Become a Third-Party Provider

NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) is always looking to expand its third-party provider database with providers that offer high-quality, market-driven, cost-effective services to support North Carolina industries. IES is the extension and outreach team for the NC State University College of Engineering and administers the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP) center for North Carolina (NCMEP). IES supports all North Carolina businesses by providing connections, networking with industry experts and helping to identify the resources, tools and customized programs needed to increase productivity, efficiency, quality and profit. 

Our Third-Party Providers assist IES with completing customized technical assistance projects or with training and education programs as the need for particular specialization or for expansion of project capacity exists. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What are the benefits of working with IES?

IES provides our providers with:

• Sales and Distribution Channel – Access to manufacturing companies throughout North Carolina – reducing the provider’s sales and marketing costs, and offering an opportunity to increase sales.
• Pre-Qualified Prospects – IES staff conduct the initial assessment and bring the provider in only after a need has been identified – significantly reducing the selling cost and cycle.
• Limited Liability – typically, contracts are written between the provider and IES – simplifying the payment process for work performed through IES.

2. What are the requirements for working with IES?

• Contractors must meet a minimum of three years of experience demonstrating experience similar in nature and scope to the services required in the RFP.
• Enroll in PaymentWorks, a third party onboarding platform, where your sensitive supplier information is safeguarded, in order to create and update a supplier account for you; (https://procurement.ofa.ncsu.edu/supplier-center/):
• Contractor may be required to provide the following information; (https://procurement.ofa.ncsu.edu/supplier-center/doing-business-with-nc-state/#insurance):
  • Worker’s compensation, as required by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
  • Commercial general liability for bodily injury and/or property damage in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit, per occurrence
  • Automobile liability for bodily injury and/or property damage in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit, per occurrence. (For vehicles specifically required in the performance of the service agreement.)

3. Contractor may be required to conduct background checks on all employees, independent contractors, or subcontractors assigned to a resulting project.

• Background checks

4. What is the qualification process?

• The first step in becoming an IES resource is to download and complete the Request For Proposal (RFP) #63-KGS906857 – Extension Services (Pre-Qualification) – Ongoing. This RFP outlines specific information about the organization; general qualifications, areas of expertise, industry focus, rates, and references. Click the link at the end of the page to register/login to Bonfire, the NCSU purchasing portal. Then return to this page and click on the Third Party Provider Application.
  • Incomplete proposals will not be processed. All questions and requests for information should be made via email to the Purchasing Specialists listed on page 1 of the RFP.
  • Once pre-qualified, contractors will be added to our client resource database (CRM).

Note: No minimum or maximum amount of work will be guaranteed to any prequalified Contractor resulting from this RFP. Work is dependent on matching client needs with the right resource.

• If there is demand for the provider’s services, a member of IES staff will be in contact to initiate the next step in the process, which could include follow up interviews and/or a formal presentation to the IES Third Party Provider Committee. Once added to our client resource database, IES will conduct a virtual onboarding session to ensure we have answered any questions about the process.

Note: IES does not accept applications from organizations that are product vendors and/or resellers.

5. How are client projects conducted?

An assigned IES staff member will work with the provider during project execution. Activities may include preliminary meetings with the client, sales calls with IES staff and client, and creating the project Statement of Work. During the project, the Consultant is responsible for macro project management to ensure that the project is on schedule, within budget and meets quality expectations. The product team reserves the right to observe and attend delivery of services conducted by a Contractor with a NC State University/Industry Expansion Solutions customer. This includes virtual and / or onsite delivery.

6. What are the quality controls and how is project work monitored?

IES evaluates the quality of services provided by the contractor utilizing three methods:

• At the conclusion of a project service delivery, the client receives a brief customer satisfaction survey to determine:
  • If they were happy with the services we provided them;
  • Whether the project added value to the company; and
  • What type of positive impact do they anticipate this project having on their company?
• Manufacturing clients may be surveyed by an independent, third party service  with more in-depth questions related to the economic impact of the project and customer satisfaction.
• IES may conduct periodic performance evaluations of the contractor during the contract period.

Please register/log into to your Bonfire account then click the button below.