What is happening?ÌýIn 2022, a project was started to review our learning management system LEARN (D2L Brightspace)Ìýto better understand how the platform may or may not be meeting the needs and expectations of our campus community. As perÌýPolicy 17 – Quotations and Tenders, a renewal of the D2L Brightspace contract, or the signing of a new contract with an alternate LMS provider, requires the University to initiate a publicly advertised competitive bidding process. This legal requirement ensures fair market competition for all potential vendors. ThroughÌýthis past winter, the University partneredÌýwithÌýthe Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM), a trusted not-for-profit collaborative sourcing partner for Ontario’s education sector, broader public sector, and other not-for-profits, in a competitive LMS open-procurement process.Ìý
Is there any impact to LEARN for the fall 2023 term? No. Currently, LEARN remains the University’s supported LMS tool and will continue to be used for the fall term.
Why did À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ partner with OECM?ÌýThe partnershipÌýsupplements the market research we were conducting through the LMS review andÌýprovides opportunitiesÌýtoÌýminimize costs associated with initiating our own procurement process, while generating savings and efficiencies on products and services available through the Marketplace.
What is the status of this process?ÌýOECM is evaluating proposals submitted by vendors to select the optimal LMS solution(s) for Ontario higher education institutions, according to the requirements and evaluations provided by those in this partnership. We are currently awaiting these resultsÌýbefore moving forward.Ìý
Additional information will be communicated when available. PleaseÌývisit the LMS Review project pageÌýto learn more about this work.
Questions or concerns?ÌýPlease contact Pam Fluttert,Ìýfluttert@uwaterloo.ca.
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