate proposals for each option? If both are evaluated, will they be scored independently?

Answer: A proposal for each option is helpful. They will be scored as a part of the full proposal.

28. Commencement: The RFO requests the number of calendar days from contract execution to service commencement. Is there a preferred or expected start date TSU is targeting for this engagement, and does TSU have a hard programme launch deadline (e.g., a specific academic term) that drives the delivery timeline?

Answer: The start date will be soon after an agreement is finalized.

29. Business Registration & Tax Compliance

For bidders incorporated outside Texas, is registration with the Texas Comptroller for franchise tax compliance required prior to bid submission, or can this be completed post-award?

Answer: This is required. Completion must be done prior to submission

30. Texas Identification Number System (TINS)

The RFP requires bidders to provide a TINS number. Please confirm whether foreign corporations registered in Delaware with a Texas branch office may apply for a TINS post-award, or if this must be obtained prior to bid submission.

Answer: Yes, also all companies must adhere to the Executive Order GA-48. All respondents must complete, sign and attach the form located at the end of the Question and

Anwer Section. The Respondent must complete the following certification. Failure to complete this section may result in disqualification.

31. Do you have a pricing sheet we can use so we all submit pricing the same manner?

Answer: Please see Addendum 1 Pricing Sheet.

32. Subcontractor

Please clarify whether services under this RFP are expected to be delivered onsite at TSU campuses, or whether remote delivery is acceptable. Please confirm whether TSU accepts subcontractor/1099 models if all workers are remote?

Answer: Yes.

33. Insurance Carrier Licensing

[A] The Terms and Conditions require compliance with Texas law and indemnification provisions. Will TSU accept insurance certificates issued by carriers domiciled outside

Texas but admitted nationally or must all insurers be specifically licensed in Texas? If certain coverages are placed with surplus lines carriers, will TSU consider written approval requests at contracting stage, or is this a pre-bid disqualifier?

Answer: Yes.

[B] The RFP is silent on the Insurance Coverage expectations? Is there a possibility to negotiate mutually?

Answer: Yes.

*Please sign this Addendum and include it in your response. Your signature will signify your acknowledgement / receipt of this addendum.

Signature https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-48_Hardening_State_Government_FINAL_11-19-2024.pdf

EXECUTIVE ORDER GA-48 COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

(HIGHER EDUCATION)

Pursuant to Executive Order GA-48 issued by Greg Abbott, Respondent affirms its understanding of and commitment to comply with all applicable requirements related to foreign adversary restrictions as they apply to public institutions of higher education.

Respondent certifies that it is not owned by, controlled by, or affiliated with any entity identified as a foreign adversary and does not participate in prohibited foreign talent recruitment programs or restricted research collaborations. Respondent further certifies that it does not receive funding, contractual support, or other resources from prohibited foreign sources that would conflict with the requirements of this Executive Order.

In support of institutional research security and academic integrity, Respondent agrees to fully disclose any foreign affiliations, partnerships, funding sources, or collaborative arrangements that may involve foreign entities. This includes, but is not limited to, research sponsorships, joint academic programs, data-sharing agreements, and subcontracting relationships.

Respondent acknowledges that any resulting agreement may be subject to enhanced compliance measures, including review of research activities, data access limitations, export control considerations, and restrictions on the use of certain technologies, equipment, or personnel connected to foreign adversaries.

Respondent further agrees to comply with all institutional policies related to international travel, remote work conducted outside the United States, and access to university systems or sensitive data, where applicable to the services provided.

Failure to comply with the provisions of Executive Order GA-48 and applicable institutional policies may result in disqualification from the solicitation process, contract termination, and/or other remedies available under law.

Vendor Certification – Executive Order GA-48 Compliance

The Respondent must complete the following certification. Failure to complete this section may result in disqualification.

☐ Certified Compliant

Respondent affirms that it is fully compliant with the requirements of Executive Order GA-48 and has no prohibited affiliations, funding sources, or engagements.

☐ Disclosure Required

Respondent affirms compliance but has disclosed below any affiliations, funding sources, partnerships, or activities that may require review under GA-48.

☐ Non-Compliant

Respondent is unable to certify compliance with Executive Order GA-48.

If “Disclosure Required” is selected, provide details below (attach additional pages if necessary):

Authorized Representative Name: __________________________________________

Title: _________________________________________________________________

Company Name: __________________________________________________________

Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ____________