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Open Bids & Requests for Proposal

Highland Community College is committed to giving all vendors a fair opportunity to bid on products and services as required by college policies. Visit this page for the current open bids and requests for proposal. Vendors may also contact the office of the Vice President of Administrative Services at 815-599-3412.

Use of business owned by minorities, females, and persons with disabilities

It is the College’s policy to establish annual aspirational goals, and to the greatest extent feasible within the bounds of financial and fiduciary prudence, develop, implement, and maintain procedures to support the utilization of businesses owned by minorities, females, and persons with disabilities. The College’s liaison officer is Jill Janssen, Vice President of Administrative Services.

Register with the State of Illinois as an MBE/FBE/DBE

Available Bids

Welding Cobot System [PDF, 83.88 KB]

Brand Pulse and Community Needs Assessment [PDF, 228.67 KB]

Request For Proposals

If you require an alternative to the Request for Proposal (RFP) .pdf files, please email Jill.Janssen@highland.edu.

RFP FAQ’s – Community Needs Assessment
  • The RFP suggests six service/project areas. May a vendor submit a proposal for only select service areas and still be considered for award?
    • Vendors who submit partial proposals will not be automatically disqualified.
  • What is your estimated budget for this work? Alternatively, what is the anticipated not-to-exceed amount and/or budget range?
    • Not to exceed $100,000 for all expenses related to this project including travel, meeting expenses, and possible incentives. While the College is not obligated to accept the lowest cost, price will be a factor in vendor selection. 
  • What is your desired timeline for completion of the overall project? By what date would you like all work to be completed?
    • The College anticipates the project will take a minimum of 6-9 months.
  • Approximately how many records with email addresses are available for prospective undergraduate students (Spring 2027 and/or Fall 2027 inquiries and applicants)?
    • We have access to this information and can gather/provide it at a later date.
  • Approximately how many records with email addresses are available for the dual credit student population?
    • Approx. 700
      • Approximately how many records with email addresses are available for the adult learner/career changer audience?
    • Approx. 900 current students
      • Approximately how many records with email addresses are available for business and industry leaders, K-12 partners, community organizations, economic development agencies, and local government officials?
    • We have access to this info and can gather/provide it at a later date.
  • Could you please confirm the geographic service area for the community engagement survey? We interpreted this as the Northwest Illinois counties of Carroll, Jo Daviess, Ogle, and Stephenson.
    • That is correct. All of Stephenson and Jo Daviess counties and a portion of Ogle and Carroll counties. Zip codes include: 61046, 61053, 61074, 61078, 61001, 61025, 61028, 61036, 61041, 61059, 61075, 61085, 61087, 61047, 61007, 61047, 61030, 61054, 61013, 61018, 61019, 61027, 61032, 61039, 61044, 61048, 61050, 61060, 61062, 61067, 61070, 61076, 61089
  • Part of the Community Needs Assessment includes a segment named Population and demographic trends. Later you describe the deliverable as Demographic Analysis. Please list the data tables you require; the list below serves as an example.
    • Population by age groups and forecasted growth 
    • Population by gender and forecasted growth
    • Population by race/ethnicity and forecasted growth
    • Population by non-English speaking groups and forecasted growth
    • Population by household income level and forecasted growth
      • The selected vendor will provide recommendations based on trends and analysis of demographic changes in the service area. The selected vendor will be expected to recommend the data tables that will are important in identifying trends impacting the College. 
  • What are the geographic areas that should be included in the demographic analysis? HCC Service area, state, and USA? Or are there other geographic areas that should be included?
    • Demographic data of our core service area (Stephenson, Jo Daviss, Carroll, and Ogle counties)
    • Compare to Higher Education & Workforce alignment in the region
  • Is there a page limit for the proposal?
    • No page limit
  • The RFP appears to position the Community Needs Assessment as an input to the College’s broader strategic planning process, with the selected consultant providing recommendations that will inform the development of the strategic plan. Given that the scope also includes strategic planning experience, is HCC seeking primarily an assessment that will inform a subsequent planning process, or would the College be interested in having the selected consultant facilitate the planning process itself, including planning sessions and development of strategies, measures, and other components of the Strategic Plan?
    • At this time, The College is not planning to have a consultant facilitate the strategic planning process. Prospective vendors can share information about their services that exceed the scope of the RFP.
  • Would it be appropriate to pro
    • If it seems beneficial, yes.