Grant Evaluation Services for NSF EARTh Center Project

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Central Carolina Community College
Request for Proposal #: 86-2027-004
Grant Evaluation Services for NSF EARTh Center Project
Date of Issue: September 4, 2026
Proposal Due Date: September 25, 2026
at 2:00 PM ET
Direct all inquiries concerning this RFP to:
Brandi Hernandez
Director of Purchasing
Email: bhernandez@cccc.edu
Phone: 919-718-7419

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Request for Proposal #
86-2027-004
______________________________________________________
For internal State agency processing, including tabulation of proposals, provide your company's eVP (Electronic
Vendor Portal) Number. Pursuant to G.S. 132-1.10(b) this identification number shall not be released to the public.
This page will be removed and shredded, or otherwise kept confidential, before the procurement file is made
available for public inspection.
This page shall be filled out and returned with your proposal.
Failure to do so may subject your proposal to rejection.
___________________________________________________
Vendor Name
______________________________
Vendor eVP#
Note: For a contract to be awarded to you, your company (you) must be a North Carolina registered vendor in
good standing. You must enter the vendor number assigned through eVP (Electronic Vendor Portal). If you do not
have a vendor number, register at https://vendor.ncgov.com/vendor/login
Electronic responses ONLY will be accepted for this solicitation.
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Central Carolina Community College
Refer ALL Inquiries regarding this RFP to: Request for Proposal #: 86-2027-004
Brandi Hernandez
bhernandez@cccc.edu Proposals will be publicly opened: September 25, 2026 at 2:15 PM ET
919-718-7419
Using Agency: CCCC - EARTh Center Commodity No. and Description: 861415 Educational guidance services
EXECUTION
In compliance with this Request for Proposals (RFP), and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned Vendor offers and agrees to
furnish and deliver any or all items upon which prices are bid, at the prices set opposite each item within the time specified herein.
By executing this proposal, the undersigned Vendor understands that false certification is a Class I felony and certifies that:
* this proposal is submitted competitively and without collusion (G.S. 143-54),
* none of its officers, directors, or owners of an unincorporated business entity has been convicted of any violations of Chapter 78A
of the General Statutes, the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (G.S. 143-59.2), and
* it is not an ineligible Vendor as set forth in G.S. 143-59.1.
Furthermore, by executing this proposal, the undersigned certifies to the best of Vendor's knowledge and belief, that:
* it and its principals are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded
from covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency.
As required by G.S. 143-48.5, the undersigned Vendor certifies that it, and each of its sub-Contractors for any Contract awarded as a result
of this RFP, complies with the requirements of Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the NC General Statutes, including the requirement for each employer
with more than 25 employees in North Carolina to verify the work authorization of its employees through the federal E-Verify system.
As required by Executive Order 24 (2017), the undersigned vendor certifies will comply with all Federal and State requirements concerning
fair employment and that it does not and will not discriminate, harass, or retaliate against any employee in connection with performance of
any Contract arising from this solicitation.
G.S. 133-32 and Executive Order 24 (2009) prohibit the offer to, or acceptance by, any State Employee associated with the preparing plans,
specifications, estimates for public contracts; or awarding or administering public contracts; or inspecting or supervising delivery of the public
contract of any gift from anyone with a contract with the State, or from any person seeking to do business with the State. By execution of
this response to the RFP, the undersigned certifies, for Vendor's entire organization and its employees or agents, that Vendor is not aware
that any such gift has been offered, accepted, or promised by any employees of your organization.
By executing this proposal, Vendor certifies that it has read and agreed to the INSTRUCTION TO VENDORS and the NORTH CAROLINA
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS incorporated herein. These documents can be accessed from the ATTACHMENTS page within this
document.
Failure to execute/sign proposal prior to submittal may render proposal invalid and it MAY BE REJECTED. Late proposals shall not be
accepted.
COMPLETE/FORMAL NAME OF VENDOR:
STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:
CITY & STATE & ZIP: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TOLL FREE TEL. NO:
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS ITEM #21):
PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF VENDOR: FAX NUMBER:
VENDOR'S AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE*: DATE: EMAIL:
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Proposal Number: 86-2027-004 Vendor: __________________________________________
VALIDITY PERIOD
Offer shall be valid for at least sixty 60 days from date of proposal opening, unless otherwise stated here: ______ days, or if extended by
mutual agreement of the parties in writing. Any withdrawal of this offer shall be made in writing, effective upon receipt by the agency
issuing this RFP.
ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL
If your proposal is accepted, all provisions of this RFP, along with the written results of any negotiations, shall constitute the written
agreement between the parties ("Contract"). The NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS are incorporated herein and shall
apply. Depending upon the Goods or Services being offered, other terms and conditions may apply, as mutually agreed.
FOR STATE USE ONLY: Offer accepted and Contract awarded on _________________________, as indicated on the attached certification,
by ____________________________________________________________________.
(Authorized Representative of Central Carolina Community College)
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Proposal Number: 86-2027-004 Vendor: __________________________________________
Contents
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................... 7
1.1 CONTRACT TERM ....................................................................................................................................... 7
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................................................................................. 7
2.1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENT ...................................................................................................... 7
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE ................................................................................................................................ 7
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS ........................................................... 8
2.4 RFP SCHEDULE ........................................................................................................................................... 8
2.5 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS .............................................................................................................................. 8
2.6 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL .............................................................................................................................. 9
2.7 PROPOSAL CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................. 10
2.8 ALTERNATE PROPOSALS .......................................................................................................................... 10
2.9 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................... 10
3.0 METHOD OF AWARD AND PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS ......................................................... 11
3.1 METHOD OF AWARD ............................................................................................................................... 11
3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING EVALUATION .................................. 11
3.3 PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS .......................................................................................................... 11
3.4 EVALUATION CRITERIA............................................................................................................................. 12
3.5 PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES........................................................................................ 13
3.6 INTERPRETATION OF TERMS AND PHRASES ............................................................................................ 13
4.0 REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 13
4.1 PRICING .................................................................................................................................................... 13
4.2 FINANCIAL STABILITY ............................................................................................................................... 14
4.3 VENDOR EXPERIENCE ............................................................................................................................... 14
4.4 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................. 14
4.5 BACKGROUND CHECKS ............................................................................................................................ 15
4.6 PERSONNEL .............................................................................................................................................. 15
4.7 SUBCONTRACTORS .................................................................................................................................. 16
4.8 VENDOR'S REPRESENTATIONS ................................................................................................................. 16
4.9 QUESTIONS TO VENDORS ........................................................................................................................ 16
4.10 AGENCY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS MODIFICATION ........................................................................... 16
4.11 LOBBYING ACTIVITY CERTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL GRANTS ................................................................... 17
4.12 SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION ...................................................................................................... 17
5.0 SPECIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF WORK ........................................................................................... 17
5.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................................... 17
5.2 SCOPE OF WORK ...................................................................................................................................... 18
5.3 TASKS/DELIVERABLES .............................................................................................................................. 19
6.0 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION ......................................................................................................... 19
6.1 CONTRACT MANAGER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ................................................................................... 19
6.2 INVOICES .................................................................................................................................................. 20
6.3 POST AWARD BUSINESS REVIEW MEETINGS ........................................................................................... 20
6.4 PERIODIC STATUS REPORTS ..................................................................................................................... 20
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Proposal Number: 86-2027-004 Vendor: __________________________________________
6.5 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ................................................................................................................. 21
6.6 ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ........................................................................................................................... 21
6.7 TRANSITION ASSISTANCE ......................................................................................................................... 21
6.8 DISPUTE RESOLUTION .............................................................................................................................. 22
6.9 CONTRACT CHANGES ............................................................................................................................... 22
7.0 FEDERAL FUNDING PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES ............................................................................... 22
7.1 CLEAN AIR ACT AND FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT ......................................................... 22
7.2 DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION .............................................................................................................. 22
7.3 RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER A CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT .................................................. 22
7.4 ACCESS TO RECORDS ............................................................................................................................... 22
7.5 RECORD RETENTION ................................................................................................................................ 23
7.6 ENERGY EFFICIENCY ................................................................................................................................. 23
7.7 PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR
EQUIPMENT ............................................................................................................................................. 23
8.0 ATTACHMENTS .............................................................................................................................. 24
ATTACHMENT A: COST PROPOSAL ....................................................................................................................... 24
ATTACHMENT B: INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS .................................................................................................... 24
ATTACHMENT C: NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS ............................................................... 24
ATTACHMENT D: CUSTOMER REFERENCE FORM ................................................................................................. 25
ATTACHMENT E: LOCATION OF WORKERS UTILIZED BY VENDOR ........................................................................ 26
ATTACHMENT F: CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL CONDITION .............................................................................. 27
CERTIFICATION FOR CONTRACTS, GRANTS, LOANS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS ..................................... 28
OMB STANDARD FORM LLL................. ................................................................................................................. 29
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Proposal Number: 86-2027-004 Vendor: __________________________________________
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
The Environmental and Natural Resource Technology (EARTh) Center, funded by the National Science Foundation
and located at Central Carolina Community College, is a pivotal force for societal advancement by integrating
professional expertise and innovative educational models into the environmental technology sector. Its efforts to
forge partnerships across various sectors within environmental tech and natural resources-focused areas of study
and industry aim to enhance the development of educational resources for community college classrooms, provide
cross-disciplinary opportunities for experiential faculty professional development, and disseminate the created
bodies of work widely for use by institutions and the public. Its strategic use of digital platforms for resource sharing
and commitment to providing a variety of virtual and hands-on opportunities for faculty and student development
underscores a passion to broaden access to environmental technologies and professional development, ensuring
that all stakeholders are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills.
Through a suite of professional development initiatives, the EARTh Center is dedicated to elevating the standards
of environmental technology education and addressing the disparity in research opportunities between four-year
institutions and community colleges. By creating accessible Undergraduate Research Experiences and immersive
learning environments, the Center aims to cultivate a robust workforce capable of confronting environmental
challenges and developing solutions. This concerted approach promises to enhance the technical acumen and
sustainable practices of future professionals.
The EARTh Center is seeking a qualified vendor to provide external evaluation services to monitor and assess the
impact of this work. Evaluation work for this proposal will commence as of October 1, 2026, and continue through
the duration of the Center's funding.
The intent of this solicitation is to award an Agency Specific Term Contract.
1.1 CONTRACT TERM
The Contract term shall commence on the contract execution date (the "Effective Date") and shall continue until
completion and acceptance of all requirements within the scope of work. The Center's grant duration is October 1,
2026 through September 30, 2031. The Contract length is a five (5) year contract with the option to renew for an
additional two (2) one-year terms if the Center grant is extended, and upon mutual agreement of all parties. Total
Contract length shall not exceed seven (7) years. Evaluation Contract Time Commitment is not to exceed 500 hours
per year. The Vendor shall begin work immediately upon the Effective Date.
Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions of this RFP and any addenda issued
hereto.
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENT
This RFP is comprised of the base RFP document, any attachments, and any addenda released before Contract
award, which are incorporated herein by reference.
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE
ATTENTION: The E-Procurement fee may apply to this solicitation. See the paragraph entitled ELECTRONIC
PROCUREMENT of the North Carolina General Terms and Conditions.
General information on the E-Procurement Services can be found at: http://eprocurement.nc.gov/.
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Proposal Number: 86-2027-004 Vendor: __________________________________________
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
It shall be the Vendor's responsibility to read the Instructions to Vendors, the North Carolina General Terms and
Conditions, all relevant exhibits and attachments, and any other components made a part of this RFP and comply
with all requirements and specifications herein. Vendors are also responsible for obtaining and complying with all
Addenda and other changes that may be issued in connection with this RFP.
If Vendors have questions or issues regarding any component of this RFP, those must be submitted as questions in
accordance with the instructions in the PROPOSAL QUESTIONS Section. If the College determines that any changes
will be made as a result of the questions asked, then such decisions will be communicated in the form of an RFP
addendum. The College may also elect to leave open the possibility for later negotiation of specific provisions of
the Contract that have been addressed during the question-and-answer period, prior to contract award.
Other than through the process of negotiation under 01 NCAC 05B.0503, the State rejects and will not be required
to evaluate or consider any additional or modified terms and conditions submitted with Vendor's proposal or
otherwise. This applies to any language appearing in or attached to the document as part of the Vendor's proposal
that purports to vary any terms and conditions or Vendors' instructions herein or to render the proposal non-
binding or subject to further negotiation. Vendor's proposal shall constitute a firm offer that shall be held open for
the period required herein ("Validity Period" above).
The College may exercise its discretion to consider Vendor proposed modifications. By execution and delivery of
this RFP Response, the Vendor agrees that any additional or modified terms and conditions, whether submitted
purposely or inadvertently, shall have no force or effect, and will be disregarded unless expressly agreed upon
through negotiation and incorporated by way of a Best and Final Offer (BAFO). Noncompliance with, or any
attempt to alter or delete, this paragraph shall constitute sufficient grounds to reject Vendor's proposal as
nonresponsive.
2.4 RFP SCHEDULE
The table below shows the intended schedule for this RFP. The College will make every effort to adhere to this
schedule.
Event Responsibility Date and Time
Issue RFP College September 4, 2026
Submit Written Questions Vendor September 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST
Provide Response to Questions College September 17, 2026
Submit Proposals Vendor September 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST
Proposal Opening Google Meet link September 25, 2026 at 2:15 PM EST
Join by phone:
+1 720-500-4339
PIN: 243 148 785#
Contract Award College October 16, 2026
2.5 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS
Upon review of the RFP documents, Vendors may have questions to clarify or interpret the RFP in order to submit
the best proposal possible. To accommodate the Proposal Questions process, Vendors shall submit any such
questions by the "Submit Written Questions" date and time provided in the RFP SCHEDULE Section above, unless
modified by Addendum.
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Proposal Number: 86-2027-004 Vendor: __________________________________________
Written questions shall be emailed to bhernandez@cccc.edu by the date and time specified above. Vendors should
enter "RFP # 86-2027-004 Questions" as the subject for the email. Question submittals should include a reference
to the applicable RFP section and be submitted in the format shown below:
Reference Vendor Question
RFP Section, Page Number Vendor question ...?
Questions received prior to the submission deadline date, the College's response, and any additional terms deemed
necessary by the College will be posted in the form of an addendum to the electronic Vendor Portal (eVP),
https://evp.nc.gov, and shall become an Addendum to this RFP. No information, instruction or advice provided
orally or informally by any State personnel, whether made in response to a question or otherwise in connection
with this RFP, shall be considered authoritative or binding. Vendors shall rely only on written material contained in
the RFP and an addendum to this RFP.
2.6 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an absolute requirement. Late proposals, regardless of cause, will not be opened or
considered, and will be automatically disqualified from further consideration. Vendor shall bear the sole risk of late
submission due to unintended or unanticipated delay. It is the Vendor's sole responsibility to ensure its proposal
has been received as described in this RFP by the specified time and date of opening. The time and date of receipt
will be marked on each proposal when received. Any proposal or portion thereof received after the proposal
deadline will be rejected.
All proposal responses shall be submitted electronically via the electronic Vendor Portal (eVP). Vendor RFP
responses must be submitted as one (1) document. Proposals must be in .pdf format and use the following
naming convention: "VendorName_RFP86-2027-004_Proposal". All proposal pages must be consecutively
numbered.
If confidential and proprietary information is included in the proposal, also submit one (1) signed, REDACTED copy
of the proposal. Such information may include trade secrets defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. 66-152 and other
information exempted from the Public Records Act pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 132- 1.2. Vendor may designate
information, Products, Services or appropriate portions of its response as confidential, consistent with and to the
extent permitted under the statutes and rules set forth above. By so redacting any page, or portion of a page, the
Vendor warrants that it has formed a good faith opinion, having received such necessary or proper review by
counsel and other knowledgeable advisors, that the portions determined to be confidential and proprietary and
redacted as such, meet the requirements of the Rules and Statutes set forth above. However, under no
circumstances shall price information be designated as confidential.
If the Vendor does not provide a redacted version of the proposal with its proposal submission, the College may
release an unredacted version if a record request is received.
Failure to submit a proposal in strict accordance with these instructions shall constitute sufficient cause to reject a
Vendor's proposal(s). Vendors are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to upload proposals.
Critical updated information may be included in Addenda to this RFP. It is important that all Vendors responding to
this RFP periodically check the State's eVP website for any Addenda that may be issued prior to the proposal opening
date. All Vendors shall be deemed to have read and understood all information in this RFP and all Addenda thereto.
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Proposal Number: 86-2027-004 Vendor: __________________________________________
2.7 PROPOSAL CONTENTS
Vendors shall populate all attachments of this RFP that require the Vendor to provide information and include an
authorized signature where requested. Failure to provide all required items, or Vendor's submission of incomplete
items, may result in the College rejecting Vendor's proposal, in the College's sole discretion.
Vendor RFP responses shall include the following items and attachments arranged in the following order:
a) Cover Letter, which must contain the following: (i) a statement that confirms that the proposer has read
the RFP in its entirety, including all links, and all Addenda released in conjunction with the RFP, (ii) a
statement that the Vendor agrees to perform in accordance with the scope of work, requirements, and
specifications contained herein; and (iii) Vendor's agreement to comply with all instructions, terms and
conditions, and attachments.
b) Title Page including the company name, address, phone number and authorized representative along with
the Proposal Number.
c) Completed and signed version of all EXECUTION PAGES, along with the body of the RFP. The Vendor must
complete all administrative sections within the original RFP document, including Sections 4.5.1, 4.12, and
6.1.
d) Signed receipt pages of any Addenda released in conjunction with this RFP, if required to be returned.
e) Vendor's Proposal addressing all Specifications of this RFP, including Sections 4.3, 4.6, 4.9, 5.2, and 5.3.
Vendor's Proposal shall be limited to twenty-five (25) pages, exclusive of the RFP and required
attachments. If the Proposal exceeds this page limit, only the first twenty-five (25) pages will be
evaluated.
f) Completed version of ATTACHMENT A: PRICING
g) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT D: CUSTOMER REFERENCE FORM
h) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT E: LOCATION OF WORKERS UTILIZED BY VENDOR
i) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT F: CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
j) Completed and signed version of CERTIFICATION FOR CONTRACTS, GRANTS, LOANS, AND COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS and OMB STANDARD FORM LLL
k) Signed, redacted copy of Proposal (if applicable)
2.8 ALTERNATE PROPOSALS
Unless provided otherwise in this RFP, Vendor may submit alternate proposals for comparable Goods, various
methods or levels of Service(s), or that propose different options. Alternate proposals must specifically identify the
RFP requirements and advantage(s) addressed by the alternate proposal. Any alternate proposal, in addition to the
marking described above, must be clearly marked with the legend: "Alternate Proposal #___ for 'NAME OF
VENDOR'". Each proposal must be for a specific set of Goods and Services and must include specific pricing. If a
Vendor chooses to respond with various offerings, each must be offered with a separate price and be contained in
a separate proposal document. Each proposal must be complete and independent of other proposals offered.
2.9 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS
Relevant definitions for this RFP are provided in 01 NCAC 05A .0112 and in the Instructions to Vendors found below
which are incorporated herein by this reference.
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