RFP_33201-04526_Amendment%20_1.pdf

This is Amendment #1 to RFP #33201-04526 issued by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for the design, development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of a comprehensive Articulation and Transfer Statewide System. The amendment updates the RFP schedule of events with revised dates for critical milestones. The proposal response deadline is May 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. central time, with written questions and comments due by April 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The disability accommodation request deadline is March 25, 2026, and the notice of intent to respond deadline is March 27, 2026. Product demonstrations are scheduled for May 18-20, 2026. The state will complete technical response evaluations by May 11, 2026, open and score cost proposals on May 21, 2026, and conduct optional negotiations on May 26-28, 2026. The Notice of Intent to Award will be released on May 29, 2026, with a protest period ending on June 5, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. The contractor signature deadline is June 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The contract term is five years (60 months), and the system must include a warranty period equal to or greater than the contract duration.

The amendment specifies that all revisions are effective upon release, and all other terms and conditions of the original RFP remain in full force and effect. The RFP evaluation criteria include general qualifications and experience (10 points maximum), technical qualifications, experience and approach (70 points maximum), product demonstrations (10 points maximum), and cost proposal (10 points maximum). The cost proposal must include separate line items for implementation, training, annual hosting, annual licensing, annual system maintenance, and annual client support services. The state will not reimburse travel expenses or proposal preparation costs, and the contract is subject to funds availability with the state retaining the right to terminate for convenience with 30 days' notice. The contractor must maintain cyber liability insurance of $3 million per occurrence and $5 million annual aggregate, and no specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the RFP documentation.