Intent to Sole Source - DegreeSight.pdf

Intent to Sole Source GL-03282025 Page 1

INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

GL-03282025

Western Washington University (WWU) is considering awarding a Sole Source purchase to DegreeSight for Transfer Credit Assessment Portal (“INBOUND” module) and Degree Planning Portal (“INSIGHT” module).

DegreeSight is a self-service tool for transfer and dual-credit students that allows prospective and admitted students to upload or enter their transcripts/test scores and receive immediate information about how their credits will transfer. By integrating with our transfer course equivalency database and degree audit software, DegreeSight shows students what they have already completed toward degree requirements without waiting for a manual review of their transcripts by our transfer admissions advisor. Importantly, DegreeSight captures contact information for interested students, allowing us to follow up with them and add them to our inquiry communication flow.

Providing prospective students with detailed transfer credit and degree completion information in an easy self-service tool will generate more leads. Encouraging admitted students to access information about how their credits transfer and apply toward degree requirements much earlier than via current manual processes will lead to more students enrolling.

In accordance with RCW 39.26.010, WWU considers this purchase as a Sole Source as defined therein as:

“(23) "Sole source" means a contractor providing goods or services of such a unique nature or sole availability that the contractor is clearly and justifiably the only practicable source to provide the goods or services.”

The proposed software solution is only available from DegreeSight. Furthermore, the software solution is of a unique nature based on the following attributes:

1. DegreeSight is the only vendor to provide a transfer equivalency workflow for credential evaluations and transfer decisions that can be done before the time of admission while capturing student data for lead generation.

2. DegreeSight is the only vendor in higher education that works with and allows students to scan and upload unofficial transcripts into a transfer equivalency platform.

https://www.degreesight.com/ https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=39.26.010

Intent to Sole Source GL-03282025 Page 2

Capability Statements

Vendors who wish to be considered for this opportunity are required to provide capability statements detailing their ability to provide WWU with a similar transfer credit and degree planning software solution, including addressing the unique attributes stated above as associated with the considered solution from DegreeSight.

Capability statements to be considered as part of this Intent to Sole Source process must be received by April 18, 2025 at:

purchasing.department@wwu.edu

In the absence of any capability statements for competing software solutions received by the deadline, WWU intends to pursue negotiation and finalization of the associated contract with DegreeSight in an estimated amount of $218,500 over the initial five-year term. WWU will review all capability statements received by the deadline to validate or refute the proposed unique nature of this software solution and associated Sole Source designation.

On behalf of Western Washington University, we appreciate your insights into this proposed Sole Source and thank you in advance for any capability statements for solutions that you feel offer similar functionality as we confirm the Sole Source nature of this procurement.

Gage Loots, CPPO Chief Procurement Officer

Western Washington University mailto:purchasing.department@wwu.edu

INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE