Student Experience Improvement Consulting Services-MSUB

Montana State University Billings (MSUB) is seeking consulting services for a comprehensive Student Services process Redesign Initiative through RFP MSU-RFP-26-07, with the primary objective of enhancing student experience and success across all stages of the college journey. The procurement aims to evaluate current processes, identify operational barriers and redundancies, and recommend improvements that maximize the capabilities of Ellucian Banner software. Qualified firms must demonstrate at least three higher education case studies showing process redesign or student services optimization experience within the past five years, with documented measurable results. The university requires offerors to submit a current W-9, detailed pricing information using a provided cost proposal template, and a comprehensive work plan detailing methodology, timeframes, and deliverables. Key evaluation criteria include proven experience in higher education process improvement, demonstrated ability to increase student retention and graduation rates, and alignment with MSUB's Strategic Plan 2018-2025 and Retention and Graduation Plan 2022-2027. The RFP was released on November 19, 2025, with proposals due by December 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM MST, and prospective offerors must submit questions by December 2, 2025.

The procurement includes several unique requirements and considerations for potential respondents, with mandatory compliance provisions that may impact eligibility. Vendors must meet specific insurance requirements and comply with Montana Executive Order No. 12-2016 regarding equal pay for women, with an incentive of 5% bonus points available for compliance. Financial stability will be assessed through potential requests for audited financial statements covering the three years preceding the RFP issuance, and advanced candidates may be required to provide three higher education references. All procurement must be processed through SmartBuyMSU, Montana State University's e-procurement platform. Payment terms are established as Net 30 with 0% financing, and the university will require stringent data security terms for the selected vendor. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the RFP suggests a preference for firms with substantial higher education consulting experience and a proven track record of improving student services processes. The specific budget range is not disclosed in the provided documentation, indicating that pricing will be evaluated competitively based on the detailed cost proposal submitted by each offeror.