RFP 784-26-2682- Student Success and Mentoring Software

The University of Houston-Downtown is requesting proposals for cloud-based student success and mentoring software under RFP 784-26-2682, with proposals due July 21, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. CT and inquiries due July 13, 2026. A mandatory Subcontracting Plan demonstrating good-faith efforts to recruit Texas Comptroller-certified Veteran Heroes United in Business (VetHUB) vendors is required; all responding vendors, whether prime contractors or self-performing entities, must submit a completed plan to be considered responsive.

The software must support student engagement, belonging, persistence, and retention through automated mentor matching, communication, reporting, assessment, and program management tools. Vendors must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience providing similar solutions to higher education institutions and provide customer references. Compliance with FERPA, TXRAMP certification for cloud computing risks, and HECVAT accessibility requirements is mandatory. Respondents must complete a VPAT 2.4 Section 508 accessibility attestation and comply with Executive Order GA-48 regarding foreign adversary restrictions.

The contract term is three years beginning upon execution, targeting Fall semester 2026, with two optional one-year renewal terms for a maximum of five years total. Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale: Platform Functionality and Features (20 points), Implementation and Onboarding (20 points), Evidence of Effectiveness (20 points), Higher Education Experience and References (15 points), Integration and Technical Compatibility (15 points), Customer Service and Ongoing Support (5 points), and Pricing (5 points). The University prefers its Standard Purchasing Agreement and reserves the right to reject proposals deviating significantly from that form. Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability ($1 million minimum per occurrence) and Professional Liability or Errors & Omissions ($5 million minimum). Proposals are valid for 120 days from the submittal deadline, automatically extending an additional 120 days unless otherwise specified. Submit proposals to UHD Purchasing Department, One Main Street, Suite S970, Houston, TX 77002, attention Trenton Hernandez, hernandeztr@uhd.edu, 713-223-7995.