Web-based academic catalog management

Piedmont Technical College, located in South Carolina, is seeking a comprehensive web-based academic catalog management solution through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The procurement involves acquiring a dynamic electronic catalog software platform that supports administrative workflow, version control, and concurrent multi-user access while integrating seamlessly with the college's existing website and branding. Specific technical requirements include support for multiple browsers, LDAP/ADFS authentication, mobile and ADA-compliant interfaces, and direct integration with Ellucian's Banner system and Ethos API. Offerors must demonstrate at least five years of experience providing similar services to higher education institutions and submit detailed technical and business proposals, including comprehensive cost breakdowns for software licensing, support, hosting, training, and migration services. The solicitation requires a rigorous two-phase evaluation process, with the top two ranked proposals required to conduct live demonstrations. Key submission deadlines include questions due by February 13, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., a non-mandatory pre-proposal conference on February 11, 2025, and proposal submissions due by March 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. The initial contract term is one year, with four optional one-year renewals, potentially extending the contract through May 17, 2030.

The RFP does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though it does provide provisions for resident vendor preferences for South Carolina-based contractors. The solicitation requires that all data be housed, processed, and transmitted exclusively within the continental United States, with the contractor retaining strict data security and breach notification compliance with state standards. While no incumbent vendor is identified, the system must be compatible with Piedmont Technical College's existing Ellucian Banner system and integrate with their current technological infrastructure. The proposal requires detailed pricing information, though specific budget ranges are not disclosed in the documentation. Vendors must provide comprehensive security assessments, including access control policies, disaster recovery plans, employee vetting procedures, and third-party security certifications like ISO/IEC 27001 or AICPA SOC 2 Type 2. The college will retain full data ownership rights, and the selected vendor must be prepared to provide data retrieval assistance in usable formats like CSV, Access Database, or Excel upon contract termination at no additional cost.