RFP_33201-04526_Amendment%20_1.pdf

This is an amendment to a Request for Proposals issued by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of a comprehensive Articulation and Transfer Statewide System. The system will evaluate and translate prior learning into academic credit, including credit by examination, prior learning assessment, military training recognition, reverse transfer, and degree audits, while providing accessible information to current and prospective students regarding credit eligibility across Tennessee's public colleges and universities. The RFP was issued on March 20, 2026, with a response deadline of May 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. central time. Written questions and comments must be submitted by April 3, 2026, with state responses provided by April 17, 2026. Product demonstrations are scheduled for May 18-20, 2026, followed by state completion of technical evaluations by May 11, 2026, and cost proposal opening and scoring on May 21, 2026. Optional negotiations are scheduled for May 26-28, 2026, with a Notice of Intent to Award expected on May 29, 2026. The protest period ends on June 5, 2026, and the contractor signature deadline is June 11, 2026. The contract term is five years (60 months) with a warranty period equal to or greater than the contract duration.

The cost proposal must include separate line items for implementation, training, annual hosting, annual licensing, annual system maintenance, and annual client support services. Evaluation criteria allocate 10 points for general qualifications and experience, 70 points for technical qualifications and approach, 10 points for product demonstrations, and 10 points for cost proposals. The RFP does not specify set-aside designations, incumbent vendors, or a specific budget range. The state will not reimburse travel expenses or proposal preparation costs and retains the right to terminate the contract for convenience with 30 days' notice. The contractor must maintain cyber liability insurance of $3 million per occurrence and $5 million annual aggregate and provide ongoing maintenance, updates, bug fixes, training materials, and technical support with a dedicated account manager or helpdesk system.