Since 2016, NTNU has had an agreement with Blackboard for the digital learning management system Blackboard Learn. 

This agreement expires in 2024, and therefore a new procurement process has been started now. The procurement regulations set out guidelines for the length of contractual agreements. Both the competitive situation and the companies' need for updated systems are taken into account. 

Changing the learning management system is both time-consuming and resource intensive. At the same time, good processes leading up to a new acquisition will give us opportunities for development, increased added value and improved quality in the learning environment at NTNU.

NTNU made the Blackboard acquisition independently and has managed the system during the period as the only institution in Norway. Most other universities and colleges entered into a joint sector framework agreement through UNIT and signed an agreement with the supplier of the learning management system Canvas. 

Sikt (formerly Unit) will now negotiate a new framework agreement with approximately the same target dates as NTNU. 

Roadmap for the LMS service on Sikt's website. 

In preparation for a new procurement process, the Vice-Rector for Education has decided that NTNU will participate in the work towards a new framework agreement with the sector, and that we will work actively to ensure that all institutions choose the same solution. 

Public procurement follows a standardised procurement process. (See phase descriptions in the picture below.) NTNU has appointed a steering group to follow the procurement until the agreement is entered into. 

Most of the work in the different phases of the procurement process will take place under the auspices of Sikt, but NTNU will be an active party together with the other institutions. To ensure organisational involvement, NTNU has organized a separate project to map and clarify our needs. We aim to contribute fully in the design of the requirements specification to ensure NTNU's needs are met in the best way. 

Information on public procurement.

1. Pre-phase and preparations

Activity to prepare NTNU for new procurement has included:

• Dialogue with the Section for Procurement and Purchasing 

• Dialogue with Sikt 

• Anchoring the process and decisions with the vice-rector 

  • Procedure in the vice-rector's Management Group and the Education Committee 

  • The work is based on decisions made primarily in the following meetings: 

    • 26.04.21: Case in the vice-rector's management group 

    • 10.05.21: Sak i UU

    • 18.10.21: Sak i UU

• Creating a steering group. This steering group will follow the process up to and including the conclusion of the agreement. 

Phase 2: Clarify needs and prepare for competition 

A project has been launched to ensure the involvement of the organisation and to map and describe the needs of NTNU. There will be activities for relevant user groups/stakeholders throughout the spring. There will be formal activities via faculties, and other relevant academic environments, but also in informal channels.

There will be a focus on ensuring that everyone who wants to be able to provide input and share experiences can do so. The project will submit a report based on these activities to the vice-rector further along in the process. These activities will form a starting point for further requirements specifications. 

Sikt will carry out its own survey of the institutions, and NTNU's internal work will be included here. 

Phase 3: Prepare and conduct competition

Most of the work in this phase will take place under the auspices of Sikt. NTNU aims to be a premise supplier for the design of requirements specification.

Phase 4: Introduction, piloting and training

Prepare to execute the contract and to use the agreement. Contact follow-up. Start-up the new system. 

NTNU currently has the Blackboard system Blackboard Learn. Blackboard has otherwise developed a new version called Ultra which is to be regarded as a completely new platform with changed functionality, new tools and changed workflow. If we were to continue with Blackboard, it would only be possible in this new version, so no it is not possible to carry on using Blackboard Learn.

It will be possible to transfer content from the old to the new system. Details and scope of this depend on which system is chosen and will have to be tested. A number of tools that are connected to Blackboard will be able to be connected to other learning platforms, e.g., Panopto. The course pages will have to be rebuilt, and this will be a good opportunity to re-design content and structure.