RFP_33201-04526_Amendment%20_1.pdf

This Amendment #1 document updates the Request for Proposals #33201-04526 issued by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for an Articulation and Transfer Statewide System. The RFP seeks a comprehensive online platform to design, develop, implement, and maintain a statewide system that evaluates and translates prior learning into academic credit across Tennessee's public colleges and universities. The system must encompass credit by examination, prior learning assessment, military training recognition, reverse transfer, and degree audits while providing accessible information to students regarding credit eligibility. The amendment establishes a revised schedule of events with key deadlines including a Notice of Intent to Respond deadline of March 27, 2026, a Written Questions and Comments deadline of April 3, 2026, and a proposal response deadline of May 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. central time. Product demonstrations are scheduled for May 18-20, 2026, with state completion of technical evaluations by May 11, 2026. The State Notice of Intent to Award is expected May 29, 2026, followed by a protest period ending June 5, 2026, and contract signature deadline of June 11, 2026. The contract term is established for five years (60 months) with ongoing maintenance and support obligations.

The RFP evaluation criteria allocate 10 points maximum for general qualifications and experience, 70 points maximum for technical qualifications and approach, 10 points maximum for product demonstrations, and 10 points maximum for cost proposals. Cost proposals must include separate line items for implementation, training, annual hosting, annual licensing, annual maintenance, and annual client support services. No specific budget range or contract award value is disclosed in the amendment. The RFP contains no set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise requirements, or restrictions limiting eligible respondent types, and no incumbent vendors are identified. The state retains the right to terminate the contract for convenience with 30 days' notice and will not reimburse travel expenses or proposal preparation costs. The contractor must provide a warranty period equal to or greater than the contract duration and maintain cyber liability insurance of $3 million per occurrence and $5 million annual aggregate.