Consolidated Funding Application Redesign and Hosting Services

The Vendor is required to provide the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) is an application portal where the public can apply to different funding opportunities across multiple state agencies with one application.
- Provide a cloud based, turnkey application to support the creation, management, and submission of applications in the CFA system.
- The current CFA system that was built in ColdFusion 22 (in XML format) is at its end-of-useful life. Once developed and implemented, the system should require minimal to no IT support to administer programs.
- The system will need to be developed so that once completed and implemented, an Admin User (non-IT professional) can manage all aspects of the CFA.
- The system requires minimal support from an IT professional in order to meet daily needs to administer all aspects of the system (user interface customization, question creation, program setup, user setup, reporting, etc.).
- assist with the migration of a limited data set from the existing system which includes, but is not limited to, prior years application data (questions and answers) and project tracking data for previously finalized and awarded applications.
- Create, Modify, and Manage Programs: Programs can be created, modified, and copied from a standard template. Programs can be managed and searched by various criteria (status, go-live date, contacts, etc.). Questions can be reordered/grouped easily within a program.
- Managing Questions and Documents: Questions can be created, copied, modified, reordered and searched. Multiple types of questions should be available to create (multi-select, text, file attachment, parent-child (skip logic, jump logic, branching), etc.). Questions should be able to be shared across programs. Questions may be designated as 'restricted,' limiting access to agency users (users defined below in “Users and Roles” section).
- Diverse Program Support: The system must accommodate various program structures, specifically:
• Single Stage Programs: Applications are submitted by a specific deadline or remain open until closed. Most programs fall into this category.
• Multi-Stage Programs: Applications are submitted in sequential phases. In each stage, only a subset of questions is required.
- Invite Only: These programs are hidden from the public-facing CFA portal. Access is restricted to specific applicants via unique email invitations or secure links.
- Mutually Exclusive: These programs may not be grouped with other programs on a single application.
- Agency Admin: Even more limited version than master user in that they do not have any user managing privileges. Agency admins can create or clone new programs for their agency, build and associate questions. Agency admin can manage and view applications including status updates, assigned scorers and scores, recusals, eligibility for their agency only.
- The CFA system should include but not be limited to the following capabilities:
• Automated Messages: Ability to send automated messages based on application or program milestones or updates among all types of users.
• API Integration: API to integrate with agency application databases to be able to import key application data. Systems differ per agency. Data transfer is currently initiated by the URL database query in XML format.
• Bulk Downloads: Ability for certain users to bulk download application information, including documents/attachments.
• PDF Generation. Ability to provide neatly formatted PDF version of an applications questions and data.
• Bulk Upload: Ability for certain users to bulk upload application information, including documents/attachments.
• Improved User Interface/Experience: General appearance improvements, streamlined and intuitive ability for agency admin to create and test programs in real-time, and functionality improvements such as registering accounts.
- Cloud Hosting and Management features:
• High availability architecture (regional availability zones)
• Load balancing
• Secure connection to managed applications
• Local printing capabilities
• Dedicated cloud resources and architecture
• Security updates & patching
• Backup and Restore operations
• Disaster Recovery (with a hot standby environment)
• Environment and Application availability and performance monitoring and tuning
• Additional environments as necessary for sandbox / development / staging etc.
• Help desk platform
• User management & support.