Library Collection Analysis Tool

North Dakota University System is soliciting proposals through its Online Dakota Information Network (ODIN) subdivision for a library collection analysis tool, with questions due November 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central and proposals due December 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central. The contract is a cooperative purchasing agreement available to state entities, higher education institutions, governmental bodies, nonprofit entities, tribal agencies, and other eligible organizations as defined under North Dakota law. The source names no set-aside or local-vendor preference.

The solution must aggregate and analyze collection data from multiple integrated library systems and external sources for academic, public, school, special, and state agency libraries. Required capabilities include usage analytics, collection development recommendations, circulation metrics, configurable dashboards and reports, cross-library comparisons, and patron analytics, with analysis by subject, call number, publication date, format, location, and circulation activity. The offering must be commercial off-the-shelf or Software-as-a-Service, commercially available for a minimum of two years, with successful implementations at three or more customers. It must comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, operate as a web-based interface requiring no locally installed software, and include role-based access controls. Integration must be compatible with Polaris ILS and Overdrive/Libby, with Hoopla desired. NDUS will provide Polaris ILS and Overdrive API access. Vendor-hosted solutions require an approved hosting exemption and completion of the HECVAT4 assessment. The licensing scheme must accommodate 62 library branches, a patron base exceeding 75,000, over 895,000 bibliographic records, and more than 1.1 million items. A minimum 30-day warranty and defined service level agreements are required.

Anticipated annual cost is between $16,000 and $20,000, with one-time implementation costs not to exceed $5,000. Proposals exceeding these thresholds may be rejected. The evaluation totals 100 points: 80 technical and 20 cost. Technical points split into Information Technology Solution (50), Product Support and Customer Service (15), and Experience and Qualifications (15). The lowest cost proposal receives the full 20 cost points, with others scored proportionally, based on initial deployment plus the first two years of annual costs. Cost proposals are submitted in sealed envelopes and evaluated after technical scoring. Initial evaluation is expected by December 8, 2026, with demonstrations scheduled for the week of December 14, 2026, and contract award anticipated for February 2027.

All communications must go to Procurement Officer April Moser at april.moser@ndus.edu.