On-Line Program Management - Upstate

The University of South Carolina Upstate has issued solicitation GS-RFP-250007-01 seeking qualified suppliers to serve as an Online Program Manager (OPM) for the expansion of its undergraduate and graduate online offerings. The scope of work includes comprehensive E-Learning Course Design and Development, online student recruitment, and administrative support services essential to launching and maintaining high-quality online programs. The contract is planned to commence on or about November 7, 2024, with an initial one-year term and six annual renewal options, allowing for a potential duration of up to seven years. Proposals must be submitted by September 24, 2024, with award notification anticipated on November 15, 2024. The solicitation emphasizes compliance with accessibility standards such as VPAT and UDL, cybersecurity requirements including SOC 2 and HECVAT certifications, and adherence to applicable programmatic accreditation criteria like AACSB, ABET, and CCNE. The contractor must ensure all services deliver transparent performance reports, support faculty-led academic controls, and enable full online delivery of the final 60 undergraduate credit hours. Evaluation of proposals will follow a best-value trade-off methodology, assessing technical merit (50%), financial terms and investments (30%), and experience (20%) with similar institutions. The contract mandates stringent information security and privacy safeguards, including data residency within the continental U.S., implementation of media sanitization in accordance with NIST 800-88, and requirements for contractor liability insurance covering information security risks. The contractor is responsible for workforce competency, complying with ethical and conflict of interest provisions, and maintaining required certifications. Submission requirements include a two-volume proposal with distinct technical and business components, offering guidance on acceptable electronic formats. The contract administration sections underline that inspections and acceptance will occur at the performance location designated by the University, with quality evaluated against recognized higher education and cybersecurity standards. While the contract type is inferred as firm fixed price based on fixed pricing language, specific line-item pricing details are not provided. The contract also includes special provisions addressing organizational conflict of interest disclosures, rights of termination, renewal clauses, and the requirement for certified minority participation disclosures where applicable.