What happens if our university misses accessibility compliance deadlines?

Missing accessibility deadlines may expose your university to compliance risks and create barriers for users. Requiring vendor audits and deadlines in your RFP helps address these issues.

How should vendors prove accessibility expertise in their RFP response?

Ask vendors to supply completed higher ed web builds with accessibility audits, actual audit reports, and independent client references. This ensures you see direct proof of hands-on accessibility work and expertise.

How detailed should technical requirements be in an RFP?

Your RFP should list approved CMS platforms (such as Drupal, WordPress), authentication methods, privacy and security needs, required integrations, expected hosting, and steps for accessibility verification. Vague requirements lead to bad vendor fits and costly scope changes.

How do we score and compare RFP responses?

Score RFPs using defined criteria such as accessibility, platform and integration experience, security track record, delivery timeline, ongoing support, and total project cost. Standardize tables and require evidence for each factor to make committee review efficient and defensible.

Can we require post-launch accessibility monitoring?

Yes; your RFP can emphasize the importance of periodic post-launch accessibility monitoring and a support plan for meeting future accessibility standards. Ongoing monitoring strengthens your long-term compliance posture and helps maintain accessibility.

How do we ensure web content stays accessible after launch?

Emphasize the importance of regular internal audits and provide written maintenance processes to sustain accessibility between formal reviews.

Who should be involved in developing the RFP?

It is helpful for your RFP team to include members with a variety of roles and perspectives relevant to compliance and web strategy.

Higher Ed Compliance

How do you write a web development RFP for higher education with specific compliance needs?

Leave with a practical RFP template built to pass accessibility, legal, and technology audits.

By the DoodleWeb team · Last updated October 6, 2026

WCAG 2.2 AA
Seattle, USA
Senior engineers only

Get help with Higher Ed Compliance

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WCAG 2.2 AA
Seattle, USA
Senior engineers only

What you get

Explicit Accessibility and Regulatory Language

State required WCAG 2.1 AA or Section 508 conformance, require vendors to identify current barriers, and insist on evidence of past accessibility projects. This filters out unqualified bidders and streamlines audits when you go live.

Detailed Technical and Compliance Requirements

Specify approved CMS platforms (Drupal, WordPress), SSO/authentication, data handling, privacy, and integrations, and define how compliance gets verified and who handles each step. This eliminates mismatched builds and accountability gaps.

Scored Evaluation for Accessibility, Security, Experience

Use weighted scoring for accessibility expertise, security protocols, relevant higher ed experience, and ability to document compliance. This supports transparent, defensible bid decisions and meets audit requirements.

Mandatory QA, Staff Training, and Ongoing Accessibility

Demand regular accessibility tests, require staff content accessibility training, and a written post-launch support plan. This keeps your website compliant and prepares you for any future audit or standard.

Vendor Evidence: Case Studies and Proof

Require higher ed project case studies, recent accessibility audits, staff credentials (CPACC, WAS), and real client references. This exposes agencies lacking in actual compliance expertise and blocks empty marketing proposals.

How it works

1
List All Compliance Requirements and Legal Standards
Detail every relevant regulation (WCAG 2.1 AA, Section 508), institutional policies, and required accessibility/data privacy audits. Clearly state project deadlines and the risks of missing them so vendors can set honest timelines and budgets.
2
Define Platform, Integrations, Support, and Handoff
Specify approved CMS platforms, system integrations (such as Banner, SSO), documentation, support expectations, and precise accessibility verification methods. This clarity avoids missed handoffs and legal gaps.
3
Structure the RFP for Direct Comparison
Provide tables or forms for vendors to detail their platforms, approaches to accessibility, past case studies, and cost. Pre-define formats so scoring is fair, quick, and committee-ready.
4
Publish Evaluation and QA Rules Upfront
Share scoring rubrics, evidence requirements, QA steps, and reporting expectations in the initial RFP. This reduces confusion, keeps reviews on track, and stops post-issuance delays.

98%

of U.S. higher education websites are legally required to meet accessibility under Section 504/ADA (EDUCAUSE, 2021)

3-6 months

Typical timeline from RFP issuance to award for higher ed web projects (Hanover Research, 2022)

W3C 2023

WCAG 2.1 AA is the governing accessibility benchmark for web content

Frequently asked questions

A higher education web development RFP should require WCAG 2.1 AA (from W3C) for accessibility. Be sure to name any relevant state digital accessibility or privacy regulations and your own internal IT compliance policies in the RFP.

Need a compliance-safe RFP your committee will approve?

DoodleWeb’s senior engineers guide higher ed web RFPs and deliver full-scale accessible sites—from stakeholder requirements to campus launch. Schedule a call for a real RFP review or to get started with a template.