Online Graduate Program Marketing and Recruitment Services

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke has issued Request for Proposal #71-Q2026-01 seeking qualified vendors to provide comprehensive online graduate program marketing and recruitment services. The scope of work encompasses market research, lead generation, recruitment and enrollment services, student and faculty support, and 24/7 helpdesk and technical support for the institution's portfolio of online accelerated graduate programs, including the Master of School Administration, MBA, Elementary Education, Special Education, and Master of Healthcare Administration. Deliverables include monthly management reports and demonstrated achievement of enrollment targets for student applications, admissions, and actual enrollments, with vendors expected to support conversion from admission to enrollment. Required qualifications include vendor registration in good standing through the North Carolina eVP system, compliance with E-Verify employment verification requirements for employers with more than 25 North Carolina employees, and commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in aggregate. Proposals will be evaluated using a best-value methodology with financial proposal weighted at 40%, approach to services at 30%, experience at 20%, and vendor acceptance of North Carolina General Contract Terms at 10%. Critical dates include written questions due by March 19, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST, state responses by March 26, 2026, proposal submission by April 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET through the North Carolina eVP portal, presentations anticipated during May 11-15, 2026, and award by June 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.

The contract will have an initial term of three years from final execution with options for the state to renew for up to seven additional one-year terms with thirty days' written notice. Vendor pricing must be structured as variable rates based on program needs, differentiating between new and established programs, with options for incentives, scholarships, and development funds. All vendors must complete required attachments including cost proposals, HUB supplemental vendor information, customer references, worker location disclosures, and financial condition certifications, with potential background checks required for assigned personnel. The RFP does not explicitly identify incumbent vendors or specify set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though HUB supplemental vendor information requirements suggest consideration of historically underutilized business participation. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the available documentation. Vendors must demonstrate fair employment and non-discrimination compliance and integration capability with the institution's existing systems and infrastructure.