Request for Proposal: Web Development for Online Learning Platform
Organization and Program Background
IREX (www.irex.org) is an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally. We enable local individuals and institutions to build key elements of a vibrant society: quality education, independent media, and strong communities. To strengthen these sectors, our program activities also include conflict resolution, technology for development, gender, and youth.
The Community Solutions Program (www.irex.org/project/community-solutions) – funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by IREX – brings the best and brightest global community leaders working in Transparency & Accountability, Tolerance & Conflict Resolution, Environmental Issues, and Women & Gender Issues from around the world to the U.S. for an intensive professional development program. Leaders bring years of experience to community development in the U.S. while strengthening their capacity for leadership and development in their home countries. Through tailored fellowships, leaders gain hands-on experience in community work; collaborate and learn best practices through IREX’s Online Community Leadership Institute; and create action plans for community-based initiatives back home.
Project Description
IREX’s Community Solutions Program Team is looking for a web developer with experience in e-learning sites to build upon and strengthen the program’s web platform used to administer the online learning component of the program. The current web platform uses a combination of a Moodle site, Elluminate Live Classroom and a Mahara site.
The major objective of this project is to strengthen the web platform. In order to achieve this objective, four outputs have been laid out to guide the enhancements of the web platform. The four outputs are as follows:
1. Strengthen the web platform’s functionality in order to increase communication and collaboration, as well as encourage greater participation among the participants.
- Design a new online chat function through the Moodle platform
- Add a new blog feature.
- Add function that allows participants to share and edit documents
- Enhance online quiz features
- Customize Moodle forums
- Add SMS technology
2. Further integrate the three platforms that make up the web platform
3. Design and/or revise site features in a way that makes it possible for program participants from areas with low bandwidth to participate in the major functions of the site.
4. Redesign the site’s interface and theme to create a more dynamic and interactive look.
Terms and Conditions
All bidders must adhere to the following terms and conditions when submitting their proposals in order to be considered for the project.
- Bidder must provide IREX with full access and rights to all changes and/or additions made to the site’s code. Bidder must also provide IREX with the right to further customize that code in the future.
- All changes to the site must comply with accessibility standards.
- All proposals must include the content outlined below in the “Required Content for Proposal” sections.
- Bidders submitting separate proposals may not discuss pricing information or they will be ineligible to bid on the project.
- Bidder must disclose any relevant conflicts of interest and/or pending lawsuits.
In addition, IREX reserves the right to reject a proposal on any grounds the organization sees fit.
Budget
The proposed budget is negotiable. Bidders should provide a detailed budget for the cost of proposal (see section “Required Content for Proposal” for more information).
Required Content for Proposal
Bidders must include the following content in a proposal in order to be considered for the project:
- Web development process must be clearly laid out, including the process a bidder will follow to redesign the site and incorporate the new features/changes proposed.
- Schedule of deliverables, including major milestones and projected project timeline should be outlined.
- Bidders must identify the following in regards to project budget:
- Breakdown the costs of production hours, tools and functionalities
- Costs that should be assumed as part of the site and ongoing costs for maintenance and support needed in the future
- Costs to train IREX staff to administer redesigned features and provide a style guide for further staff reference
- Other expenses, consulting fees, future work, etc. needed to complete the project
- Breakdown of bidder’s qualifications and experience, including relevant case histories with information on accessing relevant online demos or examples.
- Biographies of all who will work on project.
- Professional references.
Project Timeline
Bidders for this proposal should adhere to the following timeline in order to be considered eligible for the project:
- January 11, 2013: Bidders email tkelly@irex.org with intention to bid including any question they may have regarding the RFP; IREX responds to bidders with more detailed scope of work to assist in proposal preparation
- January 25, 2013: Proposal due date (see section below for details)
- January 28 – February 1, 2013: Finalists interviews
- February 8, 2013: Proposal award date
- February 11 – February 15, 2013: Initial planning meetings between IREX and award winner
- April 12, 2013: Beta version of redesigned site developed
- May 24, 2013: Proposed launch of new Online Community Leadership Institute
- May 31, 2013: IREX staff trained on administering new functions of site
Submission Information
Proposals should be submitted to Tom Kelly at tkelly@irex.org no later than 5pm EST on January 25, 2013. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered for the award.
For Additional Information or Clarification
For questions regarding IREX, the Community Solutions Program or this RFP please email Tom Kelly at tkelly@irex.org.