Deputy Superintendent Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, October 2, 2018
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Purchase of Universal Licenses from Certiport (Sole-Source Provider) for Industry Certification Testing and Practice Software (Workforce Connections)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers students and teachers industry certification practice and test administration through Certiport for a variety of career-themed courses.  This purchase will provide 9,543 universal licenses, which allows an individual user to take up to six industry certification tests, including Microsoft, Adobe, Autodesk, Intuit, and Certiport-branded industry certifications.  These universal licenses may be used by students and teachers at any Certiport Authorized Testing Center in Hillsborough County Public Schools. The certification exams are recognized by industry and provide students with a marketable skill to take to the workforce.  Students successfully earning industry certifications generate weighted full-time equivalent (FTE) funding back to the career-themed courses where the industry certifications are earned.  Industry certifications are to be included in the calculation of school grades. Certiport is the single source provider of the Certiport Universal License program, and the sole exam developer and sole provider of the exam delivery system for the various industry certifications included within the Certiport Universal License program; therefore, Certiport is the exclusive agent in the state.  In accordance with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Purchasing Policy 6A-1.012(12)(d), commodities or contractual services available only from a single source may be exempted from the competitive solicitation requirements. When a district school board believes that commodities or contractual services are available only from a single source as specified by the FLDOE, the district school board may negotiate on the best terms and conditions with the single source vendor.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate • Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
This district license is subject to renewal on an annual basis to provide continual success to certification preparation and testing.  Funds in the amount of $458,541.15 will be available in the Industry Certification Project 4527.  These funds are from weighted FTE funds earned by previous student achievement in Industry Certification testing.
EVALUATION
In 2017/2018, elementary, middle, and high school students combined to earn 5,370 Industry Certifications through Certiport, which is a 31.7 percent improvement over the prior year.  The district CTE staff will evaluate this purchase based on the number of certifications attempted and earned for the 2018/2019 school year.
SUBMITTED BY:  Warren S. Brooks, Workforce Connections Officer

Warren S. Brooks		Gretchen Saunders
Workforce Connections Officer (813) 231-1860		Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270
		C 6.04
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20181002_903 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.04