Articulation and Transfer Statewide System; THEC - UPDATED

Agency:	State Government of Tennessee
State:	Tennessee
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	541330 - Engineering Services 541519 - Other Computer Related Services
Posted Date:	Apr 2, 2026
Due Date:	Apr 17, 2026
Solicitation No:	RFP 33201-04526
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03-05-25 RFP

STATE OF TENNESSEE

TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FOR

ARTICULATION AND TRANSFER STATEWIDE SYSTEM

RFP # 33201-04526

RFP CONTENTS

SECTIONS:

INTRODUCTION

RFP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL CONTRACTING INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS

EVALUATION & CONTRACT AWARD

ATTACHMENTS:

6.1. Response Statement of Certifications & Assurances

6.2. Technical Response & Evaluation Guide

6.3. Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide

6.4. Reference Questionnaire

6.5. Score Summary Matrix

6.6. Pro Forma Contract

03-05-25 RFP

INTRODUCTION

The State of Tennessee, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, hereinafter referred to as “THEC” or

“the State,” issues this Request for Proposals (RFP) to define minimum contract requirements; solicit

responses; detail response requirements; and, outline the State’s process for evaluating responses and

selecting a contractor to provide the needed goods or services.

Through this RFP, the State seeks to procure necessary goods or services at the most favorable,

competitive prices and to give ALL qualified respondents, including those that are owned by minorities,

women, service-disabled veterans, persons with disabilities and small business enterprises, an

opportunity to do business with the state as contractors, subcontractors or suppliers.

1.1. Statement of Procurement Purpose

THEC is seeking proposals for a comprehensive statewide articulation and transfer technology system to

support Tennessee’s college students. The Contractor shall design, develop, and provide to THEC a

program or suite of programs to evaluate and translate prior learning into academic credit. This shall

include, but is not limited to, credit for prior learning, credit earned through work experience, military

training, credit by examination, and reverse transfer.

The system shall utilize all requested and relevant informational resources provided or identified by THEC

and must deliver timely, accurate, and accessible information to current and prospective students

regarding the amount of academic credit they may be eligible to receive at any public college or university

within the state of Tennessee.

The Contractor shall lead and manage the full implementation of the program or suite of programs,

ensuring alignment with THEC’s strategic goals and institutional needs. Additionally, the Contractor shall

provide ongoing maintenance and technical support, including regular updates to ensure continued

system functionality, accuracy of credit evaluations, and responsiveness to policy or curriculum changes.

1.1.2. The payment structure for this contract will be contingent on the satisfactory provision of goods or

services set out in section A. The contractor shall be compensated based on the following payment

methodology:

Goods or Services Description

Implementation

Training (Administrators and users)

Annual Cost for Hosting

Annual License for Services

System Maintenance

Client Support Services

Amount

(per compensable increment)

$ /one time fee

$ /annually

1.2. Scope of Service, Contract Period, & Required Terms and Conditions

The RFP Attachment 6.6., Pro Forma Contract details the State’s requirements:

▪ Scope of Services and Deliverables (Section A);

▪ Contract Period (Section B);

▪ Payment Terms (Section C);

RFP # 33201-04526

03-05-25 RFP

▪ Standard Terms and Conditions (Section D); and,

▪ Special Terms and Conditions (Section E).

The pro forma contract substantially represents the contract document that the successful Respondent

must sign.

1.3. Nondiscrimination

No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to

discrimination in the performance of a Contract pursuant to this RFP or in the employment practices of the

Contractor on the grounds of handicap or disability, age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin,

or any other classification protected by federal, Tennessee state constitutional, or statutory law. The

Contractor pursuant to this RFP shall, upon request, show proof of such nondiscrimination and shall post

in conspicuous places, available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination.

1.4. RFP Communications

1.4.1. The State has assigned the following RFP identification number that must be referenced in all

communications regarding this RFP:

RFP # 33201-04526

1.4.2. Unauthorized contact about this RFP with employees or officials of the State of Tennessee

except as detailed below may result in disqualification from consideration under this

procurement process.

1.4.2.1. Prospective Respondents must direct communications concerning this RFP to the

following person designated as the Solicitation Coordinator:

Will Harmon, Sourcing Account Specialist

Central Procurement Office

312 Rosa L. Parks Ave.

Nashville, TN 37243

Telephone: 615.741.3285

Email: Will.Harmon@tn.gov

1.4.2.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Prospective Respondents may alternatively contact:

. the following individual designated by the State to coordinate compliance with the

nondiscrimination requirements of the State of Tennessee, Title VI of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and associated

federal regulations:

Amber Walsh, THEC Coordinator

Tennessee Higher Education Commission

312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., 9th Floor

Nashville, TN 37243

Telephone: 615.532.3500

E-mail: Amber.Walsh@tn.gov

1.4.3. Only the State’s official, written responses and communications with Respondents are binding

with regard to this RFP. Oral communications between a State official and one or more

Respondents are unofficial and non-binding.

RFP # 33201-04526

03-05-25 RFP

1.4.4. Potential Respondents must ensure that the State receives all written questions and comments,

including questions and requests for clarification, no later than the Written Questions &

Comments Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

1.4.5.

Respondents must assume the risk of the method of dispatching any communication or response

to the State. The State assumes no responsibility for delays or delivery failures resulting from the

Respondent’s method of dispatch. Actual or digital “postmarking” of a communication or

response to the State by a specified deadline is not a substitute for the State’s actual receipt of a

communication or response. It is encouraged for Respondents to submit bids digitally.

1.4.6. The State will convey all official responses and communications related to this RFP to the

prospective Respondents from whom the State has received a Notice of Intent to Respond (refer

to RFP Section 1.7).

1.4.7.

The State reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the method of conveying official,

written responses and communications related to this RFP. Such written communications may

be transmitted by mail, hand-delivery, facsimile, electronic mail, Internet posting, or any other

means deemed reasonable by the State. For internet posting, please refer to the following

website: https://www.tn.gov/generalservices/procurement/central-procurement-office--cpo-

/supplier-information/request-for-proposals--rfp--opportunities1.html.

1.4.8. The State reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the appropriateness and

adequacy of responses to written comments, questions, and requests related to this RFP. The

State’s official, written responses will constitute an amendment of this RFP.

1.4.9.

Any data or factual information provided by the State (in this RFP, an RFP amendment or any

other communication relating to this RFP) is for informational purposes only. The State will make

reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of such data or information, however it is the

Respondent’s obligation to independently verify any data or information provided by the State.

The State expressly disclaims the accuracy or adequacy of any information or data that it

provides to prospective Respondents.

1.5. Assistance to Respondents With a Handicap or Disability

Prospective Respondents with a handicap or disability may receive accommodation relating to the

communication of this RFP and participating in the RFP process. Prospective Respondents may contact

the Solicitation Coordinator to request such reasonable accommodation no later than the Disability

Accommodation Request Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

1.6. Respondent Required Review & Waiver of Objections

1.6.1.

Each prospective Respondent must carefully review this RFP, including but not limited to,

attachments, the RFP Attachment 6.6., Pro Forma Contract, and any amendments, for questions,

comments, defects, objections, or any other matter requiring clarification or correction (collectively

called “questions and comments”).

1.6.2. Any prospective Respondent having questions and comments concerning this RFP must provide

them in writing to the State no later than the Written Questions & Comments Deadline detailed in

the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

1.6.3. Protests based on any objection to the RFP shall be considered waived and invalid if the

objection has not been brought to the attention of the State, in writing, by the Written Questions &

Comments Deadline.

1.7. Notice of Intent to Respond

RFP # 33201-04526

03-05-25 RFP

Before the Notice of Intent to Respond Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events,

prospective Respondents should submit to the Solicitation Coordinator a Notice of Intent to Respond (in

the form of a simple e-mail or other written communication). Such notice should include the following

information:

▪ the business or individual’s name (as appropriate);

▪ a contact person’s name and title; and

▪ the contact person’s mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address.

A Notice of Intent to Respond creates no obligation and is not a prerequisite for submitting a

response, however, it is necessary to ensure receipt of any RFP amendments or other notices and

communications relating to this RFP.

1.8. Response Deadline

A Respondent must ensure that the State receives a response no later than the Response Deadline time

and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. The State will not accept late responses,

and a Respondent’s failure to submit a response before the deadline will result in disqualification of the

response. It is the responsibility of the Respondent to ascertain any additional security requirements with

respect to packaging and delivery to the State of Tennessee. Respondents should be mindful of any

potential delays due to security screening procedures, weather, or other filing delays whether foreseeable

or unforeseeable.

RFP # 33201-04526

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

Document ID & Hyperlink:	RFP 33201-04526 Amendment 1
Event Start - Response Due:	03/20/2026 04/17/2026
Event Name:	Articulation and Transfer Statewide System; THEC -UPDATED
Last Updated:	04/02/2026

Articulation and Transfer Statewide System; THEC - UPDATED

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