®
Procurement Department
Date: September 3, 2016
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
#SGC-0123-16SH
BID DESCRIPTION: eLearning Library
BID DEADLINE: September 21, 2016 by 5pm ET
The Seneca Gaming Corporation Procurement Department is requesting bids for the above mentioned goods/service. All communications regarding this bid should be addressed to:
Seneca Gaming Corporation - Procurement Department
Attn: Shelle Heaton
310 Fourth Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
RE: # SGC- 0123-16SH
Telephone: (716) 501-2160
All questions should be submitted in writing and answers will be distributed to all bidders.
Proposals must be received by the Procurement Department on or before the date stated above by 5:00 pm ET. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. SGC recognizes e-mail as a sealed response in relation to this RFP.
I. Scope and Intent
· Intent: Seneca Gaming Corporation (hereinafter referred to as SGC) seeks to obtain an e-learning library.
· Background: The Seneca Gaming Corporation (SGC) is currently utilizing three web-based compliance training courses including: Information Security Awareness, Cash Transaction Reporting, and Responsible Gaming. One of these courses are being provided by a separate vendor via a externally hosted solutions. In June 2012, the Human Resources department deployed the Halogen Talent Management System, which includes a Learning Management System (LMS). This system is externally hosted by Halogen. The Halogen system is available to all SGC employees (3,700+ users). We are currently in the process of changing our LMS provider to Cornerstone. In order to maximize use of the system, support limited internal training resources, and supplement our current internal training offerings, SGC would like to obtain a robust e-learning library. We believe a wide variety of just-in-time training that can align with our competencies will help support our growing organizational needs. The goal is to ensure that the SGC training and development infrastructure and learning systems are effective, comprehensive, and responsive to the ever-changing and expanding business environment.
· Goals/Objectives: The goal is to permit 3,700-4,000 employees to access the eLearning library courseware. All courses must be fully compliant and conform to SCORM 1.2 and AICC standards and must integrate successfully with the Cornerstone e-LM System.
Specific training areas of interest include the following:
· Customer Service
· Leadership
· Soft Skills
· Food Safety
· Alcohol Awareness
· Title 31
· IT Information Security Awareness
· Sexual Harassment
· OSHA
· IT Technical Training Programs
· Financial (for non-financial and financial Managers)
· Onboarding new employees
· Diversity
II. E-Learning Solution Features:
Which of the following features are provided in your courseware?
Feature/Benefit / YES / NO / If NO – when?1. Courseware based on industry accepted instructional design
2. Product delivery capabilities for 24 hours, 7 days a week (24x7) use primarily over the Internet with other delivery options available
3. Courseware materials mapped and/or certified by industry vendors or associations. CEUs and College Credit offered
4. Search capabilities within your catalog, courseware, and across other products
5. Interactive simulations
6. Skill Assessment for courseware
7. Mentoring available within the course 24x7
8. Live question and answer capability from certified mentors
9. Customizable learning path options
10. Online reference tools within the courseware
11. Ability to add text and URL links to courseware for customization at no extra charge
12. Accessibility options for the visually impaired
III. E-Learning Library:
Content
1. Describe the expanse of your library offerings? (Service Industry, Business, Technical, IT, Professional/Business Development, and any other pertinent topics).
2. Do you have compliance courseware such as Sexual Harassment, Business Ethics and other workplace issues?
3. What is the average length of a given course? What is the average duration of a course unit?
4. Do your courses address any state or Federal regulations? Do you have the ability to add text and URL links to courseware for customization at no extra charge?
5. Is your courseware Section 508 compliant?
6. Explain your use of learning paths. Can learning paths be customized by individual users?
7. Can you match your courseware to our needs by our SGC Competencies?
8. Do you offer subscription plans which give you more courses as well as future releases?
9. Is audio offered on any of your content? Is it required for any of your content?
10. Can the audio be enabled/disabled at will during the course?
11. Do you have video in any of your content? How is it used to effectively train the learner?
12. Can you search for topics or definitions within a course and/or through the Internet? Is this included in the cost of the license?
13. Is SGC able to package individual e-learning courses from your overall library to create a customized library that will support diverse groups of employees with varying needs?
Design & Development
14. Are all components of your e-Learning solution accessible from one list/navigation frame? If not, describe student interface. Is only one logon required?
15. Does your courseware share the same basic interface and have a consistent navigation, look, and feel? Explain, in detail, the reason for differences and how that is overcome from a student interface perspective.
16. Define your courseware instructional design methodology. What learning theories were employed?
17. How do you obtain content for courses? What content partners do you have?
18. Is your e-Learning development staff in-house? Discuss the experience of your development staff.
19. Discuss your development process.
20. How do you ensure the quality of your courses during the development process?
21. Can a company customize the look of the courses (e.g. add our logo to the interface)?
22. Can a company add company specific information to a course? Explain the process involved.
23. How often do you refresh content?
Interactivity and Assessments
24. Discuss the interactivity of your courses.
25. What types of questions are included? Is the student provided the correct answer if they choose incorrectly?
26. Do you offer simulations, exercises, or frequently asked questions?
27. Do you provide gamification courses?
28. What student assessment options does your courseware include? Do you offer the ability to take pre- and/or post-assessments, and/or quizzes?
29. Can you prepare assessments for non-AICC material such as PowerPoints and/or compliance documents?
Certificates
30. Are certificates available to the student for successful completion of the course?
31. Can an Administrator access Certificates?
32. Can these be forwarded to a manager or third party?
33. What kinds of credits can be earned by achieving mastery of your courses – i.e. College Credit, PMI, HRCI, others?
IV. System Integration and Support:
Support
34. Does your solution integrate with the Cornerstone Talent Management system (eLMS)?
35. What implementation support is needed for the successful installation of your courseware? What is the cost and is it a one-time, up-front charge?
36. What technical support is available for students? Is this included in the cost of the license?
37. What technical support is available for administrators? Is this included in the cost of the license?
38. How soon can your system be implemented? Indicate minimum and average time needed.
39. Please provide a copy of a sample implementation schedule.
40. Please discuss the satisfaction ratings for your product/service, overall.
Technical
41. What are the minimum technical requirements to run your overall system? What browsers can students use to access the courseware?
42. What plug-ins, if any, does your system require? Can your system run normally without plug-ins?
43. What is the average file size of your courses?
44. Explain your solution’s AICC and SCORM compliance. Be specific as to the related delivery option for compliance.
45. Do you offer a downloadable option for your courses? Are scores and bookmarks uploaded and synched with other courseware data taken on-line? What is the added cost?
46. For a hosted site accessed via the Internet, do we have complete control of “our” portion of the site (student registration, controlling students by groups, reporting, etc.)? If desired, will you do some or all of this administration for us?
47. On average, how often is your product upgraded? How often are new releases available?
48. Are your servers co-located? Please discuss your co-location and the uptime of your service over the past year.
49. What are your options for configuration of usernames and passwords? What options do we have for dissemination of this information?
V. Schedule of Events:
Request for Proposal issued 9/2/16
Vendor Conference call 9/9/16
Request for Proposal due 9/20/16 by 5:00PM
VI. Vendor Requirements:
A. Performance: Bidders must have the necessary experience, knowledge, abilities, skills, and resources to satisfactorily perform the terms, conditions and requirements of the RFP. Subcontracting of services is not permitted without advance, express written consent. Goods/services must be provided by the entity submitting proposal.
B. Insurance: At all times during the Awarded Vendor(s) performance of any resulting Purchase Order, Agreement or Contract, unless otherwise waived by SGC, the Awarded Vendor shall obtain and keep in force insurance coverage of the types, and with the minimum coverage limits, as determined by SGC's Risk Management Department. All insurance must be provided by a licensed company with a minimum AM Best rating designated by SGC's Risk Management department. Awarded Vendor shall provide SGC with a certificate of insurance before commencing work under any purchase order, agreement or contract and SGC shall be named as an additional insured on Awarded Vendor’s General Liability and Automobile Liability policies, if applicable. SGC’s insurance requirements vary according to the nature of the contract and degree of risk, but normally include general liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation coverage. In addition, in appropriate cases, SGC may require professional liability/errors & omissions coverage and/or network security/privacy coverage. Awarded Vendor shall not insure the goods on SGC’s account unless the terms of the agreement or contract so require. For any questions regarding insurance, please contact SGC’s Risk Management Department at . Please reference the Request for Proposal (RFP) number and Bid Description. Failure to maintain requisite insurance will entitle SGC to immediately rescind and/or terminate any resultant business relationship and contract with Awarded Vendor.
C. Failure to maintain requisite insurance will entitle SGC to immediately rescind and/or terminate any resultant business relationship and contract with Awarded Vendor.
D. Vendor Registration: Awarded Vendor(s) agrees to submit a completed Vendor Registration Form and designated fees (inclusive of Seneca Nation of Indians Business License) as required by SGC’s regulator, the Seneca Gaming Authority (SGA). It is the Awarded Vendor(s) responsibility to fulfill the requirements, submit information and cooperate with any SGA investigation into its business functions, structures and principals when sales by said Awarded Vendor may reach or exceed Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000); and to maintain the registration/license through the duration of any purchase order or contract resulting from this RFP. Failure to do so will entitle SGC to immediately rescind and/or terminate any resultant contract or business relationship and may result in the suspension of payments to the Awarded Vendor.
The SGA may also, in an appropriate case, require the licensure of individual employees of the Awarded Vendor who perform certain services that are or may be closely associated with SGC’s casino operation. As SGA retains the discretion to make this type of determination on a case-by-case basis, SGC is unable at the RFP point in the bidding process to state definitively whether such licensure will be required in any particular case.
E. Confidentiality: This document contains information (and Bidders may have access to) confidential information of the SGC and/or its affiliate. Bidders are authorized to use this information solely in connection with the preparation of a response to this RFP and fulfillment of any resulting purchase order or contract award. In submitting response(s) to this RFP, Bidder(s) agree and represent that the Bidder(s) will not directly or indirectly use the Confidential Information beyond the scope of the authority granted by SGC or disseminate, disclose or in any way reveal the Confidential Information or any part thereof, except upon the express written approval of SGC. SGC will keep all documents received from Bidders on a confidential basis, save to the extent disclosure is required to comply with requirements of SGC’s corporate Charter, as regards the approval of SGC’s Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Council of the Seneca Nation of Indians, if applicable.
F. Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest: If Bidder, or any director, officer, employee or owner of Bidder has a business or personal relationship with a director, officer or employee of the Seneca Gaming Corporation (or its affiliates) that may create a conflict of interest, or appearance of impropriety, for or relating to such director, officer or employee in connection with the entry into, or ongoing performance of, the transaction(s) or service(s) contemplated under this RFP, Bidder must disclose such conflict to the Corporation, in writing, to the extent Bidder has knowledge thereof.
G. Kickback Covenant: SGC will not tolerate Kickbacks in any form. A “Kickback” shall be defined as any cash, fee, commission, credit, gift, gratuity, thing of value or compensation of any kind in exchange for favorable treatment in obtaining or retaining any purchase order or contract servicing SGC. Bidder agrees that its officers or employees have not and will not provide or attempt to provide, either directly or indirectly, any Kickback to any employees of SGC, the Seneca Nation of Indians (the “Nation”) or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents, nor to any citizens of the Nation.
H. Conditions: Bidders shall question the conditions under which the goods and/or services will be used by SGC to guarantee the goods and/or services will be of sufficient quality and fit for the purposes of the bid specification. To proceed with the supply of goods and/or services shall mean acceptance of site conditions. Failure to comply with this clause shall in no way serve as the basis of any claims by the Bidder against SGC. No allowances will be made for failure to make proper site investigations or to completely understand the full nature of the requirements involved.
I. Monetary threshold: At no time will the Awarded Vendor’s aggregate fees, billings, requests for reimbursement and/or invoices (collectively, “Billings”) to SGC exceed two million nine hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine dollars ($2,999,999) (the “monetary threshold”) unless and until advance written authorization to exceed the monetary threshold is granted by the Council of the Seneca Nation of Indians. SGC will not be liable for Billings which exceed the monetary threshold unless the requisite approval of the Council of the Seneca Nation of Indians has been obtained, Awarded Vendor must notify SGC when aggregate Billings reach the level of two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000). For this purpose, the term “SGC” includes the Seneca Gaming Corporation and all subsidiaries.