Build an online store

Organizational Overview The International Service Organization of SAA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve member groups by helping carry the SAA message of recovery to the sex addict who still suffers. ISO operates seven independent public-facing websites, including one Drupal site, four WordPress sites, and two HTML4 sites. ISO is in the process of revising its web presence to bring all seven sites into one multi-site with various subsites. This project was initiated last year with the completion of a Salesforce-backed meeting search implementation on Drupal. Project Overview ISO is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to design, develop, and deliver a replacement for the existing SAA store website. The current store is built on ShopSite using custom HTML, JavaScript, and CSS and relies on an outdated PHP environment that cannot be safely upgraded. This creates ongoing security, maintenance, and operational risks. This RFP is focused solely on the store website and is separate from prior or future initiatives related to meeting search, service collaboration, or discussion forums. Project Objective The objective of this project is to provide a modern, secure, and maintainable e-commerce solution that allows members and the public to purchase physical and digital items and enables members to register for two annual events. This project is intended to replace the existing store with a functionally equivalent solution while eliminating technical debt and upgrade constraints. ISO anticipates ongoing web development needs in the coming years. A successful engagement may lead to additional work and continued partnership. Project Governance and Oversight Requirements ISO requires the selected vendor to: • Participate in weekly status meetings with budget burn reporting • Provide detailed time tracking by task • Support milestone-based not-to-exceed budgets • Request formal written approval for scope changes • Allow UAT before milestone approval Scope of Work – Store Website Functional Requirements The store website must provide the following core functionality: • User-friendly browsing of products and categories • Product detail pages with descriptions and pricing • Event registration or a strategy to provide event registration outside the site (see below) • Shopping cart and checkout functionality • Secure payment processing compliant with PCI standards • Automated order confirmation and customer communication • Mobile-friendly, responsive design • Compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards (or equivalent) • Support for screen readers, keyboard navigation, and assistive technologies Administrative Requirements • Staff-accessible product management (add/edit/remove products, pricing) • Order management and basic reporting • Ability to manage content without custom development • Configurable and flexible shipping rules • Ability to manage shipping tiers, regions, and pricing adjustments without custom development • Ability to calculate sales tax • Support for domestic and international shipping configurations Technical Requirements • The solution must run on a modern, supported technology stack. • The platform must allow regular updates to core software and dependencies. • The solution should align with ISO’s broader web presence strategy, with platform direction to be informed by vendor recommendations. • The solution must not rely on outdated PHP versions or unsupported libraries. • Solutions must minimize reliance on custom code wherever possible. • Solutions should avoid proprietary architectures that create long-term vendor lock-in. • The solution must be maintainable by ISO staff with reasonable training and without ongoing developer dependence for routine updates. Event Registration Considerations • Vendors should propose options for supporting event registration (annual Conference and convention). • Registration may be handled within the store or via an external tool. • ISO will evaluate cost, sustainability, and maintainability. • Vendors should clearly outline the cost structure and long-term maintenance implications of each proposed approach. • Provide one or both of the following: 1. Plan to handle event registration directly within the store, including implementation and maintenance costs. 2. Plan to handle registration completely outside of the store, including implementation and maintenance costs, if known. Integrations Any solution proposed must be able to integrate with Salesforce and/or QuickBooks for inventory, financial tracking, and reporting at a later date. Actual integration is out of scope for this project. Vendors should clearly identify assumptions and multi-project approaches related to integrations. Out of Scope This project does not include redesign or replacement of non-store ISO websites, changes to Salesforce configuration, or implementation of future member features unless explicitly proposed as optional add-ons. Desired Outcomes • Reliable and secure SAA Store • Reduced long-term maintenance risk • Mobile first, easy to use, and accessible user experience • A stable foundation for potential future enhancements Vendor Qualifications • Proven experience designing and implementing e-commerce websites • Familiarity with secure payment systems • Ability to deliver solutions that can be maintained in-house • Familiarity with nonprofit or mission-driven organizations is preferred but not required Proposal Requirements Vendor Information: • Overview of relevant experience and qualifications. Technical Approach: • Description of the proposed technology stack. • Method for event registration. • Approach to future integration of Salesforce, QuickBooks, and other required platforms. • Timeline and key milestones for the project. Budget and Pricing: • Detailed cost breakdown for each website (including cost of software purchases/licenses). • Ongoing maintenance and support fees. References: • At least three references from previous clients. • Examples of similar completed projects. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: • Demonstrated understanding of the project scope and objectives. • Technical expertise and proposed solutions. • Cost-effectiveness and value. • Relevant experience and references.