RFP #: 269EMCPS-25-003

BidNet Title and Link

All EdgeMarket bids are published and accessible via BidNet.

To access this RFP on BidNet, click here:

• https://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-jersey/edgemarket/solicitations/open-bids?selectedContent=BUYER

Bid Status

Helpful Information and Videos

• Download the HEES #1 presentation file (PDF).
• View the May 23, 2024 HEES #1 webinar session.

A Pre-Bid Conference is scheduled for DDD, MMM DD, YYYY. 

• View the HEES #1 Pre-Bid Conference recording.
• A walk-through of DecisionDirector and the concept behind the Higher Ed Ecosystem RFP series begins here.

Overview

The purpose of this RFP is to procure under a single event a broad spectrum of software solutions for the Core Learning, Teach and Research functions along with the Administrative, Facility, and Technical functions within Higher Education. 

This RFP is the second in the Higher Education Ecosystems series of procurements. (See RFP - HE Ecosystem #1 - Academics and Administration (2024).)

The strategic goal of this procurement is to provide Members and Participants with streamlined access to a comprehensive array of software solutions under a single contract vehicle. Conversely, our second goal is to make it easier for the awarded solution providers to include their full solution portfolios under that same contract vehicle.

Note to Bidders on Higher Ed Ecosystem #1

Bidders and awardees under RFP - HE Ecosystem #1 - Academics and Administration (2024) are encouraged to review the expanded Business Capabilities scope of this RFP to determine if this RFP can include some portion of their solution portfolio that the first RFP did not. See further below for details on the expanded scope.

HE Ecosystem Procurement Complemented By Related Procurements for System Selection, Implementation and Other Services

This procurement, coupled with our awarded array of distinguished and awarded system selection, cloud migration and implementation consultants (see IT Professional Services), make it far easier and faster for our rapidly growing and highly diverse consortium members to choose and implement the solutions that will deliver the best possible outcomes.

Key Requirements Sections of this RFP

The sections below provide an overview of the three primary solution requirements sections in this RFP:

• Proposed Solution Portfolio
• Solution Support for Business Capabilities
• Solution Support for Business Value

Detailed response guides are provided for each requirements section, and are accessible to bidders via DecisionDirector.

Proposed Solution Portfolio

The purpose of the Solution Portfolio segment is to provide an orderly capture of marketplace solution information. The primary building block of a bidder's Solution Portfolio is a “Solution Group”.

• A Solution Group is a named collection of one or more related applications and modules that serve and may be marketed as a product line, solution family, or suite.
• A hypothetical example might be Company Z's Flagship Series solution family, with the Flagship Finance, Flagship HCM and Flagship CRM major applications. The Flagship Finance application may have Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable as named modules.

DecisionDirector is configured to allow bidders to proposed up to five (5) Solution Groups.

Solution Support for Business Capabilities

This section defines a business capability-based functional scope and requirements.

Edge has adopted the Higher Education Reference Model (HERM) Business Capabilities Model (BCM) from CAUDIT (and available through EDUCAUSE) to serve as the foundation of the functional scope and requirements for this RFP.

The scope of this procurement includes software solutions that support the following business capability areas as defined in the HERM BCM:

Each capability area has two or more specifically defined business capabilities that form the foundation of the specifications. Capability areas marked with an asterisk ("*") are either entirely new or substantially expanded from the scope of the Higher Ed Ecosystem RFP #1.

See the HERM BCM images shared further below for a high-level visual overview of the functional scope of this RFP.

Solution Support for Business Value

The HE Ecosystem RFPs also include a section that seeks from solution providers examples of the business value their customers have experienced as a result of deploying the proposed solution(s).

EdgeMarket has adopted the Business Value Lexicon™ created by Business Value Story™ to provide the scope and organization for this section. 

Important Note: Although Business Value Story™ provides business value and outcomes planning and assessment resources and services to buying organizations and solution providers, EdgeMarket RFPs will never require bidders to purchase such resources or services, nor are such resources and services required for bidders to formulate bid responses.

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Additional Information about the HERM BCM and Business Value Lexicon™

HERM Business Capability Model (BCM) Images

The images below are from the HERM BCM placemats. The capability areas presented below are all included in this RFP.

HERM Core Capabilities

HERM BCM Enabling Capabilities

Business Value Lexicon™ 

The images below show the hierarchy of the Business Value Lexicon™ as consisting of Business Value Categories, Business Drivers, and Investment Areas.

The six Business Value Categories will serve as the collection points for Business Value responses.

The Business Value Lexicon