OSBE - Canvas 9-15-2026.pdf
PDF 395 KB Posted
- Attached to
- EFC - CANVAS LMS licenses
- Solicitation number
- 1441
- Issued by
- Idaho
About this file
This is an exemption from competition request submitted by the Office of the State Board of Education (OSBE) to Idaho's Department of Administration Purchasing (DOP) for Canvas learning management system (LMS) licenses. The request seeks approval to procure Canvas LMS licenses for all public higher education institutions in Idaho without conducting a competitive bidding process. The exemption request indicates that if approved by the DOP Administrator, the agency may proceed with limited or no competitive procurement. The document is dated September 15, 2026, and serves as the formal request supporting the exemption claim. Public notice of this exemption request has been provided through Idaho's procurement system (IPRO), with suppliers and interested parties given the opportunity to submit information supporting or contradicting the claim that competition would be impractical, unreasonable, or disadvantageous to the State. All submissions from suppliers must be completed prior to the closing date specified in IPRO or submitted via email to purchasing@adm.idaho.gov.
The exemption request represents OSBE's assertion that procuring Canvas LMS licenses through the standard competitive process would not be practical or beneficial for Idaho's public higher education system. The decision to grant or deny the exemption remains entirely discretionary with the DOP Administrator, and suppliers have no right to appeal the final determination. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide relevant information regarding the claimed benefits of single-source procurement with Canvas, the necessity of the system for institutional operations, any existing contractual relationships, or other factors that may inform the Administrator's decision. No specific pricing, funding sources, contract term, or renewal options are detailed in this exemption request document.
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Text version
Request Form to Division of Purchasing (DOP)
Exemption from Competition - EFC
If you have any questions please contact us at DOPHelpDesk@adm.idaho.gov
Form ID 23616
Generated after Receipt by DOP
Year
Requestor Information
Agency Name* Idaho State Board of Education
Agency Acronym*
OSBE
Requestor Name* Scott Greco
Phone* 208-332-1577
E-mail* sgreco@edu.idaho.gov
Property Being Purchased:* Canvas learning management system licenses for all public higher education institutions in Idaho.
This field has a 300 character limit
Type of Exemption Check all that apply
Type of Exemption*
A solicitation has been completed and my Agency wishes to award contracts to multiple vendors for the same or smilar property (Multiple Award Authorization)
My Agency wishes to administer or award a solicitation at a dollar amount above its normal Delegated Purchasing Authority (Limited/One-Time DPA)
The property required is available on one or more open contracts, but my Agency wishes to purchase from a different vendor. (Note: if total value is over $10,000, Agency must also check the box for exemption from competition if requesting to pruchase from a specific vendor). (Utilization of Open Contract).
A solicitation is being developed (by my Agency under its DPA or in conjunction with DOP) and my Agency wishes to limit responses to a specific manufacturer/brand name (I.e. no substitutions). (Note: this option assumes that multiple vendors can offer the identified brand name; otherwise, select the option for exemption from competition to request a Sole Source Authorization (Brand Name Only)
A solicitation has been completed and there is a need to negotiate with one or more vendors. (Authorization to Negotiate)
My Agency is seeking to purchase directly from an identified vendor without completing a solicitation OR wishes to perform a level of competition that is less formal than would typically be required. (Various exemptions-additional questions to follow) mailto:sgreco@edu.idaho.gov
Additional Questions*
There is an immediate threat to public health, safety, or welfare (Emergency Purchase Authorization)
The required property can only be procured from a single supplier (sole manufacturer and distributor) (Sole Source Authorization)
There is an existing Policy Directive on the DOP website which requires authorization to be utilized (Utilization of Policy Directive)
It would be impractical, unreasonable, or disadvantageous to complete the required competitive process under the circumstances (Exemption from Competition)
Exemption from Competition
IDAPA 38.05.01.042.05 provides that the administrator may exempt an acquisition from competitive procurement if the administrator determines that bidding is impractical, disadvantageous or unreasonable under the circumstances. Examples include, but are not limited to:
special market conditions; property requiring special contracting procedures due to uniqueness; and services for which competitive solicitation procedures are impractical.
Proposed Supplier* Enter Unknown if supplier is not known
Instructure (Canvas learning management system)
Duration*
One-Time purchase Ongoing
Anticipated Total Cost* $7,066,058.84
Background* Describe the circumstances
Instructure develops, maintains, and distributes the Canvas learning management system (LMS). In 2020, the Office of the State Board of Education received an exemption from competition to establish a statewide contract with Instructure to support implementation of Canvas at Idaho's eight public higher education institutions. That implementation is complete, and all partners involved want to continue with this tool.
This field has a 500 character limit
Justification* Why would the competition be impractical, unreasonable, or disadvantageous under the circumstances?
Competition is impractical, unreasonable, and disadvantageous for a couple of reasons. First, it has taken nearly five years for all eight higher education institutions to implement Canvas as the statewide learning management system (LMS). It would be incredibly expensive to transition to a new LMS at each campus, and it would be highly disruptive to operations on each of our campuses to force this type of transition. Secondly, we have reached out to our vendors on state contract, and none were able to provide a competitive alternative.
Description* Describe the extent to which competition is possible
Instructure (Canvas LMS) is the unrivaled market leader in the learning management system space, serving over 30 million active users and controlling more market share than its next three closest competitors combined. Blackboard Learn (17%), Moodle (16%), D2L Brightspace (16%), and others (5% combined) make up the list of competitors. None of these alternatives currently present a viable alternative for the State of Idaho given the systemwide adoption of the tool, the transition costs, and the inferiority of the offerings compared to Canvas.
Agency Certification*
The information provided above is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge,and supports the need for a direct procurement of the described goods or services, in the best interest of the State.
File Upload
Idaho State Board of Education - 2026 Renewal Prorated Q-608307-.pdf 220.71KB
Maximum File Size 250 MB
Agency Representative* Date of Submittal* 2026-09-11 https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/38/380501.pdf
Approval - EFC
Administrator Intends to approve (pending legal notice).*
Yes No
Optional Posting?* This exemption will be sent for posting before final approval.
Yes No
Notes Public View
On going licensing support and maintenance of Canvas Learning Management System.
This field has a 300 character limit
File Upload
Maximum File Size 250 MB
Date Time* 2026-09-11
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .