Student Financial Aid Software

Background
The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for Student Financial Aid Software. CDHE was tasked with creating the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) due to HB19-1196, which has been operational for five years. Regent Education currently provides the software solution. Recent legislation (HB22-1366) mandates improvements to the CASFA system for stakeholders.

Work Details
The awarded contractor will provide replacement software services to implement an updated online financial aid application that mirrors the needs-analysis methodology of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Key deliverables include:

- Maintaining the CASFA website with regular updates.
- Ensuring secure transmission and integration of Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) with Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs).
- Enhancing user experience.

Specific requirements include:

1. User/Functional Requirements:
- Administrators must manage IHE user accounts and applications, including corrections and report generation.
- The application must allow students and contributors to create accounts, complete applications, save progress, and electronically sign.
- The website must utilize skip logic and be available in Spanish.

2. System/Technical Specifications:
- Continuous operation 24/7.
- Secure generation and transfer of ISIR text files to IHEs.
- Compatibility with major browsers and devices.

3. Customer Support and Training:
- Reliable customer support during business hours.
- Comprehensive training manuals for users.

4. Deliverable Schedule:
- Work begins July 1, 2025; CASFA website operational by September 1, 2025.

Period of Performance
The initial contract term is anticipated from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with options to renew for up to four additional one-year periods, totaling a maximum duration of five years.

Place of Performance
The services will be performed remotely as part of a cloud offering to the State of Colorado.