MNSITE (Minnesota Seeking IT Expertise)

The MNSITE (Minnesota Seeking IT Expertise) Program serves as a preferred procurement method for State of Minnesota agencies and other local units of government to secure vendors to provide highly-skilled consultants via a fast and intuitive process. This program is offered by the Department of Administration and Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) for IT-related professional services, including IT accessibility services, and is not a contract for hardware, software, or hosting services.

The MNSITE program is continuously open for new vendor applications.

Direct Select: Engagement Values up to $100,000

For engagements within this dollar range, government entities utilizing the Program may directly select a master contractor holder. The requesting government entity will issue an Events directly to the selected vendor which set forth pertinent information regarding the engagement. Vendors will be given at least two business days from the submission of the solicitation to respond.

Equity Select IT: Engagement Values up to $250,000

For engagements within this dollar range, government entities utilizing the Program will issue an Event to obtain a quote(s) from certified TG/ED/VO master contract holder(s). The Program recommends issuing the Equity Select IT event to two (2) certified TG/ED/VO master contract holders. Entities will issue the Event directly to the selected vendor(s) which sets forth pertinent information regarding the engagement. Vendors will be given at least two business days from the submission of the Event to respond.

Select 15: Engagement Values of $100,001 to $500,000

For engagements exceeding $100,001 but less than $500,000, government entities utilizing this Program are required to competitively solicit proposals from a minimum of 15 master contract holders, with a minimum of 3 vendors who are certified as TG/ED/VO vendors. Entities will issue a solicitation directly to fifteen or more contractors which set forth pertinent information regarding the engagement and also set forth evaluation criteria upon which a selection will be based. Vendors will be given at least seven business days from the submission of the solicitation to respond.

Request for Offer (RFO): Engagement Values in excess of $500,000

For engagements exceeding $500,000, government entities utilizing this Program are required to competitively solicit proposals from all vendors holding fully executed master contracts. Entities will issue a solicitation which set forth pertinent information regarding the engagement and also set forth evaluation criteria upon which a selection will be based. Vendors will be given at least ten business days from the submission of the solicitation to respond.

Once a selection is made, a Work Order Contract will be issued detailing the specifics of the engagement including duties and cost. No work is authorized to proceed under this Program in the absence of a fully executed Work Order Contract. Work Order Contracts are not allowed to be amended over the solicitation type dollar threshold.

Government entities may, at their option, utilize a competitive solicitation process at any dollar level.

Vendors

All interested vendors will need to register in the MNSITE system to start the application process for the MNSITE Program. Once your registration is received and all needed information is provided, you will receive an invitation to respond to the MNSITE RFP (application).

Register your company here
Create an account for your company
Check your email for a link to confirm the registration
Using the email link provided, you will be taken to a page that requests additional information
Watch for an email inviting your company to respond to the MNSITE RFP
This invitation will be sent to all vendor contacts included in initial registration process

State Agency or CPV Member

Program Users should contact the MNSITE program at mnsite.mnit@state.mn.us. Visit link here for online system login.

IT Accessibility Standards

Effective September 1, 2010, all information technology procured or developed must adhere to the State of Minnesota Accessibility Standards and associated process. The standards can be found here. Vendors providing customized and off-the-shelf technology are often asked to provide VPATs (voluntary product assessment templates) that self-identify the product's level of accessibility. For guidance on the VPAT processes, please visit MNIT's Office of Accessibility page on IT Procurement.