INNOVATION DATA COLLECTION & MAINT. PLAT

The South Carolina Department of Commerce is seeking a vendor to develop and maintain an Innovation Data Collection & Maintenance Platform through a best value bid solicitation. The primary objective is to create a customizable data collection program that comprehensively catalogs resources for entrepreneurs across South Carolina, including accelerators, incubators, training programs, university programs, networking groups, co-working spaces, prototyping centers, maker spaces, angel groups, venture capitalists, and grants. The successful vendor must provide detailed resource information, including organization name, contact details, website, and description, and will be responsible for communicating with community resources to verify data accuracy, conducting monthly database reviews, and performing annual additions of new resources. The platform must provide data through an application programming interface (API) feed for distribution on the state's Scribble innovation hub platform. The solicitation requires vendors to possess three years of documented experience in data collection, data review, customizable design, and maintenance. Proposals were due March 30, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. EST, with award notification scheduled for April 1, 2021. The contract term will run from April 1, 2021, through April 2, 2026, with an initial one-year term and four one-year renewal options. The evaluation criteria include price (60%), approach/work plan (20%), and qualifications and experience (20%).

The procurement includes standard South Carolina preferences for in-state vendors, resident contractors, and in-state subcontractors as governed by Section 11-35-1524 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Vendors must register as South Carolina vendors prior to submission and comply with applicable state and federal laws, including drug-free workplace certification, ethics compliance, and illegal immigration statutes. For the first year, the budget range is $10,000 to $30,000 for data collection and maintenance services, with subsequent years budgeted at not to exceed $10,000. All data collected will become the exclusive property of the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Electronic submission via the state's procurement website is the preferred method, with paper submissions permitted on USB flash drives. Offerors must submit pricing for Years 1 through 5 as separate line items on the bid schedule and hold their offers open for a minimum of thirty calendar days after the opening date. The procurement officer for this solicitation is Clarissa Belton, CPPB, CPM, who can be reached at 803-737-0416 or cbelton@sccommerce.com.