HCPS FL Logo Teaching and Learning
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, August 1, 2017
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Purchase of the Subscription and Hosting Services from Cengage Learning, Inc. (Sole Source Provider) (Office of Teaching and Learning)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Cengage Learning, Inc. (Cengage) subscription and hosting service agreement provides students and staff with home and school online access to the Gale Databases. This curriculum-aligned resource includes articles, videos, charts, images, infographics, and books. The intuitive interface is designed to engage diverse learners through on-demand multi-language translation capabilities, text-to-speech technology, and instructional tutorial videos. Users can search, download, view, translate, print, and save references for academic research. It is fully integrated with Microsoft Office 365, allowing users to highlight, take notes, and save directly to district OneDrive and OneNote accounts. Additionally, the home access feature extends the opportunity for families to engage in digital and media literacy.

The initial term of this agreement shall be for a one-year period, with four one-year renewals.  There is a 30-day termination for convenience clause included in this contract. All prices offered are firm against any increase for the full term of the agreement. This agreement will be reviewed and evaluated annually and may be renewed by the Superintendent, per the terms of the specifications. This agreement represents an increase in services and resources over the previous agreement, with a cost reduction of $25,000.
 
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)
Funds in the amount of $85,000 will be available in the state library media categorical funds annually - Project 4505.  As of July 11, 2017, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $829,021.
EVALUATION
The K-12 Media Leadership Team meets quarterly and reviews antidotal feedback indicating overall satisfaction with the Gale Databases, as further evidenced by 2.75 million searches initiated during 2016/2017.  Future evaluations will be coordinated with the Department of Evaluation.
SUBMITTED BY:  Deborah Cook, Chief Academic Officer, Office of Teaching and Learning
Janet Spence, Instructional Leadership Director, Middle School Education
Kimberly DeFusco, Supervisor, Library Media Services
Gretchen Saunders   Dr. Alberto Vázquez
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
  Chief of Staff
(813) 272-4986
    C 6.03
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20170801_817 (Board Meeting followed by Public Hearing) * Section C Item# 6.03