RFP Solicitation for Slate Captain Services to support and optimize MUW's Slate CRM environment

MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN

RFP# 3160008101

SLATE CAPTAIN SERVICES

ISSUE DATE: 6/10/2026

ISSUING AGENCY: Office of Resources Management

Mississippi University for Women 1100 College Street, MUW 1628

Welty Hall, Room 309

Columbus, MS 39701

Sealed Proposals, subject to the conditions made a part hereof, will be received July13, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST in the MUW Office of Resources Management, same address above, for furnishing services and potentially, optional services as described herein.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Indicate firm name and RFP number on the front of each sealed proposal envelope or package.

All inquiries concerning this RFP should be directed to:

Melissa Buxton

Office of Resources Management

(Same address above)

mcbuxton@muw.edu

A. Any addendum associated with this RFP will be posted at located under RFP

B. Note 2: It is the respondent’s responsibility to assure that all addenda have been reviewed and if applicable, signed and returned.

I. UNIVERSITY OVERVIEW

Mississippi University for Women (MUW) is a publicly supported institution of higher education accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. MUW enrolls approximately 2,300 students and operates on a semester system. Additional information is available at www.muw.edu. Additional information about MUW can be found at our website www.muw.edu.

II. PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

A. Statement of Need

Mississippi University for Women is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide part-time Slate Captain services to support and optimize MUW’s Slate CRM environment. This engagement is intended to function as staff augmentation and an embedded operational role, not a traditional consulting engagement.

The Slate Captain will work as an extension of MUW’s enrollment and admissions operations, providing hands-on configuration, maintenance, and day-to-day support of Slate. The selected vendor will provide a dedicated Slate Captain for a standard service level of 20 hours per week for a one (1) year contract term with the option to mutually renew annually up to 5 years.

B. Scope of Work

The selected vendor shall provide a part-time Slate Captain who will perform ongoing operational and optimization duties within the Slate CRM. Services include, but are not limited to:

• Day-to-day Slate configuration and administration

• Development and maintenance of workflows, forms, queries, and automation

• Support for admissions and recruitment processes, including undergraduate, graduate, and dual enrollment applications

• Troubleshooting and issue resolution

• Data integrity and best-practice enforcement

• Reporting and dashboards to support enrollment management

• Development, maintenance, and execution support for Slate communication plans, including messaging workflows, populations, and delivery schedules

• Collaboration with MUW staff on process improvements

• Knowledge transfer and training to build internal capacity

• Familiarity with the Ellucian Banner student information system and Constituo integration software

This role is not intended to function as a short-term consultant, but rather as a consistent operational resource.

C. Service Requirements

The vendor will be required to provide the following services:

• Standard service level of 20 hours per week

• A consistent, named Slate Captain assigned to MUW

• Ability to scale support temporarily during peak enrollment cycles, with prior approval

• Compliance with MUW policies, FERPA, and applicable state and federal regulations

• The individual assigned as the Slate Captain is not expected to be embedded on campus

D. Vendor Qualifications

The Vendor must demonstrate:

• Extensive experience supporting Slate CRM in higher education

• Experience serving as a Slate Captain or equivalent embedded role

• Proven ability to operate within an institution’s existing Slate instance

• Knowledge of admissions, recruitment, and enrollment workflows

• Ability to collaborate as an extension of institutional staff

• Qualifications of potential Slate Captains to be assigned to the university

• Status as a Technolutions Slate Platinum Partner at the time of proposal submission

• Licensed in the State of Mississippi to do business

III. INQUIRIES ABOUT RFP

Bidders are not permitted to communicate with University staff regarding this solicitation during the time period between the Request for Proposal issue date and the announcements of awards, except during:

• Prospective respondents may make written inquiries concerning this request for proposal during the “Questions from Vendor” timeframe to obtain clarification of requirements and only to Melissa Buxton via electronic email at mcbuxton@muw.edu. Responses to these inquiries may be made by addendum to the Request for Proposal (RFP). All inquiries should be marked “URGENT INQUIRY. MUW RFP # 3160008101

• Oral presentations or demonstrations, if conducted

IV. ADDENDUM OR SUPPLEMENT TO RFP

In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFP, an addendum to this RFP will be provided to each respondent who received the original RFP. Respondents shall not rely on any other interpretations, changes, or corrections.

V. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

A. Due Date – July 13, 2026

All materials must be submitted to:

Resources Management

Mississippi University for Women

1100 College Street, MUW 1628

Columbus, MS 39701

B. Schedule of Critical Dates

The following dates are for planning purposes only unless otherwise stated in this RFP. Progress towards their completion is at the sole discretion of the university.

RFP Posted	June 15th and June 22th
Questions from Vendors Due	June 29, 2026
MUW Q&A Response Due	July 1, 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline – 2:00 p.m. CST	July 13, 2026
Evaluation Period	July 14, 2026
Notification of Intent to Award	July 17, 2026
Contract Effective Date (Estimated)	July 27, 2026

.

VI. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

All proposals must be submitted physically. MUW requests ONE (1) original proposal and ONE (1) thumb drive / electronic copy to be included with the Cost Proposal, being a stand-alone document. All packages must be clearly marked on the outside with “RFP#3160008101” and the Proposer’s name and address.

Award of the contract resulting from this RFP will be based upon requirements set forth in this RFP. Selection of vendor(s) will be at the discretion of the University and will be based on the proposal that the University deems to be the most responsive and serves the best interests of the University in terms of:

• Cost

• Ability to provide the Scope of Work

• Ability to meet Service Requirements

• Vendor Qualifications

• Vendor stability

• References

At a minimum, the following items should be included in the contents of the Services Proposal:

A. Cover Letter/Executive Summary

This section indicates the scope of the proposal. The letter should include an overview of the services being offered. The letter should include a statement of exceptions to any of the terms and conditions outlined in this RFP. (Cover letter should be no more than 3 pages in length.)

B. Corporate Structure and Credentials

1. Number of years of experience

2. Staffing

3. Three (3) References from similarly sized institutions

C. Services Proposal

This section should include a description of how the vendor meets the requirements in the following sections listed.

1. Scope of Work

2. Service Requirements

3. Vendor Qualifications

D. Cost Proposal – Must be a separate document

1. Fee Schedule for initial Year 1

2. Fee Schedule for each subsequent year of renewal

3. Fee Schedule, if applicable, for peak enrollment times that require more than 20 hours per week

4. Optional fee schedule, if applicable

The proposal package must be received on or before 2:00 p.m. CST on July 13, 2026. It is the responsibility of the respondent to ensure that the proposal package arrives in the Resources Management office on-time. The proposal package should be delivered or sent by mail to:

Resources Management

Mississippi University for Women

1100 College Street, MUW 1628

Columbus, MS 39701

A. Your response must include the signature page included in this RFP (See Appendix A) and contain the signature of an authorized representative of the respondent’s organization. The signature on the “Original” signature page should be in blue ink

B. MUW reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive informalities and minor irregularities in proposals received and to accept any portion of a proposal or all items bid if deemed in the best interest of the University to do so.

C. Proposals received after the stated due date and time will be returned unopened. Currently, RFP electronic submissions are not accepted.

VII. DISCUSSIONS/EVALUATION CRITERIA/AWARD PROCESS

A. MUW reserves the right to conduct discussions with any or all respondents, or to make an award of a contract without such discussions based only on the evaluation of the written proposals. MUW reserves the right to contact and interview anyone connected with any past or present projects with which the respondent has been associated. MUW likewise reserves the right to designate a review committee to evaluate the proposals according to the criteria set forth under this section. MUW may make a written determination showing the basis upon which the award was made, and such determination shall be included in the procurement file.

B. MUW reserves the right to award this contract in whole or in part depending on what is in the best interest of MUW with MUW being the sole judge thereof.

C. The evaluation factors and weights set forth in this section are described as follows:

• Cost Proposal 40%

• Ability to provide the Scope of Work 20%

• Ability to meet Service Requirements 20%

• Vendor Qualifications and References 20%

D. The committee may invite finalists for interviews and/or presentations

E. Failure to attend a requested interview presentation before the committee may result in a proposal not being considered.

F. Upon award of contract, the selected vendor will be required to execute the Mississippi University for Women Standard Services Contract (Appendix B).

VIII. TWO-PHASE, BEST AND FINAL OFFER

A. If the initial proposals do not provide MUW with a clear and convincing solution, or if MUW feels it is appropriate to offer the potential providers an opportunity to submit revised proposals, MUW reserves the right to use a two-phase approach and/or invite Best and Final Offers (BAFO). Based on the information obtained through the proposal submittals (Phase-One), MUW may choose a specific business model, and potential providers may be asked to submit revised proposals based upon that specific model.

B. The evaluation committee may develop, for distribution to the top-ranked firms, refined written terms with specific information on what is being requested as a result of information obtained through the initial RFP submittal process. Proposers may be asked to reduce costs or provide additional clarification to specific sections of the RFP. Selected proposers are not required to submit a BAFO and may submit a written response notifying the solicitation evaluation committee that their response remains as originally submitted.

IX. TERM OF CONTRACT

A. It is MUW’s intention to enter into a one (1) year contract beginning upon receipt of all required approvals (estimated July 27, 2026), with the option to mutually agree to renew annually up to 5 years.

B. MUW reserves the right to terminate this agreement with thirty (30) days’ notice, by the Director of Resources Management via certified mail to the address listed on the signature page of this RFP (See Appendix A) if any of the terms of the proposal and/or contract are violated.

C. The Mississippi University for Women Standard Services Contract (See Appendix B) terms shall govern the award of this RFP. The Standard Services Contract represents the entire agreement of the parties, and this agreement supersedes all previous representations, understandings, or agreements, oral or written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter. The terms of this agreement shall supersede and take precedence over any contrary terms in any document attached to this agreement. No change in, or additions to, or waiver of the terms and provisions hereof shall be binding upon MUW or Contractor unless approved in writing by their authorized representative.

X. ACCEPTANCE TIME

A. The proposal shall be valid for one-hundred and eighty (120) days following the proposal due date.

XI. RFP CANCELLATION

A. This RFP in no manner obligates MUW to the eventual purchase of any services described, implied, or which may be proposed until confirmed by a written contract. Progress towards this end is solely at the discretion of MUW and may be terminated without penalty or obligations at any time prior to the signing of a contract. MUW reserves the right to cancel this RFP at any time, for any reason, and to reject any or all proposals or any parts thereof.

XII. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR CLAUSE

A. The contractor shall acknowledge that an independent contractor relationship is established and that the employees of the contractor are not, nor shall they be deemed employees of MUW, and that employees of MUW are not, nor shall they be deemed employees of the contractor.

XIII. OTHER CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

A. Award Terms: This contract shall be awarded at the discretion of the University based on the capabilities and overall reputation of the Supplier, as well as the cost. Acceptance shall be confirmed by the issuance of a contract from the University.

B. The Procurement Process: The following is a general description of the process by which a firm will be selected to fulfill this Request for Proposal.

1. Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued to prospective suppliers.

2. A deadline for written questions is set.

3. Proposals will be received as set forth in Section V.

4. Unsigned proposals will not be considered (Appendix A).

5. All proposals must be received by MUW no later than the date and time specified on the cover sheet of this RFP.

6. At that date and time, the package containing the proposals from each responding firm will be opened publicly and the name of each respondent will be announced.

7. Proposal evaluation: The University will review each proposal.

8. At their option, the evaluators may request oral presentations or discussions for the purpose of clarification or to amplify the materials presented in the proposal

9. Respondents are cautioned that this is a request for proposals, not a request to contract, and the MUW reserves the unqualified right to reject any and all proposals when such rejection is deemed to be in the best interest of the University.

10. The proposals will be evaluated according to the criteria set forth in Section VII.

APPENDIX A: SIGNATURE PAGE

Provide information requested, affix signature and return this page with your proposal:

NAME OF FIRM: __________________ COMPLETE ADDRESS:

TELEPHONE NUMBER:

AREA CODE/NUMBER

FACSIMILE NUMBER: _

AREA CODE/NUMBER

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

AUTHORIZED

SIGNATURE: PRINTED NAME: TITLE:

APPENDIX B: UNIVERSITY STANDARD SERVICES CONTRACT 

This agreement is between ________________________________________, hereinafter referred to as “Contractor,” a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of ________________ with its corporate address being _______________________________________________________, and Mississippi University for Women, a governmental entity of the State of Mississippi, hereinafter referred to as “MUW”, with its address at 1100 College Street, Columbus, MS 39701. Contractor and MUW are collectively referred to as the “parties.” 

 

In consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the undersigned parties hereby agree as follows: 

A. Statement of Work 

Contractor will provide in a timely, satisfactory, and lawful manner, the services described in the attached and incorporated Exhibit A (“Services”) at the end this contract. 

B. Term 

This agreement shall become effective upon final signature below. The agreement shall commence on the effective date and shall continue until ______________________, at which time this agreement shall automatically expire. However, upon mutual written agreement of both parties, if a renewal agreement is executed by both parties prior to the termination of this agreement, then this agreement may be renewed under these same terms. However, any renewal shall not extend the agreement more than a total of five (5) years. Any revisions to original terms shall be stated via written amendment. 

C. Payment 

MUW shall pay Contractor within 45 days of receipt of each invoice received from Contractor upon review and confirmation by MUW that such payments and all portions thereof are due, justified and warranted based on services received by MUW in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 31-7-305. No late payment fees or penalties shall apply in excess of those prescribed by law. 

D. Notices 

All notices required or permitted to be given under this agreement must be in writing and personally delivered or sent by electronic means provided that the original of such notice is sent by certified U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the persons at the address shown below. The parties agree to notify the other in writing of any change of address.

 

  For Contractor: For MUW: 

________________________ Mississippi University for Women 

________________________ Office of Purchasing 

________________________ 1100 College Street, W Box 1628 

________________________ Columbus, MS 39701 

 

  

1. Availability of Funds 

It is expressly understood and agreed that the obligation of MUW to proceed under this agreement is conditioned upon the availability and receipt of funds by MUW to specifically perform the obligations set forth for MUW under this agreement. 

2. Equal Employment Opportunity 

Contractor represents and understands that MUW is an equal opportunity employer and therefore maintains a policy that prohibits unlawful discrimination. Contractor agrees that during the term of this agreement that Contractor will strictly adhere to this policy in its employment practices and the provisions of its services. 

3. Assignment Prohibition 

Contractor agrees that it shall not attempt to nor shall it assign this agreement to any party without the written consent of MUW, and that any attempt to do so shall be void. 

4. Authority to Contract 

Contractor warrants (a) that it is a validly organized business with valid authority to enter into this agreement; (b) that it is qualified to do business and is in good standing in the State of Mississippi; (c) that entry into and performance under this agreement is not restricted or prohibited by any loan, security, financing, contractual, or other agreement of any kind, and (d) notwithstanding any other provisions of this agreement to the contrary, that there are no existing legal proceedings or prospective legal proceedings, either voluntary or otherwise, which may adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this agreement. 

5. Failure to Enforce 

The failure by MUW at any time to enforce the provisions of this agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any such provision. Such failure to enforce shall not affect the validity of this agreement or any part thereof or the right for MUW to enforce the provisions at any time in accordance with the terms. 

6. Contractor-Independent Contractor 

Contractor shall always be regarded as and shall be legally considered an independent contractor and neither Contractor nor its employees shall, under any circumstances, be considered servants, agents or employees of MUW, and MUW shall at no time be legally responsible for any negligence or other wrongdoing by Contractor, its partners, principals, officers, agents, employees or representatives. MUW shall not be responsible for any federal and state unemployment tax, federal or state income taxes, Social Security taxes, or any other amounts for the benefit of Contractor or any of its partners, principals, officers, agents, employees or representatives. MUW shall not provide to Contractor, its partners, principals, officers, agents, employees or representatives any insurance coverage or other benefits, including, but not limited to, Worker’s Compensation, which is normally provided by MUW to its employees. Contractor’s personnel shall not be deemed in any way, directly, indirectly, expressly or by implication, to be employees of MUW. Nothing contained in this agreement or otherwise shall be deemed or construed as creating the relationship of principal and agent, partners, co-venturers, or any similar relationship between MUW and Contractor. At no time shall Contractor be authorized to do so and at no time shall Contractor act as an agent for or of MUW. 

7. Indemnification 

Contractor shall give MUW prompt notice in writing of any action or suit filed, and prompt notice of any claim made against Contractor by any entity that may result in litigation related in any way to this agreement. Contractor and its officers shall indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless, protect, and exonerate the State of Mississippi, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, MUW, and each of their officers, agents, employees, and representatives, both in their official and in their individual capacities, from and against all claims, demands, liabilities, suits, actions, damages, losses and costs of every kind and nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, court costs, investigative fees and expenses and attorney’s fees, arising out of or caused by Contractor and its partners, principals, officers, agents, employees or representatives related to actions or inactions of Contractor, its partners, principals, officers, agents, employees and representatives. Contractor shall be solely responsible for all costs and/or expenses associated with the defense of any such claim, suit, etc.  

8. Insurance  

Contractor shall maintain workers’ compensation insurance and auto liability insurance, to the extent required by applicable law, as well as the following liability insurance. For professional service contracts, professional liability insurance shall be required with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence.  For other contracts, general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence is required. If the other agreement documents have a higher minimum insurance requirement, then the higher requirement shall apply.  

If Contractor’s services for MUW will include access to or possession of private or confidential information of the university or the university staff or students, Contractor shall maintain a commercially reasonable amount of cyber liability insurance, which shall include coverage for breach response and liability.  

   

The above minimum insurance requirements shall be presumed sufficient for contracts under $25,000.  However, minimum insurance requirements may be lowered or increased on a case-by-case basis when specifically justified and approved by an authorized employee of the University.  Such alteration of required limits must not be less than a commercially reasonable amount related to the potential risks of harm or loss.  Changes to the above requirements can be edited in writing onto this agreement, with such changes initialed by both parties in addition to the university staff member who authorized the change in coverage requirements.  

    

Contractor shall provide a Certificate of Coverage to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, Office of Insurance & Risk Management, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Suite 429, Jackson, MS 39211 and Mississippi University for Women, Office of Purchasing, 1100 College Street, W-Box 1628, Columbus, MS  39701 prior to the start of services.  The Certificate of Coverage should, at a minimum, contain the name of the carrier, effective and expiration dates of coverage, a description of the covered perils, amount of coverage by peril, the name and mailing address of the insurance company, and the name and mailing address of the insurance agent.  The Certificate of Coverage must name the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and MUW as an additional insured for liability coverages.  The minimum coverage requirements may be met through a combination of primary, excess and auto policies.  

9. Attorney’s Fees and Expenses 

Contractor agrees that in the event Contractor defaults in any obligations under this agreement that Contractor shall pay to MUW all costs and expenses, including but not limited to, attorney’s fees incurred by MUW in enforcing this agreement. 

10. Patents and Copyrights 

Contractor covenants to save, defend, keep harmless, and indemnify the State of Mississippi, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, MUW, and each of their officers, agents, employees, and representatives, both in their official and in their individual capacities, from and against all claims, losses, damages, injury, fines, penalties, and costs, including court costs and attorney’s fees, charges, and other liability and exposure however caused for or on account of any copyright or patent infringement that may result from activities related to this agreement and the actions/inactions hereunder by the parties. This indemnification is not separate from that set forth elsewhere in this agreement and is not a limitation thereon, but instead is in conjunction  

therewith and is recited to ensure that the full breadth of the indemnification provisions contained elsewhere in this agreement are understood by the parties. 

11. Disputes 

Contractor agrees that any and all disputes between the parties to this agreement must be submitted to MUW’s Vice President for Operations & Chief Financial Officer for consideration and a final decision. If Contractor is dissatisfied with that final decision, the dispute may, at the option of MUW, be subjected to resolution by mediation prior to any action being taken by Contractor toward litigation. 

12. Ownership of Documents and Work Papers 

MUW shall own all documents, files, reports, work papers and working documents, electronic or otherwise, created by Contractor in connection with this agreement 

13. Use of Trademarks and Publicity 

Contractor shall not use MUW’s name, work mark, or other university identifier, or the name or title of any MUW official.  Contractor shall also not state or imply its product and/or work as being approved by or otherwise endorsed by MUW, its officers, employees or affiliates.   

14. Confidentiality 

Contractor shall treat all MUW data and information to which it has access by its performance under this agreement as confidential and shall not disclose such data or information to a third party without specific written consent of MUW. In the event that Contractor receives notice that a third-party requests divulgence of confidential or otherwise protected information and/or has served upon it a validly issued judicial order requiring divulgence of such information, Contractor shall promptly inform MUW and thereafter respond in conformity with such court order to the extent mandated by state and/or federal laws, rules and regulations. This Article shall survive the termination or completion of this agreement and shall continue in full force and effect and shall be binding upon Contractor and its agents, employees, successors, assigns, subcontractors or any party or entity claiming an interest in this agreement on behalf of, or under the rights of Contractor following any termination or completion of this agreement.  

To the extent applicable, Contractor shall protect and maintain all records, information, and data collected under the agreement in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, including without limitation, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g (“FERPA”).  Specifically, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Contractor shall protect and maintain any and all “Education Records” of MUW students consistent with applicable FERPA regulations and shall fully cooperate with MUW in any request for such information.  

15. Severability 

If any part of this agreement is declared to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the agreement, and to that end the provisions hereof are severable. In such event, the parties shall amend the agreement as necessary to reflect the original intent of the parties and to bring any invalid or unenforceable provisions in compliance with applicable law. 

16. Termination for Convenience 

MUW may, when the interests of MUW so require, terminate this agreement in whole or in part for convenience of MUW. Written notice of the same is required to be provided by MUW and shall allow no less than thirty (30) days’ written notice prior to the effective date of termination. 

17. Termination for Cause 

Either party may terminate this agreement immediately upon issuance of written notice if the other party fails to perform the obligations to the other party under this agreement. The party issuing such a termination notice may allow 30 days within which the other party may attempt to cure the failure to fulfill its obligations, but such 30-day cure time is not required. 

18. Inspection of Books and Records 

Contractor shall maintain sufficient books and records to accurately reflect all costs of claimed to have been incurred in the performance of this agreement.  MUW shall have the right to inspect and audit the books and records of Contractor at reasonable times and places. Such books and records shall be retained and maintained by Contractor for a minimum of three years following the termination or the expiration of this agreement. 

19. Applicable Law 

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi, excluding its conflicts of law provisions, and any litigation with respect thereto shall be brought in the courts of this state. Contractor shall comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. If a court determines that any provision of this agreement is not enforceable against MUW, Contractor agrees that the individual signing this agreement on behalf of MUW is not personally responsible or liable for any of the obligations and duties contained herein. 

20. Venue  

Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts of Lowndes County, Mississippi, with respect to any litigation arising out of, or related to, this agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (and agrees not to commence any litigation relating thereto except in such courts). Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any litigation arising out of this agreement of the transactions contemplated hereby, in the state courts of Lowndes County, Mississippi, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or  

claim in any such court that any such litigation brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. 

21. Public Records/Transparency  

MUW is subject to the Mississippi Public Records Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq., and the Mississippi Accountability and Transparency Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 27-104-151 et seq. All payments made by MUW will be posted on a public website. The information posted will include the date of payment, Contractor name, Contractor's city and state, and the payment amount. The release of any such information supersedes any applicable non-disclosure or confidentiality obligation of MUW. 

22. Employment Protection Act 

Contractor represents and warrants that it will ensure its compliance with the Mississippi Employment Protection Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 71-11-1 et seq., and shall register and participate in the status verification system for all newly hired employees. The term “employee” as used in this paragraph means any person that is hired to perform work within the State of Mississippi. As used in this paragraph, “status verification system” means the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996 that is operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, also known as the E-Verify Program, or any other successor electronic verification system replacing the E-Verify Program. Contractor shall maintain records of such compliance and, upon request of the State and approval of the Social Security Administration or Department of Homeland Security, where required, to provide a copy of each such verification to the State. Any person assigned by Contractor to perform services for MUW shall meet the employment eligibility requirements of all immigration laws of the State of Mississippi. Any breach of these warranties may subject Contractor to the following: (a) termination of this agreement and ineligibility for any state or public contract in Mississippi for up to three (3) years, with notice of such cancellation/termination being made public, or (b) the loss of any license, permit, certification or other document granted to Contractor by an agency, department or governmental entity for the right to do business in Mississippi for up to one (1) year, or (c) both. In the event of such termination/cancellation, Contractor may also be liable for any additional costs incurred by MUW or the State due to contract cancellation or loss of license or permit. 

23. Force Majeure 

Neither Party shall be deemed in default or otherwise liable hereunder due to its inability to perform by reason of any fire, earthquake, flood, epidemic, accident, explosion, casualty, strike, lockout, labor controversy, riot, civil disturbance, act of public enemy, embargo, war, act of God, or similar causes beyond the party's control. Any delay in performance shall be no greater than the event of force majeure causing the delay. If an event of force majeure continues uninterrupted for a period exceeding six (6) calendar months, either party may elect to terminate this agreement upon notice to the other, but such right of termination, if not exercised, shall expire immediately upon the discontinuance of the event of force majeure. 

24. Entire Agreement 

This agreement represents the entire agreement of the parties, and this agreement supersedes all previous representations, understandings or agreements, oral or written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter. The terms of this agreement shall supersede and take precedence over any contrary terms in any document attached to this agreement.  No change in, or additions to, or waiver of the terms and provisions hereof shall be binding upon MUW or Contractor unless approved in writing by their authorized representative. 

25. State Institution   

Contractor expressly understands and agrees that MUW is a state institution of higher learning and is subject to the laws of the State of Mississippi governing actions of state agencies.  Contractor further acknowledges that MUW does not relinquish or forfeit any of the rights, protections or guarantees afforded it as a state agency under the laws of Mississippi, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other agreement between the parties. 

26. Right to Use Proposals in Future Projects

The State reserves the right to evaluate the awarded proposal from this RFP, including all products and services proposed therein, along with the resulting contractual terms, for possible use in future projects if (a) it is deemed to be in the best interest of the State to do so; and (b) the Vendor is willing to extend a cost less than or equal to that specified in the awarded proposal and resulting contract.  A decision concerning the utilization of a vendor’s proposal for future projects is solely at the discretion of the State and requires the agreement of the proposing Vendor.  The State’s decision to reuse an awarded proposal will be based upon such criteria as: (1) the customer’s business requirements; (2) elapsed time since the award of the original project; and/or (3) research on changes in the Vendor, market, and technical environments since the initial award.

27. Information Security 

To the extent applicable, Contractor shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining an information security program that is designed to (i) ensure the security and confidentiality of data transmitted by MUW to Contractor or data otherwise obtained by Contractor from or about MUW (“MUW Data”), (ii) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of MUW Data, and (iii) protect against unauthorized access to or use of MUW Data that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to MUW or any of its stakeholders.   Contractor shall establish, employ and at all times maintain physical, technical and administrative security safeguards and procedures sufficient to prevent any unauthorized processing of and/or use, access, alteration, disclosure, erasure, copying, exhibition, transmission, or destruction of MUW Data while such information is in Contractor’s possession or control and will ensure that such information is not processed in other ways contradictory to privacy and/or data protection laws.  Contractor will maintain sufficient procedures to detect and respond to security breaches involving MUW Data and will inform MUW immediately when it suspects or learns of malicious activity involving MUW Data, including an estimate of the activity’s effect on MUW and the corrective action taken.  Such procedures shall include, but not be limited to, logging of all access to confidential or sensitive data, use of firewalls for all external data connections, and timely implementation of updates and patches.  

 

At a minimum, Contractor’s safeguards for the protection of MUW Data shall include: (i) limiting access to MUW Data to authorized personnel of Contractor and utilizing policies that promote the least internal access; (ii) securing business facilities, data centers, paper files, servers, back-up systems (at a strategically located off-site location) and computing equipment, including, but not limited to, all mobile devices and other equipment with information storage capability; (iii) implementing network, device application, database and platform security; (iv) securing information transmission, storage and disposal; (v) implementing authentication (two-factor or more secure method) and access controls within media, applications, operating systems and equipment; (vi) encrypting (with AES-256 bit or better encryption) MUW data stored on any mobile media; (vii) encrypting MUW Data transmitted over public or wireless networks; (viii) strictly segregating MUW Data from information of Contractor or its other customers so that MUW Data is not commingled with any other types of information; (ix)  implementing appropriate personnel security and integrity procedures and practices, including, but not limited to, conducting background checks consistent with applicable law; and (x) providing appropriate privacy and information security training to Contractor’s employees. 
 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE PARTIES HAVE EXECUTED THIS AGREEMENT ON THE DATES SHOWN BELOW. 

 

 

CONTRACTOR MUW 

 

___________________________________ ______________________________ 

Signature Signature 

 

___________________________________ ______________________________ 

Name Name 

 

___________________________________ ______________________________ 

Title Title 

 

___________________________________ ______________________________ 

Date Date 

 

 

EXHIBIT A 

 

VENDOR STATEMENT OF WORK