HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY TESTING SERVICES

The South Carolina Department of Education's Office of Adult Education is seeking a vendor to provide High School Equivalency Testing Services through a Request for Proposal (RFP). The procurement requires a web-based system enabling computer-based testing through in-person testing centers with online proctoring capabilities, supporting multiple operating platforms and devices while meeting federal and state accessibility standards. The vendor must establish a secure authorization system for users at SCDE, District, and District Admin levels, with the ability to deliver full battery tests and subset tests across multiple testing formats. The solicitation specifies requirements for computer-based and online proctored testing, with anticipated volumes of 2,000 full battery tests and 5,000 subset tests for computer-based delivery, and 500 full battery tests and 500 subset tests for online proctored delivery. Key evaluation criteria include a two-phase assessment: Phase I will evaluate technical proposals, qualifications, and pricing (100 points maximum), followed by Phase II product capability demonstration (100 points maximum). Critical procurement dates include a non-mandatory bidders conference on August 16, 2022, at 10:00 AM, with questions due by 3:00 PM that same day, and proposal submissions required online at http://www.procurement.sc.gov by September 16, 2022, at 11:00 AM.

The contract will be a revenue-generating arrangement where the contractor provides testing services and collects fees from test applicants, remitting a portion of each subtest fee to SCDE. Vendors must possess a minimum of one year of experience providing similar services and submit financial statements, three comparable contract references, and evidence of relevant experience. Insurance requirements include maintaining A.M. Best-rated coverage with specific minimums: Commercial General Liability ($1 million per occurrence), Auto Liability ($1 million), Worker's Compensation (statutory limits), and Information Security/Privacy coverage ($1 million per occurrence/$500,000 aggregate). The contract will have a two-year initial term with three one-year renewal options, spanning from October 5, 2022, to October 4, 2027. All government information must be processed, stored, and accessed exclusively within the continental United States, with strict data protection and breach notification requirements. While no specific set-aside designations were mentioned, vendors must be registered as a South Carolina vendor and provide detailed business entity information. The procurement does not specify a precise budget range, but the revenue-sharing model suggests potential financial opportunities for the selected vendor.