About this opportunity
AI summaryNorthwestern Michigan College is issuing this Request for Proposal to select an onshore United States organization to provide a cloud-based, mobile-first Student Experience Portal. The requested scope includes replacing the static intranet with a personalized single point of entry for digital services, featuring multi-channel notifications, global search, and seamless integrations with systems like Ellucian Banner, Canvas, and Google Workspace. Vendors must also provide a native iOS and Android mobile app, support single sign-on, and submit security and compliance documentation including a HECVAT, VPAT/ACR, and Data Processing Agreement. All responses must be complete, signed, and include itemized pricing for implementation, licensing, and ongoing maintenance. Applicants must submit questions in writing to Project Contact Todd Neibauer at [email protected] by November 2, 2026. Final proposals are due by November 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Evaluation criteria focus on user experience, technical architecture and integration capabilities, total cost of ownership, and vendor higher education experience.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- Northwestern Michigan College
Scope of work
- Cloud-based, mobile-first Student Experience Portal
- Personalization based on SIS attributes
- Out-of-the-box integrations for major Higher Ed systems
- Multi-channel notifications and integrated alerts center
- Native mobile app mirroring web experience
- Global search functionality indexing portal content and external linked resources
- Full integration with identity providers
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| User Experience (UX) | Not specified |
| Integration Depth | Not specified |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Not specified |
| Accessibility | Not specified |
| The bidder’s ability to satisfy each term and condition fully | Not specified |
| Compliance with the specifications stated herein | Not specified |
| Experience with delivering the requirements of the specification | Not specified |
| Cost (including pricing and price protection) | Not specified |
| Ability to provide service for items requiring an ongoing service contract | Not specified |
| References from previous customers for work of similar scope | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- SAML 2.0 / OICD / OAuth 2.0 Support (Mandatory)
- SOC 2 Type II Certified (Mandatory)
- HECVAT (Current) completed within the last 12 months (Mandatory)
- Compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards
- Licensed and bonded as necessary
- Compliance with applicable State and Federal OSHA laws, standards and regulations
Documents to include with your response
- Signature page as a cover sheet
- Complete and entire written proposal
- Company profile and experience details
- Technical architecture description
- Implementation and support plan
- Itemized pricing model
- 3-6 similar projects list within last five years
- 3 customer references
- Accessibility Conformance Report / VPAT
- Data Processing Agreement (DPA)
Key dates
- RELEASE DATE
- 10/26/2026
- Questions due
- November 2nd, 2026
- DUE DATE AND TIME
- 11/9/2026 by 5:00 p.m.
- Finalist Demonstrations
- TBD between 11/16/2026 – 11/30/2026
- Award Notification
- 12/23/2026
How to submit
- Method
- electronically to the Project Contact
- Instructions
- Submit the entirety of your proposal electronically to the Project Contact by the due date and time. Must contain the signature page as a cover sheet.
Contract details
- Place of performance
- Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, Michigan
- Insurance and bonding
- Comprehensive general liability with limits not less than $2 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate; professional liability with minimum limits of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate; automobile liability for owned, non-owned and hired vehicles with a combined single limit of $500,000; Workers’ Compensation to statutory limits.