Technology Support RFP Fall 2026 - NEW UPDATED.pdf

Eastern Connecticut State University

Request for Proposal Number 2027-202 On-Call Technical and Administrative Consulting Support for Student Learning & Licensure

Overview of Services Required

Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU or the University) Education Department is seeking a qualified on-call consultant to provide technical and administrative consulting support for the Student Learning and Licensure (SLL) Watermark platform used by the Education Department. Services will be provided on an as-needed basis during the Fall 2026 semester, as requested and authorized by the University. The University anticipates requiring approximately 35 total hours of consulting services during the semester. The estimated hours are provided for proposal and planning purposes only and do not constitute a guarantee of any minimum number of hours.

Scope of On-Call Consulting Services

• Assist with template development for course activities in SLL Create and coordinate bulk uploads of clinical binders in Student Learning and Licensure, including supervisor and cooperating teacher assignments, access to evaluation materials, and registration links for candidates.

• Troubleshoot Student Learning and Licensure issues involving supervisors, cooperating teachers, candidates, and CARE applicants. Collaborate with the Office of Educational and Clinical Experiences (OECE), Education faculty, and the Dean’s Office to address access, assessment, reporting, and system-related needs.

• Collaborate with campus stakeholders, including Information Technology Services, the Registrar, and Admissions, regarding technological integration and use of the Student Learning and Licensure platform, and assist cooperating teachers and other clinical host teachers with technology-related issues.

• Create, update, and maintain clinical applications and certification materials, including the state-required Dyslexia module.

• Provide assistance with Title II annual reporting and other related data or reporting requests, as requested by the University.

The consultant shall perform services only when requested or authorized by the University’s designated representative and shall coordinate the timing and priority of assignments with the University.

Consultant Qualifications - Proposers should submit documentation demonstrating:

• Expertise and experience with the Student Learning and Licensure Watermark platform, including its use to support teacher education clinical experiences, program applications, and teacher candidate assessments.

• Experience supporting teacher certification application processes, Title II reporting, and troubleshooting technical and administrative issues associated with Student Learning and Licensure.

Ability to provide consulting services on an on-call, as-needed basis during the Fall 2026 semester.

Pricing Proposal

Proposers shall provide an hourly consulting rate and a not-to-exceed amount based upon approximately 35 estimated hours of consulting services. The hourly rate shall include all ordinary costs associated with providing the services unless otherwise specifically identified in the proposal and accepted by the University.

The University will pay only for services actually requested, performed, and accepted and does not guarantee that all estimated hours will be utilized. Services exceeding the established not-to-exceed amount require prior written authorization from the University.

Anticipated Service Period and Estimated Hours Fall 2026 semester; approximately 35 total consulting hours on an on-call, as-needed basis. The 35-hour estimate is not a guarantee of a minimum level of work.

Authority:

This RFP is issued by ECSU under the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §§ 4a-52a and 10a-151b.

Submission of Questions or Inquiries:

All questions, requests for clarification, and corrections will be distributed to all interested parties through the Eastern Bid Portal. Any addenda issued will be posted on the Bidding Portal. Proposers are responsible for monitoring the portal regularly and acknowledging receipt of all addenda. No phone or verbal questions will be entertained.

Submission of Proposals:

Due Date and Time:

• All proposals in response to this RFP are due no later than September 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Responses must include the proposer’s qualifications and experience as described above, the proposed hourly consulting rate, and the not-to-exceed amount based on approximately 35 estimated hours.

• Responses received after this date and time may not be considered.

Bid Submission Instructions:

• Bids must be submitted electronically through the University bid portal at https://www.easternct.edu/fiscal-affairs/purchase/bid-information.html.

https://easternct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities https://easternct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

• To maintain the integrity of the bidding process, any proposal not submitted electronically may be disqualified.

ECSU is not responsible for any technical issues that arise during the submission of proposals.

*If the University is closed or dismisses early due to inclement weather, this RFP will be due and opened at 2:00 p.m. on the next business day. Please visit the University website for current closing information.

Costs for Proposal Preparation:

Any costs incurred by Contractors in preparing or submitting a proposal or presentation shall be the Contractor's sole responsibility.

Disqualification of Proposals:

The University reserves the right to consider as acceptable only those proposals submitted in accordance with all requirements set forth in this RFP and which demonstrate an understanding of the scope of the work. Any proposal offering any other set of terms and conditions contradictory to those included in this RFP may be disqualified without further notice.

A Contractor shall be disqualified and the proposal automatically rejected for any one or more of the following reasons:

• The proposal shows any noncompliance with applicable law.

• The proposal is conditional, incomplete, or irregular in such a way as to make the proposal indefinite or ambiguous as to its meaning.

• The proposal has any provision reserving the right to accept or reject award, or to enter into a contract pursuant to an award, or provisions contrary to those required in the solicitation.

• The Contractor is debarred or suspended.

• The Contractor is in default of any prior contract or has made a material misrepresentation.

Addenda to this RFP:

The University may need to issue one or more addenda related to this RFP. Such addenda shall be added to the original RFP document and posted on the bidding portal. It shall be the responsibility of prospective contractors and other interested parties to familiarize themselves with the web site and visit it regularly during the RFP process for updated information or addenda related to this RFP.

Rights Reserved:

ECSU reserves the right to award in part, to reject any and all proposals, in whole or in part, and to waive technical defects, irregularities and omissions if, in its judgment, the best interest of ECSU will be served. Should ECSU determine that only one Respondent is fully qualified, or that one Respondent is more highly qualified than the others under consideration, a contract may be negotiated and awarded to that bidder. The awarded document shall be a contract incorporating by reference all requirements, terms and conditions of the solicitation and the awarded contractor's proposal as negotiated.

Award and Agreement:

Exhibit A is the agreement that the awarded consultant will be required to execute. By submitting a proposal, the proposer acknowledges that it has reviewed Exhibit A and, if selected for award, agrees to enter into the agreement substantially in the form provided. The successful proposer’s response, including the accepted scope of services, hourly rate, and not-to-exceed amount, may be incorporated into or referenced by the final agreement.

No services may begin until the required agreement has been fully executed and the consultant has received authorization from the University to proceed. The University may clarify or negotiate proposal details with the selected proposer as necessary to finalize the engagement, provided that any resulting agreement remains consistent with the requirements of this RFP and Exhibit A.

The University reserves the right to make an award based on the proposal that, in its sole judgment, best fulfills or exceeds the requirements of this RFP and is in the best interest of the University.

Contract Access The contract resulting from any bid activity may be made available to the constituent units of the state system of public higher education, subject to the approval of the Contractor.

Contract Invalidation:

If any provision of this contract is found to be invalid, such invalidation will not be construed to invalidate the entire contract.

Inspection of Proposals and Confidential Information:

All responses submitted to this RFP may be considered public records subject to disclosure under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), unless otherwise exempt from disclosure.

ECSU may, but is not required to, withhold proposals from disclosure until completion of the evaluation process.

Proposals may be available for public inspection upon notice of award and shall be available for public inspection after the contract is signed by all parties. Information identified as confidential will be treated in accordance with applicable law, including the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act.

The University treats proposals as confidential until after an award is issued. After award, proposals become subject to disclosure under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act. A respondent that believes specific information is exempt from disclosure should clearly identify and separately designate that information as “Confidential.” Any such designation is made at the respondent’s own risk and does not require the University to withhold information that is subject to disclosure by law.

RFP Terms and Conditions:

See Exhibit A. The awarded consultant will be required to execute Exhibit A prior to beginning any services.

EXHIBIT A

Eastern Connecticut State University Personal Services Agreement & Honorarium Request Form

$5,000 or less

1. Complete this form and forward to the Purchasing Office 10 business days prior to the start of the service period.

2. The University and the Service Provider as listed below hereby enter into an agreement subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and/ or attached hereto and subject to the provisions of section 4-98 of the Connecticut General Statues as applicable.

3. Acceptance of this agreement implies conformance with terms and conditions set forth on Pages 2 and 3 of this file, as attached hereto and incorporated by reference.

4. If a service provider will be paid more than $5,000 in any rolling 12-month period, a Personal Service Agreement form CO-802A or Standard

Contract must be prepared and approved in advance of the start date of this service.

Under no circumstances are any services to be performed under this agreement unless the User Department has received approval.

SERVICE PROVIDER

1. SERVICE PROVIDER NAME:

2. SERVICE PROVIDER ADDRESS:

SERVICE PROVIDER PHONE: S RVICE PROVIDER EMAIL:

3. ARE YOU CURRENTLY A STATE EMPLOYEE?

IF YES, WHAT AGENCY?

YES

NO

If you answered Yes to Number 3 above, a dual employment form (for non-CSCU agency) or request for employee compensation form (for CSCU agency) must be completed and made part of this agreement.

4. DO YOU HAVE AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS A STATE EMPLOYEE?

5. HAVE YOU CONTRACTED FOR SERVICES WITH THIS UNIVERSITY DURING THE PAST 12

MO

YES

NTHS? YES

UNIVERSITY

6. UNIVERSITY INFORMATION: EASTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY, 83 WINDHAM ST, WILLIMANTIC, CT 06226

7. PROJECT DIRECTOR'S NAME: TELEPHONE NUMBER:

NOTE: If numbers 3 and/or 4 above were answered "Yes" and the contract value of this Agreement is equal to or greater than $100 and the fee is to be paid as an independent contractor, this contract must have been awarded through an open and public bidding process.

8. BANNER INDEX: AMOUNT: AUTHORIZED FUNDING SIGNATURE:

BANNER INDEX: AMOUNT: AUTHORIZED FUNDING SIGNATURE:

BANNER INDEX: AMOUNT: AUTHORIZED FUNDING SIGNATURE:

BANNER INDEX: AMOUNT: AUTHORIZED FUNDING SIGNATURE:

9. TOTAL VALUE OF THIS SERVICE: $ AUTHORIZED FUNDING SIGNATURE:

Original

Amendment

Amendment

10. SERVICE PERIOD:

CONTRACT BID AWARD # IF APPLICABLE:

11. NUMBER OF DAYS:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

TO FROM

ACCEPTANCES/APPROVALS

STATUTORY AUTHORITY CCGS 10a-151b

SERVICE PROVIDER (OWNER OR AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)

TITLE: DATE:

APPROPRIATE DEAN - EASTERN CONNECTICTUT STATE UNIVERSITY AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:

TITLE: DATE:

DATE:

ENCUMBERED (DATE & INITIALS) DOCUMENT NUMBER: PSA REVISED 12-28-22

14. PAYMENT TO BE MADE UNDER THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE UPON RECEIPT OF PROPERLY EXECUTED AND APPROVED DISBURSEMENT FORM.

(ORIGINAL AGREEMENT AMOUNT + ALL AMENDMENTS.) 13. TOTAL AGREEMENT NOT TO EXCEED:

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE TERM OF

SERVICE PERIOD STATED ABOVE UNLESS CANCELLED BY THE UNIVERISTY, BY GIVING THE

SERVICE PROVIDER WRITTEN NOTICE OF SUCH INTENTION. (REQUIRED DAYS NOTICE

SPECIFIED AT LEFT.)

12. THE SERVICE PROVIDER AGREES TO: (DETAILED SERVICES MUST BE PROVIDED ALONG WITH SPECIAL PROVISIONS AS NECESSARY - use separate referenced sheet if necessary.)

APPROPRIATE VICE PRESIDENT - EASTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:

TITLE:

EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND OTHER ENACTMENTS.

(a) All references in this Contract to any Federal, State, or local law, statute, public or special act, executive order, ordinance, regulation or code (collectively, “Enactments”) shall mean Enactments that apply to the Contract at any time during its term, or that may be made applicable to the Contract during its term. This Contract shall always be read and interpreted in accordance with the latest applicable wording and requirements of the Enactments. Unless otherwise provided by Enactments, the Contractor is not relieved of its obligation to perform under this Contract if it chooses to contest the applicability of the Enactments or the Client Agency’s authority to require compliance with the Enactments.

(b) This Contract is subject to the provisions of Executive Order No. Three of Governor Thomas J. Meskill, promulgated June 16, 1971, concerning labor employment practices, Executive Order No. Seventeen of Governor Thomas J. Meskill, promulgated February 15, 1973, concerning the listing of employment openings and Executive Order No. Sixteen of Governor John G. Rowland promulgated August 4, 1999, concerning violence in the workplace, all of which are incorporated into and are made a part of this Contract as if they had been fully set forth in it.

(c) This Contract may be subject to (1) Executive Order No. 14 of Governor M. Jodi Rell, promulgated April 17, 2006, concerning procurement of cleaning products and services; and (2) Executive Order No. 61 of Governor Dannel P. Malloy promulgated December 13, 2017 concerning the Policy for the Management of State Information Technology Projects, as issued by the Office of Policy and Management, Policy ID IT-SDLC-17-04. If any of the Executive Orders referenced in this subsection is applicable, it is deemed to be incorporated into and made a part of this Contract as if fully set forth in it.

NONDISCRIMINATION.

(a) For purposes of this Section, the following terms are defined as follows:

i. "Commission" means the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities;

ii. "Contract" and “contract” include any extension or modification of the Contract or contract;

iii."Contractor" and “contractor” include any successors or assigns of the Contractor or contractor;

iv. "Gender identity or expression" means a person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth, which gender-related identity can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person's core identity or not being asserted for an improper purpose;

v. “good faith" means that degree of diligence which a reasonable person would exercise in the performance of legal duties and obligations;

vi. "good faith efforts" shall include, but not be limited to, those reasonable initial efforts necessary to comply with statutory or regulatory requirements and additional or substituted efforts when it is determined that such initial efforts will not be sufficient to comply with such requirements;

vii. "marital status" means being single, married as recognized by the state of Connecticut, widowed, separated or divorced;

viii."mental disability" means one or more mental disorders, as defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric

Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", or a record of or regarding a person as having one or more such disorders;

ix. "minority business enterprise" means any small contractor or supplier of materials fifty-one percent or more of the capital stock, if any, or assets of which is owned by a person or persons: (1) who are active in the daily affairs of the enterprise,

(2) who have the power to direct the management and policies of the enterprise, and (3) who are members of a minority, as such term is defined in subsection (a) of Connecticut General Statutes § 32-9n; and

x. "public works contract" means any agreement between any individual, firm or corporation and the State or any political subdivision of the State other than a municipality for construction, rehabilitation, conversion, extension, demolition or repair of a public building, highway or other changes or improvements in real property, or which is financed in whole or in part by the State, including, but not limited to, matching expenditures, grants, loans, insurance or guarantees.

For purposes of this Section, the terms “Contract” and “contract” do not include a contract where each contractor is (1) a political subdivision of the state, including, but not limited to, a municipality, unless the contract is a municipal public works contract or quasi-public agency project contract, (2) any other state, including but not limited to any federally recognized Indian tribal governments, as defined in C.G.S. § 1-267, (3) the federal government, (4) a foreign government, or (5) an agency of a subdivision, state or government described in the immediately preceding enumerated items (1), (2), (3),or (4).

(b) (1) The Contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the Contract such Contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, status as a veteran, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by such Contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or of the State of Connecticut; and the Contractor further agrees to take affirmative action to ensure that applicants with job-related qualifications are employed and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, status as a veteran, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by the Contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved; (2) the Contractor agrees, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the Contractor, to state that it is an "affirmative action-equal opportunity employer" in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission;

(3) the Contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which the Contractor has a collective bargaining Agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which the Contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the Commission, advising the labor union or workers’ representative of the Contractor's commitments under this section and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment; (4) the Contractor agrees to comply with each provision of this Section and Connecticut General Statutes §§ 46a- 68e and 46a-68f and with each regulation or relevant order issued by said Commission pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §§ 46a-56, 46a-68e and 46a-68f; and (5) the Contractor agrees to provide the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities with such information requested by the Commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the Contractor as relate to the provisions of this Section and Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-56. If the contract is a public works contract, the Contractor agrees and warrants that he will make good faith efforts to employ minority business enterprises as subcontractors and suppliers of materials on such public works projects.

(c) Determination of the Contractor's good faith efforts shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following factors: The Contractor's employment and subcontracting policies, patterns and practices; affirmative advertising, recruitment and training;

technical assistance activities and such other reasonable activities or efforts as the Commission may prescribe that are designed to ensure the participation of minority business enterprises in public works projects.

(d) The Contractor shall develop and maintain adequate documentation, in a manner prescribed by the Commission, of its good faith efforts.

(e) The Contractor shall include the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section in every subcontract or purchase order entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a contract with the State and such provisions shall be binding on a subcontractor, vendor or manufacturer unless exempted by regulations or orders of the Commission. The Contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order as the Commission may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions including sanctions for noncompliance in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes §46a-56; provided if such Contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the Commission, the Contractor may request the State of Connecticut to enter into any such litigation or negotiation prior thereto to protect the interests of the State and the State may so enter.

(f) The Contractor agrees to comply with the regulations referred to in this Section as they exist on the date of this Contract and as they may be adopted or amended from time to time during the term of this Contract and any amendments thereto.

(g) (1) The Contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the Contract such Contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of sexual orientation, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or the State of Connecticut, and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their sexual orientation; (2) the Contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which such Contractor has a collective bargaining Agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which such Contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities advising the labor union or workers' representative of the Contractor's commitments under this section, and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment; (3) the Contractor agrees to comply with each provision of this section and with each regulation or relevant order issued by said Commission pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-56; and (4) the Contractor agrees to provide the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities with such information requested by the Commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the Contractor which relate to the provisions of this Section and Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-56.

(h) The Contractor shall include the provisions of the foregoing paragraph in every subcontract or purchase order entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a contract with the State and such provisions shall be binding on a subcontractor, vendor or manufacturer unless exempted by regulations or orders of the Commission. The Contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order as the Commission may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions including sanctions for noncompliance in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-56; provided, if such Contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the Commission, the Contractor may request the State of Connecticut to enter into any such litigation or negotiation prior thereto to protect the interests of the State and the State may so enter.

(i) Pursuant to subsection (c) of section 4a-60 and subsection (b) of section 4a-60a of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Contractor, for itself and its authorized signatory of this Contract, affirms that it understands the obligations of this section and that it will maintain a policy for the duration of the Contract to assure that the Contract will be performed in compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of such sections. The Contractor and its authorized signatory of this Contract demonstrate their understanding of this obligation by (A) having provided an affirmative response in the required online bid or response to a proposal question which asks if the contractor understands its obligations under such sections, (B) signing this Contract, or (C) initialing this nondiscrimination affirmation in the following box:

INSURANCE:

The Contractor agrees that while performing services specified in this agreement he/she shall carry sufficient insurance (liability and/or other) as applicable according to the nature of the service to be performed so as to “save harmless” the State of Connecticut from any insurable cause whatsoever.

APPLICABLE LAW:

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws. The Contractor shall at all times comply with and observe all federal and state laws, local laws, ordinances, and regulations which are in effect during the period of this contract and which in any manner affect the work or its conduct.

CONTRACT ASSIGNMENT:

No right or duty, in whole or in part, of the Contractor under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated without the prior written consent of the Board of Regents.

CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE:

The Contractor agrees that the sole and exclusive means for the presentation of any claim against the State of Connecticut arising from this agreement shall be in accordance with Chapter 53 of the Connecticut General Statutes (Claims Against the State) and the Contractor further agrees not to initiate legal proceedings in any state or federal court in addition to, or in lieu of, said Chapter 53 proceedings.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT:

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior communications, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written. No specific level of activity or dollar amount is committed or assigned to the Contractor through this contract. The BOR reserves the right to solicit bids for any project and there is no special privilege or right of first refusal conveyed by the execution of this Agreement.