NBS 7 Cloud Migration and Support

Location:	Vermont
Posted:	Feb 10, 2026
Due:	Mar 13, 2026
Agency:	State of Vermont
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	70 - General Purpose Information Technology Equipment (including software). D - Automatic Data Processing and Telecommunication Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Department of Buildings and General Services

Office of Purchasing & Contracting

133 State Street, 5th Floor | Montpelier VT 05633-8000

802-828-2211 phone |802-828-2222 fax

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing

Agency of Administration

SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

NBS 7 Cloud Migration and Support

ISSUE DATE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

February 10, 2026

February 27, 2026 – 4:30 PM (EST)

March 13, 2026 – 4:30 PM (EST)

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED

WITH THIS RFP WILL BE POSTED AT:

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php

THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED

INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE

ABOVE WEBPAGEFOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS

ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RFP.

STATE CONTACT: Kyle Emerson

E-MAIL:

sov.thepathforward@vermont.gov

USE SUBJECT: NBS 7 CLOUD

1. OVERVIEW:

1.1. SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the Vermont Department of

Health (VDH, hereinafter the “State”) is seeking to establish contracts with one or more companies that

can provide cloud transition, technical, and ongoing maintenance support as the State moves from our

current on premises hosted NEDSS Base System (NBS) version 6.x to version 7.x, which is cloud hosted.

NBS is a CDC-developed surveillance system that helps local, state, and territorial public health

departments manage reportable disease data and send notifiable disease data to the CDC. The State is

currently utilizing NBS version 6.x hosted on-premises. To learn more about NBS version 7.x and CDC

data modernization efforts, please visit the CDC’s NBS page.

The high-level categories of work included in this RFP are:

• Technical and maintenance support for version 6.x, until the State can successfully transition to

version 7.x in the cloud. This includes providing NBS subject matter expertise regarding best

practice.

• Moving NBS 6.x to the cloud as a prerequisite to implementing NBS 7.x

• Implementing and potentially hosting NBS 7.x

• Ongoing technical and maintenance support for version 7.x including Technical Assistance

regarding configuration and best practice.

Bidders may combine solutions or offer solutions addressing only one category. Bids must provide answers

and budgets for each part of their solution.

With regard to implementation of NBS 7.x, the State is open to a variety of proposals. It prefers either

Azure or AWS for cloud hosting. It is open to hosting either by State of Vermont or by a Vendor. However,

proposals should consider the following:

• The State currently lacks cloud engineering expertise and seeks a vendor to manage the tech stack

required by NBS 7.x, which includes Elastic Search, Kafka, Microsoft SQL Server, Docker,

Kubernetes, NGINX Ingress Controller, FluentBit, Istio, Terraform, Rhapsody, SAS, Cert-Manager

(optional), Prometheus and Grafana (optional). So, if the proposal includes State hosting, it must

address provision of technical resources with these skills.

• The State’s existing IT staff has the capacity and may continue to manage routine NBS

maintenance and updates, such as Page Builder work, data porting, Rhapsody routing, and more.

This determination will be based on the final contract.

1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Any Contract(s) arising from this RFP will be for a period of five years plus

implementation time. The State anticipates the start date for such contract(s) will be August 15, 2026.

1.3. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this RFP are to be addressed in writing

to the State Contact listed on the front page of this RFP. Actual or attempted contact with any other

individual from the State concerning this RFP is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.

1.4. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of this RFP or

wishing to comment on any requirement of the RFP must submit specific questions in writing no later than

the deadline for question indicated on the first page of this RFP. Questions may be e-mailed to the point

of contact on the front page of this RFP. Questions or comments not raised in writing on or before the last

day of the question period are thereafter waived. At the close of the question period a copy of all

questions or comments and the State's responses will be posted on the State’s web site

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php . Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as

possible after the question period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions. All

information provided by vendors during this process will be public and bidders shall not provide

confidential information, except as described in 4.1 below.

1.5. CHANGES TO THIS RFP: Any modifications to this RFP will be made in writing by the State through the

issuance of an Addendum to this RFP and posted online at http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php .

Modifications from any other source are not to be considered.

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1.6. SOURCE OF FUNDS: This project is being funded in whole or in part using federal monies. If a bidder

requires assistance in preparing their proposal or needs guidance on socioeconomic certifications, the

bidder may contact the VT APEX Accelerator. The APEX Accelerator specializes in helping small

businesses navigate the documentation associated with State and Federal procurement. Their website

is: http://apex.vermont.gov.

2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS/DESIRED OUTCOMES:

2.1. The State of Vermont is interested in obtaining bids to meet the following business need(s): The State of

Vermont is interested in obtaining bids to meet the following business need(s):

Public Health Improvement: Protecting public health by assisting public health professionals and their use

of a modern cloud-hosted surveillance system with automated workflows, data reporting and analysis.

System transition: Guarantee a successful transition to a new cloud-hosted system with migrated data and

empowered system users.

Data Security: Ensure secure cloud storage and access to sensitive health data.

System support: Continue existing support of system until updated solution is fully transitioned and

operationalized in business operations.

2.2. The State of Vermont seeks to achieve the following Business Value(s):

2.2.1.System and Cost Efficiency: Over the lifecycle of the modernized solution, the total costs will be

reasonable, and the system will be more efficient.

2.2.2.Customer Service Improvement: The new modern solution will provide improved service to public

health professionals.

2.2.3.Risk Reduction: The new solution will reduce risk to the State.

2.2.4.Compliance: The new solution meets a newly unmet Federal compliance requirement.

2.3. Functional and Non-Functional Requirements

2.3.1.The State’s Functional and Non-Functional Requirements are provided in the attached State of

Vermont Bidder Response Form (Exhibit C).

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

3.1. PRICING: Bidders must price the terms of this solicitation at their best pricing. Any and all costs that

Bidder wishes the State to consider must be submitted for consideration. If applicable, all equipment

pricing is to include F.O.B. delivery to the ordering facility. No request for extra delivery cost will be

honored. All equipment shall be delivered assembled, serviced, and ready for immediate use, unless

otherwise requested by the State.

3.1.1.Prices and/or rates shall remain firm for the initial term of the contract. The pricing policy submitted by

Bidder must (i) be clearly structured, accountable, and auditable and (ii) cover the full spectrum of

materials and/or services required.

3.1.2.Cooperative Agreements. Bidders that have been awarded similar contracts through a competitive

bidding process with another state and/or cooperative are welcome to submit the pricing in response

to this solicitation.

3.2. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS: The State shall have the authority to evaluate Responses and select the

Bidder(s) as may be determined to be in the best interest of the State and consistent with the goals and

performance requirements outlined in this RFP. The State of Vermont reserves the right to obtain

clarification or additional information necessary to properly evaluate a proposal. Failure of bidder to

respond to a request for additional information or clarification could result in rejection of that bidder's

proposal. To secure a project that is deemed to be in the best interest of the State, the State reserves the

right to accept or reject any and all bids, in whole or in part, with or without cause, and to waive

technicalities in submissions. The State also reserves the right to make purchases outside of the awarded

contracts where it is deemed in the best interest of the State.

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3.2.1.Best and Final Offer (BAFO). At any time after submission of Responses and prior to the final

selection of Bidder(s) for Contract negotiation or execution, the State may invite Bidder(s) to provide a

BAFO. The state reserves the right to request BAFOs from only those Bidders that meet the minimum

qualification requirements and/or have not been eliminated from consideration during the evaluation

process.

3.2.2.Presentation. An in-person or webinar presentation by the Bidder may be required by the State if it

will help the State’s evaluation process. The State will factor information presented during

presentations into the evaluation. Bidders will be responsible for all costs associated with providing

the presentation.

3.3. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

3.3.1.Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCOI): An OCOI arises when a bidder as a business entity has

interests (for example, customers, partners, contracts) that could undermine, or reasonably be

perceived to undermine, its faithful and unbiased performance of a contract with the State that may

result from this solicitation.

3.3.2.Personal Conflict of Interest (PCOI): A PCOI arises when an interest held by an individual, agent or

employee of a bidder could undermine, or reasonably be perceived to undermine, its faithful and

unbiased performance of a contract with the State that may result from this solicitation.

3.3.3.Requirements: The State does not seek to contract with any individual or business entity having a

conflict of interest which cannot be mitigated to the State’s satisfaction. To ensure the State’s

awareness of actual, potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs and OCOIs, bidders shall:

a) Prior to submitting a proposal, conduct an internal review of its current affiliations and activities and

identify actual, potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs or OCOIs relative to a contract with the

State that may result from this solicitation.

b) Disclose in your proposal any actual or potential PCOI or OCOI or the existence of any facts that

may cause a reasonably prudent person to perceive a PCOI or OCOI with respect to a contract

with the State that may result from this solicitation. Disclose, also, any actions proposed to mitigate

the PCOI or OCOI.

3.3.4.The State shall have sole discretion to determine whether a PCOI or OCOI can be mitigated to the

State’s satisfaction and may discuss the conflict with the bidder if and to the extent the State deems

discussion necessary to its determination. The State reserves the right to (a) reject from further

consideration any proposal having a PCOI or OCIO that cannot be mitigated to the State’s full

satisfaction and (b) terminate a contract upon discovery that a contractor failed to disclose facts

pertaining to a PCOI or OCOI in its proposal, or otherwise misrepresented relevant information to the

State.

3.4. WORKER CLASSIFICATION COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS: In accordance with Section 32 of The

Vermont Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Act No. 54), Bidders must comply with the following

provisions and requirements.

3.4.1.Self Reporting: For bid amounts exceeding $250,000.00, Bidder shall complete the appropriate

section in the attached Certificate of Compliance for purposes of self-reporting information relating to

past violations, convictions, suspensions, and any other information related to past performance

relative to coding and classification of workers. The State is requiring information on any violations

that occurred in the previous 12 months.

3.4.2.Subcontractor Reporting: For bid amounts exceeding $250,000.00, Bidders are hereby notified that

upon award of contract, and prior to contract execution, the State shall be provided with a list of all

proposed subcontractors and subcontractors’ subcontractors, together with the identity of those

subcontractors’ workers compensation insurance providers, and additional required or requested

information, as applicable, in accordance with Section 32 of The Vermont Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Act No. 54). This requirement does not apply to subcontractors providing

supplies only and no labor to the overall contract or project. This list MUST be updated and provided

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to the State as additional subcontractors are hired. A sample form is available online at

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing-contracting/forms. The subcontractor reporting form is not

required to be submitted with the bid response.

3.5. EXECUTIVE ORDER 05-16: CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS IN STATE PROCUREMENTS:

For bid amounts exceeding $25,000.00 Bidders are requested to complete the Climate Change

Considerations in State Procurements Certification, which is included in the Certificate of Compliance for

this RFP.

After consideration of all relevant factors, a bidder that demonstrates business practices that promote

clean energy and address climate change as identified in the Certification, shall be given favorable

consideration in the competitive bidding process. Such favorable consideration shall be consistent with

and not supersede any preference given to resident bidders of the State and/or products raised or

manufactured in the State, as explained in the Method of Award section. But, such favorable

consideration shall not be employed if prohibited by law or other relevant authority or agreement.

3.6. METHOD OF AWARD: Awards will be made in the best interest of the State. The State may award one or

more contracts and reserves the right to make additional awards to other compliant bidders at any time if

such award is deemed to be in the best interest of the State. All other considerations being equal,

preference will be given first to resident bidders of the state and/or to products raised or manufactured in

the state, and then to bidders who have practices that promote clean energy and address climate change,

as identified in the applicable Certificate of Compliance.

3.6.1.Evaluation Criteria: Consideration shall be given to the Bidder’s project approach and methodology,

qualifications and experience, ability to provide the services within the defined timeline, cost, and/or

success in completing similar projects, as applicable, and to the extent specified below.

3.6.2.

Rating Criteria

Cost proposal

Ability to meet requirements and

project plan to complete the work

Weight Factor

25%

40%

Staffing plan

Vendor qualifications and

background

10%

25%

3.7. CONTRACT NEGOTIATION: Upon completion of the evaluation process, the State may select one or

more bidders with which to negotiate a contract, based on the evaluation findings and other criteria

deemed relevant for ensuring that the decision made is in the best interest of the State. In the event State

is not successful in negotiating a contract with a selected bidder, the State reserves the option of

negotiating with another bidder, or to end the proposal process entirely.

3.8. COST OF PREPARATION: Bidder shall be solely responsible for all expenses incurred in the preparation

of a response to this RFP and shall be responsible for all expenses associated with any presentations or

demonstrations associated with this request and/or any proposals made.

3.9. CONTRACT TERMS: The selected bidder(s) will be expected to sign a contract with the State, including

the Standard Contract Form, Attachment C and Attachment D as attached to this RFP for reference.

3.10.Business Registration. To be awarded a contract by the State of Vermont a bidder (except an individual

doing business in his/her own name) must be registered with the Vermont Secretary of State’s office

https://sos.vermont.gov/corporations/registration/and must obtain a Contractor’s Business Account Number

issued by the Vermont Department of Taxes http://tax.vermont.gov/ .

3.10.1. The contract will obligate the bidder to provide the services and/or products identified in its bid, at

the prices listed.

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
NBS 7 Cloud Migration and Support Bidder Response Form	02/27/2026 04:30PM		03/13/2026 04:30PM