Paramount+Contract+Summary+195.docx

ND STATE CONTRACT INFORMATION

CONTRACT INTRODUCTION

The contract is for Blockchain, Identity Management, and Digital Credential services for both project-based and staff-augmentation work. The contract includes consulting only and consulting + technology solution categories.

Multiple vendors have been awarded contracts in each of the categories. State agencies may use the template statement of work to obtain IT professional services through this contract. Below are the vendors awarded in each of the categories.

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.

FULL COMPETITION is required for any technology solution categories and may be required for consulting only - see SOW details below about the competition requirements for each area.

State Agency/Boards/Commissions - 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.

Due to the nature of this technology, the Information Technology Department (ITD or NDIT) is required to sign all SOWs.

Category Definitions

a. Blockchain – a record of transactions made in bitcoin or another cryptocurrency are maintained across several computers that are linked in a peer-to-peer network

b. Identity Management (Microsoft Azure, Identity Proofing, Self-Sovereign Identity) - this area will help the STATE modernize our citizen facing identity management experience. This category includes self-sovereign identities as a means of having trusted interactions with the State.

c. Digital Credentials - architecture and data standards for issuing micro-credentials and digital badges. ND is committed to an open standards-based, interoperable teaching and learning technology ecosystem and where applicable certified by organizations such as IMS Global.

Contract Information IT Review Any purchases made under this contract need 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.

The contracts offer very similar terms and conditions. Before entering into a SOW, review the contract, in particular the Warranty offering as that varied slightly between vendors.

COOPERATIVE PURCHASE

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 and nonprofit organizations established on behalf of public entities may purchase commodities and services under this contract.

CONTRACTOR INFORMATION

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

SCOPE OF WORK (SOW)

Use the Scope of Work file (separate document) to make requests of vendors

1. Instructions

1. Consulting Services Only The SOW will specify the number of hours (Time and Materials) or may stipulate a project to be completed at a fixed cost (Fixed Bid). The SOW request will describe the work to be done, the numbers of personnel by skill set and job class, and project begin/end dates (including deliverable due dates where applicable). CONTRACTORs who are asked to respond to a SOW must be priced at, or below, the rates proposed and contractually obligated. The STATE may request the CONTRACTOR negotiate pricing below the contractually obligated rate. Agencies may require interviews with proposed staff prior to accepting the CONTRACTOR staff.

Projects estimated at less than $250,000:

i. Direct Assignment. An agency may issue a SOW directly to any of the awarded CONTRACTORs in the appropriate pool category.

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

Projects estimated at $250,000 or more:

i. Direct Assignment - An agency may issue a SOW directly to an awarded CONTRACTOR if prior approval is granted by the contract administrator.

ii. Competitive - An agency must issue a SOW to all of the awarded CONTRACTORs in the respective category. The agency will select the CONTRACTOR project proposal that best meets the SOW requirements and selection criteria stated in the SOW.

1. Consulting Services & Associated Technology Solution Regardless of the estimated cost, an agency is required to issue a SOW to all of the awarded CONTRACTORs in the respective category. The SOW will specify the consulting service, type of solution its seeking, and project begin/end dates (including deliverable due dates where applicable). CONTRACTORs will reply with a SOW response from a technical and cost perspective. A component of the total cost will likely include consulting services. Rates for these services must be proposed at, or below, the rates contractually obligated. The STATE may request the CONTRACTOR negotiate pricing below the contractually obligated rate. Agencies may require demos and/or interviews with proposed staff. The agency will select the CONTRACTOR project proposal that best meets the SOW requirements and selection criteria stated in the SOW.

1. Submission of SOW response Each SOW request will specify a proposal due date for the CONTRACTOR to respond to the STATE’S request. The CONTRACTOR must respond to the agency that issued the SOW request, either by supplying the requested information or denying its ability to provide the services in the required project time frame. During this response period, if necessary, the CONTRACTOR may seek clarifications of the work involved.

If the CONTRACTOR is unable to provide the services requested, it must state the reason in the appropriate section on the SOW, sign and return the form to the requesting agency by the proposal due date.

1. Change orders A change order process will be used to manage issues and changes during the life of a SOW. A change request must be in writing to document the potential change. The change will be reviewed and, if acceptable to the STATE, the CONTRACTOR will submit an estimate of the charges and the anticipated changes in the delivery schedule that will result from the proposed change in the SOW. A change order must be approved and signed by both parties prior to implementation of the change.

Due to the large number of awards and various roles/skills offered by vendors, we are showing the average cost for each category award by vendor. You can view the detailed pricing by accessing each vendors contract.

Contract amendments are available from the contract administrator.

BLOCKCHAIN

CATEGORY 1: CONSULTING SERVICES ONLY

CATEGORY 2: CONSULTING & ASSOCIATED TECH SOLUTION

Identity Management Identity Proofing

CATEGORY 1: CONSULTING SERVICES ONLY

Identity Management Self Sovereign Identity

CATEGORY 1: CONSULTING SERVICES ONLY

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