Training Support for Costing Practices and Rate Development for University Research, Core Facilities

Oklahoma State University is requesting proposals for training support on costing practices and rate development for university research and core facilities under RFP OSUA&M-RFP-001860-2027, with proposals due September 3, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. CDT and questions due August 27, 2026. The anticipated contract start date is before October 1, 2026.

The scope requires the selected consultant to conduct a current-state assessment of institutional training needs, develop role-based training content for central administrators, college fiscal officers, service center managers, faculty, departmental staff, and approvers, and deliver implementation support with recorded training modules for onboarding and annual refresher use. Training must address compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR/DFAR), Cost Accounting Standards, and the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Statute, with emphasis on sponsored programs including procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and other transaction agreements. Topics include labor costs and categories, timekeeping requirements, equipment management, indirect rates and costs, retroactive cost transfers, and record retention.

The contract term runs from award through December 31, 2027, with an option to renew for four additional one-year periods upon mutual agreement. Bidders must submit fixed-price proposals with detailed cost breakdowns covering licensing, implementation, training, maintenance, support, and all related expenses; pricing must be exclusive of taxes as OSU is tax-exempt. Minimum qualifications include direct experience with public research universities or academic medical centers, familiarity with 2 CFR Part 200 and indirect cost rate structures, expertise in developing training materials and policy documentation, and references from higher education institutions where similar work was completed. Bidders must demonstrate financial stability through audited annual reports for the prior two years and submit documentation of their last three similar projects with customer references.

OSU reserves the right to request demonstrations or presentations and to conduct negotiations with one or more bidders. Evaluation is by "Best Value," considering proposed implementation strategy and support, training design and usability, experience and qualifications, and cost. Firm pricing must be maintained for 120 days beyond the close date. Payment terms are Net 30 with 0% early-payment discount. The primary contact is Joe Teel at joe.teel@okstate.edu or +1 405-744-8403.