AX-26-003 Executive Search Services

Location:	Arkansas
Posted:	Jan 13, 2026
Due:	Feb 3, 2026
Agency:	University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

5210 Grand Avenue

Fort Smith, AR 72904

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AX-26-003

EXECUTIVE SEARCH SERVICES

Bid Number:

Description:

AX-26-003

SOLICITATION INFORMATION

Executive Search Services

Solicitation

Issued:

January 13, 2026

Deadline:

SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE

February 3, 2026

Bid Opening Time: 3:00 p.m., Central Time

Proposals shall not be accepted after the designated bid opening date and time. In accordance with Arkansas

Procurement Law and Rules, it is the responsibility of vendors to submit proposals on or before the bid opening date and

time. Proposals received after the designated deadline shall be considered late and shall be returned to the Vendor

without further review.

In the event that UAFS is closed for inclement weather, the bid opening shall be postponed until 2:00 p.m. the next fully

open and operational workday.

DELIVERY OF RESPONSE DOCUMENTS

Delivery Address:

One (1) hard copy, one (1) digital copy, and one (1) digital redacted copy (optional) should be

mailed directly to UAFS, Attn: Lance Killough, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72904. If using

USPS, the mailing address is PO Box 3649, Fort Smith, AR 72913.

See page 20, PROPRIETARY INFORMATION / OPEN RECORDS

Shipping label or outer packaging should reference: AX-26-003 Executive Search Services

Issuing Officer:

Email Address:

UAFS PROCUREMENT SERVICES CONTACT INFORMATION

Lance Killough, Director, Procurement & Contracts

Phone Number:

lance.killough@uafs.edu

UAFS Website

479-788-7041

https://uafs.edu

AX-26-003 Executive Search Services

SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, for and on behalf of, the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

(UAFS) seeks proposals from qualified Executive Search Firms to assist the University in identifying, screening, and

establishing a pool of qualified candidates for one (1) Dean position and three (3) Department Head positions.

The immediate and urgent needs of the University are for the positions of Dean, College of Business & Industry,

Department Head, Business, Department Head, Engineering and Department Head and Full Professor, Computer

Science. Please see appendices A,B,C, and D for the job descriptions of the positions needed.

The selected firm must have experience in the successful placement of qualified candidates for senior level

positions in higher education. Success in recent Deans/Department Heads is preferred.

Submissions need to be comprehensive and include proposals for all positions listed on the RFP. Any submissions

that do not contain proposals for all positions will be rejected.

The University is committed to a fair, transparent, and competitive process that results in the selection of

exceptional academic leaders who will advance UAFS’s mission and strategic priorities.

1.2 PURPOSE

This is a bid of new services.

The intent of this RFP is to allow all interested Vendors to provide enough information that will enable UAFS to

determine which Vendor can provide the best overall value to the University.

This RFP incorporates a two-step selection process for awarding of the Executive Search Services described herein.

The University may select one or more Vendors deemed as finalists for inclusion in the second step based on the

initial review and evaluation of the proposal responses.

In the second step of the process, the finalists shall be required to provide additional information. The request

for additional information may include a response to questions for each Vendor selected in this second step,

further pricing information, interviews, a best and final offer, and any other information deemed necessary by

UAFS. Award will be made to the Vendor whose proposal conforms to this RFP and, in the sole judgement of the

University, will be the most advantageous to UAFS.

By submitting responses, each Vendor certifies that the full knowledge of the scope and nature of the opportunity

described in this RFP has been understood. Each Vendor also certifies that all costs relating to preparing and

responding to this RFP will be the sole responsibility of the Vendor.

AX-26-003 Executive Search Services

1.3 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The University has made every effort to use industry-accepted terminology in this RFP and will attempt to further

clarify any point or item in question. The words “bidder”, “vendor”, “contractor”, “provider”, “proposer”,

“respondent”, “supplier”, and “offeror” are used synonymously within this document. “Agreement” refers to the

contract resulting from this RFP and “University” or “UAFS” should be interpreted to mean the University of

Arkansas at Fort Smith.

1.4 TERM OF CONTRACT

UAFS seeks to enter into a contract immediately; however, any resulting contract of this RFP is subject to

approval processes which includes legal review by UA General Counsel and the Arkansas Legislative Council.

1.5 ANTICIPATED CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TASK

Release of Request for Proposal

DATE

January 13, 2026

Deadline for Written Questions by Vendors

January 19, 2026

Deadline for Written Responses to Vendors (issued by addendum) January 21, 2026

Proposals Due from Vendors

February 3, 2026

Evaluation Complete*

February 2026

ALC Review*

March 2026

Contract Start Date*

*Anticipated Dates

March 2026

Should the time periods specified following the Proposals Due from Vendors date differ, UAFS will not be

penalized. UAFS will make a good faith effort to follow the timeline above for evaluating, negotiating and

issuing an award.

1.6 INSTITUTION SUMMARY

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith was established in 1928 as a junior college extension of the public-

school system. Most of its history is that of a two-year institution that has operated under several names

including Fort Smith Junior College, Westark Junior College, Westark Community College, and Westark College.

On December 15, 2000, the respective governing boards of Westark College and the University of Arkansas System

entered into an agreement to merge Westark with the System as a four-year, baccalaureate institution. UAFS

became a four-year university and joined the UA System on January 1, 2002.

UAFS is one campus with 922 total employees (575 full-time, 347 part-time). Today, UAFS is the third largest of

the five universities in the University of Arkansas System and the sixth largest of the state’s four-year

institutions.

AX-26-003 Executive Search Services

In the fall of 2015, UAFS offered its first graduate degree, a Master of Science in healthcare administration. In

2019, it launched its second graduate degree, a Master of Education with emphasis areas of English and

curriculum and instruction.

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith is a vibrant mid-sized public university dedicated to breaking the higher

education mold by bringing truly transformative, hands-on experiences to every student. From high school

seniors to senior professionals, first-generation students to “second chancers”, our goal is to provide a high-

quality, future-focused education that honors each student's unique, personal situations and goals. Our tiered

approach to learning offers students access to more than 80 degree plans and programs including certificate,

associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of

our commitment to serve the diverse population of Arkansas, to maintain the excellence of the University, and

to offer students richly varied disciplines and perspectives.

The UAFS campus is comprised of 77 buildings and facilities located on 170 beautifully manicured acres and

crowned with the Donald W. Reynolds Campus Plaza, Tower, and Campus Green. Students who choose to live

on campus may do so in one of two residence hall complexes, complete with a full-service dining center, or the

on-campus apartment complex for married students and upper-class students. Campus involvement is

encouraged by participation in more than 100 registered student organizations, which includes academic

societies, a dynamic Greek life system, intramural sports, and cultural/special interest groups. The UAFS Lions

compete in the NCAA Division II MIAA Athletic Conference in men’s baseball, women’s volleyball, and men’s and

women’s basketball, golf, cross country, and tennis.

Enrollment:

• Fall 2021 –5,444

• Fall 2022 - 5,360

• Fall 2023 - 5,506

• Fall 2024 - 5,496

• Fall 2025 - 5,498

Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas

Website: https://uafs.edu

AX-26-003 Executive Search Services

SECTION 2

REQUIRED SERVICES / PROJECT SCOPE

2.1 SCOPE OF WORK

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, a member of the University of Arkansas System seeks to contract with

a search firm to provide expert services in the recruitment of one (1) Dean position and three (3) Department

Head positions.

1. Dean, College of Business & Industry

2. Department Head, Business

3. Department Head, Engineering

4. Department Head and Full Professor, Computer Science

The selected firm must have experience in the successful placement of qualified candidates for senior level

positions in higher education.

Through the RFP, UAFS seeks a partner who can:

• Develop targeted recruitment strategies to attract diverse and highly qualified candidates

• Conduct proactive outreach to encourage interest from potential applicants nationwide.

• Screen and evaluate applicants to ensure alignment with university standards and position requirements.

• Build and maintain a candidate pool that supports timely and successful appointments.

2.2 CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

See Appendix A, B, C and D for more details on the qualifications and descriptions for the positions

2.3 SPECIFICATION AND DELIVERABLES

The selected firm will be required to provide the following deliverables as part of this RFP.

1. Implementation of the recruitment process

2. Advertising

3. Background Checks

4. Management of the recruitment process

5. Sharing all applications with search advisory committee

6. Candidate Pool List: A maintained roster of vetted candidates for each position, updated regularly

throughout the search process.

7. Progress Updates: Reporting to University leadership detailing search status, challenges, and

recommendations.

8. Final Candidate Slate: A list of recommended finalists for each position, accompanied by supporting

documentation and evaluation summaries.

9. Compliance Assurance: Confirmation that all recruitment activities adhere to applicable laws, University

policies, and confidentiality standards.

AX-26-003 Executive Search Services

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

Name	Deadline
AX-26-003 Executive Search Services	3 p.m. CST Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026

AX-26-003 Executive Search Services

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