50-2627002 Workforce Diploma Program RFP IT Sourcing Event

Location:	North Carolina
Posted:	Sep 2, 2026
Due:	Sep 30, 2026
Agency:	State Government of North Carolina
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	V - Transportation, Travel and Relocation Services X - Lease or Rental of Facilities
Solicitation No:	Doc2340536286
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Solicitation Number:	Doc2340536286
Project Title:	50-2627002 Workforce Diploma Program RFP IT Sourcing Event
Description:	The purpose of this RFP is to solicit Offers for a vendor to administer the Workforce Diploma Program as enacted as part of Section 6.8 Workforce Diploma Program of Session Law 2026-41 (Senate Bill 257 the Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2026)
Opening Date:	9/30/2026 2:00 PM
Posted Date:	9/3/2026
Status:	Open
Department:	STATE OF NC - COMMUNITY COLLEGES SYSTEMS OFFICE


Solicitation Number * Doc2340536286	Department STATE OF NC - COMMUNITY COLLEGES SYSTEMS OFFICE	Status Reason Open
Opening Date 2026-09-30T14:00:00.0000000	Posted Date * 2026-09-02T17:20:08.0000000Z	Primary Commodity Code Educational certificates or diplomas
Mandatory Conference/Site Visit — —	Special Instructions —	Solicitation Type * RFP
Owner Grant Braley
Description The purpose of this RFP is to solicit Offers for a vendor to administer the Workforce Diploma Program as enacted as part of Section 6.8 Workforce Diploma Program of Session Law 2026-41 (Senate Bill 257 the Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2026)

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Community College System Office

(NCCCSO)

Federal Programs

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. : 50-2627002

Contract Name: Workforce Diploma Project

Bid Opening Date: September 30, 2026

Refer ALL inquiries regarding this RFP to:

Grant F. Braley, Director of Procurement &

Auxiliary Services

(919) 807-7199

braleyg@nccommunitycolleges.edu

OFFER

Issue Date: September 2, 2026

Commodity Code: 601016 - Educational Certificates or

Diplomas

Purchasing Agency: NCCCS

Requisition No.:

The Purchasing Agency solicits offers for Services and/or goods described in this solicitation. All offers and responses

received shall be treated as Offers to contract as defined in 9 NCAC 06A.0102(12).

EXECUTION

In compliance with this Request for Proposal (RFP), and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned offers

and agrees to furnish any or all Services or goods upon which prices are offered, at the price(s) offered herein, within

the time specified herein.

Failure to execute/sign offer prior to submittal shall render offer invalid. Late offers are not acceptable.

OFFEROR:

STREET ADDRESS:

P.O. BOX:

ZIP:

CITY, STATE & ZIP:

TELEPHONE

NUMBER:

TOLL FREE TEL.

NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING:

FAX NUMBER:

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:

DATE:

E-MAIL:

Offer valid for 270 days from date of offer opening unless otherwise stated here: ____ days

ACCEPTANCE OF OFFER

If any or all parts of this offer are accepted, an authorized representative of NCCCSO shall affix its signature hereto and

any subsequent Request for Best and Final Offer, if issued. Acceptance shall create a contract having an order of

precedence as follows: Best and Final Offers, if any, Special terms and conditions specific to this RFP, Specifications of

the RFP, the Department of Information Technology Terms and Conditions, and the agreed portion of the awarded

Vendor’s Offer. A copy of this acceptance will be forwarded to the awarded Vendor(s).

FOR NCCCSO USE ONLY

Offer accepted and contract awarded this date

, as indicated on attached certification, by

(Authorized representative of NCCCSO).

Workforce Diploma Program – NCCCSO RFP # 50-2627002

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Table of Contents

1.0 ANTICIPATED PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE .................................................................................................. 3

2.0 PURPOSE OF RFP ............................................................................................................................................ 3

2.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 3

2.2 AGENCY BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................. 3

2.3 SUMMARY OF PROBLEM STATEMENT..................................................................................................... 4

2.4 CONTRACT TERM........................................................................................................................................ 4

2.5 EFFECTIVE DATE......................................................................................................................................... 4

2.6 CONTRACT TYPE......................................................................................................................................... 4

3.0 RFP REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................... 5

3.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................... 5

3.2 SECURITY SPECIFICATIONS...................................................................................................................... 5

3.3 ENTERPRISE SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................................................. 8

3.3.1 ARCHITECTURE DIAGRAMS.......................................................................................................................... 8

3.3.2 SOLUTION ROADMAP..................................................................................................................................... 8

3.3.3 IDENTITY AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................................... 8

3.3.4 INTEGRATION APPROACH ............................................................................................................................ 8

3.3.5 DISASTER RECOVERY AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY................................................................................ 9

3.3.6 DATA MIGRATION – RESERVED ................................................................................................................... 9

3.3.7 APPLICATION MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 9

3.3.8 ACCESSIBILITY................................................................................................................................................ 9

3.4 BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................... 10

3.5 BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................................................... 11

4.0 COST OF VENDOR’S OFFER ......................................................................................................................... 12

4.1 OFFER COSTS ........................................................................................................................................... 12

4.2 PAYMENT SCHEDULE ............................................................................................................................... 12

5.0 EVALUATION ................................................................................................................................................... 13

5.1 SOURCE SELECTION ................................................................................................................................ 13

5.2 EVALUATION CRITERIA ............................................................................................................................ 13

5.3 BEST AND FINAL OFFERS (BAFO)........................................................................................................... 13

5.4 POSSESSION AND REVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 14

6.0 VENDOR INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS ........................................................................................... 14

6.1 GENERAL CONDITIONS OF OFFER......................................................................................................... 14

6.2 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR VENDOR .............................................................................................. 15

6.3 INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFER SUBMISSION ............................................................................................ 17

7.0 OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIAL TERMS......................................................................................... 19

7.1 VENDOR UTILIZATION OF WORKERS OUTSIDE OF U.S. ..................................................................... 19

7.2 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ......................................................................................................................... 19

7.3 FINANCIAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT, QUALITY ASSURANCE, PERFORMANCE AND

RELIABILITY ............................................................................................................................................................ 20

7.4 VENDOR’S LICENSE OR SUPPORT AGREEMENTS .............................................................................. 20

7.5 RESELLERS – RESERVED........................................................................................................................ 20

7.6 DISCLOSURE OF LITIGATION .................................................................................................................. 20

7.7 CRIMINAL CONVICTION ............................................................................................................................ 21

7.8 SECURITY AND BACKGROUND CHECKS ............................................................................................... 21

7.9 ASSURANCES ............................................................................................................................................ 21

7.10 CONFIDENTIALITY OF OFFERS ................................................................................................................... 22

7.11 PROJECT MANAGEMENT.............................................................................................................................. 22

7.12 MEETINGS....................................................................................................................................................... 22

7.13 RECYCLING AND SOURCE REDUCTION .................................................................................................... 22

7.14 SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS - RESERVED..................................................................................... 22

Workforce Diploma Program – NCCCSO RFP # 50-2627002

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7.15 AGENCY TERMS AND CONDITIONS - RESERVED..................................................................................... 22

ATTACHMENT A: DEFINITIONS................................................................................................................................. 23

ATTACHMENT B: NC DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

VENDOR HOSTED STATE DATA AND/OR XAAS SOLUTIONS............................................................................... 24

ATTACHMENT C: DESCRIPTION OF OFFEROR...................................................................................................... 40

ATTACHMENT D: COST FORM.................................................................................................................................. 41

ATTACHMENT E: VENDOR CERTIFICATION FORM ............................................................................................... 42

ATTACHMENT F: LOCATION OF WORKERS UTILIZED BY VENDOR - DISCLOSURE STATEMENT.................. 43

ATTACHMENT G: REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 45

ATTACHMENT H: FINANCIAL REVIEW FORM ......................................................................................................... 46

Workforce Diploma Program – NCCCSO RFP # 50-2627002

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1.0 ANTICIPATED PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

The Agency Procurement Agent will make every effort to adhere to the following schedule:

Action

Responsibility

Date

RFP Issued

Agency

9/2/2026

Written Questions Deadline

Potential Vendors

9/15/2026

Agency’s Response to Written Questions/

RFP Addendum Issued

Agency

9/22/2026

Offer Opening Deadline

Vendor(s)

9/30/2026

Offer Evaluation

Agency

10/1/2026

Selection of Finalists

Agency

10/9/2026

Oral Presentations and/or Product Demonstrations by Selected Vendors

Finalists

10/13/2026

Negotiations with Finalists

Agency designees and

selected Vendor(s)

10/14/2026

Best and Final Offers Deadline from Finalists

Selected Vendors

10/30/2026

Contract Award

Agency

11/20/2026

Protest Deadline

Responding Vendors

15 days after

award

2.0 PURPOSE OF RFP

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this RFP is to solicit Offers for a vendor to administer the Workforce Diploma Program as enacted

as part of Section 6.8 Workforce Diploma Program of Session Law 2026-41 (Senate Bill 257 the Current

Operations Appropriations Act of 2026).

2.2 AGENCY BACKGROUND

NCCCS is a statewide network of 58 public community colleges that enrolls 600,000 students annually. It is the

3rd largest in the nation based on the number of colleges. The mission of the North Carolina Community College

System is to open the door to high-quality, accessible educational opportunities that minimize barriers to post-

secondary education, maximize student success, develop a global, multicultural, and competent workforce, and

improve the lives and wellbeing of N.C. citizens.

The Federal Programs section provides leadership, oversight, training, and policy development services to

institutions in the community college system for programs funded primarily through the Strengthening Career and

Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

(WIOA) Title II program. These federal programs provide technical assistance, professional development, and

instructional and support services to provide NC Community College student access to high-quality Career and

Technical Education programs (Perkins V) and adult education and literacy services (WIOA Title II).

Workforce Diploma Program – NCCCSO RFP # 50-2627002

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2.3 SUMMARY OF PROBLEM STATEMENT

North Carolina faces an ongoing workforce challenge created by a population of adult residents who have not

earned a high school diploma or equivalent credential. These individuals often encounter significant barriers to

employment, wage growth, career advancement, and participation in high-demand industries. Many adults who

left high school before graduation require flexible and personalized educational opportunities that accommodate

work, family, and financial responsibilities while also providing clear pathways to employment and industry-

recognized credentials.

Adult education programs consistently provide the combination of competency-based instruction, individualized

academic planning, employability skills development, career advising, workforce credential attainment, and

ongoing mentoring necessary to support successful completion and workforce entry. However, many adults

remain unaware or cannot access educational opportunities that could improve their economic mobility and help

address North Carolina's workforce needs.

The North Carolina Community College System Office is seeking a qualified third-party vendor to provide

instructional and student support services in partnership with North Carolina community college Adult High School

programs. The selected vendor will collaborate with participating colleges to deliver a comprehensive virtual

program that complements local Adult High School services and enables students to make measurable progress

toward educational and workforce outcomes. The program must provide comprehensive student support services,

including academic assessments, transcript evaluations, individualized learning plans, proactive student

engagement, mentoring, career advising, online tutoring, remediation in literacy and numeracy, employability skills

development, workforce credential preparation, and employment readiness services.

The objective of this procurement is to contract with a qualified organization that has demonstrated success

administering large-scale adult high school diploma programs and can deliver a virtual, statewide, outcomes-

based model in partnership with North Carolina community colleges. The selected vendor must possess the

capacity, technology infrastructure, instructional expertise, and student support resources necessary to increase

high school diploma attainment, improve workforce readiness, and support positive employment outcomes for

participating North Carolina residents. Program success will be measured through participant enrollment and

engagement, credit completion, employability skills certifications, workforce credential attainment, high school

diploma completion, and employment-related outcomes.

2.4 CONTRACT TERM

A contract awarded pursuant to this RFP shall have an effective date as provided in the Notice of Award. The term

shall be a one (1) term, beginning on October 1, 2026, and will expire upon the anniversary date of the effective

date unless otherwise stated in the Notice of Award, or unless terminated earlier. The State retains the option to

extend the Agreement for two (2) additional one-year periods at its sole discretion.

2.5 EFFECTIVE DATE

This solicitation, including any Exhibits, or any resulting contract or amendment shall not become effective nor

bind the State until the appropriate State purchasing authority/official or Agency official has signed the

document(s), contract or amendment; the effective award date has been completed on the document(s), by the

State purchasing official, and that date has arrived or passed. The State shall not be responsible for reimbursing

the Vendor for goods provided nor Services rendered prior to the appropriate signatures and the arrival of the

effective date of the Agreement. No contract shall be binding on the State until an encumbrance of funds has been

made for payment of the sums due under the Agreement.

2.6 CONTRACT TYPE

Definite Quantity Contract - This request is for a close-ended contract between the awarded Vendor and the State

to furnish a pre-determined quantity of a good or service during a specified period of time.

Workforce Diploma Program – NCCCSO RFP # 50-2627002

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

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50-2627002 Workforce Diploma Program RFP IT Sourcing Event

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