Direct Hire Services RFP 50-2526010 - Sourcing Event

The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) issued a Request for Proposal on May 12, 2026, seeking qualified staffing and recruiting firms to provide Direct Hire staffing services on an as-needed basis to support the hiring needs of all 58 North Carolina community colleges throughout a three-year contract period. The procurement solicits comprehensive recruitment and placement services across nine functional areas: Academic & Instructional Support, Business, Finance & Administration, Facilities, Security & Operations, Information Technology & Digital Learning, Instructors/Faculty, Senior Leadership & Executive Roles, Student Services & Enrollment, and Workforce & Continuing Education. Vendors may bid on one or multiple community colleges or position categories. Key vendor responsibilities include recruiting, screening, interviewing, assigning placements, paying wages and benefits, handling payroll taxes, and providing unemployment insurance and workers' compensation benefits for direct hires, while the state retains day-to-day supervision and oversight. Proposals are due by June 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST for a public virtual bid opening via Microsoft Teams, with written questions due by May 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST and state responses provided by May 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST. Evaluation criteria include technical approach, vendor experience, customer references, cost proposal, responses to vendor questions, project organization, and financial statements, in descending order of importance. Vendors must meet multiple requirements including financial stability certification, background checks covering a minimum of seven years (current within 90 days of contract effective date) for all personnel, pre-employment drug testing, E-Verify compliance, and proof of North Carolina Secretary of State registration within 10 business days of award notification.

The RFP includes set-asides encouraging utilization of Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) with a goal of 10 percent diverse firm utilization as first or second-tier subcontractors. Vendor pricing must be based on a percentage of annual salary with replacement guarantees, with proposed rates remaining firm for one year from the contract effective date. The potential contract value does not exceed $3,000,000 for the three-year term, and the state reserves the right to extend the contract after the final active term with vendor concurrence. Award will be made to one or more vendors based on the evaluation criteria outlined above. No incumbent vendors or existing contractors are identified in the available solicitation documents, nor is any specific infrastructure or technology integration mentioned as a requirement for this procurement.