As part of this work, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) seeks a more seamless application process and improvement to the ApplyTexas common application system.
A request for offers (RFO) due Oct. 26 seeks vendors with “deep experience in platform development” to partner with the board to develop a service-oriented architecture to better serve stakeholders of all demographics and regions.
“The goal of the project is to offer a centralized means for both Texas resident students and non-Texas resident students to apply to the many outstanding postsecondary institutions available in Texas,” the RFO says. “The technology stack of ApplyTexas is currently hosted and maintained by an outside institution under contract with and at the direction of THECB."
User groups of ApplyTexas include applicants, institutes of higher education and K-12 partners. Users access not only college applications but also scholarship information, financial aid information and tracking of the student application progress. The RFO outlines goals to address each user group and improved user experience.
Technical requirements include:
- Build a service-oriented architecture with approved security controls
- Provide access to workflow management tools
- Ensure payment processing
- Proper identity and access management
- Propose where solution will be hosted
- Create a maintenance recommendation
- Provide customer support
If the respondent proposes a new ApplyTexas system, a detailed migration plan is required. Requirements also include observation of privacy laws including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Request for proposals (RFP) No. 781-3-28085, due at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 26, outlines the scope of work. The THECB bid opportunities can be viewed at the Electronic State Business Daily Search (ESBD) using search number 781.
