Comprehensive IT Review

The South Dakota Board of Regents (BOR, SDBOR, Regental System, Board) has the constitutional responsibility for governing the Unified System of Public Higher Education in South Dakota, which encompasses its supervision, coordination, management, and regulation. The Board sets policy direction for the System, oversees the management of its resources (personnel, facilities, and finances), and establishes and monitors its educational programs.
The SDBOR is seeking proposals from qualified consulting firms to conduct a comprehensive review of its Information Technology (IT) structure. This review will encompass both central IT services managed by the Board and decentralized IT operations across its six public universities. The goal is to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, improved service delivery, strategic alignment with institutional goals, and potential cost-saving measures.
In addition to the general objectives outlined below, the selected vendor must consider the following systemwide context:
• The SDBOR operates as a state agency and collaborates closely with the South Dakota Bureau of Information and Technology (BIT) to ensure alignment with statewide IT policies, security standards, and infrastructure strategies. In addition, SDBOR leverages the REED (Research, Education, and Economic Development) network to support high-speed connectivity and advanced networking capabilities across its six universities and the Board office. • The SDBOR currently operates a centrally managed enterprise resource planning (ERP) system - Ellucian Banner - which serves all six institutions. This system is foundational to administrative operations across finance, human resources, student information, and other core functions. • Any recommendations made through this engagement must preserve and support the integrity of a systemwide ERP solution. Fragmentation or decentralization of ERP services is not aligned with the Board's strategic direction. • The Board is actively planning for a future transition to a Banner Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. This transition will be implemented across the entire Board of Regents system - encompassing all universities and the board office - and will require coordinated governance, shared infrastructure, and unified support structures. • As such, the consultant's recommendations should reflect the need for scalable, sustainable, and coordinated IT services that align with the anticipated SaaS deployment and long-term systemwide integration. • Experience with Ellucian Banner, other higher-education ERP platforms, or higher-education systems is highly valuable. In this instance, "system" means multi-campus university organizations governed by a board or similar structure. • Vendors should demonstrate familiarity with ERP governance, shared services, and SaaS migration strategies to ensure recommendations align with SDBOR's strategic direction.
Objectives • Assess the current IT organizational structure, staffing, governance, and service delivery models. • Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of central IT services. • Review campus-level IT operations and their integration with central services. • Identify redundancies, gaps, and opportunities for efficiencies, which may include consolidation, shared services, or outsourcing where appropriate. • Provide actionable recommendations for improvements, including potential cost savings, service enhancements, and strategic investments.
Offerors may email inquiries concerning this RFP to obtain clarification of requirements. No inquiries will be accepted after the date and time indicated in the Schedule of Activities. Inquiries must be emailed to Heather Forney at heather.forney@sdbor.edu with the subject line "RFP #SDBOR11242025".
The State will respond to offeror's inquiries (if required) via e-mail. In addition, all inquiries and the State's response will be posted on the state's e-procurement system. Offerors may not rely on any other statements, either of a written or oral nature, which alter any specification or other term or condition of this RFP. Offerors will be notified in the same manner as indicated above regarding any modifications to this RFP.