Presidential Search

James Sprunt Community College, located in North Carolina and part of the state's community college system, is seeking a presidential search consulting firm through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on August 28, 2025. The procurement is for a one-year agency contract to conduct a comprehensive presidential search process, with proposals due on September 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET. The selected vendor will be responsible for developing position requirements, recruiting candidates nationwide, reviewing applications, recommending finalist candidates, coordinating interviews, conducting background checks, and providing administrative support throughout the search. The evaluation will utilize a 100-point system, with points allocated as follows: vendor experience (40 points), project organization (20 points), technical approach (20 points), and cost proposal (20 points). Key deliverables include a confidential search process that complies with state and federal laws, and the ability to effectively recruit candidates specifically for a community college presidential position. The college plans to collect stakeholder feedback via survey to inform the search process, and the contract will commence upon final execution and conclude when the contract with the selected candidate is signed.

The RFP indicates that vendors must be registered North Carolina vendors in good standing, which suggests potential restrictions on out-of-state firms. While specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are not explicitly detailed in the provided summary, the inclusion of HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) supplemental vendor information implies potential preference or consideration for such businesses. Vendors are required to complete several attachments, including a cost proposal, customer references, and a non-disclosure agreement. The RFP does not specify a precise budget range or award value for the presidential search consulting services. Prospective vendors will need to submit comprehensive documentation, including their approach to the search, organizational capabilities, and a competitive cost proposal. The evaluation process will heavily weight the firm's experience in conducting executive searches, particularly within the community college sector, suggesting a preference for vendors with demonstrated expertise in higher education leadership recruitment.