MDSIS BPM042413 Vendor New Clarity question and anwser - 04252024.pdf

Wes Moore Governor

Aruna Miller Lt. Governor

Cassie Motz

Chair

Sanjay Rai, Ph.D.

Acting Secretary

MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION

6 N. Liberty Street • 10th Floor • Baltimore, MD 21201

T 410.767.3300 • 800.974.0203 • F 410.332.0270 • TTY for the Deaf 800.735.2258 www.mhec.maryland.gov

Questions & Answers #3

MDSIS additional vendor questions for clarity Solicitation No. BPM042413

The following questions and answers regarding the subject RFP were published to clarify the RFP’s requirements. The answer provided by MHEC are intended to provide better clarity of the RFP’s requirement and do not constitute an amendment. The question and answer period is completed.

Cloud question

154) We would like to confirm that Microsoft Azure cloud is supported in Maryland—we believe so, but would appreciate confirmation from

MHEC/DOIT.

DoIT does not have an Azure presence. DoIT currently uses AWS web services.

MBE question

155) Does the bidder need to be certified by state agencies or self-certified or if they are in the process of obtaining MBE can apply too?

As a prime contractor it is not a requirement to be certified as an MBE or VSBE. However, to reach the percentage of MBE participation as required in the RFP, the sub-contractor acquired by the prime contractor must be certified as an MBE or VSBE. All companies participating in the MDSIS RFP proposal must be in good standing with the State of Maryland.

Scholarship question

156) In the document it was mentioned that total number of applications received in 2023 is close to 250K, are these 1-1 applications or 1 to

One (1) to many, in which one applicant can apply for more than one scholarship or grant at the same time.

http://www.mhec.maryland.gov/

T 410.767.3300 • 800.974.0203 • F 410.332.0270 • TTY for the Deaf 800.735.2258 www.mhec.maryland.gov many like 1 student making 1 application or 1 student can apply for more than one scholarship or grant.

Eligible student question

157) Is there any count of number of eligible students (other than 55K mentioned) who are currently in the system (ie who are eligible to apply but never applied and could anytime in future) and how many students on an average per year is rolled into the system. This will help in sizing.

It is estimated that over 500,000 users could be using the system at the same time. The system needs to be scalable enough to accommodate additional users in the future.

Internal employee question

158) Do we have the count of number of internal state employees who will review these applications?

It is estimated that the number of internal MHEC employees that will require access to MDSIS is approximately 40.

Stakeholder question

159) Is it safe to assume that the number of stakeholders (legislators or officials) who wants to access the metrics and reports can be somewhere around 400?

It is estimated to be about 700 stakeholders who will need access to metrics and reports. The system needs to be scalable enough to accommodate additional users in the future.

Custom development question

T 410.767.3300 • 800.974.0203 • F 410.332.0270 • TTY for the Deaf 800.735.2258 www.mhec.maryland.gov

160) Give the timeline and scheduled deliverables, is it the state is looking for custom development with incremental implementation or complete COTS with no custom development but just only configuration tailored towards state’s requirements.

This is a COTS project with customization required as development and implementation is completed based on agreed upon deliverables and timeline.

COTS question

161) Question #9 and related answer in addendum #1, refers to COTS is a goal but not mandatory but 2.1.6 is contracting that it is COTS solution is solicitated. 2.1.5 and

2.1.6 is confusing. Can you please clarify further and how much customization on existing COTS product is allowed?

The State of Maryland is looking for a developed and functional COTS system that will also allow customization of features needed to make MDSIS functional. The need is for a COTS application that allows customization as needed by the state.

Migration question

162) Just to confirm, data migration is not part of the schedule listed and it will be covered post implementation. If so is there any definite timeline that the state is looking at or the vendor has to propose."

Data migration is part of MDSIS implementation and will be incorporated into the development and implementation schedule. This is not a separate task post implementation.

T 410.767.3300 • 800.974.0203 • F 410.332.0270 • TTY for the Deaf 800.735.2258 www.mhec.maryland.gov

Shirlita Lee – Procurement Officer